San Jose Extinguishes Utah Blaze
“Everybody played real well tonight”---- Chad Cook

By Barbara Mason 04.08.11
Photos by Al Reyes
Bay Area Sports Drive

It had been nearly three years since the San Jose SaberCats had met the Utah Blaze.  It was May 17^th 2008 to be exact.  San Jose took that game by the score of 74-64 in a tight contest.  Friday night the SaberCats took on the Utah Blaze at HP Pavilion hoping to get back on track after suffering two losses in a row.  Although Utah came into this game riding on a 69-40 drubbing of the Dallas Vigilantes, it was San Jose that took control as the game progressed. 

At the end of the first quarter the game was deadlocked at 14 apiece.  Both of the San Jose touchdowns were rushing, one by #26 Chad Cook and one by # 18 Nichiren Flowers.  As the quarter expired, quarterback Mark Grieb was 6 for 6 and 70 yards. 

As the second quarter got underway, San Jose began to weave some of their magic.  Utah did hold a slight lead in the quarter but watched it dissipate as Mark Grieb threw 10 perfect passes for three touchdowns, two to #88 Samora Goodson and one to Flowers.  Chad Cook turned another rushing touchdown and at the half the SaberCats led by the score of 40-28.  Grieb was 16 for 16 passes, 178 yards and 3 touchdowns.  With 34 seconds left in the half the all important turnover came San Jose’s way, capitalized on by Goodson, putting them in the driver’s seat for the moment.  There was still an entire half of football remaining. 

A wild second half began with a stop by San Jose that was turned into yet another Grieb to Goodson touchdown and a 47-28 score.  Utah would come up with a stop of their own and after three; the score was 47-34. 

Scoring in the early goings of the final quarter, Utah pulled to within six points, 47-41.  It would be up to the San Jose defense to seal the deal.  Leading by 54-41 off another Goodson touchdown, the SaberCat defense did indeed seal the deal with another stop their second of the game.  With under five minutes left in the game, #5 Chido Nwokocha pulled one in for the touchdown and a 61-41 tally.  The Blaze would not go quietly and scored with 42 ticks left on the clock for a 61-48 score.  Again it was Chad Cook with a rushing touchdown to keep the clamps on Utah, 68-48.   The Blaze struck one last time with a kick return for the score and this wild game stood at 68-55.  The incredible performance by Chad Cook was not finished as he rushed for one last touchdown and the final score of 75-55.  The game ended with a #13 Mervin Brookins interception.   

It was a great game for the fans that had been thirsting for the brand of SaberCat football that brought their first victory against the Spokane Shock in week one.  Both offense and defense came to play tonight and it paid off.  Quarterback Mark Grieb had a field day spreading the wealth around as he hit six different receivers.  “This game was stressing me out,” said Samora Goodson after the game.  “It was a good game though, it was a good win for us,” he said.  “I think everybody showed up.  I think everybody understood what it meant to do well tonight for the morale of the team.”  

The player that came up with those big rushing touchdowns Chad Cook was also pleased with the team effort in this game.  “I was trying to go down but one of my linemen pulled me into the end zone,” said Cook of his final score of the evening.  “Everybody played real well tonight, the defense came in real big,” he said.  “Utah is a good team but we had a good week of practice and I think that’s what translated over to the field today.” 

Next week San Jose heads out on the road in a game against the Tulsa Talons.  They will be back home on April 23^rd  to take on the Philadelphia Soul in a grudge match that dates all the way back to the 2008 Arena Bowl in which San Jose came up on the short end of the stick.  They will be more than ready to return the favor.