Avengers Crushed in Colorado
by Tim Peterson
Published on February 27, 2005 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers
(Denver)- The Colorado Crush jumped out to a 21-7 first quarter lead and never looked back as they cruised to a 58-40 victory over the Los Angeles Avenger Sunday at Pepsi Center
The Avengers already trailed 7-0 when Colorado's Kevin McKenzie picked off a John Kaleo pass and returned it six yards for a touchdown to give the Crush a two touchdown lead.
Kaleo then connected with Tony Locke on an eight- yard touchdown pass to cut the lead in half but Colorado came right back on the next possession and scored again. This time John Dutton linked up with Damien Harrell for a 28-yard scoring strike for a 21-7 lead after one.
Kaleo and Locke hooked up again in the second quarter on an eight yard scoring strike. For Locke it was his fifth touchdown reception in the last two weeks. But the Crush maintained control as Dutton connected with Harrell again and Ahmad Hawkins for touchdowns to give the Crush a 37-20 advantage at the break. Colorado kicker Clay Rush booted a 61-yard field goal as time ran out on the first half clock. It was the second longest field goal in Arena Football League history.
The Avengers came out firing in the third period to get back in the game. Greg Hopkins caught an eight yard bullet from Kaleo with 12:51 left in the quarter. The LA defense held and on the ensuing possession Kaleo hit Kevin Ingram from seven yards out to slice the lead to 37-34. However the Crush quickly extinguished the Avengers' fire.
Dutton, who had Harrell on speed dial all afternoon, got him on the line again. First he hit him with nine yard touchdown pass with just over five minutes left in the third period. After the Avengers failed to score Dutton rifled a laser to Harrell in the corner of the end zone for a 51-34 advantage early in the fourth. The Crush defense came up big as well as they stopped LA twice on fourth down in the second half.
Harrell had a career day as he finished the game with 10 receptions for 135 yards and five touchdowns. Dutton completed 23 of 30 for 279 yards and six scores. Hawkins caught five for 78 yards and a touchdown.
Kaleo threw for 289 yards and five touchdowns in a losing effort. Hopkins caught ten passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns.
Colorado improved to 3-2 after a 1-2 start. The Avengers dropped to 3-2 with the loss and will now travel to Arizona to take on the Rattlers next Sunday at America West Arena.
LA 7 16 7 14 40
CO 21 16 7 14 58
Passing: LA: Kaleo â 31-47-284-5-1. CO: Dutton â 23-30-279-6-1.
Total Yards: LA â 281, CO- 297.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 27, 2005
- Avengers Crushed in Colorado - OSC Original by Tim Peterson
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- Avengers crushed at Colorado, 58-40 - Los Angeles Avengers
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- Rampage win 66-57 over Columbus - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Desperados Dominate Soul, 72-43 - Dallas Desperados
- Crush Sprints Past Avengers - Colorado Crush
- Colorado's Clay Rush connects on 62-yard field goal - AFL I
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