Avengers Edge SaberCats 73-72
February 9, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
LOS ANGELES (Feb. 9, 2003) â Los Angeles quarterback Tony Graziani connected with Greg Hopkins on a game-winning two-point conversion with one second left in the game as the Avengers nipped the San Jose SaberCats, 73-72, on Sunday afternoon at STAPLES Center.
Los Angeles scored a SaberCats opponent record 35 fourth quarter points and overcame a 20-point first half deficit to beat San Jose for just the second time in seven meetings.
The SaberCats scored 28 consecutive points in the second quarter to build a 41-21 lead with 97 seconds left in the first half.
Quarterback Mark Grieb connected with James Roe on a 19-yard scoring play a minute and a half into the second stanza to pull San Jose within 21-20.
San Jose's defense then turned to the offensive.
On Los Angeles' ensuing possession, Clevan Thomas intercepted an errant Graziani offering and returned the ball 28 yards for a score to give the SaberCats a 27-21 lead.
Lineman Sam Hernandez got into the act on the Avengers' next possession. He stepped in front of a Graziani screen pass and went 23 yards the other way for another score to increase San Jose's bulge to 34-21.
It was the fourth career interception for Hernandez and first returned for a touchdown.
Thomas picked off another Graziani pass on the next Avenger possession setting up a Grieb to James Hundon 11-yard scoring play and giving the SaberCats a 41-21 lead.
Grieb finished the day 16-of-22 for 290 yards with seven touchdowns. Hundon had five catches for 130 yards and four scores.
Graziani threw three scoring passes in the fourth quarter and Chris Jackson added a fourth as Los Angeles pulled within 69-65 with just under a minute to play in regulation.
San Jose recovered an onside kick but failed to gain a first down and settled for a 21-yard Daron Alcorn field goal to increase its lead to seven, 72-65, with :32 remaining.
A 43-yard kick return by Kevin Ingram gave Los Angeles the ball at the San Jose 13-yard line with :26 left and four plays later Mathias Vavao bulled his way into the endzone from a yard out setting the stage for the dramatic two-point conversion.
San Jose matched a team record with four interceptions in the game and the 72 points scored are the most in a SaberCats loss.
San Jose concludes its season opening three-game road trip with a visit to the Georgia Force on Sunday, February 16. The game will be regionally televised on NBC starting at Noon (PT). The SaberCats play their first home game of the season on Saturday, February 22 against the Colorado Crush. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. at HP Pavilion at San Jose.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 9, 2003
- Avengers shock SaberCats, 73-72 - OSC Original by Tim Peterson, Mid Valley News
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