Avengers Rally to Stop Force
by Tim Peterson
February 5, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers
(Los Angeles)- The Los Angeles Avengers rallied from a 21-3 second quarter deficit to beat the Georgia Force 46-41 Friday night before a capacity crowd at Staples Center. The victory evened the Avengers record at 1-1. The Force are also 1-1 with the loss.
An Avenger turnover in the second led directly to a Georgia touchdown and LA found themselves down by 18. However they battled back and when John Kaleo hit Kevin Ingram on a 10-yard touchdown strike with ten seconds left in the half the Force advantage was only 27-24.
Josh Jeffries capped LA's opening drive of the third quarter with a rushing touchdown to give LA its first lead at 31-27. The turning point in the game occurred on the ensuing kickoff. Georgia's Troy Bergeron couldn't handle Remy Hamilton's kick and Antuan Simmons, the rookie out of USC, fell on the ball in the end zone for a 37-27 advantage. It was a lead the Avengers would never relinquish.
LA held Georgia to just seven points in the fourth quarter and did enough offensively to preserve the win. It was a different story in the first half. After a slow first period that saw the Force leading 7-3, Kubiak connected with Bergeron for three touchdowns in the second quarter as the Force opened it up.
Although Kubiak slowed down in the second half, he had a big night. He was 32 of 42 for 319 yards and six touchdowns. He also threw one interception. Derek Lee had 11 catches for 120 yards and two scores for Georgia while Bergeron caught nine for 91 and three touchdowns.
Kaleo was not quite as explosive but still turned in a solid, workman like performance. He was 16 of 29 for 215 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. His favorite targets were Greg Hopkins and Kevin Ingram. Hopkins had six receptions for 42 yards and Ingram hauled in four for 91 yards and a touchdown. Hamilton was named offensive player of the game with four field goals.
Next up for the Avengers is a road trip to Austin Texas to take on the Wrangles on Friday night. LA then returns home on Sunday February 20 to battle their old nemesis, the San Jose Sabercats, at 3:00 pm.
GA 7 20 7 7 41
LA 3 21 16 6 46
Stats: Passing: G- Kubiak 32-42-319-6-1.
LA- Kaleo 16-29-215-2-0.
Total Yards: G- 324, LA- 234.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 5, 2005
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- Avengers Rally to Stop Force - OSC Original by Tim Peterson
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