Avengers shock SaberCats, 73-72

Sports stats



AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Avengers shock SaberCats, 73-72

by Tim Peterson, Mid Valley News
February 9, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)


(Los Angeles)- Here in the land of celebrities, movie premiers and television studios a game could not have had a better Hollywood ending. It couldn't have been scripted better by Steven Spielberg. Instead it was perfectly designed by Los Angeles Avengers coach Ed Hodgkiss.

Tony Graziani hit Greg Hopkins in the corner of the endzone for a two point conversion with one second remaining on the clock to give the Los Angeles an electrifying 73-72 victory over the San Jose SaberCats before 14,992 at Staples Center Sunday.

The Avengers defense, which had been torched for most of the game, held San Jose to a field goal on the 'Cats' previous drive to stay within seven at 72-65.

Kevin Ingram returned the ensuing kickoff back to the Sabercat 13 yard line to put the Avengers in striking distance. Graziani then found Ingram on a short pass to the nine and followed it up with a strike to Chris Jackson down to the one. After a time out, Graziani was stopped for no gain on a quarterback sneak. Hodgkiss again called time out and then called on Mathis Vavao who banged into the endzone to set up the two-point game winner.

"I knew we had the momentum there and I felt we had a play that had been successful in the past," said Hodgkiss on his decision to go for the win. "When we got the ball back I was originally thinking we'll probably go to overtime because it's a home game. But we got the ball down there and scored with about five seconds left and I said, 'We're going for two.'"

The Avengers were playing catch-up nearly the entire game. San Jose, behind the offensive weapons of quarterback Mark Grieb and receiver James Hundon, ran out to leads of 41-21 and 55-38. But each time the Avengers appeared to be knocked out, they got back on their feet and battled back.

"We have some guys that are Arena League veterans, and they've seen teams come back from that type of lead before," Hodgkiss said. "I told them at halftime that we can either get upset and hold our heads down or we can go out and play our game. If we do that we'll be all right."

Hundon caught a 22-yard pass from Grieb on the Cats first possession to go up 7-0. The Avengers bounced back with a 30-yard strike from Graziani to Hopkins to get even. After another Grieb touchdown pass, Graziani connected with Jackson from six yards out and Kevin Clemens busted in for a one-yard run to give LA a 21-13 first quarter lead.

The SaberCats controlled the second period, scoring 28 consecutive points. Graziani threw four interceptions on the day and two of them were returned for scores in the Avengers' forgettable second quarter.

Clevan Thomas stepped in front of a Graziani pass and returned it 28 yards for a touchdown. Four minutes later defensive Lineman Sam Hernandez duplicated the trick with a 23-yard interception return.

Hopkins had a pair of touchdown grabs to begin the third quarter to get the Avengers close, but San Jose countered with a 12-yard scoring pass form Grieb to Barry Wagner and an 11-yard run by Keanaaiana Keala to go back up by 17.

The Avengers racked up 35 points in the final period to overcome the 'Cats. Jackson hauled in two scores in the fourth, and Russell Shaw made a diving Lynn Swann-like 34-yard reception in the back of the endzone for another.

Grieb and Hundon hooked up for a pair of touchdowns for San Jose as the two teams exchanged touchdowns like two boxers going toe to toe in the middle of the ring.

The Avengers finally held the 'Cats to a field goal with 32 seconds left, and they took full advantage to pull it out.

Graziani overcame the four picks by completing 25 of 38 for 345 yards and seven touchdowns. Hopkins caught seven passes for 133 yard and three scores while Jackson also had three TD's on six catches and 70 yards.

"I think this win is huge. It shows a lot of character and the guys never gave up," Graziani said. "It gave me a little shiver down my spine when coach told me we're going for two knowing that it was all or nothing."

Other players were happy with the coach's decision as well. "You have got to go for the win. I would have done the same thing," said offensive lineman Mike Ulufale.

"He (Hodgkiss) made a great call," added kicker Remy Hamilton.

For San Jose, Grieb threw for 290 yards and seven touchdowns. He completed 16 of 22 with one interception. Hundon scored four times on five catches for 130 yards in a losing effort.

The Avengers improved to 2-0 with the win and will travel to Colorado next week. The 'Cats dropped to 1-1 and will entertain Georgia on Sunday.

San Jose   13  28  14  17      72
Los Angeles     21   3  14  35      73

San Jose: Passing-Grieb 16-22-290-7-1.
Los Angeles Passing- Graziani 25-38-345-7-4.

Attendance: 14,992.

The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central.

• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League (1987-2008) message board...

Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 9, 2003


The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central