Dallas downs L.A., 72-50
Published on March 19, 2005 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release
Just over a month after beating the Austin Wranglers, the Avengers could not complete the Texas two-step Friday night as the Dallas Desperados were the ones doing all the dancing in a 72-50 victory over Los Angeles on Friday night at STAPLES Center.
Dallas came into the game with the No. 2 rushing attack in the Arena Football League and showed why versus the Avengers, scoring four touchdowns on the ground.
After losing at home for the first time this season, Avengers fell to 4-3, and now sit in a three-way tie for first place in the Western Division with Las Vegas and San Jose. Dallas improved its record to an impressive 6-2.
Both teams came into the game extremely hot having won four of their last five games, but it was the Desperados who came out on fire. The bye week did not change anything for Los Angeles as they got down early once again, and trailed at the half for the sixth time in seven games, this time 35-24.
"We had a good week of practice, but we just got behind early and had to play catch-up all night long," Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss said. "You can't do that in this league; get yourself behind the eight ball early in the game."
Things would only get worse for the Avengers in the second half as the Dallas defense forced two costly turnovers.
In the third quarter, down by only 11 points and driving, L.A. quarterback John Kaleo made the biggest mistake of the game early, throwing the football right to Dallas defensive specialist Jermaine Jones, who then had a clear path to the end zone.
"You can't throw a pick for a touchdown," Hodgkiss said. "I don't think John (Kaleo) saw the defender, but I will have to take a look at the film and see what happened. Take out that turnover and we were moving the ball efficiently on offense."
Kaleo did finish with good numbers -- 22-of-36 passing for 251 yards and seven touchdowns -- but his interception was deflating as the play seemed to take the wind out of Los Angeles. On the very next possession, Kaleo was sacked in the end zone for a safety giving Dallas a 51-31 lead with 8:25 remaining in the third quarter.
"Oh it definitely took the air out of us," WR/DB Kevin Ingram said in referring to the interception. "You can't do that against a team as good as Dallas. Then to give up a safety right after, you can't do that."
The Avenger defense had no answer for the Desperado offense, which tied a season-high with 72 points.
Dallas quarterback Clint Stoerner finished 18-of-30 for 143 yards and four touchdowns, but more importantly, threw no interceptions. Stoerner now has thrown 37 touchdown passes and just five interceptions this season.
WR/LB Jason Shelly did his part for the Desperados, scoring two touchdowns on six catches.
Dallas got on the board first on its opening drive when Stoerner found Shelly for a 22-yard strike to make it 7-0.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Avengers caught a bad break as the ball caromed off the net past two Avengers and right into the waiting arms of "U.S. Army Ironman of the Game" Bobby Sippio at 4-yard line, before he waltzed into the end zone to make it 14-0 in favor of Dallas.
"I do not know if it was a miscommunication or not by our guys, but it hit the post and no one picked up the ball," Avenger assistant head coach/special teams coordinator Brent Winter said.
Kaleo came right back and tossed a scoring pass to Ingram from 5-yards out. The drive was aided by two personal fouls on the Dallas defense.
The two would later hook up for two more touchdowns. Ingram and Kaleo now have connected for a team-high 11 touchdowns this season.
After WR/DB Will Pettis ran the ball in for Dallas from 1-yard out, the Avengers answered when Kaleo hit offensive specialist Tony Locke in the back of the end zone. Locke now has seven touchdowns in just four games since being added to the Los Angeles roster.
After WR/LB Khori Ivy scored for the Avengers, kicker Remy Hamilton failed on an onside kick attempt. The Desperados took advantage as FB/LB Duke Pettijohn continued the Dallas march on the ground as he scored from 2-yards out.
Hamilton's 41-yard field goal right before halftime cut the deficit to 35-24. He is now 18-of-21 on the season.
The Avenger offense showed some signs of life early in the second half. Kaleo found WR/DB Brian Sump streaking down the sideline for the touchdown. Sump made a great diving catch on a ball that was just over his head.
But the defense had no answer for Dallas' potent offense. Stoerner found Pettis and later would find Jason Shelly for a second time to make it 58-38 with 11:13 left.
Ingram's third touchdown with just over eight minutes remaining made it 58-44. But, once again the Avenger onside kick failed. Toombs' second touchdown of the game and a pass to Colston Weatherington sealed the win for Dallas.
Ivy added a late touchdown catch to make the final score 72-50.
Los Angeles will be at home next week against another top-notch opponent when it hosts the Tampa Bay Storm on Saturday, March 26. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and the game will be televised on FSN West.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 19, 2005
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