Desperados Upend League Leading Avengers
Published on April 27, 2003 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Dallas Desperados News Release
The Dallas Desperados began their late season push by defeating the Los Angeles Avengers 60-57 in front of 10,019 fans at Reunion Arena. The victory pushes the Desperados record to 8-5, marking the first time in the club's short history the team has been three games above the .500 mark.
With 83 yards on eight catches, Dialleo Burks now has 1,062 receiving yards on the season. Andy McCullough currently has 1,050 receiving yards for the year after posting 77 yards on eight catches. The pair are the first 1,000 yard receivers in the Desperados short history.
Los Angeles began the game with a four minute drive that resulted in a five-yard Tony Graziani-to-Chris Jackson touchdown pass. Dallas quickly answered with a three-yard Jim Kubiak-to- McCullough scoring toss. The Desperados defense then rose to the occasion by holding Los Angeles on downs late in the first quarter.
Dallas then drove to the Avengers six-yard line before Kubiak was intercepted in the end zone by Siaha Burley. Five plays later, Mathias Vavao scored on a one-yard carry to give the Avengers a 14-7 lead. The Desperados wasted no time in responding as Kubiak hooked up with Burks from eight yard out to tie the score. Dallas' defense again stepped up to hold Los Angeles on downs, but Kubiak again returned the ball to the Avengers when Cornelius Coe picked him off in the end zone three plays later. Los Angeles reclaimed the lead with a 13-yard Graziani-to-Jackson scoring toss with 0:10 remaining in the half. After Burks returned the ensuing kickoff to the Dallas 22-yard line, Jason Wells connected on a 38-yard field goal to cut Dallas' halftime deficit to 21-17.
After recovering the Avengers onside kick to open the second half, the Desperados took their first lead of the day when Patrise Alexander rumbled in from a yard out. Los Angeles then put together a six-minute drive to reclaim the lead as Graziani hooked up with Burley from 11 yards out. On Dallas' next play, Kubiak connected with Jason Shelley on a short pass that Shelley converted into a 31-yard touchdown, breaking several tackles on the way. The Avengers wasted no time responding, as Graziani and Jackson hooked up on an eight-yard scoring pass for a 35-31 advantage.
The Desperados opened the final period with a 19-yard Kubiak-to-McCullough touchdown pass for a three point Dallas lead. Los Angeles reclaimed their advantage when Graziani hit Greg Hopkins with an eight-yard touchdown pass. Remy Hamilton missed the ensuing PAT, leaving the Avengers lead at 41-38. Four plays later, however, Kubiak threw his third interception as Damen Wheeler picked off the pass in the end zone with 6:33 remaining in the game. The Desperados defensed forced the Avengers into a 23-yard field goal, which Hamilton converted for a six-point Avengers advantage. The Desperados recovered the ensuing onside and took three plays to reclaim the lead with a two-yard Will Pettis touchdown run. Los Angeles recovered Dallas' onside attempt and quickly took advantage as Graziani and Hopkins hooked up for an eight-yard touchdown pass and a 50-45 Avengers lead. After recovering the Avengers onside kick, Dallas took two plays to reclaim the lead when Kubiak hit Burks with a 17-yard scoring strike. Kubiak then connected with Pettis on the two-point conversion to give the Desperados a 53-50 lead with 0:38 remaining in the game. Two plays later, Tim Martin sacked Graziani, forcing a fumble the McCullough recovered and returned 22 yards for the touchdown and a 10 point Dallas advantage. Los Angeles then drove to a one-yard Graziani touchdown run with 0:02 left on the clock to cut their deficit to three points. The Avengers recovered the ensuing onside kick, but Hamilton's 53-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Martin and recovered by McCullough to seal Dallas' victory.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 27, 2003
- Week 13 AFL Game Summaries - AFL I
- Rush Hand Rampage Second Straight Defeat, 54-46 - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Gladiators Defeat Detroit to Claim First Place in the East - Las Vegas Gladiators
- SaberCats Drop Crush 65-49 - San Jose SaberCats
- Desperados Upend League Leading Avengers - Dallas Desperados
- Rush stays alive with 54-46 win over Grand Rapids - Chicago Rush
- Firebirds Fall Short in Defensive Battle - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
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