Force Overpowers Avengers
by Tim Peterson
Published on March 16, 2008 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers
(Duluth, GA) - Sonny Cumbie threw for 317 yards and five touchdowns but it wasn't enough as the Avengers fell to Georgia 58-34 Saturday at the Gwinnett Center.
Cumbie, who was tied for the league lead in touchdown passes coming into the game, was upstaged by Chris Greisen of the Force. Greisen completed 26 of 41 for 366 yards and seven touchdowns with no interceptions.
Charles Pauley was usually on the receiving end of Greisen's tosses hauling in 10 receptions for 134 yards and two touchdowns in his Georgia debut.
The Force took a 6-0 lead after the first quarter and still led 22-7 at halftime. The Avengers only score of the first half came early in the second quarter on a 14 yard touchdown pass from Cumbie to Kevin Ingram. The score gave LA a 7-6 lead but it was the only Avenger lead of the contest.
Georgia responded with a 43 yard strike from Greisen to Pauley and another 43 yard scoring pass to Troy Bergeron.
The Avengers tried to answer in the third quarter with their leading receiver Timon Marshall. Marshall was able to get behind the Force secondary for TD catches from Cumbie for 43 and 40 yards. The 40 yard score cut Georgia's lead to 29-21.
But Greisen went right back to work late in the third. He hit Bergeron again for another 43 yard touchdown and then fired a four yard bullet to James Clark in the endzone to put the Force up 42-21 after three.
The teams traded touchdowns in the fourth quarter as Greisen and Cumbie both threw two scores.
Marshall was again LA's big play guy. He caught nine passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns. Ingram had four receptions for 41 yards and a pair of scores.
Besides Pauley, Greisen had plenty of other targets. Bergeron hauled in seven passes for 151 yards and three scores. Carl Morris caught eight passes for 77 yards and a touchdown.
The Force got back on track after two consecutive losses improving to 1-2. The Avengers lost their first of the year and fell to 2-1.
LA is finally back at home after two weeks of living out of suitcases. The Avengers will face Philadelphia Thursday night at Staples Center at 7:30.
Passing: LA- Cumbie 20-38-317-5-1. GA- Greisen 26-41-366-7-0.
Total Yards: LA- 305, GA- 389.
LA 0 7 14 13 34
GA 6 16 20 16 58
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