SaberCats Fend Off Avengers, 66-56
Published on June 1, 2008 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
LOS ANGELES (May 31, 2008) - Mark Grieb completed 25 of his 35 pass attempts for 298 yards and seven TDs as the San Jose SaberCats downed the Los Angeles Avengers, 66-56, in an Arena Football League game Saturday night.
The victory marked the 17th consecutive regular season win over a Western Division opponent for the SaberCats (9-5), who have now taken six out of their last seven games. San Jose is one win away from claiming their third straight division title which would give them a first round bye in the AFL playoffs. The Avengers (4-9) have dropped five of six.
Receiver James Roe opened the scoring for the SaberCats when he hauled in a Grieb 3-yard offering early in the first quarter. Roe finished the night with 117 yards and three TDs on 10 receptions, and has recorded San Jose's first TD in each of the last five games.
The Avengers gained momentum when Ryan Riddle blocked an A.J. Haglund field goal attempt with just over two minutes left in the first half but on the ensuing possession, San Jose defensive back Omarr Smith would force and recover a fumble against receiver J.R. Toliver. Haglund converted on a 34-yarder as time expired to give the SaberCats a 24-14 lead midway through the game.
Grieb found Rodney Wright on fourth and 10 for a 6-yard scoring strike late in the third stanza to maintain San Jose's two-score cushion at 38-28. Wright totaled eight catches for 50 yards and three TDs in the contest.
After Steve Watson and Alan Harper brought down L.A. quarterback Sonny Cumbie on a fourth down play from the one-yard line, Grieb found lineman Julius Gant for a 24-yard score that extended the SaberCats lead to 52-35 with less than six minutes to play.
Watson registered 2.0 sacks in the game and with Ron Jones grabbing another, San Jose extended their league-leading sack total to 26 on the season.
Cumbie recovered from a shakey first quarter by connecting on 21-of-35 passes for 262 yards and five TDs. Lashaun Ward led the Avengers receiving core with 8 receptions, 134 yards and three TDs.
SaberCats center Dan Loney missed his second straight game while Avengers WR/DB Kevin Ingram was ejected in the third quarter for fighting. San Jose committed a season-high 15 penalties for 90 yards.
The defending champions head into their bye week during Week 15 action while the Avengers travel to Salt Lake City to take on the Utah Blaze.
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