Slide Continues for Avengers
by Tim Peterson
Published on April 17, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers
(Salt Lake City, UT) - Andy Kelly threw eight touchdown passes to lead the Utah Blaze to a 63-61 victory over the Los Angeles Avengers Saturday before 15, 642 delighted fans at the Delta Center. The win gave the Blaze a series sweep of the Avengers and also sent LA to its fourth consecutive defeat.
Kelly, who was just acquired by the Blaze a week ago, had only six days to prepare for the Avengers but that didn't stop him from clicking all day long. Kelly hooked up with former Avenger Siaha Burley five times for touchdowns.
Burley finished with 11 receptions for 152 yards and the five scores. Kelly completed 21 of 33 for 285 yards in addition to the eight touchdowns.
Utah scored on every possession in the first half but only managed a 35-34 lead at halftime. LA quarterback Sonny Cumbie completed a Hail-Mary pass as time expired to end the first half. The ball bounced off the cross bar and into the hands of Kevin Ingram in the end zone.
Cumbie threw four touchdown strikes in the second quarter, including a 38 yarder to Tony Locke and a 12 yard bullet to Greg Hopkins, to keep the Avengers close.
The Avengers took a 55-49 lead early in the fourth quarter when Cumbie connected with Ingram for a 13 yard touchdown pass. But Kelly found Orshawante Bryant alone in the end zone for a 25 yard score on the next series. He followed that up with a nine yard strike to Burley to give Utah an eight point lead.
The Avengers scored on a four yard run by Cumbie with 1:52 left in the contest, but Blaze linebacker Justin Skaggs tipped away a pass on the two point conversion attempt to seal LA's fate.
Cumbie finished the day 26 of 42 for 337 yards and seven scores. LA's offense began to click in the second quarter but twice in the first the Avengers had to settle for Remy Hamilton field goals.
The Avengers fell to 3-9 with the loss and just completed a disastrous road trip. LA lost all four road contests and barring a miracle will miss the playoffs. The Blaze snapped a four game losing streak improving to 4-8 and is still alive for a post season berth.
LA 6 28 14 13 61
U 14 21 14 14 63
Passing: LA- Cumbie 26-42-337-7-0. U- Kelly 21-33-285-8-1.
Total Yards: LA- 355, U- 302.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 17, 2006
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- The OSC Interview: Austin Wranglers President Doug MacGregor - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
- Rattlers Road Game Versus Dallas Rescheduled - Arizona Rattlers
- Destroyers close out final fourth of season with three of four games on the road - Columbus Destroyers
- Slide Continues for Avengers - OSC Original by Tim Peterson
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