Arizona Rattles Avengers With Return

Of all the losses the Avengers have suffered in their first Arena Football League season, Saturday’s 54-51 defeat against Arizona is the toughest to take.

That’s because the Avengers--with a big second-half rally for the second consecutive week--appeared to have the game won.

Todd Marinovich, in a stirring quarterback duel with the Rattlers’ Sherdrick Bonner before 13,964 at Staples Center, appeared to make the deciding play on a 29-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Rice with seven seconds to play.

But the Rattlers’ Hunkie Cooper returned the kickoff 54 yards for a touchdown as time expired.

The victory kept Arizona (7-2) tied with San Jose for first place in the Western Division.

Los Angeles fell to 1-8.

“As long as you have a one tick on the clock in Arena ball, that’s enough,” said Cooper, who has returned 17 kickoffs for touchdowns, a league record.

“I really think [Kyle Pooler] out-kicked his coverage. I got the ball, the blocks were set up, I hit a crease in the coverages and was off to the races.”

Avenger Coach Stan Brock did not blame anyone for the final breakdown.

“I proud of our guys for the way they stayed in the game and fought back. Hunkie is a heck of a football player, always has been,” Brock said.

Marinovich completed 20 of 32 attempts for 258 yards and seven touchdowns.

Avenger receiver Chris Jackson, who had 113 yards receiving, had four touchdown catches among his nine receptions.

Bonner was 18 for 38 for 255 yards and five touchdowns.