San Jose Routs Avengers

Even after their first couple of defeats, the Los Angeles Avengers held out hope they would put things together and reach the playoffs. After all, 12 of the 17 Arena Football League teams qualify for the postseason.

But after getting embarrassed Saturday by the San Jose SaberCats, 78-25, before 14,063 in the San Jose Arena, and dropping to 0-7, about the only thing Los Angeles can do is get its first season over with.

The 5-2 SaberCats, who won their fourth in a row and moved into sole possession of second place in the Western Division, were one point short of equaling the franchise single game record for points. It was the Avengers’ worst loss.

Coach Stan Brock, continuing to shake up things wherever he can, split the quarterback time between Scott Semptimphelter and Todd Marinovich.

Semptimphelter--who started and passed for 114 yards and one touchdown--discovered early the kind of night it would be by tripping over center Brett Clark’s foot three times in the first quarter, once for a safety. He did lead Los Angeles to 17 second quarter points.

Marinovich, who still awaits word whether charges will be filed for his April 25 arrest on suspicion of sexual assault, started the second half. He threw one touchdown pass, a 12-yarder to Chris Jackson with 55 seconds to play.

Otherwise the Avengers didn’t do much else but trail, and trail big--29-0 after the first quarter, 50-17 at the half and 71-17 after three quarters.

“We were definitely beaten by a better football team,” Brock said. “But we have to a better job of coaching them. The players on the field are giving me all their effort. But all the things we addressed during practice--offense, defense, special teams--we did wrong during the game.”

It was another night of angst for owner Casey Wasserman, who watched his team lose three fumbles--one returned 22 yards for a touchdown by Joey Dozier--and saw them misplay a kickoff that gave San Jose another cheap touchdown.

Afterward, Wasserman said, “My confidence in the coaches has not and does not waiver,” Wasserman said. “I know we were beaten by a much better team. But I also know we can’t keep making the same mental and physical mistakes we make and hope to compete. I never expected us to be 0-7.”