Avengers Just Miss in OT, 49-48

The Avengers’ three-game winning streak came to an end Saturday, thanks to a reminder of their past and an ominous look at the present.

Detroit quarterback Scott Semptimphelter and fullback Andy Chilcote, who both played in Los Angeles last year, hooked up on an eight-yard touchdown pass on Detroit’s first possession in overtime. And J.R. Jenkins’ extra-point kick was the difference in the Fury’s 49-48 victory before 7,930 at Staples Center.

“We tried that play two other times in the game and it didn’t work,” Chilcote said. “Finally in overtime, it worked.”

The final result could not have been scripted better for Semptimphelter, who passed for 257 yards and five touchdowns, or Chilcote.

Not that Chilcote wanted to gloat. “I’m too old and I’ve been on too many expansion teams,” the seven-year veteran said. “This was just another game.”

Los Angeles scored a touchdown in overtime on an 18-yard pass from Erik Wilhelm to Travis Hannah. But kicker Kris Heppner’s extra-point try was wide right.

It capped a miserable debut for Heppner, who was brought in Friday to replace the injured Brian Reaves. He missed an extra point on the Avengers’ first touchdown, and was 0 for 3 in field goal attempts.

Avenger Coach Robert Lyles flirted with the idea of going for two, “but then you want to do the logical thing. He has to make the kick. That’s the bottom line.”

It was the first road victory for the expansion Fury, and raised their record to 4-5. Los Angeles dropped to 3-6.

Detroit raced out to a 21-0 lead and Los Angeles spent the rest of the game trying to catch up. The Avengers finally did in the last four seconds of regulation, when Wilhelm completed a four-yard touchdown pass to Chris Jackson and followed up with a two-point conversion to Jackson to tie the score at 42.

Ultimately, however, Los Angeles wasted a big night by Wilhelm, who completed 27 of 40 passes (one interception) for 284 yards and six touchdowns. Hannah had eight receptions for 127 yards and four touchdowns.