Graziani Lifts Avengers to 54-48 Overtime Victory

Tony Graziani may have started a quarterback controversy.

Graziani, the Avengers’ third-string quarterback last week, entered Saturday night’s Arena Football League game against the Arizona Rattlers at Phoenix midway through the third quarter. All he did was complete 11 of 17 passes for 125 yards and five touchdowns and lead Los Angeles to a 54-48 overtime victory.

“He did the job we needed him to do,” Avenger Coach Robert Lyles said.

The Avengers led, 48-45, with 42 seconds left, but Arizona’s Ignacio Brache kicked a 29-yard field goal to force overtime.

Graziani connected with Travis Hannah for a touchdown on the first overtime series. The defense then held Arizona.

The Avengers (4-6) won for the fourth time in five games, and are in third place in the Western Division, 2 1/2 games behind first-place San Jose. The Rattlers are 6-4.

Erik Wilhelm, the regular starter, couldn’t play because of a rib injury, so Todd Marinovich took his place.

But Marinovich, playing for the first time in more than a month, suffered a concussion early in the second half. When Graziani entered the game, the Avengers trailed, 28-20.

He threw a short touchdown pass on his first pass and continued to shine.