Avengers Lose Again, 61-53

New Coach Robert Lyles got the Avengers closer to winning than any other time this Arena Football League season, but he was not able to reverse his team’s continued slide Thursday night.

Three turnovers and a blown defensive assignment in the fourth quarter all contributed to the Avengers’ 61-53 loss to the Florida Bobcats before 1,154 at the National Car Rental Center in Plantation, Fla.

The Avengers, 0-4 and losers of seven consecutive games dating to last season, have 15 days before playing at Nashville.

Avenger quarterback Erik Wilhelm ran for two scores and passed for 270 yards and three touchdowns, including a 24-yard scoring strike to Chris Jackson, playing his first game since rejoining the team on Monday.

“Afterward I told them now is our starting point,” said Lyles, who replaced Stan Brock last Saturday. “In the bye week, we have to make some player moves to make the team better, and keep the remaining guys focused. I don’t want us to take another step back.”