Big Plays on Defense Help Avengers Hang On

Thanks to a well-placed hand by defensive specialist Mark Ricks and a sack by Chad Dukes, the Avengers avoided losing on the game’s final play for the third consecutive game.

Ricks kept Lamont Cooper from catching what would have been the go-ahead touchdown pass with two seconds left and Dukes sacked Jeff Loots on the game’s final play in a 46-41 victory over the Buffalo Destroyers on Saturday night before 14,427 at Staples Center in the Arena Football League regular-season finale for both teams.

It was the highest attendance for a regular-season home game in the Avengers’ three-year history.

Ricks either deflected the pass or distracted Cooper enough to prevent him from catching a ball he got his hands on in the end zone. Replays were inconclusive.

With the ball at the 25-yard line, Buffalo had one more chance to pull out the victory, but Dukes sacked Loots for a five-yard loss.

The Avengers (8-6) clinched the No. 5 seeding in the playoffs and a first-round home game Saturday.

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In other games:

Chris Horn scored four touchdowns as the Arizona Rattlers beat the New Jersey Gladiators, 53-45, before 6,341 at East Rutherford, N.J.