Avengers Topple Defending Champs

Tony Graziani threw six touchdown passes--five to Greg Hopkins--and ran for another score as the Avengers beat defending Arena League champion Grand Rapids, 68-61, Saturday night before 10,454 at Grand Rapids, Mich.

Graziani was 20 of 31 for 288 yards, and Hopkins finished with 13 receptions for 162 yards. Chad Dukes added a touchdown run and also scored on a kickoff return for the Avengers (5-4), who played without Chris Jackson, the team leader in touchdowns.

Avenger Coach Ed Hodgkiss said Jackson, who sat out the game because of a hamstring injury, should be back next week.

The Rampage (5-4) was led by Clint Dolezel, who completed 28 of 40 passes for 299 yards and a franchise-record nine touchdown passes.

Orlando 52, New York 33--Jay Gruden, the brother of NFL coach Jon Gruden, threw six touchdown passes as the visiting Predators (4-5) won before 11,036 at Uniondale, N.Y. Jay Gruden, who returned to the field this season after four years as the franchise’s head coach, was 24 for 40 for 303 yards.

New Jersey 55, Tampa Bay 33--Jay McDonagh was 21 of 32 for 169 yards and three touchdowns as the visiting Gladiators (6-3) scored the first 21 points of the second half to break away at Tampa, Fla., in front of 15,394.

San Jose 74, Chicago 68--Omarr Smith intercepted a pass and caught a 35-yard touchdown pass on the next play to lead the SaberCats (9-0) past the Rush (5-4) at San Jose.