Avengers Take 52-51 Victory

Playing the kind of game they so often lost in their first two Arena Football League seasons, the Avengers overcame their errors to squeak past the Dallas Desperados, 52-51, before 15,196 at American Airlines Arena in Dallas.

The Avengers--who led, 28-27, at halftime--improved to 2-1 despite amassing 18 penalties for 96 yards. Last season the Avengers led the league in penalties, with 122 for 889 yards.

Dallas (1-2), an expansion team playing its first home game, failed to convert three extra points. The last one followed a two-yard touchdown pass from Andy Kelly to Dialleo Burks with less than a second to play. A bad snap on the point-after attempt cost kicker Jason Wells a chance to tie the score.

Avenger Chris Jackson, the league’s leading receiver, caught eight passes for 127 yards and three touchdowns. The last one was a 22-yard reception with 13 seconds to play.

Quarterback Tony Graziani completed 23 of 34 passes for 312 yards and five touchdowns. He was intercepted once. Receiver-linebacker Greg Hopkins had a huge night, catching nine passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns. He also returned an interception for a touchdown.