Avengers Don’t Feel at Home

Rashied Davis was too small to play varsity football at Granada Hills Kennedy High.

But Davis was standing tall Sunday after returning two kickoffs for touchdowns in the San Jose SaberCats’ 61-55 victory over the Avengers in front of 14,132 at Staples Center.

It was the first loss of the season for the Avengers (2-1) after victories at Arizona and Las Vegas.

“Those [kickoff returns] killed us,” Avenger receiver Kevin Ingram said. “It was the difference in the game.”

Davis, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound receiver and defensive back, grew up less than four miles from Staples Center. He said he was six inches shorter and about 90 pounds lighter when he played junior varsity football at Kennedy but started to grow and put on weight after graduation.

Davis played two years at West L.A. College and two more at San Jose State before joining the SaberCats practice squad in 2002.

Last year, he was activated after three games and played in four games before suffering a season-ending broken leg.

On Sunday, Davis looked to be in peak form while ruining the Avengers’ home opener with his returns, both of which covered 57 yards. The Avengers surrendered only two kickoff returns for touchdowns last season.

“All I need is a crease,” Davis said. “Give me a crease and it’s over. They gave me chasms.”

Davis’ first touchdown return came with 10 minutes 10 seconds left in the second quarter, when he fielded Remy Hamilton’s kick and raced up the left sideline to the end zone.

The Avengers had taken a 34-33 lead on a 26-yard touchdown pass from Tony Graziani to Chris Jackson with 5:59 left in the third quarter before Davis struck again on the ensuing kickoff.

This time, he burst through the middle then cut to his left en route to a touchdown for a 40-34 lead.

Davis’ performance overshadowed a San Jose offense that scored touchdowns on all but its last possession when it was running out the clock.

Quarterback Mark Grieb completed 18 of 21 passes for 207 yards and six touchdowns as the SaberCats (2-0) took advantage of an Avenger defense that was without starting defensive specialists Cornelius Coe and Damen Wheeler.

Coe was indicted on federal drug charges last week and Wheeler did not play for the second consecutive week because of a hamstring injury.

In addition, Jackson sat out most of the first half after suffering a knee injury on the opening kickoff.

The Avengers scored on all but one of their possessions, and the lone failure proved costly.

Following Davis’ second touchdown return, Graziani threw four consecutive incomplete passes. The SaberCats turned the stop into a 14-yard touchdown pass from Grieb to Albrey Battle for a 47-34 lead.

Graziani’s two-yard touchdown pass to Greg Hopkins with 22 seconds left trimmed San Jose’s lead to 61-55, but Hamilton’s on-side kick hit a SaberCat player and landed inbounds before bouncing into the stands.

New Orleans 55, Georgia 52 -- John Fitzgerald completed 15 of 26 passes for 267 yards and five touchdowns at Duluth, Ga., as the VooDoo (3-0) handed the Force (1-2) its sixth consecutive loss at home.

Dallas 56, New York 44 -- Glen Gauntt scored the clinching touchdown on a one-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter as the Desperados (2-1) defeated the Dragons (1-2) at Uniondale, N.Y.

Chicago 65, Denver 35 -- Jamie McGourty and Bob McMillen each ran for two touchdowns, and the Rush (3-0) ran for a team-record six in a victory over the Crush (2-1) at Chicago.

Las Vegas 51, Grand Rapids 14 -- Clint Dolezel completed 17 of 26 passes for 222 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Gladiators (1-2) over the Rampage (0-3) at Grand Rapids, Mich.

Austin 56, Tampa Bay 48 -- John Kaleo completed 18 of 29 passes for 263 yards and six touchdowns to help the expansion Wranglers (2-0) defeat the Storm (1-2) in their first home game at Austin, Texas.

Associated Press contributed to this report.