Avengers Rout the Desperados

Avenger players intimated last week that the Dallas Desperados and their 5-1 record were nothing more than a reflection of a weak schedule.

The resurgent Avengers exposed the Desperados on Sunday with a 60-44 victory in front of 9,312 at American Airlines Center in Dallas.

Avenger quarterback Tony Graziani completed 21 of 33 passes for 251 yards and six touchdowns without an interception as the Avengers improved to 4-2.

Graziani has passed for 38 touchdowns and has not had a pass intercepted this season, a string of 191 attempts.

The Avengers, who are 4-0 on the road, stopped Dallas three times in the first half en route to a 30-10 halftime lead. Dallas did not get closer than 13 points, and scored a touchdown as time expired.

“We never let them up after those first couple of stops,” Graziani said by phone after the game.

Dallas quarterback Glen Gauntt went into the game as the AFL’s passing yardage leader, but threw only one touchdown pass in the first half. Gauntt did not play in the second half because of a sprained left knee.

Gauntt and replacement Walter Church struggled against an Avenger defense that has been rejuvenated by the return of defensive specialist Damen Wheeler, who started for the second consecutive game after missing the previous three because of a hamstring injury.

Wheeler’s presence, and the improving play of defensive specialist Jason Moore, has taken some pressure off Kevin Ingram, who expended most of his energy on offense against Dallas.

Ingram had six receptions for 83 yards, including three first-half touchdowns. Last year in a game at Dallas, Ingram suffered a broken leg on the first play.

“I was thinking about that coming into this week,” Ingram said. “It’s great to get back here and play well.”

Chris Jackson caught eight passes for 79 yards and scored two touchdowns.

The Avengers do not have much time to enjoy the victory.

They play Western Division-leader San Jose, a 79-62 winner Saturday night over Las Vegas, in a pivotal game Friday night at San Jose.

“It’s a short week that really gives only two practice days,” Coach Ed Hodgkiss said. “But we know San Jose, and they know us pretty well too.”

Colorado 40, Philadelphia 33 -- John Dutton threw for 247 yards and four touchdowns in leading the Crush (5-2) past the Soul (3-4) before 17,597 in Philadelphia.

Carolina 54, Tampa Bay 43 -- The Cobras (3-4) won their first home game since 2002, beating the Storm (2-5) in Charlotte, N.C., before 5,212.

Chicago 58, Orlando 15 -- The Rush (5-1) routed the Predators (2-4) before 14,552 at Rosemont, Ill., with its largest margin of victory ever.

Associated Press contributed to this report.