Avengers Enjoy Full Control Now

The Avengers took control of their destiny Saturday with something as unusual to the Arena Football League as a full arena: defense.

Kevin Ingram capped a team defensive performance and sealed a 54-42 victory by returning an interception five yards for a touchdown with 31 seconds left at HP Pavilion that gave the Avengers (9-5) sole possession of first place in the Western Division. They can clinch the division title with a victory over Las Vegas next Saturday.

Quarterback John Kaleo threw seven touchdown passes and receiver Tony Locke caught five, four in the second half, to help the Avengers win for the first time in six games at San Jose.

The SaberCats (8-6) average 62 points a game, but the Avengers prevented that kind of freewheeling offensive show by manhandling Mark Grieb, the top-rated quarterback in the AFL.

Ingram intercepted three passes and recovered a fumble. The Avengers also sacked Grieb four times and rushed many of his throws.

*

In other Arena Football League games:

John Fitzgerald threw six touchdown passes to lead the Austin Wranglers (6-9) to a 56-42 victory over the Orlando Predators (9-6) at Austin, Texas.... Clint Dolezel threw for seven touchdowns as the Las Vegas Gladiators (8-6) beat the Dallas Desperados (7-6-1), 58-38, at Las Vegas.... Aaron Garcia threw seven touchdown passes to help the Eastern Division-leading New York Dragons (9-5) cruise to a 56-44 victory over the Columbus Destroyers (1-12) at Uniondale, N.Y.... Leon Murray threw five touchdown passes to help the Nashville Kats (6-7-1) to a 54-33 victory over the Grand Rapids Rampage (2-12) at Nashville.

Foster reported from Los Angeles and Associated Press contributed to this report.