Graziani’s Replacement Too Much for Avengers

The Avengers weren’t beaten by Tony Graziani in their first game against their former quarterback.

Instead, Matt Sauk threw a touchdown pass on his first play in relief of the injured Graziani and finished with three scoring passes to help the host Philadelphia Soul win, 47-33, Sunday.

Sauk, 17 for 29 for 147 yards and three touchdowns, took over for Graziani on the Soul’s first drive after the left-hander dislocated his left index finger in a fall after Avenger lineman Silas Demary’s hit.

On Sauk’s first career play for the Soul, he threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Mike Brown. He also threw touchdown passes to Marcus Knight and Chad Dukes. Knight led the Soul (2-0) in receiving with six catches for 70 yards.

Brian Mann was 24 for 43 for 270 yards and four touchdowns for the Avengers (1-1). Kevin Ingram caught eight passes for 132 yards and three touchdowns.

Colorado 61, Georgia 59 -- Damian Harrell tied his career high with five touchdown catches to lead the Crush (2-0) past the Force (1-1) in a rematch of the Crush’s last-second ArenaBowl victory. The loss ended Georgia’s home winning streak at 13.

Harrell caught 11 passes for 132 yards, and John Dutton was 29 for 43 for 277 yards and six touchdowns for the Crush.

Matt Nagy was 21 for 32 for 256 yards and six touchdowns for the Force. Chris Jackson had six catches for 91 yards and three touchdowns.