Avengers rally for 75-71 victory
Second-year quarterback Sonny Cumbie shook off a first-quarter interception to complete seven touchdown passes, including four to Robert Quiroga, to lead the Avengers to a 75-71 come-from-behind victory over the Grand Rapids Rampage in front of 15,088 at Staples Center.
The Avengers played in front of their largest home crowd in regular-season history and needed a big second half in order to send their fans home happy.
“We know that we have to put a total team effort out there,” safety Damen Wheeler said about the Avengers, who ended a two-game losing streak to improve to 4-4. “Not just defense and not just offense or special teams. We need everyone to play well for us to win.”
Chad Salisbury completed touchdown passes to Timon Marshall and Jerome Riley to give the Rampage a 14-3 lead before the Avengers knew what hit them.
The Avengers stayed close for the remainder of the first half, but the Rampage seemed to take control when Marshall returned a kickoff for a touchdown to open up a 42-24 lead at the half.
The Avengers stormed back behind Lonnie Ford’s second touchdown run of the game and Cumbie’s second scoring pass to Quiroga to take a 51-49 lead after three quarters.
Over the final quarter, Cumbie completed two more touchdown passes to Quiroga and another to Kevin Ingram for the Avengers, who held off a late rally by the Rampage (2-6), which lost its third consecutive game.