DES MOINES, IA-Carmon Grimes kicked a 33-yard field goal in the final minute and the Los Angeles Avengers held off an Iowa Barnstormers threat to pull out a 27-25 victory in a Week 3 AFL game.
The game began with Iowa's Ryan Travers fumbling the opening kickoff, and Los Angeles's Elrod Rodgers returned it to the Barnstormers 4-yard line. Five plays later, Chip Kindrick scored on a 3-yard touchdown run to put the Avengers up 7-0 with 12:42 to go in the first quarter. Corben Marvell returned the ensuing kickoff to the Barnstormers' 40-yard line. Seven plays later, Ev Blansett hit Isaiah O'Connell for an 11-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7 with 9:07 remaining in the first. The Avengers were forced to punt, and the Barnstormers drove 47 yards on 11 plays. SB Rhoads finished the drive with a 50-yard field goal to put Iowa up 10-7 with 2:48 left in the first.
The Avengers took the ball and drove 69 yards on 7 plays. Kindrick took off from the Iowa 43, and scored his second touchdown of the game to put Los Angeles up 14-10 with 14:14 remaining in the second quarter. Iowa's next drive saw them move from their own 30 to the Avengers' 27-yard line, where Rhoads attempted a 44-yard field goal with 11:45 left in the half. The kick was partially blocked by Cecil Parson and Rhoads missed it. The Avengers were moving the ball when Cameron Devlin fumbled, and Seth Waltrip returned it to the Avengers' 20-yard line. After three plays gained seven yards, Rhoads kicked a 30-yard field goal to make it 14-13 with 8:06 to go in the second quarter. On the next drive, Los Angeles moved the ball 74 yards on 9 plays. Juan York hit Ken Lavue with a 4-yard touchdown pass with 4:13 left in the half to put the Avengers up 21-13. The Barnstormers punted on their next drive, and Igor Keough returned it to the Iowa 23-yard line. York's pass was intecepted by Waltrip and returned to Iowa's 27-yard line. Five plays later, Blansett connected with Caleb Whitlock for a 42-yard touchdown with 48 seconds to go in the half. The Barnstormers attempted a two-point conversion to tie the game, but failed, and the Barnstormers trailed at the half, 21-19.
The Avengers began the second half with a 10-play, 63-yard drive. Grimes kicked a 29-yard field goal with 9:56 remaining in the third to put Los Angeles up 24-19. The Barnstormers would punt on their next drive, putting Los Angeles on their own 6-yard line. The Avengers moved the ball down the field efficently, and got to the Barnstormers 1, only to have York get intercepted in the end zone by Richard Ponder.
Iowa would punt early in the fourth quarter. and Los Angeles would follow suit. The Barnstormers would drive the ball 87 yards on 13 plays. On fourth-and-5 from the Avengers' 13-yard line. Blansett hit O'Connell for a 13-yard touchdown pass with 7:37 remaining in the game. Iowa made another two-point conversion, but failed, and the score was 25-24 in favor of the Barnstormers. Keough fumbled, and the Barnstormers' Emilio Shipp recovered at the Iowa 48-yard line. Iowa would punt and the Avengers were at their own 11-yard line with 4:18 left in the game. York hit Kindrick for 18. Keough gained 6 on a run, and Devlin gained 3 on a pass. The Avengers attempted to punt on 4th-and-1 at their own 38 with 2:18 left, but Iowa was penalized for roughing the kicker and Los Angeles got a first down at the Iowa 47. Four plays later, York hit Lavue for a 26-yard gain to the Barnstormers' 16. Three plays later, Grimes kicked a 33-yard field goal with 54 seconds to go to put Los Angeles up 27-25. Iowa returned the ensuing kickoff to their own 23, and tried to pass their way into field goal range, but wound up getting only as far the Avengers' 45 with two seconds left. Blansett's pass to Chesley Starnes was caught at the 24, but time ran out.
Los Angeles (2-1) gained 398 yards of total offense. The Avengers gained 177 yards rushing on 31 carries. Kindrick led the Avengers with 103 yards rushing on 11 carries with 2 TD. Keough ran for 73 yards on 12 carries. York went 18-for-35 passing for 232 yards, 1 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked twice, losing 25 yards. Lavue caught 6 passes for 82 yards and a TD. Keifer Dance caught 5 passes for 79 yards. The Avengers are on the road next week against the San Jose Sabercats.
Iowa (1-2) gained 420 yards of total offense. The Barnstormers gained 67 yards rushing on 21 carries. Starnes was Iowa's leading rusher with 37 yards on 13 carries. Blansett went 23-for-42 passing with 349 yards with 3 TD. He was sacked three times, losing 15 yards. O'Connell caught ten passes for 130 yards and 2 TD. The Barnstormers host the Chicago Rush next week.
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