L.A.'S UPSET IS A CRUSH-ER LATE INTERCEPTION HELPS SEAL AVENGERS' WIN OVER COLORADO AVENGERS 60, COLORADO 57.

Byline: Kevin Connelly  Special to the Daily News

Avengers coach Ed Hodgkiss had plenty of motivational fodder at his disposal heading into Sunday afternoon's game against the defending ArenaBowl champion Colorado Crush.

The Avengers, whose 2-5 start coming in was their worst since 2001, entered the game just a game-and-a-half out of first place in the Western Division. Rookie quarterback Sonny Cumbie had the breakout performance of his career last week, throwing for career highs of 348 yards and six touchdowns in a victory over San Jose.

Whatever he used as inspiration worked, as Avengers defensive specialist Damen Wheeler intercepted a pass intended for Colorado receiver Andy McCullough with 50 seconds remaining to preserve a 60-57 come-from-behind victory at Staples Center.

``This is a huge win for us,'' said Hodgkiss, whose Avengers improve to 3-5. ``(Colorado is) the defending champion. They're the best team in the league. I knew we had the potential to beat them, and now I know we can play with the best teams in the league.''

Trailing 49-46 with 2:29 remaining, Avengers defensive back Antoine Burns recovered a kickoff on the Crush 1-yard line to set up Cumbie's go-ahead touchdown run. Colorado (6-2) had more than two minutes to orchestrate a the winning drive, but Wheeler's interception came on the next play from scrimmage.

``I got burned for a touchdown earlier,'' Wheeler said. ``But my team had my back. (McCullough) ran a corner route on my interception, and I just stepped in front and picked it off.''

Cumbie finished 20 of 37 with three passing touchdowns, while running back Lonnie Ford rushed for two touchdowns and caught another for the Avengers. Cumbie's lone interception came in the first quarter.

Colorado quarterback John Dutton finished 20 of 35 with six passing touchdowns. The ArenaBowl XVI MVP dominated in spurts, but his two second-half interceptions proved insurmountable for the Crush, which led by as many as 13 points in the second half.

Despite playing the underdog role, the Avengers made an early statement when Jemelle Cage recovered the opening kickoff to provide a first-and-goal on the Colorado 4-yard line. Cumbie struck three plays later with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Lonnie Ford to put the Avengers ahead 7-0 just more than a minute into the game.

But Dutton and receiver Damian Harrell responded immediately for the Crush, connecting on a 5-yard touchdown with 10:40 remaining in the first to tie the score at 7-7. Harrell, the 2005 AFL offensive player of the year, extended his AFL-record to 57 consecutive games with a touchdown on the reception.

Kevin Connelly [phone]

kevin.connelly(at)dailynews.com

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The Avengers' Damien Wheeler gains yardage as he escapes Colorado defensive specialist Rashad Floyd in Sunday's win.

Edna T. Simpson/Daily News