Andy Hamilton

It started with a six-minute mess that left the Iowa Barnstormers staring at a three-touchdown deficit Saturday night.

It ended with both of their quarterbacks sidelined with injuries as their second-leading receiver attempted to lead a desperation Arena Football comeback attempt.

Behind eight touchdown passes from R.J. Archer and a pair of fourth-quarter interceptions by Terrance Smith, the Jacksonville Sharks (3-5) snapped a three-game losing streak and bruised the Barnstormers (4-4) 68-48 in front of 7,276 at Wells Fargo Arena.

It was over when: The Barnstormers ran out of quarterbacks with 1:45 remaining when backup Brian Reader absorbed a hit near the Iowa 5-yard-line. Iowa already trailed 59-48 at the time and had to turn to receiver Darius Reynolds — a former junior college quarterback — to lead its offense.

Turning point: The Barnstormers were threatening to take the lead with less than 11 minutes to play when Smith intercepted a pass from Carson Coffman and raced 48 yards along the boards for a touchdown that put Jacksonville ahead 59-48. It was the last pass of the night for the Iowa quarterback, who threw for 211 yards and four touchdowns before leaving the arena with his left knee in a brace.

Key sequence: Everything came unraveled for the Barnstormers during a six-minute stretch in the first quarter. Their defense surrendered touchdowns on three consecutive plasy, their offense coughed up a fumble and their return team couldn't handle a kickoff that got batted around before it landed in the hands of Jacksonville's Xavier Brewer for a touchdown.

Star of the show: Marco Thomas added to what's turning into his best year as a Barnstormer, catching nine passes for 169 yards and three touchdowns. He entered the night as the second-leading receiver in the league.

What went right for the Barnstormers: Iowa erased a 20-point deficit behind three touchdown connections from Coffman to Marco Thomas. The Barnstormers came up with a pair goal-line stops, including one at the end of the first half when defensive back De'Mon Glanton broke up a pass in the end zone. Iowa put itself in position to win, leading 48-46 midway through the third quarter.

Numbers game: The Barnstormers had four turnovers. Jacksonville had none.

What's next: Iowa is home again next week against division-leading Cleveland (7-0). The Gladiators remained unbeaten Saturday night with a 45-42 victory against Los Angeles, winning on a 17-yard field goal as time expired. Cleveland beat Iowa 54-47 on April 4.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Jacksonville 27 13 13 15 -- 68

Iowa 14 20 14 0 -- 48

SCORING SUMMARY

J—Wilson 22 pass from Archer (kick fail)

I—Thomas 5 pass from Coffman (Gornall kick)

J—Crawford 45 pass from Archer (Scaccia kick)

J—Brewer 0 interception return (Scaccia kick)

J—Harvey 22 pass from Archer (Scaccia kick)

I—Coffman 21 pass from Thomas (Gornall kick)

J—Archer 4 pass from Wilson (Scacca kick)

I—Steiner 2 run (Gornall kick)

I—Parker 7 pass from Coffman (Gornall kick)

J—Harvey 27 pass from Archer (kick failed)

I—Reynolds 4 run (kick blocked)

I—Steiner 2 run (Gornall kick)

J—Crawford 20 pass from Archer (kick failed)

I—Thomas 48 pass from Coffman (Gornall kick)

J—Crawford 4 pass from Archer (Scaccia kick)

J—Smith 48 interception return (run failed)

J—Safety

J—Crawford 11 pass from Archer (Scaccia kick)

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Rushing—Jacksonville: Archer 3-6; Iowa: Reynolds 1-4.

Passing—Jacksonville: Archer 20-38-2-301; Iowa: Coffman 12-22-0-211.

Receiving—Jacksonville: Crawford 9-130, Harvey 5-80; Iowa: Thomas 9-169, Reynolds 4-57.