Nathan Stanley stepped in for the injured Erik Meyer and threw for seven touchdowns Saturday, and the SaberCats took care of the Las Vegas Outlaws 61-28 in an Arena Football League contest.

Reggie Gray caught six passes for 92 yards and three touchdowns before leaving the game after taking a hit midway through the third quarter. Gray walked off, although slowly, under his own power.

A smothering defense contained the Outlaws most of the way, with David Hyland recording 10 tackles and recovering a fumble caused by Eric Crocker on a kickoff return in the first quarter. Don Paige-Moss and Francis Maka each recorded a pair of sacks.

“The defense has been playing very well,” SaberCats coach Darren Arbet said. “Up front we’re getting pressure on the quarterback and the cornerbacks and safeties are staying with their guys. Anytime you’re getting that combination, you make it hard to score points.”

Ken Fontenette, who added nine tackles, had the only interception of the game.

Stanley was 18 of 20 for 242 yards as the SaberCats opened a 28-7 lead after the first quarter and were never in danger afterward, improving to 7-0 for the second time in franchise history and the first time since 2002, when San Jose opened 12-0 en route to the ArenaBowl title.

“It felt good to step in and be successful,” Stanley said. “I also have the good fortunate to have so many weapons around me.”

Darius Reynolds caught five passes, two for touchdowns, for 55 yards. Brandon Collins and Adron Tennell also caught touchdown passes from Stanley. Odie Armstrong added a 1-yard rushing score.

Former SaberCat Jason Willis caught 10 passes for 121 yards for the Outlaws, while Clinton Solomon also had a 100-yard receiving day.

Las Vegas quarterback J.J. Raternik threw for 302 yards and three touchdowns on 25-of-42 passing.

The SaberCats got on the board less than a minute into the contest on Stanley’s 28-yard scoring toss. Las Vegas tied it on its next possession, but San Jose put it away with three unanswered touchdowns, two on passes to Gray.