41.   Yet the offense sputtered for much of the year.

42.   Air Force has needed its defense in a year in which its option offense has sputtered at times under first-year quarterback Blane Morgan.

43.   But the offense sputtered after the midseason bye and the Patriots lost three consecutive games to AFC East rivals.

44.   Its offense also sputtered after losing rushing leader Sultan McCullough to an injury two minutes into the third quarter.

45.   Meanwhile the Munich offense sputtered without a true scoring threat.

46.   The Colorado Avalanche, whose offense has sputtered this season, have called up Czech forward Radim Vbrata from the Hershey Bears.

47.   Their defense has kept them in the series, while the offense has sputtered.

48.   Though the Bears offense sputtered in the second half, it still looked better than it has all season.