XFL 2001

[BengalErnst]

XFL Week 10: Mammoths Stone Express

May 1, 2005

Omaha, NE - Mammoth's QB Brad Banks was 23 of 31 for 251 yards and three touchdowns as Omaha Mammoths closed Week 10's action with a 37-3 victory over Memphis on Monday night. Omaha in a tight race for a first round bye, made a huge move by beating the Express(5-5). Memphis has now lost its last three games. Banks connected with WR Matthew Hatchette on a 3-yard scoring play late in the first half and opened the third quarter with a 77-yard TD pass to WR Sean Morey. Memphis’ QB Johnathon Quinn threw three interceptions with the Mammoths returning the last one 46 yards for a touchdown with 2:23 left in the third quarter. DB Khalil Carter intercepted the pass and pitched to former Heisman trophy winner, DB Eric Crouch, who raced to the end zone.

-- (5-4)Express 3 - 37 Mammoths(7-2)
(MEM): QB Quinn - 20/33 154 yards, 3 INTs, RB Autry - 17 carries, 21 yards, WR McCullough - 4 catches, 42 yards
(OMA): QB Banks - 23/31 251 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Salaam - 17 carries, 49 yards, 1 TD, WR Hatchette - 7 catches, 86 yards, WR Morey - 3 catches, 94 yards, 1 TD

XFL Week 10: New York Routs Aztecs

May 2, 2005

New York, NY - Mexico City scored the first touchdown of the game to take a 7-0 lead but the Guardians held the Aztecs scoreless in the second and third quarters. Meanwhile the Guardians reeled off 38 consecutive points. "Yeah we played hard. We talked it about it all week about it being a playoff atmosphere," said Guardians head coach Rusty Tillman. "Our defense really stepped it up and that was the difference in the game."

The highlight was a shovel pass to RB Robert Edwards from QB Chris Redman that he busted 20 yards for a touchdown. Edwards broke three tackles on his way to pay dirt. "That's the first time we've executed that play real well to be honest," Tillman said. "We've run it a couple of times before but this time we were able to get by their pass rush. That was a great run by Robert." Edwards also scored on a four yard run for the game's final touchdown to cap the assault. "It felt good because we were just clicking," Edwards said. "The line was blocking and I was just running behind them."

"I don't know if it was a must win but it the closest thing to it," Tillman added.

-- (6-3)Guardians 38 - 10 Aztecs(4-5)
(NY): QB Redman - 20/25 223 yards, 3 TDs, RB Edwards - 20 carries, 116 yards, 1 TD, WR Dar Dar - 5 catches, 55 yards, 1 TD, WR Green - 5 catches, 70 yards, 1 TD
(MEX): QB Moreno - 23/37 275 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, RB Phillips - 10 carries, 65 yards, WR Nash - 9 catches, 65 yards, 1 TD, WR Soward - 4 catches, 66 yards

-- (3-5)Valor 22 - 17 VooDoo(2-6)
(DC): QB Hill - 20/31 278 yards, 1 TD, RB Redmond - 16 carries, 56 yards, 1 TD, WR Gessner - 4 catches, 82 yards, WR Simon - 5 catches, 110 yards, 1 TD
(NO): QB Nall - 30/51 280 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Bostic - 14 carries, 65 yards, WR Bellamy - 7 catches, 113 yards, WR Prentiss - 6 catches, 66 yards, 2 TDs

-- (2-6)Ghosts 28 - 38 Mountain Lions(2-6)
(COL): QB Germaine - 28/46 255 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Prentice - 13 carries, 37 yards, WR Rambo - 7 catches, 100 yards, 2 TDs, WR Broussard - 6 catches, 39 yards, 1 TD
(SAC): QB Crandell - 20/31 228 yards, 2 TDs, RB McCoo - 17 carries, 61 yards, 1 TD, RB Fuamatu-Mu'afala - 10 carries, 45 yards, 2 TDs, WR Mitchell - 8 catches, 119 yards, 1 TD
*Sacramento acquired QB Marcus Crandell two weeks ago from Tampa Bay

XFL Week 10: Sea Devils Come Up Short

May 3, 2005

Seattle, WA - The Seattle Sea Devils had an opportunity to scratch out a victory in the game's final minute, but could not convert on their final possession as they lost a 24-23 heartbreaker to the Tampa Bay Bandits. "We just didn't convert tonight when we needed to," said Sea Devils head coach Rick Neuheisel. "There were plays to be made and they just weren't made. We have to take this loss and move on."

Bandits DB Stanford Samuels ended all hopes of a Sea Devils comeback when he knocked down a fourth down pass from QB Brock Huard with 37 seconds left in the game. The offense spurtered at the end as Huard misfired on four consecutive passes. "It didn't seem like the offense was totally on the game page tonight," said Huard. "We missed on a few passes, we barely missed, but we still missed. Of we were in that position nine out of ten times, we would win those nine times. Tonight was just one of the off nights."

-- (5-4)Bandits 24 - 23 Sea Devils(4-4)
(TB): QB King - 20/33 231 yards, 2 TDs, RB Cobourne - 11 carries, 53 yards, 1 TD, WR Rubin - 6 catches, 95 yards, WR Haddad - 6 catches, 59 yards, 1 TD
(SEA): QB Huard - 20/35 247 yards, 1 TD, RB Simonton - 19 carries, 88 yards, 2 TDs, WR Looker - 6 catches, 65 yards, 1 TD, WR Ojo - 6 catches, 69 yards, 1 TD

-- (3-5)Rage 27 - 19 Steel(7-1)
(ORL): QB Hamilton - 19/26 192 yards, 3 TDs, RB Smith - 17 carries, 96 yards, WR King - 9 catches, 43 yards, 1 TD, WR Swayne - 4 catches, 63 yards, 1 TD
(BIRM): QB Carter - 15/27 190 yards, 2 TDs, RB Williams - 14 carries, 49 yards, WR Williams - 6 catches, 54 yards, WR Insley - 5 catches, 77 yards

-- (6-3)Desperados 34 - 15 Stars(5-4)
(DAL): QB Stoerner - 21/38 218 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Hambrick - 12 carries, 40 yards, 1 TD, WR Burks - 5 catches, 66 yards, 1 TD, TE Blizzard - 6 catches, 49 yards, 1 TD
(LA): QB McNown - 20/39 189 yards, 2 INTs, RB Shehee - 17 carries, 70 yards, WR Copeland - 7 catches, 67 yards, WR McDonald - 6 catches, 72 yards

XFL Week 10: Enforcers Survive Scare in San Antonio

May 4, 2005

San Antonio, TX - An interception by DB Shane Walton with 30 seconds remaining preserved the Enforcers' 26-25 win before 24,195 fans. "Despite their record, we knew this was going to be a tough game for four quarters and that's exactly what happened," said Enforcers QB Jarious Jackson, who was 27-for-35 for 276 yards and three touchdowns. "The difference was that we protected the ball just a little bit better in the fourth quarter, which is often the key in the XFL."

The Enforcers played the game shorthanded almost from the outset. On the third play of the game, starting LB Jamie Baisley appeared to make soft contact with an official after Baisley was angered that a clip by a Commanders blocker was not called. Baisley was ejected for abuse of an official. LBs Casey Urlacher and Chike Egbuniwe divided Baisley's responsibilities the rest of the way and performed admirably. "That's how we've been winning games all year," said RB Ahmaad Galloway, who had one rushing touchdown. "We're getting contributions from everyone. Tonight was no different."

-- (6-3)Enforcers 26 - 25 Commanders(2-6)
(CHI): QB Jackson - 27/35 276 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Galloway - 27 carries, 82 yards, WR Martin - 5 catches, 68 yards, 1 TD, WR Davis - 4 catches, 80 yards, 1 TD
(SA): QB Hutchinson - 18/33 219 yards, 2 TDs, RB Carter - 13 carries, 56 yards, 1 TD, WR Woods - 6 catches, 68 yards, 1 TD, WR Merritt - 5 catches, 115 yards, 2 TDs

EA Names Mountain Lions' Quarterback for XFL Video Game Cover

May 6, 2005

Redwood, CA - Electronic Arts announced today that JT O'Sullivan, quarterback for the Sacramento Mountain Lions, will serve as cover athlete and spokesman for XFL Football, available in stores on February 7, 2006 under the EA SPORTS brand.

"I'm honored to be the first cover athlete for this new franchise and very excited about working with EA on XFL," said JT O'Sullivan. "I think it's great that fans can now experience the true action of XFL from the leader in sports video games."

[BengalErnst]

XFL Week 11: Sea Devils Fall Again, 38-20

May 8, 2005

Seattle, WA - On Sunday in Seattle, the Sea Devils fell behind early once again and unable to pull off the comeback falling 38-20 to the Enforcers. Seattle is now 2-8 and still searching for something to hang their hat on. The Enforcers improved to 8-3, putting them in reach of a playoff spot as they try to defend their XFL championship. Enforcers RB Robert Holcombe had a career day hauling in 89 yards on only ten carries and three touchdowns. "We can't be down 24-3," head coach Rick Neuheisel said. "We have to start the game a little faster." The Sea Devils were able to chip away at the Enforcers' big advantage by scoring 17 consecutive points to make it 24-20 with 6:19 remaining in the third quarter but once again found their inconsistency as they missed opportunities on offense to cut deeper into the deficit when QB Brock Huard was drilled on a drop back and fumbled the ball into the arms of Enforcers DL Israel Idonije. "We had the look we wanted," Neuheisel said. "They made a great play."

"I thought he did some really good things," Neuheisel said of Smith. "I thought overall he played tough again in the pocket. We just have to do a better job of protecting him."

-- (7-3)Enforcers 38 - 20 Sea Devils(4-5)
(CHI): QB Jackson - 19/28 205 yards, 1 INT, RB Galloway - 16 carries, 96 yards, 1 TD, RB Holcombe - 10 carries, 89 yards, 3 TDs, WR Davis - 5 catches, 58 yards, WR Martin - 4 catches, 55 yards
(SEA): QB Huard - 27/43 317 yards, RB Simonton - 13 carries, 45 yards, 1 TD, WR Looker - 4 catches, 104 yards

XFL Week 11: Guardians Scratch out Victory in Second Half

May 9, 2005

Columbus, OH - The Guardians rallied from 13 points down at halftime and rolled off 26 unanswered points to claim a 29-16 win over the Columbus Ghosts. New York QB Chris Redman was intercepted by DB Rashidi Barnes in the end zone on the Guardians' first drive of the second half, and things looked bleak for New York, but Guardians DB Calvin Branch returned the favor a few plays later when he picked off Ghosts QB Joe Germaine. New York cashed in on the opportunity when RB Robert Edwards scored on a six-yard run on the next possession to cut the lead to six points. It was the first of 26 unanswered points the team would run up in a juggernaut of a second half.

From there, the Guardians forced another defensive stop and tied the game on a 47-yard touchdown strike from Redman to WR Glenn Martinez, then got a interception from DB Robb Butler before Redman hit WR John Standeford for a 45-yard score that gave New York it's first lead. After LB Raheem Orr recovered a Germaine fumble on the next Ghosts possession, New York K John Markham sealed the game with a 37 yard field goal.

-- (7-3)Guardians 29 - 16 Ghosts(2-7)
(NY): QB Redman - 20/29 283 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Edwards - 7 carries, 68 yards, 1 TD, WR Smith - 10 catches, 111 yards, WR Green - 7 catches, 83 yards
(COL): QB Germaine - 25/34 240 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Keaton - 13 carries, 32 yards, WR Broussard - 9 catches, 87 yards, 1 TD, WR Rambo - 6 catches, 93 yards

-- (5-5)Bandits 37 - 6 Mountain Lions(3-6)
(TB): QB King - 9/17 169 yards, 3 TDs, RB Cobourne - 16 carries, 161 yards, 1 TD, WR Haddad - 4 catches, 87 yards, WR Sam - 6 catches, 69 yards, 1 TD
(SAC): QB Crandell - 26/54 205 yards, 2 INTs, RB McCoo - 13 carries, 34 yards, WR Mitchell - 7 catches, 83 yards

XFL Week 11: Desperados Can't Finish off VooDoo

May 9, 2005

New Orleans, LA - It was all set up perfectly. Like so many storybook endings, the opportunity to snatch a final second victory was in their grasp. With the Desperados defense mounting the desperately needed heroic stop preventing the New Orleans VooDoo from scoring on their final drive of the game, the ball and game rested firmly in the hands of starting QB Clint Stoerner. That he failed to convert on four consecutive passes, causing the Desperados to come up short by a score of 24-23 left the rabid crowd of 21,719 in stunned disappointment. "The timing may have been a little bit off on some of the throws, but I can't fault his decision as far as making his throws to his receivers," said Dallas head coach Jerry Glanville. "Receivers have got to catch the ball too. I trust my offensive coordinator and I trust my quarterback to check out the schemes and do their job."

"Their defense did a good job on that drive," said Stoerner. "The whole game they kind of played off laying back, giving us the underneath stuff. Trying to make us work our way down and we did that pretty much the entire game. On that last drive they tightened everything up a little bit. In that situation, the receivers and I have to be on the same page. We missed barely on a couple, but we missed. That's not the way you want to end it. Offensively we played real well up until that point. When we made the two-point conversion and were only down by one point I was confident we were going to win the game. I feel like if we are in that position, nine out of ten times that's what's going to happen."

-- (7-3)Desperados 23 - 24 VooDoo(2-7)
(DAL): QB Stoerner - 17/31 144 yards, 1 TD, RB Hambrick - 9 carries, 24 yards, 1 TD, WR Jenkins - 5 catches, 55 yards, 1 TD, WR Burks - 4 catches, 47 yards
(NO): QB Davey - 19/27 198 yards, 3 TDs, RB Bostic - 19 carries, 86 yards, WR Bellamy - 7 catches, 82 yards, 1 TD, WR Jennings - 5 catches, 64 yards, 2 TDs

-- (2-7)Commanders 9 - 13 Stars(5-5)
(SA): QB Hutchinson - 18/39 172 yards, 3 INTs, RB Griffin - 24 carries, 95 yards, WR Woods - 2 catches, 49 yards
(LA): QB McNown - 23/31 208 yards, 1 INT, RB Oxendine - 13 carries, 38 yards, 1 TD, WR McDonald - 4 catches, 45 yards

-- (4-5)Rage 31 - 21 Valor(4-5)
(ORL): QB Hamilton - 17/26 275 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Smith - 10 carries, 59 yards, WR Swayne - 6 catches, 84 yards, 1 TD, WR Green - 3 catches, 71 yards, 2 TDs, TE Hart - 2 catches, 81 yards
(DC): QB Hill - 19/29 213 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Avery - 16 carries, 107 yards, WR Baker - 10 catches, 69 yards, 1 TD, WR Simon - 7 catches, 68 yards, 1 TD

XFL Week 11: Steel Upend Express in Overtime

May 11, 2005

Birmingham, AL - The Steel prevailed as QB Quincy Carter led a balanced attack to give Birmingham a thrilling 35-34 overtime win over the Memphis Express. Memphis rallied from a 22-point deficit, using a DB Nick Ferguson interception and a few defensive stands to take a 36-30 lead with 3:28 seconds remaining. Carter would then lead the Steel on a long touchdown march, hitting WR Randy Hymes on a 7-yard pass with seven seconds remaining to tie the score at 36-36. But K Lawrence Tynes missed the extra point after a high snap to force the game into overtime.

The Steel won the toss and elected to defer. Memphis QB Jonathon Quinn hit WR Eddie Berlin on a 28-yard pass to set up a 1-yard touchdown run. But K Rob Bironas missed his own extra point and Memphis had a six point lead at 42-36. After a false start penalty, Carter side-stepped a fierce pass rush and found WR Stepfret Williams streaking down the right side for a 36-yard touchdown reception. This time, Tynes tucked the extra point inside the left upright to send 23,075 fans home happy. "To some extent, we let them back in the game," Steel head coach Gerry DiNardo said. "But great teams find a way to fight back and Memphis never quit. The key play to the comeback was the Ferguson interception. We had Freddie Milons wide open for a touchdown and Ferguson just made a super play on the ball."

But DiNardo also said his team deserved the win. "These guys never quit and even after Lawrence missed the extra point with a few seconds left, our guys just said it was okay, we'll win it in overtime."

-- (5-5)Express 42 - 43 Steel(7-2)
(MEM): QB Quinn - 18/34 285 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Stephens - 15 carries, 51 yards, 1 TD, WR Berlin - 7 catches, 95 yards, 1 TD, WR Simmons - 6 catches, 76 yards, 1 TD
(BIRM): QB Carter - 17/22 274 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Williams - 11 carries, 53 yards, 2 TDs, WR Hymes - 7 catches, 81 yards, 1 TD, WR Williams - 7 catches, 90 yards, 1 TD

[BengalErnst]

XFL Week 12: Omaha Delivers for Packed Park

May 15, 2005

Omaha, NE - Mammoth QB Brad Banks' 12-yard touchdown pass to WR Matthew Hatchette with 6 seconds left gave the Omaha Mammoths their first lead of the game and a 33-30 XFL victory against the Tampa Bay Bandits on Friday. Omaha came back from a 23-10 deficit after three quarters to win before an XFL-record crowd of 53,067. After Hatchette scored, the former Minnesota Vikings receiver leapt into the end zone seats, a la the Lambeau Leap. Omaha already is the signature franchise. The game was declared a sellout Tuesday, and the attendance obliterated the league record by about 10,000.

"This is the model we're looking to replicate in new markets that we go to," XFL commissioner Oliver Luck said. "If we had 10 Omaha markets, we would have a very successful league." Rashaan Salaam is the face of the franchise. "Why do this? It's my teammates, and I love playing football. That's really it in a nutshell. It's really a no-brainer," Salaam said.

-- (6-5)Bandits 30 - 33 Mammoths(8-2)
(TB): QB King - 26/40 252 yards, 1 INT, RB Cobourne - 19 carries, 96 yards, 2 TDs, WR Rubin - 5 catches, 105 yards, WR Haddad - 4 catches, 50 yards
(OMA): QB Banks - 19/31 282 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Salaam - 28 carries, 103 yards, WR Hatchette - 7 catches, 127 yards, 1 TD, WR Bergeron - 5 catches, 96 yards

XFL Week 12: Opportunistic Desperados

May 16, 2005

Dallas, TX - Propelled by an opportunistic defense and timely offense, the Desperados never trailed at any point in the game. QB Clint Stoerner had a tremendous evening, throwing for four touchdowns to spark the Desperados offense. With WR Dialleo Burks leaving the game early due to an injury, the rest of the Desperados receiving corps stepped up. WR MarTay Jenkins contributed a standout performance by catching seven passes for three touchdowns. Jenkins sealed the victory when he recovered a Rage onside kick late in the fourth quarter.

"I believe we have a great stable of skill players and very talented coaches who come up with excellent route combinations and blocking schemes," said Desperados head coach Jerry Glanville.

-- (5-5)Rage 30 - 38 Desperados(7-4)
(ORL): QB Hamilton - 14/23 174 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Smith - 16 carries, 56 yards, WR King - 6 catches, 62 yards, WR Swayne - 6 catches, 71 yards, 2 TDs
(DAL): QB Stoerner - 19/29 207 yards, 4 TDs, RB Smart - 14 carries, 81 yards, RB Hambrick - 13 carries, 53 yards, 1 TD, WR Jenkins - 7 catches, 90 yards, 3 TDs

-- (3-7)VooDoo 16 - 20 Ghosts(2-8)
(NO): QB Nall - 9/16 127 yards, 1 TD, RB Denson - 14 carries, 62 yards, WR Prentiss - 6 catches, 93 yards, 1 TD
(COL): QB Germaine - 28/33 227 yards, 2 TDs, RB Keaton - 13 carries, 29 yards, WR Rambo - 8 catches, 71 yards, 2 TDs, TE Blakely - 6 catches, 62 yards

-- (8-3)Guardians 27 - 19 Valor(4-6)
(NY): QB Redman - 19/35 235 yards, 1 TD, RB Edwards - 9 carries, 39 yards, WR Dar Dar - 7 catches, 81 yards, WR Green - 5 catches, 58 yards
(DC): QB Ragone - 20/35 279 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, RB Avery - 14 carries, 61 yards, 1 TD, WR Simon - 6 catches, 110 yards, WR Gessner - 4 catches, 105 yards, 1 TD

XFL Week 12: Seattle Not Rattled at Home

May 17, 2005

Seattle, WA - Seattle Sea Devils QB Brock Huard hit WR Dane Looker for a 16-yard touchdown pass with four seconds left to help the Sea Devils sneak past the Aztecs 31-25. On the play, a Mexico City defender fell down and it left Looker open for the game-winning strike. The Aztecs tried some razzamatazz when returning the ensuing kickoff but were stopped at their own 14-yard line as time expired. Three different players tried to advance the ball on the play. The Aztecs won the game in nearly every statistical category except for the one on the scoreboard. They outgained Seattle 357-221, racked up nine more first downs than the Sea Devils and held the ball for 34:22 in the loss.

"This was a big win and next week is going to be even bigger," said Seattle head coach Rick Neuheisel. "We had never beaten them at home before so yes it was big. We're not afraid to play anybody. We'll play them anyone, anytime and I think this team feels pretty good about themselves."

-- (4-6)Aztecs 25 - 31 Sea Devils(4-6)
(MEX): QB Moreno - 19/36 243 yards, 2 TDs, RB Phillips - 17 carries, 88 yards, WR Nash - 8 catches, 117 yards, 1 TD, WR Vanover - 5 catches, 80 yards, 1 TD
(SEA): QB Huard - 17/28 141 yards, 2 TDs, RB Simonton - 19 carries, 75 yards, WR Looker - 4 catches, 52 yards, 1 TD

-- (6-5)Stars 36 - 27 Steel(8-2)
(LA): QB McNown - 21/31 252 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Shehee - 12 carries, 55 yards, 1 TD, WR Copeland - 5 catches, 143 yards, 1 TD, WR Doxzon - 3 catches, 58 yards, 1 TD
(BIRM): QB Carter - 20/35 225 yards, 1 TDs, 1 INT, 8 carries, 103 yards, 2 TDs, RB Alexander - 9 carries, 76 yards, WR Insley - 8 catches, 83 yards, 1 TD, WR Williams - 9 catches, 57 yards

-- (3-7)Mountain Lions 23 - 38 Enforcers(8-3)
(SAC): QB O'Sullivan - 20/35 252 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, RB McCoo - 10 carries, 50 yards, 1 TD, WR Mitchell - 5 catches, 105 yards, 1 TD
(CHI): QB Jackson - 13/17 242 yards, 3 TDs, RB Galloway - 14 carries, 93 yards, 1 TD, WR Streets - 4 catches, 96 yards, 1 TD, WR Davis - 3 catches, 96 yards, 2 TDs

XFL Week 12: Commanders Handle Express

May 18, 2005

Memphis, TN - It was a tale of two halves for the Memphis Express in the desert. Unfortunately, both halves featured horrendous starts on special teams, giving QB Michael Bishop and the San Antonio Commanders excellent opportunities to take control of the game. Those opportunities were converted each time, as the Commanders rolled to a 35-13 win over the Express in front of 22,349 fans.

On the opening kickoff of the second half, Memphis' WR Andy McCullough returning kicks for the injured WR Tony Simmons fumbled the ball at his own eight-yard line after a big hit from Commanders DB Darrick Vaughn. Bishop capitalized, finding WR Darrin Chiaverini on the double-move for a 28-yard score, giving the Rattlers a commanding 35-6 lead early in the third. "We came out and committed a big turnover at the beginning of the game and gave a team with a poor record a lot of confidence," Express head coach Doug Plank said. "We wanted to come out in the second half and get back in the game, but we couldn't handle the kick. Bishop was flawless tonight. That team was eliminated from the playoffs last week and they played with a lot of pride. Give them credit."

-- (2-8)Commanders 35 - 13 Express(5-6)
(SA): QB Bishop - 18/26 250 yards, 3 TDs, RB Griffin - 20 carries, 90 yards, 1 TD, WR Chiaverini - 6 catches, 88 yards, 2 TDs, WR Woods - 6 catches, 66 yards, 1 TD
(MEM): QB Quinn - 12/24 127 yards, 3 INTs, RB Autry - 23 carries, 61 yards, 1 TD, WR McCullough - 4 catches, 48 yards, WR Berlin - 3 catches, 64 yards

[BengalErnst]

XFL Week 13: Seattle Beats Washington 30-27 on Game-Winning Field Goal

May 22, 2005

Seattle, WA - The Washington Valor suffered a heart-wrenching loss to the Seattle Sea Devils on the road by a final score of 30-27. In a game of back-and-forth lead changes and ties, Sea Devils K Hayden Epstein connected on a 34-yard field goal with no time left on the clock after he had missed a 39-yard attempt two seconds earlier, but Valor DB Roderick Babers had jumped offsides, giving Seattle a second crack at it. It was a game filled with "who has more injuries?" The Sea Devils were without three of their starting offensive linemen to begin the game, and then lost two wide receivers and two cornerbacks during the game. By the end of the game, the Valor secondary featured a few linebackers and wide receivers.

-- (4-7)Valor 27 - 30 Sea Devils(5-6)
(DC): QB Ragone - 36/49 360 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Redmond - 12 carries, 60 yards, WR Simon - 8 catches, 125 yards, 1 TD, WR Gessner - 7 catches, 91 yards, 2 TDs
(SEA): QB Smith - 14/24 173 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Simonton - 25 carries, 125 yards, 1 TD, WR Looker - 6 catches, 95 yards, 1 TD

XFL Week 13: Commanders Turn Back Bandits

May 23, 2005

Tampa, FL - A late second quarter fumble by Commanders RB Ontiwaun Carter set up a Bandits QB Shaun King to WR Drew Haddad touchdown that gave the Bandits a 14-7 lead at the half. The Commanders then scored twice in the first five minutes of the second half to claim a 21-14 lead and did not trail again until the fourth quarter, when RB Avon Cobourne converted a two point conversion after a touchdown that put the Bandits in front 22-21. Tampa Bay's lead lasted only 3 minutes and 17 seconds, the length of time it took the Commanders to drive 82 yards to a 9-yard touchdown pass from QB Michael Bishop to WR Ahmad Merritt. The Bandits mounted a final drive, but the San Antonio defense stopped the Bandits on four plays from inside the 5-yard-line.

"Defense is all about that fire and hunger to get to the ball," said DL Demetric Evans, who returned to the lineup after being injured for the last month. "We've got to understand and be mature about not getting down when they make plays. Today when we needed to make plays, we stepped it up, and we had that fire in us and that belief in ourselves that they are not going to score."

"We just believe in ourselves and we're back," LB Will Overstreet said. "The fire's back."

-- (3-8)Commanders 27 - 22 Bandits(6-6)
(SA): QB Bishop - 20/35 206 yards, 3 TDs, RB Carter - 20 carries, 44 yards, WR Woods - 7 catches, 74 yards, 1 TD, WR Merritt - 5 catches, 84 yards, 1 TD
(TB): QB King - 19/32 210 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Cobourne - 24 carries, 123 yards, WR Haddad - 4 catches, 57 yards, 1 TD

-- (4-7)Aztecs 27 - 38 Guardians(9-3)
(MEX): QB Moreno - 12/25 148 yards, 2 TDs, RB Phillips - 17 carries, 134 yards, 1 TD, 5 catches, 97 yards, WR Soward - 6 catches, 54 yards, 1 TD, WR Nash - 5 catches, 57 yards, 1 TD
(NY): QB Redman - 16/23 299 yards, 3 TDs, RB Aska - 16 carries, 89 yards, 1 TD, WR Davis - 6 catches, 74 yards, 1 TD, TE Hardy - 5 catches, 75 yards, 1 TD, WR Green - 6 catches, 58 yards, 1 TD

-- (8-3)Steel 17 - 31 VooDoo(3-8)
(BIRM): QB Carter - 18/29 203 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INTs, RB Alexander - 7 carries, 28 yards, WR Hymes - 7 catches, 75 yards, 1 TD, WR Williams - 2 catches, 54 yards, 1 TD
(NO): QB Davey - 23/31 317 yards, 3 TDs, RB Bostic - 11 carries, 65 yards, WR Culver - 5 catches, 106 yards, 1 TD, WR Prentiss - 5 catches, 106 yards, 1 TD

-- (5-6)Rage 37 - 21 Enforcers(9-3)
(ORL): QB Hamilton - 17/33 243 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Smith - 27 carries, 137 yards, 1 TD, WR Swayne - 8 catches, 149 yards, 2 TDs
(CHI): QB Jackson - 27/35 266 yards, 1 TD, RB Galloway - 22 carries, 76 yards, 2 TDs, WR Davis - 7 catches, 99 yards, 2 TDs, WR Martin - 5 catches, 77 yards

-- (7-5)Stars 33 - 24 Mountain Lions(3-8)
(LA): QB McNown - 24/33 281 yards, 3 TDs, RB Shehee - 14 carries, 59 yards, WR Copeland - 6 catches, 94 yards, 1 TD, WR Stokes - 5 catches, 83 yards, 1 TD
(SAC): QB O'Sullivan - 26/39 285 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB McCoo - 18 carries, 55 yards, WR Mitchell - 6 catches, 105 yards, 1 TD, WR Barlow - 5 catches, 77 yards

-- (9-2)Mammoths 38 - 9 Ghosts(3-8)
(OMA): QB Banks - 11/15 152 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Salaam - 23 carries, 135 yards, 2 TDs, WR Bergeron - 6 catches, 83 yards, 1 TD, WR Morey - 4 catches, 41 yards, 2 TDs
(COL): QB Germaine - 17/35 198 yards, 2 INTs, RB Keaton - 9 carries, 29 yards, WR Rambo - 7 catches, 72 yards, WR Germany - 5 catches, 59 yards

[BengalErnst]

XFL Week 14: Defense Lets Down Offense for Sacramento

May 29, 2005

Washington, DC - QB Dave Ragone threw for 307 yards and three touchdowns, RB John Avery added 86 yards rushing as the Washington Valor defeated the Sacramento Mountain Lions 45-42 on Thursday. Washington raced to a 21-point lead, fended off a Mountain Lions' rally and responded every time Sacramento challenged. When the Mountain Lions' defense needed its best, it sold out on a play-action fake and watched Avery go untouched for the 14-yard touchdown with 4 minutes, 19 seconds left, all but sealing the Valor's 45-42 victory. K Todd France's 45-yard field goal with 1:45 left put the game out of reach. The postgame locker room scene was bleak as several defensive players were emotional. One starter had his head buried in a towel for minutes, and another was openly crying. Players spoke openly about missed assignments and not playing their gaps at crucial times. "We have JT O'Sullivan at quarterback," linebacker Marcus Reese said. "We’re supposed to make a stop, give them a chance. We didn’t."

-- (3-9)Mountain Lions 42 - 45 Valor(4-8)
(SAC): QB O'Sullivan - 25/34 281 yards, 3 TDs, 3 INTs, RB McCoo - 11 carries, 86 yards, RB Fuamatu-Ma'afala - 9 carries, 74 yards, 2 TDs, WR Mitchell - 7 catches, 98 yards, 1 TD, WR Boone - 6 catches, 89 yards, 1 TD
(DC): QB Ragone - 31/44 307 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Avery - 22 carries, 86 yards, 1 TD, WR Simon - 9 catches, 97 yards, 1 TD, WR Gessner - 12 catches, 123 yards

-- (8-5)Stars 32 - 19 Desperados(8-4)
(LA): QB McNown - 25/37 308 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Shehee - 16 carries, 75 yards, 1 TD, RB Oxendine - 16 carries, 43 yards, WR McDonald - 7 catches, 110 yards, 1 TD, WR Copeland - 6 catches, 79 yards, 1 TD
(DAL): QB Stoerner - 19/37 265 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Hambrick - 12 carries, 36 yards, WR Burks - 5 catches, 144 yards, 2 TDs, WR Jenkins - 5 catches, 57 yards

XFL Week 14: Big Play Billy

May 30, 2005

San Antonio, TX - With two-and-a-half minutes to go on the game clock, and the San Antonio Commanders slicing down the field for what would have been a game winning score, "Big Play Billy" rose like a phoenix out of nowhere to pick the ball away, and tear out the hearts and momentum of a Commanders team who, up to that point has given as good as it got. Ultimately it provided the catalyst to propel the Rage to a 17-16 victory.

All game long you could see DB Billy Parker had that extra fire in his eyes and it followed his play on the field. For much of the game, Parker was spotted locked in heated and violent exchanges with Commanders WR Darrin Chiaverini. That little extra hit at the end of the play. The helmet-to-helmet jawing and trash talking all served to psyche up Parker, and pave the way for his defining moment. "Its wasn't personal," Parker said after the game. "We just had to go out there and impose our will. That how all of our defense is. I wasn't singling any one player out there, I'm trying to give it to all of them. You could tell by the end of the game that all the spark they had early, all that extra stuff they had, just died. Its all under control, though. The personal foul I took early in the game was on purpose. That was just to get the team going."

"We got the defense going today," said Rage head coach Jay Gruden. "But it's not just an offensive thing or a defensive thing. It's an us thing and that's what it was today. We'll enjoy this one tonight."

-- (6-6)Rage 17 - 16 Commanders(4-8)
(ORL): QB Hamilton - 21/35 192 yards, 1 TD, RB Smith - 17 carries, 131 yards, WR Swayne - 8 catches, 101 yards, WR King - 4 catches, 40 yards, 1 TD
(SA): QB Bishop - 23/27 200 yards, RB Griffin - 13 carries, 31 yards, 1 TD, WR Merritt - 7 catches, 65 yards, WR Woods - 6 catches, 90 yards

-- (10-2)Mammoths 14 - 24 Express(5-7)
(OMA): QB Druckenmiller - 24/31 281 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Salaam - 18 carries, 42 yards, WR Bergeron - 8 catches, 100 yards, 1 TD, WR Hatchette - 4 catches, 66 yards, 1 TD
(MEM): QB Martin - 27/39 196 yards, 1 TD, RB Canidate - 26 carries, 105 yards, 2 TDs, WR Simmons - 7 catches, 55 yards, WR Minnis - 5 catches, 42 yards, 1 TD

XFL Week 14: Last Second Field Goal Ends Playoff Hopes

May 31, 2005

Seattle, WA - Seattle Sea Devils K Hayden Epstein hit a 40-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Seattle Sea Devils to a 26-23 win over the New Orleans VooDoo in a hard-fought game that ended any hope the VooDoo had of making the playoffs. New Orleans rallied from an eight-point deficit to tie the game at 23 all with just 56 seconds remaining on a two-yard touchdown run and a scoring run on the subsequent two-point conversion. But the VooDoo quest to send the game to overtime evaporated when Seattle QB Brock Huard connected on two passes for 25 yards to set up the winning kick.

-- (4-8)VooDoo 23 - 26 Sea Devils(6-6)
(NO): QB Davey - 28/40 193 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Bostic - 17 carries, 52 yards, 1 TD, WR Bellamy - 8 catches, 117 yards, WR Jackson - 6 catches, 83 yards, 1 TD
(SEA): QB Huard - 19/34 200 yards, 1 TD, RB Robertson - 20 carries, 84 yards, 1 TD, 5 catches, 37 yards, 1 TD, WR Looker - 6 catches, 59 yards, TE Ricks - 4 catches, 54 yards

-- (4-8)Aztecs 21 - 31 Ghosts(3-9)
(MEX): QB Carmazzi - 20/35 230 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Phillips - 9 carries, 61 yards, WR Nash - 7 catches, 71 yards, 2 TDs, WR Soward - 4 catches, 75 yards
(COL): QB Germaine - 24/33 239 yards, 4 TDs, RB Prentice - 16 carries, 33 yards, WR Broussard - 7 catches, 72 yards, 1 TD, WR Rambo - 5 catches, 83 yards, 1 TD

-- (10-3)Guardians 20 - 25 Steel(8-4)
(NY): QB Redman - 21/37 320 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Edwards - 9 carries, 49 yards, WR Green - 5 catches, 101 yards, 2 TDs, WR Smith - 4 catches, 74 yards
(BIRM): QB Carter - 17/33 212 yards, RB Williams - 21 carries, 106 yards, 2 TDs, WR Williams - 7 catches, 69 yards, WR Insley - 6 catches, 73 yards

[BengalErnst]

XFL Week 15: Bandits Slay Mountain Lions 41-17

June 5, 2005

Sacramento, CA - The Bandits came into this week needing a big win to prove they belong at the top of the league. The Mountain Lions kept it where a lot of us expected it through halftime. They took their first lead of the day early in the third quarter. Enter QB Shaun King. King wasn’t solely responsible for the second half domination; really, he didn’t even start it. The bottom line, however, is that the Bandits put the hammer down in the second half. Their win puts them back in the playoffs in the Eastern Conference. If you still have doubts about the Bandits, consider this, they lead the league in offense as an expansion team. They still have to prove it in the playoff, of course, but through their first season they have earned recognition as one of the league’s most promising teams.

"I'm really proud of the way our guys played this afternoon, not just the end result," said Bandits head coach Steve Spurrier. "We played with a passion and energy that we haven't had in a while. It's an encouraging sign as we head into the quarterfinals."

-- (6-7)Bandits 41 - 17 Mountain Lions(3-10)
(TB): QB King - 13/27 182 yards, 2 TDs, 8 carries, 158 yards, 1 TD, RB Cobourne - 20 carries, 130 yards, WR Rubin - 3 catches, 71 yards, 1 TD, WR Haddad - 2 catches, 58 yards
(SAC): QB O'Sullivan - 36/52 345 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB McCoo - 12 carries, 30 yards, WR Mitchell - 6 catches, 67 yards, WR Boone - 7 catches, 121 yards, 2 TDs

XFL Week 15: Commanders Play Spoiler

June 6, 2005

San Antonio, TX - The 4-9 Commanders came up big in the second and third quarters when they held the 8-5 Desperados scoreless over those two quarters. Dallas was stopped six straight times and that led to their loss. Commanders DB Keith Davis picked off Dallas QB Clint Stoerner twice to end drives. A fumble killed another drive and a miss on fourth-and-goal from the Commanders' two-yard line at the end of the half hurt Dallas. "We didn't capitalize at the end of the first half," Stoerner said, "You do things like that and you don't really give yourself much of a chance."

"We made too many mistakes. That's not Desperados football. Those close games that we usually win, we didn't win today," Desperados head coach Jerry Glanville said. "Whenever we're in the position to put a team away or go ahead or stay in the game we need to make that play."

"I think the last few weeks we have played like we are capable of playing," said Commanders QB Michael Bishop. "It was just unfortunate that we didn't do it early enough to put ourselves in position to make the playoffs."

-- (8-5)Desperados 24 - 27 Commanders(4-9)
(DAL): QB Stoerner - 20/39 222 yards, 3 TDs, 3 INTs, RB Smart - 11 carries, 63 yards, WR Jenkins - 8 catches, 87 yards, WR Burks - 6 catches, 81 yards, 1 TD
(SA): QB Bishop - 28/47 253 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Griffin - 18 carries, 61 yards, WR Woods - 9 catches, 74 yards, WR Chiaverini - 6 catches, 74 yards

-- (7-6)Sea Devils 21 - 20 Aztecs(4-9)
(SEA): QB Huard - 35/44 335 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Simonton - 16 carries, 68 yard, 1 TD, WR Looker - 6 catches, 126 yards, WR Ojo - 6 catches, 57 yards
(MEX): QB Carmazzi - 25/38 295 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Phillips - 11 carries, 52 yards, WR Soward - 6 catches, 73 yards, WR Nash - 6 catches, 74 yards, 3 TDs

XFL Week 15: VooDoo Drop Season Finale

June 7, 2005

New Orleans, LA - With both teams eliminated from postseason play, the outcome came down to the final 30 seconds of the game. Trailing by seven points with 28 seconds remaining the game, the VooDoo had the ball on the 23-yard line. On fourth down, VooDoo Craig Nall's pass with intercepted by DB Ike Charlton, who returned it 77 yards for the touchdown. "We made too many mistakes. It's been the same thing all year," Nall said, "Whenever we're in the position to put a team away or go ahead or stay in the game we throw a pick or fumble the ball."

-- (4-9)Valor 40 - 26 VooDoo(4-9)
(DC): QB Hill - 18/34 226 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Avery - 17 carries, 125 yards, 3 TDs, WR Simon - 6 catches, 61 yards, 1 TD
(NO): QB Nall - 25/37 279 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Denson - 19 carries, 68 yards, WR Jackson - 10 catches, 122 yards, WR Bellamy - 6 catches, 49 yards, 1 TD

-- (9-4)Enforcers 7 - 24 Ghosts(4-9)
(CHI): QB Kittner - 24/46 190 yards, 2 INTs, RB Watson - 11 carries, 60 yards, WR Davis - 7 catches, 71 yards, WR Martin - 5 catches, 48 yards
(COL): QB Germaine - 20/25 286 yards, 3 TDs, RB Keaton - 15 carries, 38 yards, WR Rambo - 5 catches, 127 yards, WR Germany - 5 catches, 35 yards, 1 TD

XFL Week 15: Steel Claim Eastern Conference

June 8, 2005

Omaha, NE - The Birmingham Steel defense stopped Omaha on fourth and one on their own five yard line with 34 seconds left and held on to beat the Mammoths 17-14 Saturday night before 31,873 fans. With the victory the Steel clinched the Eastern Conference championship and a home game in the first round of the playoffs. "It feels great. It's something we've been gearing for since we've been a franchise and something I've been gearing for since I came here," said Steel LB James Willis. "Our ultimate goal is to win the XFL Championship but this is a big step in getting there."

Omaha got the ball back with 2:34 left on the clock after RB Shaud Williams' one yard run put Birmingham up by three. They moved it down to the five where they faced a fourth and one. They opted to go for the first down instead of a potential game tying field goal and gave the ball to fullback Joel Makovicka up the middle. Mackovicka was met first by Steel DL Reggie McGrew and then a host of defenders including LBs Trev Faulk and Willis. The Mammoths received a generous spot but a measurement by the chain gang proved it to be short. The Steel erupted in celebration and it was party time at the big house. "That was big time. It was short by less than an inch," Willis said. "The defense came up with two huge stops. One in the first half and that one in the second half."

-- (9-4)Steel 17 - 14 Mammoths(10-3)
(BIRM): QB Carter - 17/29 206 yards, 2 TDs, RB Williams - 26 carries, 132 yards, WR Milons - 8 catches, 64 yards, 2 TDs, WR Williams - 8 catches, 67 yards
(OMA): QB Druckenmiller - 19/33 276 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, RB Forsey - 24 carries, 112 yards, 1 TD, WR Hatchette - 6 catches, 91 yards, 1 TD, WR Bergeron - 5 catches, 82 yards, 1 TD

-- (6-7)Express 34 - 38 Rage(7-6)
(MEM): QB Martin - 23/32 225 yards, 1 TD, RB Canidate - 25 carries, 157 yards, 1 TD, WR Berlin - 6 catches, 56 yards, 1 TD, WR Simmons - 8 catches, 78 yards
(ORL): QB Hamilton - 17/30 230 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Smith - 27 carries, 142 yards, 2 TDs, WR Swayne - 6 catches, 75 yards, WR Yeast - 8 catches, 94 yards

XFL 2005 League Leaders Finalized

June 8, 2005

Greenwich, CT - These are the regular season stat leaders for the 2005 XFL season.

Top 10 Passing Leaders:
1. Joe Germaine(COL) - 3260 yards, 25 TDs, 11 INTs
2. Chris Redman(NY) - 3173 yards, 22 TDs, 6 INTs
3. Shaun King(TB) - 3147 yards, 28 TDs, 8 INTs
4. Quincy Carter(BIRM) - 3022 yards, 27 TDs, 12 INTs
5. JT O'Sullivan(SAC) - 3013 yards, 22 TDs, 13 INTs
6. Clint Stoerner(DAL) - 2859 yards, 22 TDs, 15 INTs
7. Cade McNown(LA) - 2737 yards, 18 TDs, 11 INTs
8. Brad Banks(OMA) - 2488 yards, 26 TDs, 6 INTs
9. Jarious Jackson(CHI) - 2440 yards, 15 TDs, 8 INTs
10. Brock Huard(SEA) - 2267 yards, 13 TDs, 3 INTs

Top 10 Rushing Leaders:
1. Lawrence Phillips(MEX) - 1101 yards, 6 TDs
2. Trung Canidate(MEM) - 1093 yards, 3 TDs
3. Ken Simonton(SEA) - 1092 yards, 11 TDs
4. Rashaan Salaam(OMA) - 992 yards, 10 TDs
5. Avon Cobourne(TB) - 925 yards, 7 TDs
6. John Avery(DC) - 853 yards, 9 TDs
7. Ahmaad Galloway(CHI) - 826 yards, 3 TDs
8. Shaud Williams(BIRM) - 695 yards, 5 TDs
9. Rod Smart(DAL) - 692 yards, 2 TDs
10. Quentin Griffin(SA) - 539 yards, 2 TDs

Top 10 Receiving Leaders:
1. Marcus Nash(MEX) - 1201 yards, 11 TDs
2. Freddie Mitchell(SAC) - 1195 yards, 8 TDs
3. Rashied Davis(CHI) - 1185 yards, 13 TDs
4. Dane Looker(SEA) - 1156 yards, 10 TDs
5. Geroy Simon(DC) - 1143 yards, 10 TDs
6. Ken Yon Rambo(COL) - 1131 yards, 11 TDs
7. Jeremaine Copeland(LA) - 1014 yards, 9 TDs
8. Yatil Green(NY) - 1011 yards, 9 TDs
9. Rashaun Woods(SA) - 1004 yards, 6 TDs
10. Ron Bellamy(NO) - 973 yards, 7 TDs

[BengalErnst]

Mammoth's Offensive Coordinator Turner Gill to Kansas

June 10, 2005

Lawrence, KA - The Omaha Mammoths' offensive coordinator Turner Gill has been introduced as the new head coach of the Kansas University Jayhawks. "It has been a rewarding journey coaching in the XFL," said Gill. "But being a head coach at the college level has always been the ultimate goal. I am grateful that the Kansas University has placed its faith in me and our staff and I look forward to leading the team as we begin preparing for 2006 and beyond."

QBs coach Terry Shea would serve as the offensive coordinator for the remainder of the season on an interim basis.


XFL Quarter-Final: Steel Unimpressive But Moving On

June 11, 2005

Omaha, NE - The Steel didn't do anything on Sunday that suggests they're likely to go on a run this post season. Not in the slightest. However, they did just enough to beat the struggling Bandits, who are still in search of their identity under head coach Steve Spurrier. The Steel defense played well and one touchdown and a game-winning 54-yard field goal by K Lawrence Tynes was all the offense needed to win 19-17 in an ugly game that moves them to semi-final and at least keeps their season alive for another week.

For a few minutes, it looked like this was going to be an all-time collapse by the Steel. Their conservative decision-making allowed the Bandits to hang around all game, and then a Curtis Alexander fumble suddenly opened the door for a shocking upset. Trailing 16-9 thanks to a missed field goal, the Bandits scored and converted a two-point attempt to take a 17-16 lead. The Steel was stunned. But QB Quincy Carter found WR Trevor Insley for two big gains on the final drive and Tynes remained perfect from 50-plus on the season by nailing the game-winning field goal as time expired. It must've been a great feeling for Tynes, who missed earlier in the fourth quarter that kept the Bandits alive. The Steel can exhale. But they're going to need to be a heck of a lot better going forward. This was a rough game for offensive coordinator, Gene Dahlquist, in particular.

-- (10-4)Steel 19 - 17 Bandits(7-7)
(BIRM): QB Carter - 21/40 181 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Williams - 12 carries, 45 yards, WR Williams - 8 catches, 49 yards, WR Insley - 8 catches, 61 yards
(TB): QB King - 23/39 233 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Cobourne - 12 carries, 22 yards, 1 TD, 5 catches, 51 yards, WR Sam - 7 catches, 108 yards

-- (8-6)Sea Devils 21 - 26 Mammoths(10-4)
(SEA): QB Huard - 25/41 221 yards, 1 TD, RB Simonton - 15 carries, 94 yards, 2 TDs, WR Looker - 9 catches, 118 yards, 1 TD, WR Ojo - 5 catches, 83 yards
(OMA): QB Banks - 30/41 298 yards, 3 TDs, RB Salaam - 19 carries, 43 yards, WR Hatchette - 6 catches, 55 yards, 1 TD, WR Haygood - 5 catches, 74 yards, WR Bergeron - 5 catches, 97 yards, 1 TD

XFL Quarter-Final: Guardians Send Defending Champions Home

June 12, 2005

New York, NY - There will be a new champion in the XFL this year. New York Guardians Chris Redman tossed four scoring passes and the New York Guardians defeated the defending XFL champion Chicago Enforcers 36-28 in a quarterfinal round playoff game on Sunday. Redman's 38-yard scoring strike to WR Yatil Green early in the fourth quarter broke a 22-22 tie and the Guardians held on to advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinal game next week when they will host the Birmingham Steel.

Chicago got within 29-28 following a QB Jarious Jackson to WR Rashied Davis 14-yard scoring pass, but K Jose Cortez missed the PAT leaving the Enforcers a point behind. Green hauled in his second scoring pass of the quarter, a 17-yarder, with 6:08 left for the final margin of victory. Chicago drove to the New York 8-yard line with under a minute left in the game, but Jackson's fourth down pass didn't connect and New York ran out the clock.

-- (9-5)Enforcers 28 - 36 Guardians(10-4)
(CHI): QB Jackson - 23/31 311 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Galloway - 20 carries, 63 yards, 1 TD, WR Davis - 5 catches, 160 yards, 2 TDs, WR Martin - 5 catches, 51 yards, 1 TD
(NY): QB Redman - 20/35 316 yards, 4 TDs, RB Edwards - 12 carries, 62 yards, WR Green - 6 catches, 107 yards, 2 TDs, WR Smith - 3 catches, 102 yards, 1 TD

-- (8-6)Desperados 42 - 45 Stars(9-5)
(DAL): QB Stoerner - 19/29 263 yards, 4 TDs, 3 INTs, RB Hambrick - 17 carries, 95 yards, 1 TD, RB Smart - 7 carries, 62 yards, 1 TD, WR Jenkins - 6 catches, 117 yards, 1 TD, WR Burks - 7 catches, 75 yards, 3 TDs
(LA): QB McNown - 31/42 384 yards, 4 TDs, RB Shehee - 13 carries, 46 yards, WR Copeland - 7 catches, 99 yards, 1 TD, WR Stokes - 11 catches, 124 yards, 1 TD


XFL Semi-Final: Omaha Advance to Million Dollar Game over LA

June 18, 2005

Omaha, NE - QB Brad Banks threw five touchdown passes and WR Troy Bergeron caught three of them for 126 yards as the Omaha Mammoths advanced to their first championship game by beating the Los Angeles Stars 41-23 Sunday. The Mammoths will play the Birmingham Steel next Saturday at TD Ameritrade Park. The Steel advanced by beating the New York Guardians 35-31 Saturday in the other semifinal. “Now with Birmingham, it’s for all the marbles,” said Omaha coach Frank Solich, “Birmingham does one thing — compete, whoever’s quarterback is left standing at the end should win.”

Before an announced crowd of 53,081 on Sunday, Stars QB Cade McNown’s found WR Jeremaine Copeland from 11 yards out that gave the Stars a 17-16 lead with 1:45 left in the first half. But Omaha took the lead for good 11 seconds before the break on a 7-yard touchdown pass from Banks to WR Herb Haygood, capping a 63-yard, eight-play drive. RB Rashaan Salaam then ran for a 2-point conversion, putting the Mammoths on top 24-17. “We had a chance when we went up, but we couldn’t hold on,” Los Angeles coach Al Luginbill said. “That score at the end of the half was a big swing.”

Los Angeles drove inside the Mammoths’s 15-yard line four times in the second half, but ended up settling for two field goals by Clay Rush, with McNown throwing interceptions on the final two possessions. The Omaha Mammoths put the game away when Banks found Bergeron for 44 yards and a touchdown with seven minutes remaining to make the score, 41-23. Omaha’s Rashaan Salaam, the XFL’s leading rusher, was held to 58 yards on 14 carries, but Bergeron completed 30 of 37 passes for 347 yards and 5 TDs to win MVP honors.

-- (10-5)Stars 23 - 41 Mammoths(11-4)
(LA): QB McNown - 26/38 305 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Oxendine - 16 carries, 67 yards, WR Copeland - 6 catches, 101 yards, 1 TD, WR McDonald - 5 catches, 97 yards
(OMA): QB Banks - 30/37 347 yards, 5 TDs, RB Salaam - 14 carries, 58 yards, WR Bergeron - 9 catches, 126 yards, 3 TDs, WR Haygood - 6 catches, 105 yards, 1 TD

XFL Semi-Final: Guardians Season Ends in Overtime

June 19, 2005

New York, NY - New York actually had a chance to win the game in overtime after Guardians DB Calvin Branch's interception of a Steel QB Quincy Carter pass gave New York the ball and put the Guardians in control. However, an apparent game-winning 15-yard touchdown run by RB Robert Edwards was called back because of an offsides penalty. Then, Guardians QB Chris Redman was unable to connect with WR Zola Davis on third and eight from the 20-yard line, bringing up fourth down. Guardians head coach Rusty Tillman turned to K John Markham whose 35-yard field goal attempt missed wide right, giving the ball back to Birmingham on its own 27-yard line. Carter then moved his team down field in seven plays, setting up the game-winning score.

The overtime session came after one of the most bizarre endings to regulation that one might ever witness. Trailing 43-40, the Steel moved the ball to the New York 5-yard line with six seconds remaining in the game. Going for the win Carter looked for WR Randy Hymes in the back of the end zone. Hymes was knocked down on the play and DB Robb Butler stepped in to intercept Carter's pass as time expired. Thinking the game was over, the Guardians staff fired confetti cannons, covering the field with multi-colored paper. However, pass interference was called on Butler, giving the Steel one more un-timed play. The ball was placed on the 2-yard line and K Lawrence Tynes was brought on and, after clearing a spot in the piles of confetti to place the ball, booted a game-tying 17-yard field goal to send the game to overtime.

-- (11-4)Steel 35 - 32 Guardians(11-4)
(BIRM): QB Carter - 24/33 332 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Williams - 16 carries, 74 yards, 1 TD, WR Williams - 4 catches, 119 yards, 1 TD, WR Hymes - 5 catches, 103 yards, 1 TD
(NY): QB Redman - 28/46 407 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Edwards - 17 carries, 32 yards, 1 TD, WR Dar Dar - 6 catches, 108 yards, 1 TD, WR Green - 5 catches, 101 yards, 1 TD

XFL Names 2005 All-League Team

June 20, 2005

Greenwich, CT - The league wanted to honor the most standout players from the 2005 regular season. There are no restrictions to this list, this is just the list of the best players in the league voted on by all coaches, general managers and media outlets.

The 2005 All-XFL Team:
QB Chris Redman New York, RB Lawrence Phillips Mexico City, RB Ken Simonton Seattle, WR Marcus Nash Mexico City, WR Rashied Davis Chicago, WR Dane Looker Seattle, TE Lawrence Hart Orlando, OL DeMingo Graham Chicago, OL Matt Stinchcomb Los Angeles, OL Zach Quaccia Los Angeles, OL Tony Pashos Chicago, OL Aaron Gibson Omaha, DL Nathan Davis New Orleans, DL Demetric Evans San Antonio, Cullen Jenkins Omaha, DL Israel Idonije Chicago, DL Randy Chevrier Orlando, LB Raheem Orr New York, LB Rocky Calmus Memphis, LB Trev Faulk Birmingham, DB Nick Ferguson Memphis, DB Billy Parker Orlando, DB Eric Crouch Omaha, DB Calvin Branch New York, P Mat McBriar Birmingham and K John Markham New York

Troubled Star Phillips Arrested

June 22, 2005

Mexico City, MEX - Mexico City Aztecs released star RB Lawrence Phillips after he was arrested for assault after driving a car into three teenagers following a dispute with them during a pick-up football game in Los Angeles, California.


XFL Million Dollar Game: Mammoths Draw First and Final Blood

June 26, 2005

Omaha, NE - The Mammoths drew first blood on their opening possession as Mammoths' QB Brad Banks led his team on a 9-play, 68-yard drive and capped it off with a 22-yard TD pass to WR Sean Morey. It would turn out to be the only score of the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Mammoths would quickly add to their lead. They used their first full possession of the period on just one play, but it would be swift and painful, as Omaha took advantage of a fumble recovery to take control at Birmingham's 12-yard line. Afterward, RB Rashaan Salaam would dive for a six yard score. On their next possession, the Mammoths continued to pour it on as they stopped a 4th down conversion from the Steel and took over with good field position, Birmingham's 27-yard line. Despite the good position, the Steel defense finally stiffened and the Mammoths had to settle for a 32-yard field goal. The Birmingham Steel would finally be able to get on the board near the end of the half, as Steel QB Quincy Carter led his team on a 4-play, 51-yard drive and capped it off with a 10-yard pass to WR Quincy Carter. With the impressive resurgence, the first half score belonged to Omaha, but the momentum belonged to Birmingham.

In the third quarter, the Mammoths continued to show how much they wanted the trophy by striking on their opening drive. Banks led his team on a 4-play, 80-yard drive that ended with FB Joel Makovicka running 18 well-earned yards for a TD. Trailing 24–7 going into the fourth quarter, the Steel needed a lot of points in a hurry. Continuing a drive that began in the final seconds of the third quarter, Carter led his team on a 5-play, 80-yard drive that concluded with a 10-yard TD pass to FB Deon Dyer. However, the Mammoths continued to put the game further out of reach, as they responded with a 28-yard field goal. Carter and his Steel would respond with a 10-play, 78-yard drive and get a TD with Carter himself running in on a 10-yard QB sneak. With another long drive, the Steel set themselves up near the redzone again, where the Mammoths forced them to 4th down with 5 seconds to spare. That final play ended with DB Eric Crouch writing history for the Omaha Mammoths when he batted away a Carter pass intended for WR Stepfret Williams. The Omaha Mammoths were crowned champions.

-- (12-4)Steel 21 - 27 Mammoths(12-4)
(BIRM): QB Carter - 38/49 362 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Williams - 22 carries, 109 yards, WR Williams - 8 catches, 110 yards, WR Insley - 7 catches, 79 yards, 1 TD
(OMA): QB Banks - 17/28 160 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Salaam - 30 carries, 91 yards, 1 TD, WR Bergeron - 4 catches, 46 yards, WR Hatchette - 7 catches, 74 yards

XFL Announces 2005 Individual Awards

June 28, 2005

Greenwich, CT - New York Guardians' QB Chris Redman was a landslide winner in the balloting of sports writers and broadcasters across the league. Redman won the MVP award by amassing season totals of 3173 passing yards to go with 22 touchdowns and only 6 interceptions. Chicago Enforcers' DL Israel Idonije won the Defensive MVP after totaling 50 tackles, 19 sacks, and 6 forced fumbles. Tampa Bay Bandits' QB Shaun King won the Offensive Player of the Year trophy along with the Rookie of the Year award by dominating defenses to the tune of 3147 passing yards, 28 passing touchdowns, 460 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns.

Art Shell Resigns as VooDoo Head Coach

June 30, 2005

New Orleans, LA - Art Shell has resigned as head coach of the XFL's New Orleans VooDoo to become the new general manager for the NFL's Oakland Raiders, owner Tom Benson announced. "On behalf of the VooDoo organization I want to thank Art for all of his hard work during our first two seasons in New Orleans," said general manager Steve Livingstone. "Last season was a tremendous disappointment for all of us and we will immediately begin the process of putting together a new football operations staff. We have received extraordinary fan support and our No. 1 commitment remains putting a winning team on the field for our fans."

[BengalErnst]

Year Five Financial Report Released

July 1, 2005

Greenwich, CT - The attendance numbers went up to an average of 27.8k per game, with Omaha, Columbus, San Antonio and Orlando at the top and Chicago, Sacramento and New Orleans at the bottom. The salary cap is currently set to rise to $3.6M($80k) for 2006 and $4M($88.8k) for 2007.

The report states that the league is 16.7% owned by Alpha Entertainment LLC(McMahon), 16.7% Legendary Field Exhibitions LLC(Ebersol), 16.7% 2929 Sports & Entertainment LLC(Cuban), 3.1% Dallas Football LLC(Jones), 3.1% Kroenke Sports & Entertainment LLC(Walton Kroenke), 3.1% Trifecta Sports Entertainment LLC(Hearst III), 3.1% Speros Ventures LLC(Speros), 6.2% Benson Sports LLC(Benson), 3.1% Maloof Sports LLC(Maloof), 3.1% FedEx Express Sports LLC(Smith), 3.1% Williams Corporation Sports LLC(Williams), 3.1% Wirtz Sports Corporation LLC(Wirtz), 3.1% Foundation Ohio Sports LLC(Renacci), 3.1% Seattle SuperSports LLC(Schultz), 3.1% Monumental Sports & Entertainment LLC(Leonsis), 3.1% Sunburst Sports & Entertainment LLC (Sternberg), 3.1% TD Omaha Sports & Entertainment LLC(Moglia) and 3.1% United Mountain Lions Sports LLC(Hernreich).

Expenditures totaled $155.2M for the 2005 season. Costs consisted of $51.2M from player contracts, $13M for Player Bonuses, $48M in front office/coaching contracts, $3M on league staff contracts, $16M in stadium leases, $16M in traveling expenses, and $8M on insurance.

The league did receive $20M from TV contracts, $5.1M from the fourteen returning owners, $15.1M from Tampa Sports LLC (Sternberg) and $15.1M from United Mountain Lions Sports LLC(Pelosi), $84.1M in ticket sales, $14M in merchandise and $3M in sponsorships totaling $222.7M.

The league ended the 2005 season $67.5M in surplus. The league will continue to operate under a hybrid franchise model, as each franchise is individually ran and operated, but all profits and costs are still league orientated.

Mammoths add XFL's top Defensive Coordinator

July 5, 2005

Omaha, NE - Over the last two XFL seasons, Jim Tomsula turned the New York Guardians into the XFL's premier defense in terms of total yards, passing yards and defensive takeaways. "I've always said I would go after the best free agents possible," said Mammoths owner Joe Moglia. "That means assistant coaches too, and Jim Tomsula is the No. 1 defensive coordinator in the league based on what he has done the past two seasons."

"I'm excited about coming to Omaha and excited about returning to the midwest," Tomsula said, who coached two seasons in Chicago and recently completed a training camp internship with the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals. "I plan to bring an aggressive style of play to the Omaha defense."

Columbus Hires Marc Trestman

July 14, 2005

Columbus, OH - Former Arizona Cardinals and Oakland Raiders offensive coordinator Marc Trestman is the new head coach of the XFL's Columbus Ghosts, majority owner Jim Renacci announced. Former Ghosts head coach Kippy Brown was demoted to offensive coordinator while offensive coordinator Steve Logan was let go after the Ghosts finished in the league's lowest ranked offense. "We are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to have Marc Trestman lead our football operations," Renacci said. "His vast experience in the NFL along with his depth of football experience will be a major asset to this organization."

XFL Lose Seven More to the NFL

July 19, 2005

Greenwich, CT - Chicago Enforcers WR Rashied Davis signed a three-year contract with the Chicago Bears. New York Guardians DB Rob Milanese has been placed on the team's exempt list after agreeing to a two-year contract with the San Diego Chargers. Memphis Express K Rob Bironas, DB Nick Ferguson and DL Joe Minucci, who led the team with nine sacks and was named to the XFL's All-Rookie team last season, have all signed with the Tennessee Titans. "Rob's ultimate goal was to kick in the NFL and he's gotten close on many occasions. Hopefully, this will be the one for him. We wish him all the best, said Express head coach Bart Andrus. "We are all very proud of what Joe accomplished in the XFL. "We all hope that this next step in his pro career is as successful as his previous one was. He is a great player who works very hard, and I know that all Titans fans will enjoy having him on their team."

Omaha Mammoths OL Chris Watton has signed a multiple-year deal with the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "It is always a bittersweet feeling when we have a guy sign with an NFL team," said Frank Solich, Mammoth head coach. "Obviously it is a tremendous opportunity for Chris and we wish him the best of luck, but we will miss him."

Orlando Rage All-XFL DB Billy Parker has signed with the Miami Dolphins. "This was an amazing opportunity that I couldn't pass up," said Parker. "I owe a lot to the Rage for giving me a chance to play the game I love. I want to thank everyone in that organization because I couldn't have made this step in my career without the help of my coaches and teammates. I'll always be a Rage." As a rookie in 2005, Parker emerged as a defensive star by leading the XFL in interceptions with ten.

Guardians name Dan Quinn Defensive Coordinator

July 25, 2005

New York, NY - Former Sacramento DL coach and assistant Coach of the Year Dan Quinn has been named defensive coordinator of the New York Guardians, the club announced. "This is a great opportunity for me to work with one of the top organizations in the XFL," said Quinn. "I had a great experience in Sacramento and feel that what I've learned will translate into success with New York."

Guardians Retool with Three new Coaches for 2006 Campaign

July 30, 2005

Greenwich, CT - The New York Guardians, in its continuing effort to put a championship product on the field next season, has hired two of the most up-and-coming coaches in the XFL and a recently retired player who was a dominant lineman in the NFL. New York Guardians hired Jeff Ogden was hired as the WRs coach, D'Marco Farr as DL coach and Chris Dishman as DBs coach. "The addition of these three talented coaches falls right in line with the direction of our organization," head coach Rusty Tillman said. "The personnel and structure has been changed, but our goal remains the same, which is to compete game in and game out and win the XFL championship."

League owner Mark Cuban commented that the league needs to do a better job at developing younger coaches who have a passion for the game and wanted to make it a point to hire former players as position coaches that could grow into coordinators and then head coaches. The Sacramento Mountain Lions' hired Alvin Harper to be the WRs coach. Matt Nagy has been hired as the Birmingham's QBs Coach. The Washington Valor hired Ben Coates as TEs coach and Antonio Banks as DBs coach. Former LA Stars legendary Sam Rutigliano as WRs coach. The Columbus Ghosts added Alex Van Pelt and PJ Fleck as QBs and WRs coaches. Omaha Mammoths' hired hired Antonio Anderson as their DL coach. Milton Wynn and Steve Logan were hired as the San Antonio Commanders' WRs and QBs coaches. Tampa Bay Bandits hired Doug Pederson as QBs coach.

"This is an exciting opportunity," said Anderson. "I've always wanted to be a line coach in this league. Coach Solich gave me the opportunity and I jumped on it."

"Doug is very knowledgeable and I am excited about adding him to our coaching staff," Bandits head coach Steve Spurrier said. "He played in the NFL for a long time and having him here in Tampa brings experience and enthusiasm to our organization."

"Ben is a winner and will make an excellent addition to our staff," said Valor general manager Doug Williams. "I have gotten the opportunity to get to know him over the past five years and find him to be an outstanding coach."

Statement from Saints/VooDoo Owner Tom Benson regarding New Orleans VooDoo

August 28, 2005

New Orleans, LA - A statement from Saints/VooDoo Owner Tom Benson regarding the status of the New Orleans VooDoo franchise for the 2006 XFL season: "The decision has been made to suspend play of the New Orleans VooDoo in New Orleans for the 2006 season. Factors beyond our control are forcing us to make this decision. We will not have a facility available to us to play our games, we will not be able to house players and staff and we will not be able to utilize our practice facility as it is being used by the government for Hurricane Katrina operations."

The XFL and Schutt Sports Announces Four Year Agreement

August 29, 2005

Greenwich, CT - The XFL and Schutt Sports, one of the nation's leading sports equipment innovators, announced a multi-level partnership designating Schutt as an XFL supplier. The four-year agreement begins with the 2006 season. Teams will have the opportunity to work with Schutt to develop new faceguard designs and team-helmet paint schemes. Schutt possesses the exclusive license to produce XFL helmet collectibles that will help continue the XFL's growth at retail. In addition, Schutt will be integrated into the XFL's key marketing platforms with specific program elements to be finalized in the coming weeks.

"This is much more than a standard helmet agreement," said President of XFL Properties Glenn Horine. "Schutt is committing to the XFL on multiple levels by supplying protective equipment and offering a unique helmet re-design program to our teams. They are also making a major marketing commitment, as well as acting as a collectible licensee. We are proud to partner with a sports equipment innovator such as Schutt, who believes in the XFL's mission and direction."

"Schutt is very pleased to have been selected as the Protective Equipment and Reconditioning Supplier of the XFL," said Julie Nimmons, CEO of Schutt Sports. "The XFL brings an innovative approach to the game of football, and Schutt Sports brings innovation to the playing field with our products and services. Putting the two together just makes a lot of sense. We are proud to be apart of the XFL team."

Hurricane Katrina Ends New Orleans VooDoo

September 6, 2005

New Orleans, LA - Owner Tom Benson announced the VooDoo would not be continuing operations in New Orleans. Reasons given were "circumstances affecting the league, stadium, city and the team." The league announced they were searching for a new investor to take over the club. A league source said the team could be purchased for $2 million. Any rebirth of the franchise and its renewal would not be affiliated with previous owner of the Voodoo, Tom Benson, or the New Orleans Saints.

XFL Online Auction to Raise Funds for Relief Efforts

September 8, 2005

Greenwich, CT - The XFL and it's teams will be holding an online charity auction in which all proceeds will go to XFL Charities Hurricane Relief Fund. Items auctioned off will include signed memorabilia (helmets, footballs, jerseys, etc.), game-used items, and XFL experiences that will allow winning bidders to participate in activities with their favorite team.

Buyer Found for XFL New Orleans Franchise

October 13, 2005

New Orleans, LA - The XFL announced that the new New Orleans XFL franchise was purchased by Doug Harrington, Dan Newman and Louisiana Football LLC for $2M. "New Orleans is a great football town and we're thrilled to be there," said XFL Commissioner Oliver Luck. "This is an exciting solution for a difficult situation. Doug, Dan and all the members of LFLLC should be applauded for rallying under difficult circumstances to make this opportunity a reality."

Birmingham Steel Claim Former Clemson star Woody Dantzler

October 15, 2005

Greenwich, CT - The Birmingham Steel announced it has claimed former Clemson QB Woody Dantzler with it's territorial allocation. Dantzler will play wide receiver and defensive back for the Steel. Other players claimed include RB Jonathan Wells, WRs Tyrone Calico, David Terrell and Chad Lucas, TEs Teyo Johnson and Erron Kinney, OL Mike Pearson and Taylor Whitley, DL DeLawrence Grant, Bill Swancutt, Anton Palepoi, Tony Brown and Jamaal Green, LBs Saleem Rasheed, Wali Rainer, Alonzo Jackson, Courtney Watson and Eddie Moore, DBs Ahmed Plummer, Rashad Bauman, William Bartee, Marques Anderson, Jeremy LeSueur and Kris Richard and P BJ Sander.

"Woody Dantzler is a fantastic athlete who can play multiple positions," said Steel owner Jim Speros. "We are going to bring him in immediately and try to find a way to use his many talents to help us win."


Road Warriors Traveling Team Created to Balance League

October 28, 2005

New Orleans, LA - Two league sources said that the XFL(Alpha Entertainment LLC & Legendary Field Exhibitions LLC) has taken control of the team, seizing it from current owners Harrington, Newman and Louisiana Football LLC due to a lack of money. The group wasn't properly vetted due to time restraints. The New Orleans Voodoo football team has officially ceased operations, effective immediately, and all Voodoo players under a continuing contract will now be placed onto the league owned and operated, Greenwich Road Warriors, who will serve as a traveling team for the 2006 season. The league plans to find a new new ownership group to join the league for the 2007 season. The Road Warriors will be coached by former Memphis Express head coach Bart Andrus, and the former VooDoo coaches, Jim Criner, Ken Margerum and Mark Criner.

"Although we regret the circumstances that brought us to this solution," said XFL Commissioner Oliver Luck. "We are excited to allow the VooDoo players to remain together as a cohesive and competitive team and that was a major incentive for us going forward now instead of 2007."

Sacramento Mountain Lions select Former No. 13 Draft Pick Troy Edwards first in Supplemental Draft

November 15, 2005

Houston, TX - One of college football's all-time most explosive wide receivers and a seven-year NFL veteran will ply his trade in Sacramento this season when the team made him the first selection in the 2006 Supplemental Draft. The remainder of the first round was LB Quinton Caver, WR Darius Watts, DL Johnathon Sullivan, DB Lance Frazier, WR Dez White, DB Ifeanyi Ohalete, OL Adrien Klemm, LB Zeke Moreno, DB Willie Offord, DL Michael Haynes, DL Greg White, RB James Jackson, DL Claude Harriott and DL Matthias Askew. "The NFL was good to me, and now I can't wait to play in the XFL," said Edwards. "I don't want special treatment. I just want to be a regular player who can help bring the Mountain Lions to the playoffs."

"Adding these talented football players to our roster is the first step in putting a competitive football team on the field in 2006," stated Seattle head coach Rick Neuheisel. "These are the first of several picks that will fill holes and add to what we believe will be a strong contender in the Western Conference."

"We feel like we accomplished everything we wanted to get done in this draft," said Guardians head coach Rusty Tillman. "Our goal was to get a few key guys that we really wanted, and we were able to do that. We also were able to bring in some guys with NFL experience that we feel might be impact players in this league."

"Michael Haynes can be a dominant force in the XFL," said Enforcers' head coach Mike Singletary. "He is a physical specimen who will command that opposing offenses take note where he is at all times."

Sippio Returns to the Desperados

November 30, 2005

Dallas, TX - WR Bobby Sippio signed to return to the Dallas Desperados after being cut from the Miami Dolphins. "He was one of the most dominant players in the league at his position," Desperados head coach Jerry Glanville said. "We're excited to have the guy. He was working both sides of the ball with the Miami Dolphins before he got hurt and can play all over the field. We got better and I became a better coach today."

Ditka Watches As Enforcers Opens Camp

January 6, 2006

Chicago, IL - Enforcers' minority owner Mike Ditka was in the stands watching as the 2006 Chicago Enforcers took the field this morning for its first day of training camp. After practice was over, Ditka took time to address the team and spoke of the commitment it takes to win a championship. "We have the most talent in camp that we have ever had," said Ditka. "But it takes more than talent. It takes a commitment from each of the players, not only to each other but to the coaches as well. It's about working hard and believing in each other and making an effort to be the best. Nobody ever remembers the teams that finish second, but to be a part of a championship team is something you will remember the rest of your life."

As Ditka spoke to the team he also added a few thoughts on the state of football today as compared to when he played. "As the season starts I ask you to work hard and play the game the right way," he said. "When you score a touchdown there is no need to shove the ball in someone else's face, or do a dance or any of that other stuff. And when you make a great hit, help them up. Don't stand over them and taunt them. Nothing is more intimidating than making a great hit and then helping someone up."

Sea Devils Hundon Announces Retirement

January 19, 2006

Dallas, TX - After failing to fully recover from an injury that sidelined him for the entire 2005 season, Seattle Sea Devils WR James Hundon officially announced his retirement from the XFL. Just days before the Sea Devils season opener, Hundon experienced numbness in his fingers and hands and was diagnosed with a cervical spine injury. Team doctors advised the former All-XFL performer not to play the season. "I remember taking a hit in training camp and the next thing I know doctors are telling me that it wouldn't be wise for me to continue playing," Hundon said. "Not only did I find out I had a pinched nerve, but the doctors also told me I had a bulging disc and my fifth vertebrae was fractured. Hearing stuff like that is scary."

After nearly a year of rehabilitation and therapy, Hundon held out hopes of a return to the playing field in 2006. But those hopes were squashed during a recent visit to the doctor. "I had a glimmer of hope this summer because I was able to start catching some passes," Hundon explained. "But then I went to the doctor and he told me my nerve was still pinched and it would be wise to not play anymore. I'm going to miss playing so much because Dallas was the most supportive place I ever played. A lot of the fans were very personal with me. They would see me on the street and tell me what a great experience for them it was watching me play."

So ends a football career that saw the Bay Area native star professionally in the National Football League, Canadian Football League and the Arena League along with the XFL. "It's heartbreaking that I can't play, but my body was letting me know that it was time for me to stop," Hundon said emotionally. "I want to thank Dallas and Seattle for giving me the opportunity to continue playing football when no one else wanted to." Although his playing career may be over, Hundon still hopes to be involved with an XFL organization. "I didn't want my career to end on these terms, but I would like to continue to still be a part of the Sea Devils and Desperados in some way."

EA Ships All New XFL Video Game

February 7, 2006

Redwood City, CA - Electronic Arts announced that XFL Football, the newest game under the EA Sports brand, has shipped to stores nationwide. With XFL Football, gamers can now experience the excitement of the gridiron with fast-paced, high-scoring offenses and the ability to play with the unique XFL specific rules. "EA is the premiere sports videogame developer and we're thrilled to have worked with them on this project," said Glenn Horine, President, XFL Properties. "EA Sports XFL Football captures the passion of our sport and gives fans an opportunity to experience the action for themselves."

"The XFL was an amazing league to work with and we strived to create a game that accurately depicts their unique brand of football," said Mike Taramykin, Senior Producer, EA Tiburon. "XFL Football has features that will appeal to both XFL fans and sports fans alike."

[BengalErnst]

XFL 2006 PreSeason Power Ranking

February 14, 2006

Our analysts have compiled their preseason Power Ranking and we will go in their predicted order to explore all 16 XFL franchises and see what we see as the strengths and deficiencies of each club, including recent roster departures, arrivals, draftees, and the coaching stability of each club. So, let’s get started with our look at how the XFL shapes up.


2005 Recap -

2006 Birmingham Steel - HC Gerry DiNardo, OC Gene Dahlquist, DC Curley Hallman, GM Tim Berryman, QBs Quincy Carter, Matt Mauck and Eric Kresser, RBs Curtis Keaton, Shaud Williams and Deon Dyer, WRs Stepfret Williams, Trevor Insley, Randy Hymes, Chad Lucas, Jason McAddley and Freddie Milons, TEs Patrick Hape, Scott Thompson and Terry Jones, OL Gennaro DiNapoli, Brent Smith, Steve Sciullo, Matt Hill, Chad Beasley, Waverly Jackson, Kelvin Ingram and Shawn Draper, DL Claude Harriott, Quinton Reese, Otis Leverette, Donnell Washington, Cedric Pittman, Adrian Dingle, Reggie Grimes and Reggie McGrew, LBs Saleem Rasheed, Trev Faulk, Keith Franklin, Orantes Grant, Tony Bua and Bryan Knight, DBs Woodrow Dantzler, Izell Reese, Tyrone Drakeford, Ramon Walker, Jerald Brown, Waine Bacon and Keyon Nash, P Mat McBriar and K Lawrence Tynes

2006 Preview -


2005 Recap -

2006 Columbus Ghosts - HC Marc Trestman, OC Kippy Brown, DC Fred Pagac, GM Chris Spielman, QBs Joe Germaine, Asad Abdul-Khaliq and Craig Krenzel, RBs Duron Croson, Jonathan Wells and Maurice Clarett, WRs Ken-Yon Rambo, Carl Ford, Reggie Germany, Carlos Francis, Jamall Broussard and Danny Farmer, TEs Dwayne Blakley, Daniel Wilcox and Ryan Prince, OL Victor Leyva, Melvin Tuten, Dan Greer, DeMingo Graham, Alex Sulfsted, Javiar Collins, Scott Rehberg, Antwan Kirk-Hughes and Bryce Bishop, DL Antonio Smith, Mario Fatafehi, Johnathan Sullivan, Derrick Ransom, Norris McCleary, Eddie Freeman and Alonzo Spellman, LBs James Harrison, Barrett Green, Cie Grant, Keyon Whiteside, Khalid Abdullah and Riall Johnson, DBs Ahmed Plummer, Cornelius Coe, Dwayne Stukes, Steve Bellisari, Derek Ross, Nijrell Eason and Rashidi Barnes, P BJ Sander and K Matt Bryant

2006 Preview -


2005 Recap -

2006 Tampa Bay Bandits - HC Steve Spurrier, OC Hue Jackson, DC George Edwards, GM Pepper Rodgers, QBs Shaun King, Gibran Hamdan and Marcus Crandell, RBs Avon Cobourne, Brian Shay, Herbert Goodman and Leonard Henry, WRs DeAndrew Rubin, Derrick Hamilton, Triandos Luke, Drew Haddad, Chris Doering and PK Sam, TEs Chris Luzar, Erron Kinney and Dan O'Leary, OL Adrian Klemm, Mike Pearson, Wayne Lucier, Ryan Boschetti, Martin Bibla, Garin Patrick, Ben Sobieski and Kenyatta Jones, DL David Hoelscher, Winfield Garnett, Darrell Wright, Clint Mitchell, Cedric Killings, Montique Sharpe and Jomo Cousins, LBs Mason Unck, Steve Josue, Antonio Wilson, Tony Gilbert, Byron Thweatt and Byron Hardmon, DBs Clarence Curry, Stanford Samuels, Jeff Sanchez, Marcus Floyd, Jason Perry, Clarence Love and Kareem Larrimore, P Nick Murphy and K Axel Kruse

2006 Preview -


2005 Recap -

2006 New York Guardians - HC Rusty Tillman, OC Joe Lombardi, DC Dan Quinn, GM Ron Jaworski, QBs Chris Redman, Raymond Philyaw and Spergon Wynn, RBs Robert Edwards, James Jackson, Roosevelt Potts and Joe Aska, WRs Yatil Green, Cedric Bonner, Glenn Martinez, John Standeford, Darnerien McCants and Zuriel Smith, TEs Terry Hardy, Marco Battaglia and Marcus Hinton, OL Ed Ellis, Dave Yovanovits, Mike Mabry, Jason Thomas, Morgan Pears, Steve Morley, Bryan Anderson and Shannon Snell, DL Gabe Nyenhuis, Isaac Hilton, Bryan Save, Sacha Lancaster, Delbert Cowsette and Derrick Strong, LBs Kevin Mitchell, Khari Samuel, Lee Woodall, Howard Hodges, Tyrell Peters and Raheem Orr, DBs Randee Drew, Michael Harden, Calvin Branch, Joey Eloms, Robb Butler, John Keith and Raymond Walls, P Filip Filipovic and K John Markham

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2005 Recap -

2006 Chicago Enforcers - HC Mike Singletary, OC Peter Vaas, DC Robert Lyles, GM Dick Butkus, QBs Jarious Jackson, John Navarre, Ell Roberson and Kurt Kittner, RBs Ahmaad Galloway, Omar Easy, Jarrett Payton and Derek Watson, WRs Charlton Brewster, Aaron Bailey, David Terrell, Marquis Walker, Ruvell Martin and Tai Streets, TEs Rod Rutledge, Aaron Shea and Jabari Holloway, OL Tony Pashos, Courtney Van Buren, Paul Janus, Derrick Turner, JP Machado, Tupe Peko, Paul LaQuerre, Brennan Curtin and Rob Murphy, DL Israel Idonije, Michael Haynes, Matt Walters, Lamar King, Khreem Smith, Colston Weatherington and Cyron Brown, LBs Courtney Watson, Chike Egbuniwe, Carlos Timmons, Casey Urlacher, Cornelius Anthony and Sean Tufts, DBs JoJuan Armour, Kory Blackwell, Lin-J Shell, Vontez Duff, Shane Walton, Brock Williams, Jeremy LeSueur and Kerry Cooks, P Andrew Bayes and K Jose Cortez

2006 Preview -


2005 Recap -

2006 Memphis Express - HC Doug Plank, OC Darren Arbet, DC Weylan Harding, GM Gene Nudo, QBs Tee Martin, Jonathan Quinn and Tony Graziani, RBs Darnell Autry, Shyrone Stith, Trung Canidate and Travis Stephens, WRs Andy McCullough, Eddie Berlin, D'wayne Bates, Dez White, Jarrick Hillary and Tyrone Calico, TEs Marlon Chambers, Hunter Goodwin and Dustin Lyman, OL Dennis O'Sullivan, Ben Nowland, Anthony Oakley, Isaiah Ross, Damian Lavergne, Brad Williams, LeShun Daniels and Scott Tercero, DL DeAngelo Lloyd, Mao Tosi, Andrew Shull, Tony Brown, Seante Williams and Aubrayo Franklin, LBs Raynoch Thompson, Eric Westmoreland, Rocky Calmus, Donnie Spragan, Marc Megna and Eddie Moore, DBs Blaine McElmurry, Julian Battle, Jahi Henley, Etric Pruitt, Rashad Holman, Tim Strickland and Terreal Bierria, P Bill LaFleur and K

2006 Preview -


2005 Recap -

2006 Orlando Rage - HC Jay Gruden, OC Jeff Brohm, DC Pete Kuharchek, GM Tom Veit, QBs Joe Hamilton, Jesse Palmer and Kliff Kingsbury, RBs Maurice Hicks, Onterrio Smith, Santonio Beard and Luke Staley, WRs Craig Yeast, Kevin Swayne, Sam Simmons, Kelvin Kight, Travis McGriff and Andre King, TEs Lawrence Hart, David Sloan and Nate Jackson, OL Joaquin Gonzalez, Dan Goodspeed, Dan Collins, Jason Gamble, Damion Cook, Char-ron Dorsey, Antoine Mirambeau, Cheston Blackshear and Jamie Nails, DL Randy Chevrier, Sedric Clark, Eric Powell, Derrick Crawford, Jamaal Green, Elton Patterson and Cameron Wake, LBs Twan Russell, Marcus Reese, Wes Bautovich, Alonzo Jackson, James Burgess and Rashad Harris, DBs Mario Edwards, Ifeanyi Ohalete, Eric Joyce, Kenny McEntyre, Derrick Gardner, Clevan Thomas, Tremain Mack and Javarus Dudley, P Rodney Williams and K Rob Hart

2006 Preview -


2005 Recap -

2006 Washington Valor - HC Doug Williams, OC Frank Reich, DC Doug Graber, GM Joe Theismann, QBs Shaun Hill, Ryan Van Dyke and Dave Ragone, RBs John Avery, JR Redmond, Corey McIntyre and Doug Easlick, WRs Geroy Simon, Darius Watts, Aaron Hosack, Luther Leverson, Chas Gessner and Jamaar Taylor, TEs Kori Dickerson, Josh Whitman and Rashod Kent, OL Mike Clare, Jerry Wisne, Chris Janek, Doug Brzezinski, Paul Zukauskas, Dwayne Ledford, Jerry Wunsch, Luke Butkus and Dave Costa, DL Radell Lockhart, Keith McKenzie, Kavika Pittman, Carlos Hall, Monsanto Pope, Charles Hill and John Schlecht, LBs Torrance Marshall, Wali Rainer, Dane Krager, Shannon Taylor, Dustin Cohen and Cornell Brown, DBs Kalvin Pearson, Jamaine Winborne, Ike Charlton, Dainon Sidney, Willie Pile, Bruce Thornton, Cory Bird and Jeremy Unertl, P Kevin Stemke and K Todd France

2006 Preview -


2005 Recap -

2006 Omaha Mammoths - HC Frank Solich, OC Terry Shea, DC Jim Tomsula, GM Steve Ortmayer, QBs Jim Druckenmiller, Mike McMahon and Brad Banks, RBs Rashaan Salaam, Dahrran Diedrick, Brock Forsey and Joel Makovicka, WRs Matthew Hatchette, CJ Jones, Brian Alford, Troy Bergeron, Sean Morey and Herb Haygood, TE Jay Tant, Matt Kranchick and Mark Anelli, OL Ryan Young, Bruce Nelson, Chris Dishman, Chad Ward, Ulish Booker, Aaron Gibson and Mo Collins, DL Ron Warner, Tramont Lawless, Cullen Jenkins, Matthias Askew, Daniel Benetka and Jared Clauss, LBs Karon Riley, Cornell Menafee, Tarek Saleh, Jamie Burrow, Patrick Sapp and Caspor Stiles, DBs Mike Echols, Eric Crouch, BJ Tucker, Keyuo Craver, Roosevelt Williams, Jammal Lord and Norman LeJeune, P Derrick Frost and K Ola Kimrin

2006 Preview -


2005 Recap -

2006 Los Angeles Stars - HC Al Luginbill, OC Wes Chandler, DC Bob Valesente, GM John Elway, QBs Tom Arth, Ryan Dinwiddie and Cade McNown, RBs Ken Oxendine, Malaefou MacKenzie, Mike Cloud and Jonathan Smith, WRs Darnell McDonald, Jeremaine Copeland, JJ Stokes, Jamin Elliott, Jamal Jones, Kareem Kelly and Todd Doxzon, TEs Tremayne Allen, Sean Brewer and Josh Wilcox, OL Donta Kendrick, Matt Stinchcomb, Scott Whittaker, Bobby Singh, Jeff Grau, Thomas Herrion, Nate Miller and Zack Quaccia, DL Aaron Hunt, Greg White, Damonte McKenzie, Daved Benefield, Curtis Eason, Regan Upshaw and Kelvin Kinney, LBs Ryan Nece, Frank Chamberlin, Jamir Miller, Kendyll Pope, Larry Atkins and Markus Steele, DBs Kris Richard, Marques Anderson, Marcell Allmond, Jason Shivers, Shea Showers and Antuan Simmons, P Damon Duval and K Clay Rush

2006 Preview -


2005 Recap -

2006 San Antonio Commanders - HC Mike Riley, OC Paul Chryst, DC Bill Bradley, GM John Peterson, QBs Michael Bishop, Chad Hutchinson and BJ Symons, RBs Quentin Griffin, Brandon Miree, Reynaldo Brathwaite and Ontiwaun Carter, WRs Rashaun Woods, Huey Whittaker, Siaha Burley, Romby Bryant, Darrin Chiaverini and Ahmad Merritt, TEs Johnny Huggins, Jason Rader and Rodrick Monroe, OL Rome Douglas, John Feugill, Steve Herndon, Taylor Whitley, Chance Pearce, Derek West, Marcus Spriggs and Mathias Nkwenti, DL Peppi Zellner, Demetric Evans, Dwight Johnson, Chartric Darby, Barron Tanner, Rameel Connor and Jamal Reynolds, LBs Corey Atkins, Muadianvita Kazadi, Jason Sykes, Will Overstreet, Levar Fisher and Kelvin Moses, DBs Lance Frazier, Bashir Levingston, DeAuntae Brown, Brandon Everage, Darrick Vaughn, Keith Davis, Monty Montgomery, Derrick Lewis and William Bartee, P Steve Cheek and K Jesus Angoy

2006 Preview -


2005 Recap -

2006 Seattle Sea Devils - HC Rick Neuheisel, OC Kerwin Bell, DC Dennis Thurman, GM Eric Tillman, QBs Akili Smith, Jason Fife and Brock Huard, RBs Ken Simonton, Rashaan Shehee, Jamal Robertson and Dan Curley, WRs Dane Looker, Jason Willis, Jeris McIntyre, Keenan Howry, Dameane Douglas and Onome Ojo, TEs Darnell Dinkins, Mikhael Ricks and Jed Weaver, OL Jonathan Himebach, Lenny Vandermade, Scott Peters, Greg Randall, Jeff Hatch, Mike Houghton, Tyrone Hopson and Makoa Freitas, DL DeLawrence Grant, DeVone Claybrooks, Dwayne Missouri, Mike Ulufale, Bill Swancutt, Cleveland Pinkney and Terdell Sands, LBs Hakim Akbar, Otis Floyd, Khari Samuel, Drew Wahlroos, Antico Dalton and Zeke Moreno, DBs Rogers Beckett, Deke Cooper, Dennis Weathersby, Delphfine Lee, Rashad Bauman, DaShane Dennis, Zach Norton and Shawn Mayer, P Dirk Johnson and K Hayden Epstein

2006 Preview -


2005 Recap -

2006 Dallas Desperados - HC Jerry Glanville, OC Danny White, DC Steve Carson, GM Drew Pearson, QBs Clint Stoerner, Rod Rutherford and Pat Barnes, RBs Rod Smart, Troy Hambrick, Curtis Alexander and Keylon Kincade, WRs MarTay Jenkins, Dialleo Burks, Bobby Sippio, Talman Gardner and LaTarence Dunbar, TEs Mike Banks, TJ Cottrell and Bobby Blizzard, OL Scott Scifres, Bernard Holsey, Calvin Collins, Kelvin Garmon, Cliff Washburn, Jacob Rogers, Trey Darilek, Jamain Stephens and Solomon Page, DL Albrey Battle, James Lee, John Nix, Clenton Ballard, Matt Mitrione, Ahmad Miller and Alan Harper, LBs DeShone Myles, Marquis Smith, Solomon Bates, Travian Smith and Darren Hambrick, DBs Roderick Babers, Willie Offord, Dwayne Harper, Rufus Brown, Michael Booker, Terrance Joseph, Lamont Brightful and Rich Coady, P Travis Dorsch and K Brad Palazzo

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2006 Sacramento Mountain Lions - HC Dennis Erickson, OC Steve Sarkisian, DC Greg McMackin, GM Terry Donahue, QBs JT O'Sullivan, Casey Bramlet and Kevin Daft, RBs Chris Fuamatu-Mu'afala, Ed Stansbury, Ian Smart and Eric McCoo, WRs Freddie Mitchell, Aaron Boone, Troy Edwards, LaShaun Ward, Shockmain Davis and Reggie Barlow, TEs Teyo Johnson, Bill Baber and Bryan Fletcher, OL Adam Haayer, Lui Fuata, Bo Lacy, Marko Cavka, Lance Nimmo, Rolando Cantu, David Loverne and Brad Lekkerkerker, DL Felipe Claybrooks, Lauvale Sape, Junior Ioane, Stalin Colinet, Terrell Jurineack and Josh Mallard, LBs Sekou Sanyika, Lawrence Flugence, LaMarcus McDonald, Joe Odom, Mauguala Tuitele and Eugene McCaslin, DBs Cory Hall, Than Merrill, Oliver Celestin, Charles Drake, Jermaine Mays, Cecil Doggette and Rodregis Brooks, P Kyle Larson and K Bill Gramatica

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2006 Mexico City Aztecs - HC Bruce Coslet, OC Dwain Painter, DC Jeff Reinebold, GM Bob Ackles, QBs Quinn Gray, Cody Pickett and Moses Moreno, RBs Marlion Jackson, Jarrod Baxter, Kory Chapman and Larry Croom, WRs Marcus Nash, Tamarick Vanover, DeVeren Johnson, Taco Wallace and R.Jay Soward, TEs Mondriel Fulcher, Werne Hippler and Shad Meier, OL Tony Berti, Frank Middleton, Andy King, Ben Archibald, Ben Johnson, Marques Sullivan, Joe Maese and Chad Setterstrom, DL Tim McGill, Stacy Evans, Dorain Boose, Earl Cochran, Talance Sawyer and Erik Flowers, LBs Joe Tuipala, Quincy Monk, Quinton Caver, Masafumi Kawaguchi, Rob Fredrickson and Ryan Phillips, DBs Kelly Herndon, Hurley Tarver, Chris Akins, Vernon Cox, Bobby Gray, Wade Davis and Siddeeq Shabazz, P Brooks Barnard and K Jeff Chandler

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2006 Greenwich Road Warriors - HC Bart Andrus, OC Ken Margerum, DC Jim Criner, GM Steve Livingstone, QBs Craig Nall, Casey Clausen and Rohan Davey, RBs Jason Wright, Jarrett Ferguson and Autry Denson, WRs Charlie Adams, Michael Jennings, Quincy Jackson, James Adkisson, Ron Bellamy and LaVell Boyd, TEs Chad Mustard, Bradford Banta and Chad Hayes, OL Travis Claridge, Jason Jimenez, Cameron Spikes, Josh Warner, Edward Ta'amu, Mathias Vavao, Joe Wong, Lewis Kelly and Leander Jordan, DL Lionel Barnes, Chad Lavalais, Bobby Setzer, Melvin Williams, Nathan Davis and Oliver Gibson, LBs Lester Towns, Mike Nattiel, Terry Pierce, Tyreo Harrison, Jody Littleton and Sedrick Hodge, DBs Pat Dennis, Michael Hawthorne, Todd Franz, Arturo Freeman, Daryon Brutley, Jykine Bradley and Clint Finley, P Eddie Johnson and K Paul Edinger

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[BengalErnst]

Plank named Martin Starting QB

February 20, 2006

Memphis, TN - The Memphis Express announced that Tee Martin will be the starting quarterback for the season opener. "Both Tee and Jonathon Quinn had fantastic training camps, but it came down to who put the ball into the end zone more throughout training camp and our scrimmages against Columbus and Birmingham. And that was Tee," Express head coach Doug Plank said.

"Offensively, we've got a great front line, receivers that rival any team and the best backfield I've seen around," said Martin. "It's going to be a very exciting season for Express football in Memphis."

Players Fined, Suspended After Altercation

February 22, 2006

Greenwich, CT - Three participants in a preseason scrimmage altercation were suspended for six total games and $2,000 for conduct detrimental to the league, Commissioner Oliver Luck announced. Birmingham's DL Reggie Grimes was suspended for four games and fined $1,000. Tampa's DL Montique Sharpe and Orlando's OL Jason Gamble were suspended for one game and fined $500 each. At a three-team practice involving the Tampa Bay Bandits, Birmingham Steel and Orlando Rage on February 18 in Orlando, players were involved in an altercation that escalated into a fight. An investigation, which included videotape footage and eyewitness accounts, concluded that several players threw punches and swung their helmets. The conduct was deemed detrimental to the interests of the league and was in direct conflict with the values expressed in the XFL's Mission Statement.

A letter from the league to Birmingham regarding Grimes stated, "The Player maliciously used his helmet in a manner that would suggest his intent to injure other players on the field, in particular Montique Sharpe of the Bandits. The Player entered the fight and swung his helmet down on another player."



XFL Week 1: Bandits Blow Out Mountain Lions in Season Opener

February 27, 2006

Tampa, FL - The football might not be scripted in the XFL, but that doesn’t mean the made-for-TV league doesn’t follow a formula. There was football for the sports fan and scantily clad cheerleaders for the workaday guy Sunday as the Tampa Bay Bandits beat the Sacramento Mountain Lions 42-22 in the opening game for both teams. Yeah, some profanity was broadcast over the speakers. Players wore microphones on the field, and sometimes it really did sound like a locker room. Tampa’s RB Avon Cobourne scored on runs of 39 and 11 yards and QB Shaun King threw three touchdown passes to get the Bandits to 1-0. As Mountain Lions' QB JT O'Sullivan struggled through a 15-of-28 first half, he threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to WR Aaron Boone and followed that with a late, 32-yard TD throw to WR Troy Edwards. “I've played this game for awhile, so I know what it’s like to have a bad game and get boo'd,” O'Sullivan told a sideline reporter who rushed up to him during the game before the boos died down.

-- (0-0)Bandits 32 - 22 Mountain Lions(0-0)
(TB): QB King - 17/25 303 yards, 3 TDs, RB Cobourne - 8 carries, 83 yards, 2 TDs, 3 catches, 56 yards, 1 TD, WR Rubin - 4 catches, 134 yards, 1 TD, WR Sam - 4 catches, 61 yards, 1 TD
(SAC): QB O'Sullivan - 37/52 331 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, RB McCoo - 9 carries, 15 yards, WR Mitchell - 8 catches, 125 yards, WR Edwards - 5 catches, 138 yards, 1 TD

XFL Week 1: Columbus Haunted by QB Play

February 28, 2006

Columbus, OH - The Ghosts used two quarterbacks, had a half with no points and went down in defeat, 30-13, to the Mexico City Aztecs in front of 20,205 fans. QB Craig Krenzel started the game after Joe Germaine was inactivated an hour before kickoff due to a shoulder injury he sustained in training camp. Krenzel struggled early, completing just one of his first seven passes in the first quarter while Mexico City cashed in on a six-yard RB Marlion Jackson run and a 20-yard field goal to take an early 10-3 lead. After a four-and-out, the Ghosts turned to QB Asad Abdul-Khaliq to spark the offense. "We saw that things weren't working out with Craig so we gave Asad a shot. Completing a pass seemed like a minor miracle tonight," said head coach Marc Trestman, who coached his first game in front of the Ghosts faithful. "There wasn't really a silver lining in this one, except that our defense kept us in the game in the first half."

Aztecs DB Kelly Herndon intercepted Abdul-Khaliq's first pass, and Mexico City took advantage of the turnover as they drained a 26-yard field goal with 15 seconds left in the half to lead 13-3. Abdul-Khaliq's first career touchdown pass, a five-yard completion to receiver WR Ken Yon Rambo with just over four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, ended the scoring drought for the Ghosts. Before the touchdown however, Herndon intercepted Abdul-Khaliq for a second time. "I tried to go in there and make the big play instead of just taking what they were giving me, especially on the three interceptions," said Abdul-Khaliq. "I'll take it and I'll learn from it."

-- (0-0)Aztecs 30 - 13 Ghosts(0-0)
(MEX): QB Gray - 21/34 309 yards, 2 TDs, RB Jackson - 8 carries, 58 yards, 1 TD, WR Nash - 7 catches, 138 yards, WR Wallace - 5 catches, 35 yards, 1 TD
(COL): QB Abdul-Khaliq - 16/29 141 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Clarett - 21 carries, 76 yards, WR Rambo - 6 catches, 70 yards, 1 TD

-- (0-0)Mammoths 20 - 3 Desperados(0-0)
(OMA): QB Banks - 21/31 253 yards, 1 TD, RB Salaam - 19 carries, 60 yards, WR Bergeron - 5 catches, 101 yards, WR Hatchette - 5 catches, 58 yards
(DAL): QB Stoerner - 22/34 159 yards, 1 INT, RB Hambrick - 12 carries, 17 yards, WR Sippio - 5 catches, 45 yards, WR Burks - 5 catches, 43 yards

XFL Week 1: Late Flag Sends Stars Tumbling in Opener

March 1, 2006

Los Angeles, CA - The Los Angeles Stars went from elation to disappointment in an instant. The Stars appeared to pull out a victory in its home opener over the San Antonio Commanders when QB Cade McNown scrambled to his left, lowered his shoulder and powered the ball into the end zone as time ran out. That touchdown appeared to give Los Angeles a 33-31 lead. But as the Stars and it's fans started celebrating, a yellow flag appeared on the field. When the officials emerged from their huddle, the touchdown was nullified as a result of an illegal block in the back call. Game over. San Antonio wins, 31-27. While the Commanders were celebrating, the Stars had absorbed a hard defeat to start the season.

-- (0-0)Commanders 31 - 27 Stars(0-0)
(SA): QB Bishop - 22/32 252 yards, 2 TDs, RB Griffin - 15 carries, 45 yards, 1 TD, WR Woods - 7 catches, 67 yards, 2 TDs, WR Merritt - 6 catches, 60 yards
(LA): QB McNown - 20/33 251 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Cloud - 14 carries, 78 yards, WR Stokes - 4 catches, 83 yards, 1 TD, WR Copeland - 7 catches, 70 yards

-- (0-0)Road Warriors 14 - 28 Steel(0-0)
(XFL): QB Davey - 20/34 252 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Denson - 19 carries, 46 yards, 1 TD, WR Bellamy - 7 catches, 90 yards, 1 TD, WR Jennings - 7 catches, 86 yards
(BIRM): QB Carter - 15/28 282 yards, 2 TDs, RB Williams - 11 carries, 52 yards, 1 TD, WR Lucas - 4 catches, 109 yards, 2 TDs, WR Williams - 5 catches, 99 yards

XFL Week 1: Enforcers Lose Heart Breaker to Rage

March 2, 2006

Chicago, IL - The Chicago Enforcers lost their home opener to the Orlando Rage, 26-23, in the final minute in front of a crowd of 26,705 fans. The Enforcers desperately needed a defensive stop on a third-and-two with 30 seconds left in the game. Orlando TE Lawrence Hart caught a one-handed, four-yard completion to seal the win for the Rage. The Enforcers trailed the entire game due to two key injuries to RB Ahmaad Galloway and WR David Terrell in the first quarter. The Enforcers narrowed the lead to three with 56 seconds to go on WR Ruvell Martin's second touchdown catch. Chicago opted to attempt an on-side kick that the Rage recovered with a short field that helped them seal the game.

The home field advantage aided the Enforcers to keep the game within a field down to the final seconds. "You couldn't ask for a better crowd," said Martin, who finished with 13 catches for 145 yards and two touchdowns. "The fans were in the game until the end and supported us, even though we were down. They helped us get back into the game."

-- (0-0)Rage 26 - 23 Enforcers(0-0)
(ORL): QB Hamilton - 18/28 213 yards, 2 TDs, RB Smith - 13 carries, 45 yards, 1 TD, WR Swayne - 5 catches, 74 yards, 1 TD, WR King - 4 catches, 85 yards, WR Yeast - 4 catches, 62 yards, 1 TD
(CHI): QB Jackson - 20/41 241 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Payton - 10 carries, 56 yards, WR Martin - 13 catches, 145 yards, 2 TDs

-- (0-0)Sea Devils 14 - 27 Guardians(0-0)
(SEA): QB Huard - 24/45 248 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Simonton - 17 carries, 91 yards, WR Looker - 5 catches, 95 yards, 1 TD, TE Ricks - 7 catches, 46 yards, 1 TD
(NY): QB Redman - 21/33 299 yards, 3 TDs, RB Jackson - 14 carries, 28 yards, WR Green - 7 catches, 109 yards, 2 TDs, WR Smith - 4 catches, 82 yards