ORLANDO, FL (03/10/01) – The Las Vegas Outlaws traveled to Orlando for a Week 6 XFL showdown against the Rage, ultimately falling by a score of 27-15 in a contest marked by defensive struggles and costly errors for the visiting team. Despite an early lead and moments of offensive promise, the Outlaws couldn’t contain the Orlando attack and succumbed to a late defensive miscue.
The Outlaws started the game with possession after winning the scramble for the ball. Quarterback Ryan Clement quickly marched the offense down the field, culminating in a 4-yard touchdown pass to Ben Snell at the 6:45 mark of the first quarter. Rod Smart’s one-point conversion run failed, leaving the score at 6-0. The short 3-play, 10-yard drive was set up by an early Orlando miscue, as defensive end Antonio Edwards recovered a fumble by Rage quarterback Derrick Clark at the Orlando 10-yard line.
Orlando responded in the second quarter with a sustained 12-play, 75-yard drive that concluded with a 7-yard touchdown pass from Jeff Brohm to Lawrence Hart at 4:47. Derrick Clark converted the one-point run, giving the Rage a 7-6 lead. A key play in the drive was a 26-yard Brohm pass to Kevin Swayne, moving the ball to the Las Vegas 10.
The Outlaws reclaimed the lead at 12:26 of the second quarter with a 41-yard field goal by Paul McCallum. The short 3-play, 31-yard drive was ignited by a significant 71-yard kickoff return by Yo Murphy, setting Las Vegas up at the Orlando 31-yard line.
However, Orlando answered quickly. Brian Shay punched in an 11-yard touchdown run at 10:18, and Derrick Burks caught a one-point conversion pass from Brohm, putting the Rage back in front 14-9. The 4-play, 70-yard drive featured a 38-yard pass from Brohm to Swayne, advancing the ball to the Las Vegas 32.
The third quarter saw limited scoring, with the Outlaws chipping into the Orlando lead with a 42-yard field goal by McCallum at 12:16. The 5-play, 35-yard drive was aided by a 35-yard pass interference penalty on Orlando’s Kelly Malveaux, placing the ball at the Orlando 20.
Las Vegas regained the lead early in the fourth quarter with a 22-yard field goal by McCallum at 3:31, making the score 15-14. The 8-play, 75-yard drive was highlighted by a 31-yard run by Rod Smart, bringing the ball to the Orlando 27.
Orlando responded decisively. At the 10:04 mark of the fourth quarter, Brohm connected with Kevin Swayne for a 16-yard touchdown pass. The one-point conversion pass from Brohm to Derrick Clark was successful, giving the Rage a 21-15 advantage.
The game was sealed in dramatic fashion in the final minutes. With 1:35 remaining, Outlaws quarterback Ryan Clement fumbled the ball, and Orlando’s Sedric Clark recovered it in the endzone for a defensive touchdown. The one-point conversion run by Brian Shay failed, but the score stood at 27-15 in favor of the Rage.
Statistically, the Outlaws struggled on third down, converting only 1 of 11 attempts. They also accumulated a significant 8 penalties for 63 yards. Quarterback Ryan Clement completed 20 of 30 passes for 159 yards with one interception and one touchdown. Rod Smart led the Las Vegas rushing attack with 61 yards on 15 carries and also led the team in receiving with 8 catches for 48 yards.
Orlando’s Jeff Brohm had a strong passing day, completing 13 of 20 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns. Brian Shay led the Rage in rushing with 30 yards on 7 carries, while Kevin Swayne was the leading receiver with 4 catches for 92 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Joseph Tuipala led the Outlaws with 6 tackles and 1 sack, while Antonio Edwards recorded 2 sacks and recovered a fumble. For the Rage, Bill Duff had a dominant performance with 3 sacks, and James Burgess recorded an interception.
The Las Vegas Outlaws will return home to Sam Boyd Stadium to face the Birmingham Bolts in Week 7.
