Los Angeles – (18 February 2001) — For the third consecutive game, the Las Vegas Outlaws held their opponent without a touchdown. Only this time it didn’t matter. Instead, Xtreme placekicker Jose Cortez struck it rich with four field goals that resulted in a last-second win. Cortez found what he was looking for after missing two 34-yarders last week, connecting on the night from 44, 45, 36, and 48. His accuracy improved throughout, from an initial effort which nearly grazed an upright to a final boot down the middle with distance to spare.
What turned his redemption into more than just a moral victory was the inspired play of the Xtreme defense. Outlaw running back Rod Smart, the cult hero better known as “He Hate Me,” was limited to a paltry 1.6-yard average on 15 carries, an especially telling statistic considering that he managed one 18-yard scamper. Perhaps it was the Vegas offensive line that hated him most. Quarterback Mike Cawley was ineffective as well, throwing for 129 yards with two interceptions after starting four of five for 47 and a touch. He apparently lost his rhythm after a pair of sacks forced an early third-and-27.
The Outlaws’ lone trip to the end zone required a 40-yard pass interference call against corner Terry Billups, which set them up at the Xtreme 15. They subsequently scored on an 18-yard flanker screen to Corey Nelson. (The same play to the same player was called twice more in the fourth quarter, but L.A. sniffed and snuffed it out both times.) A low pass intended for H-back Ben Snell at the goal line left the score at 6-3 in the second, and from there the contest became a duel between specialists.
Cortez got his chance to hit the game-winner when rookie centerfielder Tinker Keck came up with a gift of a pick from Cawley. Keck, whose role increased following an injury to Ricky Parker, returned the ball a short way to the Outlaw 41 with under two minutes remaining. It looked as if the harried Cawley simply may have been trying to overthrow everyone on the field. Unfortunately for Vegas, he didn’t get enough velocity, allowing the Xtreme to avoid overtime in a 12-9 squeaker.
D-GIB AND D. TAKES AWAY
Wide receiver and return man Damon Gibson, who on Saturday wore a jersey reading “D-GIB,” forgot the rules on a live-ball punt in the second half, with Outlaw safety Chris Bayne recovering for a turnover. The gaffe led to a 51-yard field goal. Gibson later atoned by bringing back a 40-yard punt 37 yards, essentially creating a turnover in favor of his own team.
THEY CAN’T BRING IT UNLESS THEY BRING IT
L.A. posted a record seven sacks, yet still relied heavily on blitz packages to generate pressure. Only two sacks were registered by defensive lineman, and one of these came when Cawley was outside the tackle box and missed an easy opportunity to throw the ball away.
HERO FOR ANOTHER DAY
Receiving phenom Jeremaine Copeland had just five catches for 32 yards and a drop. Still, he did pretty well on a day when it seemed every third pass by Tommy Maddox was tipped at the line of scrimmage. One of these would have been to Copeland for a gain of at least 20.
Los Angeles – (18 February 2001) — For the third consecutive game, the Las Vegas Outlaws held their opponent without a touchdown. Only this time it didn’t matter. Instead, Xtreme placekicker Jose Cortez struck it rich with four field goals that resulted in a last-second win. Cortez found what he was looking for after missing two 34-yarders last week, connecting on the night from 44, 45, 36, and 48. His accuracy improved throughout, from an initial effort which nearly grazed an upright to a final boot down the middle with distance to spare.
