XFL Week 5: Las Vegas Outlaws vs Chicago Enforcers

XFL America Radio

Week 5 had the Las Vegas Outlaws 3-1 playing the win less Chicago Enforcers 0-4 at historic Soldier Field. More than 15,000 braved the Chicago cold weather to see this exciting game. Most would argue that this was the game that turned things around for the Enforcers and sent the Outlaws into a tail spin. Coach Ron Meyer turned over the starting job to former Notre Dame QB Kevin McDougal to try and give his team a "spark". Tim Lester was struggling getting the offense going. On the other side of the field Coach Criner had to enlist the services of Mark Grieb because his starter Ryan Clements was injured. This was Grieb's 2nd start.

The Chicago Enforcers went through the XFL's stingiest defense to get their first win of the season. LeShon Johnson scored on a two-yard run with 19 seconds remaining as the Enforcers became the last team in the league to win, rallying for a 15-13 victory over the Las Vegas Outlaws. Trailing 13-9, the Enforcers took over on their own 18-yard line with two minutes remaining before driving down the field for the winning touchdown. After a short completion by Kevin McDougal on first down, a 38-yard interference penalty by cornerback Hurley Tarver on the next play moved the ball to the Las Vegas 35.

Two plays later, McDougal hit Luther Leverson for a 17-yard gain to move the ball to the Outlaws 2. After Johnson was stopped on first down, he dove over the pile on the next play to give Chicago the lead. Making his first start of the season, McDougal went 17-of-22 for 169 yards and one interception. The Outlaws entered the game ranked second in the league in total defense, surrendering just one touchdown and a league-low 24 points in their first four games. It looked like they would build on those statistics in this contest, holding the Enforcers to 71 net yards in the first half. Mark Grieb, making his second start, threw touchdown passes of 19 and seven yards to Yo Murphy in the first half, giving Las Vegas a 13-0 lead. Grieb went 9-of-18 for 98 yards with two interceptions.

Nicknamed "He Hate Me," Rod Smart rushed for 116 yards on 21 attempts for Las Vegas. The Enforcers got back into it in the third quarter. Charles Wiley ran one yard for a score and Andy Crosland kicked a 31-yard field goal, cutting the deficit to 13-9 entering the final period.