 |
| Michael London, QB, Michigan |
The Michigan Panthers scored twice in the fourth quarter, including Michael London's 50-yard TD pass to Julio Prince, to stun the Invaders, 24-17. Oakland was attempting to finish off what would have been only the second 16-0 regular season in league history.
The Invaders almost pulled the game out, but Michigan FS David Oxford pulled down Oakland RB Jason Brooks one yard shy of the goal line as time expired.
Second-year WR Gerald Miller caught six passes for 159 yards and two TDs for the Panthers and SS Christopher Chen had nine tackles. Michigan (8-7) is going to finish the season at least at .500 for the first time in franchise history.
In other Week 15 games:
- The Detroit Wheels outlasted Pacific Division leader Los Angeles, 37-31, in overtime. Mario Valencia threw a 30-yard TD to Paul Lee with 1:29 remaining to force OT, then hit Zachary Powell with the 56-yard game-winner.
- The Orlando Renegades (12-3) won their eighth in a row, dropping Tampa Bay, 30-25, with two field goals in the final 3 minutes. The Bandits came up 3 yards shy of the winning TD on the game's final play.
- The New Orleans VooDoo stayed within one game of a playoff berth by knocking off South Division leader Birmingham, 37-25. New Orleans RB Kenneth Boyd ran for 119 yards and a TD.
- James Lightfoot threw for 458 yards and fourTDs as the Houston Gamblers surprised the Oklahoma Outlaws, 30-28. Houston's sixth win of the season is a franchise high.
- The Honolulu Hawaiians won their fifth in a row, dismantling the San Antonio Gunslingers, 39-14 behind 13 catches,199 yards and a TD from WR Michael Hunter.
Week 16 Preview
The Shreveport Steamer (8-7) and New Orleans VooDoo (8-7) enter Week 16 tied for the last National Conference playoff spot. Shreveport owns the tie-breakers, having beaten New Orleans twice this season and has the better division record. Shreveport will be a big favorite over the Boston Breakers (4-11), as will New Orleans against the Georgia Force (1-14). Other potentially entertaining games include Oklahoma (10-5) at Memphis (12-3), Birmingham (9-6) at Cleveland (12-3), Orlando (12-3) at New Jersey (14-1) and Pittsburgh (11-4) at Los Angeles (13-2).Record Book
- Portland QB William Hill needs 23 yards passing in the season finale to become the first QB in league history to pass for 6,000 yards in a season twice. Hill has already done it once, as has Oklahoma QB Dale Brown and former Birmingham QB Agustin Crook.
- Charlotte RT Harold White has allowed far and away more sacks (110) of any player in league history. Arizona C Mark Trask is second at 72.
- Memphis LDE Nathan Branch has 87 career sacks eight more than Honolulu DT Richard Worthen.
