World Bowl XXIX: Pittsburgh Mauls Oklahoma For First Trophy

 

 

World Bowl XXIX was played in San Antonio, the first time that city has hosted a World Bowl and 50,000 people saw Pittsburgh maul the Outlaws to capture their first USFL Championship. Oklahoma had an excellent season defensing last year's championship, finishing the regular season 14-1-1 and earning the top seed in the playoffs. The Outlaws held their own in the box score, gaining 372 yards on offense and holding the ball over 38 minutes, to go with 3 red zone trips and a better 3rd down conversion rate. Oklahoma even had 3 fewer penalties than Pittsburgh, yet they lost the game by three touchdowns. How? The short answer is turnovers, as Raymond Settles threw 3 interceptions to just 1 for World Bowl MVP Brian White. The long answer follows:

Pittsburgh Maulers 31 Oklahoma Outlaws 10

 Pittsburgh got the ball first and they punted on their first two drives, while Oklahoma punted on their first drive as well. The Outlaws second drive began at their own 5 yard line but Raymond Settles got the Outlaws out of the hole with a 76 yard pass to Arthur Reina. He didn't make it to the end zone though, getting tackled at the 20 and the drive stalled after a failed 4th and 1 at the 10. The Maulers took over but Brian White was intercepted near midfield and the first quarter ended 0-0.

Oklahoma did nothing with Brian White's gift and they had to punt, which was a touchback. Taking over at their 20, White would find Agustin Fiecke for an 80 yard TD and a 7-0 Pittsburgh lead. Following an exchange of punts, Settles drove Oklahoma into scoring range and cashed in the TD with a 1 yard pass to Kenneth Porter, with the XP tying the game at 7. It took just 5 plays for Brian White to answer with the go ahead TD, finding Scott Peachey for the 38 yard score. Raymond Settles promptly threw an interception which led to a Pittsburgh FG, extending their lead to 17-7. The Maulers defense then forced a three and out and the Maulers offense got the ball at their own 23 after the punt, with 1:21 left before halftime. The Maulers might have been content to run out the clock but Larry Martinez ran for 17 yards on 1st down and a couple plays later, Brian White threw his 3rd TD of the first half. This 47 yard TD went to Frederick Sharp, who caught the ball despite being interfered with, then raced to the end zone to give Pittsburgh a 24-7 halftime lead. 

The Outlaws got the ball to start the second half and a TD would get them right back in the game, but the Maulers defense had other ideas, intercepting Settles instead. Pittsburgh did nothing and punted, with Oklahoma's Ricardo Horton fumbling the punt. Luckily for the Outlaws, Horton recovered his own fumble. Not much else happened in the quarter and we headed into the 4th with the same 24-7 score.

Oklahoma was driving and had made it into the red zone when the 3rd quarter ended, but they couldn't put the ball in the end zone, instead settling for a 25 yard FG to pull within 24-10. The Outlaws defense then forced a punt, but that left the offense pinned at their own 5. A few plays later, Settles threw his 3rd INT of the game, and Quentin Blandon returned it to the Oklahoma 9. Three plays later, White threw a 7 yard TD pass to Agustin Fiecke, White's 4th of the game and 2nd to Fiecke. The XP made the score 31-10 with 5:37 to play, and the game was essentially in the bag at this point. The rest of the drives ended in a punt or with the clock hitting 0:00 and the Pittsburgh Maulers are USFL Champs.

Oklahoma was led by Raymond Settles, who threw for 251 yards and a TD (3 INTs too), completing 30/40 passes. Arthur Reina caught 6 passes for 132 yards while Paul Wicklund had 119 combined yards. Pittsburgh was led by World Bowl MVP Brian White, who completed 15/31 for 251 yards, 4 TDs and 1 INT. White's favorite target was Agustin Fiecke, who caught 4 passes for 99 yards and 2 TDs.

 

 

2002 Conference Championships

 World Bowl XXIX is set as the Pittsburgh Maulers face our defending champs, the Oklahoma Outlaws. This is the second World Bowl appearance for each, as Oklahoma's first was last season's championship. Many of you weren't even around, or owned a different team the last time Pittsburgh was in a World Bowl, as their appearance was way back in World Bowl II. 

Neither team had much trouble in tonight's games as their defenses were on point. Oklahoma jumped out to a 21-0 lead after a quarter and a half while it took until the 4th quarter for Pittsburgh to feel comfortable with their lead. Let's check out the action.

Oklahoma Outlaws 31 Memphis Showboats 14

Memphis got the ball first and punted, as did Oklahoma on their first drive. Memphis punted again on their second drive while Oklahoma needed just four plays to dent the scoreboard first. Paul Wickland caught an 8 yard TD pass from Raymond Settles for the 7-0 Outlaws lead. A few more punts followed and the first quarter ended 7-0.

Early in the 2nd, Settles was at it again, this time connecting with Ronald Dingle for a 76 yard TD pass and a 14-0 lead. Settles almost had his 3rd TD pass of the first half on the next drive as he hit Andrew Rossi with a pass near the goal line, but Rossi fumbled. He would recover his own fumble in the end zone for a TD and a 21-0 lead. The remaining first half drives ended with a punt or the end of the half as the Outlaws took that 21-0 lead into the locker room.

Oklahoma got the ball to start the second half and they went three and out. Memphis would finally get on the scoreboard with a FG, then tack on another FG after a Raymond Settles interception but they still trailed 21-6. Oklahoma would keep the ball the rest of the 3rd quarter but were forced to punt soon after the 4th quarter started, pinning Memphis at their own 4. Daniel Lorenz would lose a fumble a couple plays later, giving Oklahoma an instant 1st and goal. On the next play, Raymond Settles finally got his 3rd TD pass, 4 yards to Arthur Reina and a 28-6 lead. 

Memphis got back into the game with a 75 yard TD drive, finished off by a 5 yard TD pass from Norman Maldonado to Michael Larson. Frank Huber ran in the 2 point conversion to make the score 28-14 Outlaws with 10:39 to go. The Showboats defense did their job, forcing a three and out but the Outlaws defense returned the favor. Memphis forced another punt but this drive took some time off the clock, as Memphis got the ball back on their own 7 with under 4 minutes left. Maldonado would be intercepted by James Harris, leading to a FG, extending the lead to 31-14. Memphis would get the ball back, but trailing by 3 scores inside the 2 minute warning, only the 2022 Las Vegas Raiders defense could save Memphis now. Maldonado led the Showboats inside the red zone before being intercepted again, sealing the victory for Oklahoma.

Pittsburgh Maulers 26 New Orleans VooDoo 3

The first quarter would be scoreless as the teams combined for 3 punts and a Willie Graham interception, although that led to a Pittsburgh 41 yard FG early in the 2nd. On the next Maulers drive, Brian White was intercepted by Edmund Sprague, who then fumbled during the return, giving the ball back to Pittsburgh. The Maulers didn't score on this drive, but they got a 2 yard TD run from Larry Martinez on the next drive to take a 10-0 lead. That left New Orleans a little over 2 minutes before halftime and they were able to get a 32 yard FG, cutting the lead to 10-3 at the half.

The VooDoo got the ball to start the second half but promptly punted to Pittsburgh. Brian White completed a 55 yard catch and run pass to Jorge Brown on 1st down, leading to another Larry Martinez TD run and a 17-3 lead. A few punts later and the Maulers went on a 13 play FG drive to extend the lead further. This drive also took us into the 4th quarter, where we had more punts after the Pittsburgh FG. Midway through the 4th, Mark Adams was wide left from 48 yards out, keeping the score 20-3. Neither offense did much the rest of the game, as a pair of interceptions by New Orleans QBs (Graham threw his 2nd, then backup Charles Crase threw one) led to a pair of FGs to give us a final score of 26-3. 

2002 National Conference Division Round

 New Orleans VooDoo 28 Birmingham Stallions 16

Birmingham went three and out on their first drive and turned it over on their second when David Soileau lost a fumble trying for YAC. That led to a 9 play, 28 yard drive that ended with an Elias Williams 2 yard TD run and a 7-0 lead for New Orleans. The VooDoo then forced a punt before embarking on a 10 play, 78 yard TD drive to take a 14-0 lead early in the 2nd. The scoring play was a Willie Graham 6 yard TD pass to Douglas Jordan. 

The next time New Orleans had the ball Willie Graham threw an interception, leading to a Birmingham FG. Later in the quarter the mistakes started as Russell Gail threw an interception, then Willie Graham returned the favor on the next play. Birmingham's drive stalled and the 52 yard FG try went wide left, leaving the score 14-3. New Orleans took possession and after a few plays, Willie Graham found Douglas Jordan for a 58 yard TD to extend the lead to 21-3. Birmingham K Gonzalo Burgess converted a 53 yard FG in the final minute of the half to make the score 21-6 at the break.

The 3rd quarter saw just 3 points as Burgess made a 41 yard FG to cut the lead to 21-9 and the Stallions cut the lead further midway through the 4th. Russell Gail threw a 4 yard TD pass to David Soileau with 6:36 to play and the XP made the score 21-16 New Orleans. Willie Graham and the VooDoo offense answered with a 7 play, 75 yard TD drive that ended with a 2 yard TD pass from Graham to Jacob Newman. Birmingham now needed two scores in 3 minutes but Gail was intercepted after the 2 minute warning, salting the game away for New Orleans. 

Pittsburgh Maulers 17 New Jersey Generals 6

New Jersey got the ball first but didn't keep it long as Antonio Martinez threw an interception for an instant red zone possession for Pittsburgh. The Maulers faced a 4th and 1 from the New Jersey 11 and went for it instead of trying for 3 points. Private Ryan intercepted the Brian White pass and the teams traded punts the rest of the quarter. 

New Jersey punted on their first drive of the 2nd quarter before Pittsburgh finally broke the scoreless drought with a 7 play, 69 yard TD drive. Larry Martinez did the honors with a 2 yard TD run to give the Maulers a 7-0 lead. New Jersey went three and out and the Generals defense was right back on the field, allowing Brian White to complete a 70 yard catch and run TD pass to Patrick Howard, increasing Pittsburgh's lead to 14-0. Al Borland would kick a 49 yard FG inside the 2 minute warning to make the halftime score 14-3 Pittsburgh.

The 3rd quarter saw more punt trading until the end, when the Generals strung together some first downs. That drive continued into the 4th, where it stalled at the Maulers 5 yard line. Al Borland made the short FG and New Jersey was now down 14-6. Pittsburgh was driving toward another score when Private Ryan intercepted Brian White again but the Generals couldn't turn it into points. Pittsburgh took over with 7:26 to play and they kept the ball until after the 2 minute warning, getting a 24 yard FG to give the Maulers a late 2 score lead. The Generals drove a bit but turned it over on downs as Pittsburgh gets the 17-6 victory to advance.

2002 USFL Division Round, American Conference

 The beat rolls on for the final four teams as only one game was within one score this round. Will Oklahoma ride off into the sunset back to back champs? Will Memphis capture title #6? Or will the New Orleans/Pittsburgh winner win their first World Bowl? We'll find out soon enough, but how did they get here?

Oklahoma Outlaws 41 Houston Gamblers 6

The first quarter started innocent enough as both defenses flexed their muscles. Bryan Franklin threw an interception and Oklahoma kicked a FG for a 3-0 lead. Midway through the 2nd, Raymond Settles fired a 42 yard TD pass to Patrick Clark for a 10-0 lead. Gus "Hightest" Gas then lost a fumble trying for YAC (yards after catch), leading to a 7 yard Settles TD pass to Arthur Reina. Oklahoma would take that 17-0 lead into halftime.

In the 3rd quarter the defenses came out strong again. Houston forced a three and out. then Franklin and Settles threw back to back interceptions. Houston had just crossed midfield on a pass but before he went down, Wayne Ryals lost a fumble, killing the drive. A few plays later, Settles found Clarence Murphy for a 32 yard TD pass. A couple of drives later, Franklin was intercepted again and Louis Weaver returned it 28 yards for a TD, pushing the lead to 31-0. It didn't get much better for Houston the rest of the game as the Outlaws advance. 

Memphis Showboats 24 Portland Storm 19

Patrick Peavey got the game started with a bang, taking the handoff on the first play from scrimmage and racing 75 yards for an instant 7-0 lead for Memphis. Portland would get a Donald Atkins FG and Memphis led after a quarter 7-3. Portland was driving deep into Memphis territory but they got stuffed on 4th and goal from the 2. A few plays later, Norman Maldonado was intercepted by Portland's Brice Dale, who took it 50 yards to the end zone and a 10-3 Storm lead. Maldonado made up for it inside the 2 minute warning with an 18 yard TD pass to Michael Larson. The flag on the play was defensive PI so the score counted and Memphis led 14-10 at the half.

The teams traded FGs in the 3rd and we headed to the 4th with a score of Memphis 17 Portland 13. Memphis got the ball late in the 3rd and their 13 play, 75 yard drive went into the 4th. The drive ended with a 3 yard TD run by Michael Olsen, extending the lead to 24-13. Portland would answer with an 11 play TD drive of their own, scoring on a Robert Fanelli 19 yard TD pass to Robert Brown. The 2 point run failed, and the score was 24-19 with 4:24 to play and Portland elected to kick away. Memphis got a couple of first downs but ended up punting, pinning Portland inside their 10. The Storm ran out of time as they got near midfield and Memphis advances.

2002 USFL Wildcard Round

 The road to World Bowl XXIX began today with 6 wildcard games, only one of which was within one score. The lack of drama plus 6 games means shorter write ups for each, and no imbedded highlights. I have to work in a few hours and still do a couple game plans and free agency 1.

Memphis Showboats 41 Chicago Blitz 3

Memphis came into the game with a 13-2-1 record yet was on the road against a 7-9 division winner. Chicago may have had home field but any advantage was quickly wiped away as the Showboats needed just over 2 minutes to take a 14-0 lead. Norman Maldonado found Richard Harris for a 65 yard TD pass, and after a Chicago fumble, Maldonado made it 14-0 with a 9 yard TD pass to Jeremy Wheatley. Maldonado would throw a 3rd TD pass later in the 1st quarter and the rout was on. Maldonado finished 22/28 for 303 yards and 4 TDs to 4 different receivers. The Memphis defense forced 4 turnovers and had 5 sacks.

Houston Gamblers 20 San Jose SaberCats 9

San Jose struggled offensively all game but the SaberCats defense intercepted Bryan Franklin 3 times and took a 9-6 lead into the 4th quarter. Earl Castro tied it with a 53 yard FG with under 6 minutes to play, then the Gamblers defense forced a three and out. Up to this point, the longest play was a 29 yard pass completion but Franklin found Harley Race for a 70 yard catch and run TD to give Houston a 15-9 lead and Franklin passed for the 2 point conversion for a 17-9 lead. San Jose went four and out, allowing Houston to tack on a FG to seal the victory.

Portland Storm 23 Arizona Wranglers 6

It's been 15 seasons since we last saw Arizona in the playoffs and after a quick exit, Wranglers fans have to hope it's not another 15 year wait to get back. Both defenses came to play as Portland turned it over 3 times and allowed 3 sacks while Arizona turned it over 4 times. The Wranglers had maybe 6 healthy OL for the game but they held up well, allowing just 1 sack. The first Arizona turnover came on the first possession, allowing Portland a short field to drive for a TD. Robert Fanelli found William Allen for a 2 yard TD and a quick 7-0 lead. Arizona would get within 7-6 by the 2nd quarter before Portland kicked one of their own for a 10-6 halftime lead. Portland added a pair of 3rd quarter FGs for a 16-6 lead going into the 4th. RB Robert Byrd led the Portland offense with 110 rushing yards and his 14 yard TD midway through the 4th put the game away for the Storm.

New Jersey Generals 16 Orlando Renegades 9

The Big Lebowski got the game started right for the Generals, returning the opening kickoff 103 yards for the instant 7-0 lead. The Renegades fans had just begun settling in their seats when they thought, oh no, is this one of those games where the Generals pile on the points? No, it's not. In fact that was it for TDs on the day. The rest of the game was a FG kicking contest with each kicker booting 3. New Jersey had the longer kicks and Orlando has to be kicking themselves that they couldn't turn at least one of their short FGs into a TD. 

Birmingham Stallions 22 Philadelphia Bell 10

Philadelphia scored first on a Bryant Smith TD pass, but the Stallions defensive coordinator got the game ball because his defense intercepted Smith 5 times today. Smith finished 16/36, so even when they weren't getting turnovers, they were shutting down the Bell offense. When the Stallions had the ball it was unspectacular but effective. They only had 290 offensive yards but they kept the chains moving, going 10/20 on 3rd down. Birmingham kept the ball nearly 37 minutes and scored 16 unanswered points for a 16-7 lead early in the 3rd. Philadelphia cut it to 16-10 soon after but their last 3 drives ended in punts while the Stallions last 2 drives covered 29 plays combined.

Pittsburgh Maulers 34 Charlotte Hornets 0

Congratulations to Charlotte for making the playoffs but the schedule makers did them no favors by giving them a 3rd game with Pittsburgh. The Maulers won the first 2 games 31-17 and 41-0, so would that trend continue? Yes it would, as the Maulers racked up 582 yards, 399 through the air and took a 27-0 lead into the locker room at halftime. Brian White actually threw for 407 yards but took an 8 yard sack, and the Maulers offense was not efficient, although they didn't need to be. White also threw 3 INTs and the Maulers only scored 2 TDs in 5 red zone trips (2 FGs also). Larry Martinez ran for 126 yards and Jose Brown caught 4 for 100 yards and a TD to lead the Maulers skill players.