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.
