EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- The XFL team from Florida heated up
in the cold of Giants Stadium to remain unbeaten.
The Orlando Rage rallied to beat the New York-New Jersey Hitmen
18-12 Sunday night, leaving the Rage at 3-0 and the Hitmen winless
in as many games in the new league.
Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jeff Brohm, looking like
Steve Young, scrambled 33 yards down the middle, juking three
defenders on his way to the winning touchdown with 2:33 remaining.
When the sputtering offenses found some rhythm in the second
half, the announced crowd of 25,626 -- perhaps 20,000 fans actually
were on hand in 30-degree temperatures with a wind-chill of 8 -- came alive.
The Hitmen began moving the ball in the second half behind
Wally Richardson. Heeding the advice from several signs in the stands
saying "Pull Puleri," Hitmen coach Rusty Tillman benched
struggling quarterback Charlie Puleri after another poor half.
Richardson guided New York-New Jersey 74 yards on 12 plays and a
fourth-quarter touchdown. He hit tight end Marcus Hinton over the
middle from the 20 and Hinton bulled into the end zone for a 12-3
edge.
The Hitmen took the lead 6-3 when Leo Araguz, who had a 42-yard
field goal in the first half, made one from 39 in the third
quarter. It was set up by Damen Wheeler's interception and 12-yard
return to the Rage's 29.
But Wheeler was victimized for a 42-yard reception by Dialleo
Burks that led to Jay Taylor's second field goal, a 45-yard yarder
that made it 12-6. Burks later beat him again for a 22-yarder to
the Hitmen 1 and Derrick Clark scored to tie it.
Richardson's seam pass to Hinton went off the receiver's
shoulder and was intercepted by Stephen Fisher, setting up Brohm's
decisive dash.
The Hitmen got to the Orlando 34 in the final minute, but a
20-yard sack and Fisher's second interception ended the threat.
One miked Orlando player than pointed to the fans and said,
"You all can go home now."
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