Enter your search terms Submit search form   Web www.all-xfl.com Press Release 25 DEMONS ALIVE IN XFL WESTERN DIVISION RACE, PAWLAWSKI BACK TO FORM   DEMONS ALIVE IN XFL WESTERN DIVISION RACE, PAWLAWSKI BACK TO FORM March 26, 2001 SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - After San Francisco layed an egg in Chicago last Sunday night, Coach Jim Skipper couldn't be persuaded to think about the XFL's Western Division race. Even after sweeping the season series with Memphis Saturday night behind the passing of Mike Pawlawski, 21-12, Skipper was not in a post-season frame of mind. "We needed to win, that's the bottom line," said the San Francisco coach. "There are two tough road games ahead us. We all know what's at stake." San Francisco evened its record at 4-4 and would all but clinch a berth in the playoffs by beating Las Vegas next week in the first of two straight road games. By whipping the Outlaws, San Francisco would hold the tie-breaker over Las Vegas. "The next two opponents are great teams," said Pawlawski. "All we need to do is make sure we execute like we did today. We've beaten one of them before and I know we can beat the other." Pawlawski has passes for at least one touchdown in all six games he has played in the XFL, but this was the first time he connected on three scoring passes. After Memphis made the crowd of 35,109 uncomfortable by marching 76 yards in the game's first nine minutes for a 6-0 advantage, Pawlawski went to work. He fired touchdown passes to wide receivers Travis Moore and Brian Roberson to highlight San Francisco's 15-point second quarter and Mike Panasuk conclude the onslaught with a 35-yard field goal as time expired at intermission. In the meantime, the Demons' defense was frustrating Memphis quarterback Jim Druckenmiller at every turn. The former 49er quarterback who threw for 399 yards in a game earlier this season completed just 14 of 30 passes for 203 yards and finished with two touchdown throws with a 12-yarder to Beau Morgan in garbage time. "This was a break-out game for Mike," Coach Jim Skipper said. "He was just coming back from two games out last week. This is the first game he was comfortable after coming back from his injury." It was the defense that allowed San Francisco to earn some precious breathing room late in the first half. Reserve cornerback Terrell Sutton picked off Druckenmiller with just 59 seconds left in the half and Pawlawski deftly piloted San Francisco into range of Panasuk's leg. Kelvin Anderson, playing his third game for the Demons at tailback, started the drive with a 13-yard scramper and Pawlawski threw for the remainder of the needed real estate, including a clutch third-down throw to Roberson to keep the drive alive at the Memphis 25. Pawlawski completed 26 of 44 passes for 215 yards to complement his three scores and Anderson enjoyed his best day with San Francisco, chugging for 80 yards on 19 carries. Defensive ends Eric England and Jermaine Miles spearheaded the Demons' defensive effort, both recording their fourth quarterback sacks of the season. "We played some good defense," Pawlawski said. "The offense did a great job at keeping the momentum going. Hopefully, we can keep this momentum going on the road." The Demons trail Los Angeles by two victories in the standings (6-2) and the Xtreme clinched a berth in the playoffs Saturday night by whipping Las Vegas, 35-26. San Francisco can join them in the post-season by beating Las Vegas next Sunday. Then, the final game of the season in Los Angeles would be to see who hosts the first-round game against the second-place team in the Eastern Division.

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