Week 10 Game Preview: MEMPHIS MANIAX (4-5) @ LAS VEGAS OUTLAWS (4-5)

MEMPHIS MANIAX (4-5) @ LAS VEGAS OUTLAWS (4-5)
Saturday, April 7, 2001 – 8:00 p.m.
(ET) at Sam Boyd Stadium
TV: NBC Bonus Coverage

Memphis Maniax Team Notes
OUTLOOK
The Memphis Maniax, who defeated the playoff-bound LA Xtreme, 27-12, travel to Sam Boyd Stadium seeking to finish the season at 5-5. Both Memphis and Vegas have mathematically been eliminated from playoff contention.

GAMEPLAN
Coach Kippy Brown’s plan for this week is to play strong defense and continue to put points on the board offensively. The league’s best offense may still be without RB Rashaan Salaam, who is suffering from a shoulder injury. If he cannot go, look for RB Beau Morgan and Ketric Sanford to pick up the load. Against LA, Sanford averaged 9 yards a carry. In the passing game, QB Jim Druckenmiller will face the league’s best defense, but will have star wideouts Daryl Hobbs and Charles Jordan to counter. The defense, led by DE Shante Carver, will focus on stopping Rod “He Hate Me” Smart, who had a big day running last week, and also put pressure on Outlaw QB Ryan Clement.

NEWS AND NOTES
For the second time this season, the Maniax limited their opponent to just 37 rushing yards … It marked the third-best defensive effort of the season statistically … The Maniax scored touchdowns in both the third and fourth quarters of the Los Angeles win for a total of 14 points in the second half, nearly half of what they had produced in the final 30 minutes of the first eight games combined (29) The third-quarter touchdown vs. the Xtreme was the first third-quarter TD of the season for Memphis … RB Beau Morgan Has played wide receiver, quarterback, running back and defensive back in the season’s first nine games. He caught a TD pass in the third quarter for seven yards against LA … DE Shante Carver Has 32 tackles in nine games, including 26 solos. He intercepted a pass in the win at Los Angeles and had five tackles – four for losses -- plus one QB sack … LB Shin Yamada is the first Japanese player to make an American pro football roster. He plays at linebacker and on most special teams.

OFF THE FIELD
The XFL has fans who travel from all over the country each week to cheer for their favorite XFL team. But this week, none has come farther than Mr. and Mrs. Yamada. They are the proud parents of Memphis LB Shin Yamada, and they traveled all the way from Japan to witness the Maniax’ final home game.

Las Vegas Outlaws Team Notes
OUTLOOK
Vegas, losers of its last four out of five and eliminated from the playoffs, look to end the season on a positive note as they play host to the Memphis Maniax.

GAMEPLAN
Still playing for the $2,500 bonus money per player, the Vegas defense will look to contain Jim Druckenmiller’s passing attack and shut down Memphis’ surprising running game. In their first meeting, the “Dealers of Doom” defense only allowed three points to the Mainaix. The offense wants to continue to attack and put pressure on Memphis’ defense. Vegas, who has struggled all season on offense, wants to get Rod “He Hate Me” Smart off to a good start, as Smart rushed for a season-high 116 yards against San Francisco. Look for QB Ryan Clement to continue to throw to his dependable receivers Yo Murphy and Eric Guiliford, who combined for just 98 yards receiving last week.

NEWS AND NOTES
In Las Vegas’ four wins this season, the Dealers of Doom have created 13 turnovers, converting those picks and fumbles into 4 outright TDs and putting the offense in position to score an additional 36 points (five TDs, three FGs)… In the team’s five losses, the Outlaws have managed just three takeaways…. In the team’s five losses, Las Vegas has coughed up the football 11 times, leading to 37 points for opponents…. During the Outlaws’ four wins, the team has just four turnovers for only 9 points…. The last time Memphis met Las Vegas, QB Ryan Clement was knocked out of the game late in the first quarter after being driven into the ground by Maniax DE Shante Carver, separating Clement’s shoulder.... WR Yo Murphy, despite playing just five games since joining Las Vegas on Feb. 26, now leads the team in receptions (23) and is second on the squad in yards receiving (230, 12 yards behind Mike Furrey)…15 of the team’s 20 takeaways have been created in games the Outlaws eventually won....The Outlaws attack through the air has been the weakest in the league, averaging just 114 yards per game.

OFF THE FIELD
CB Korey Blackwell made a television commercial when he was nine years old with former Dallas Cowboy running back Herschel Walker.

[Demons at Xtreme | Maniax at Outlaws | Hitmen at Bolts | Rage at Enforcers]

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