Maniax Slip Past Xtreme

There were almost as many fumbles on the field as there were fans in the stands.

In a rain-soaked XFL game, the Memphis Maniax defeated the Los Angeles Xtreme, 18-12, Sunday night at the Coliseum.

The Xtreme announced that 18,341 tickets were sold for its second home game, but a crowd estimated at less than 8,000 braved the torrential rains that pelted the Southland.

The Xtreme drew 35,813 for its first home game Feb. 10.

Sunday’s rain contributed to 11 fumbles. Memphis fumbled eight times, losing two. The Maniax even fumbled on the game’s last play when they were trying to run out the clock.

The Xtreme (2-2) fumbled three times, losing two, and a number of passes slipped out of quarterback Tommy Maddox’s hand. Maddox completed only 11 of 35 passes for 121 yards and one touchdown and threw two interceptions.

Because of the rain and increased security measures, crowd rowdiness which occurred in the opener was absent. Also, beer sales were cut off at the end of halftime.

Despite the weather, the beach scene at the east end of the Coliseum was back, as was the hot tub. Only this time a portly man was in the hot tub rather than three strippers.

The Maniax were led by two former NFL first-round draft choices. Quarterback Jim Druckenmiller, starting in place of injured Marcus Crandell, completed 13 of 22 passes for 215 yards, including a two-yard first-quarter touchdown pass to tight end Mark Thomas. Druckenmiller was the San Francisco 49ers’ first-round choice in 1997.

Rashaan Salaam, the 1994 Heisman Trophy winner and the Chicago Bears’ first-round pick the following spring, rushed for 122 yards and a touchdown in 26 carries for Memphis (2-2).