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MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Professional football returns to Memphis when the Maniax host the Las Vegas Outlaws at the Liberty Bowl. Fans provided only lukewarm support when the Houston Oilers moved to the Volunteer State and played in Memphis for two years before moving to Nashville. But even skeptical Memphis fans could find minimal fault with the Maniax on Sunday. The only road team to win on opening weekend, Memphis jumped out to a 19-0 lead and held on for a 22-20 win over the Birmingham Bolts. Former Heisman Trophy winner Rashaan Salaam had a pair of first-half touchdown runs and Marcus Crandell and Daryl Hobbs hooked up on a 49-yard touchdown pass. Maniax coach Kippy Brown, who played collegiately at Memphis State, decided on Crandell as his quarterback over Jim Druckenmiller and Craig Whelihan, who have more professional experience. The move paid off with Crandell completing an efficient 11-of-19 passes for 173 yards with one interception. His favorite target was Kevin Prentiss, who hauled in seven passes for 92 yards. Las Vegas also opened in style. Ryan Clement, who played at the University of Miami, threw for 188 yards and two touchdowns in a 19-0 win over the New York-New Jersey Hitmen. Andy McCallum had the distinction of recording the first points in XFL history, booting a 33-yard field goal. Outlaws linebacker Kurt Gouveia was part of two Super Bowl-championship teams with the Washington Redskins.
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