Chilly fans see Hitmen whack host Enforcers
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CHICAGO - If only Dick Butkus had suited up.
The XFL and February football made their belated Soldier Field debuts in a freezing drizzle last night and the outcome had a familiar look: Chicago lost.
The New York/New Jersey Hitmen got the lone touchdown of a sloppily played game to slog past the Chicago Enforcers 13-0, leaving the Enforcers as the only team in the fledgling league without a victory.
The matchup of teams that had been winless drew a crowd of 14,856, most of whom stood throughout and stayed to the end despite temperatures in the 30s, steady rain and an icy breeze blowing off Lake Michigan.
How chilly was it? In between dances in slinky black leather, the vaunted cheerleaders spent much of the game in parkas.
After going without a touchdown for a second straight game and managing 68 yards total offense, the Enforcers (0-4) took steps to ensure fans don't abandon them. They announced they will let all of Saturday's fans in to the next home game for free as a reward for braving the elements.
Joe Aska, activated from the practice squad for the game, scored on a 1-yard run with 2:47 left in the third quarter after Tawambi Settles' interception and short return. Leo Araguz kicked two field goals for the Hitmen (1-3).
It was Chicago's first look at the XFL after three games on the road. Despite opening remarks from Hall of Fame linebacker Butkus, the XFL's director of football competition, the Enforcers evoked comparisons - unflattering to both - with the other football team that plays home games at Soldier Field.
"They're just like the Bears - they stink," said 16-year-old Mike Zakaras of Naperville.
New York/New Jersey only mustered 184 total yards, led by Aska's 59 yards rushing and Wally Richardson's 84 yards passing.
"We made some plays, we really did," Hitmen Coach Rusty Tillman said.
But, Tillman added, "We were fortunate a couple of times they didn't capitalize on our mistakes. We're very fortunate to win the game."
Other game
At Rage 30, Thunderbolts 6 - Defensive end Bill Duff scored on a 48-yard fumble return as Orlando (4-0) thumped Birmingham (2-2).
Duff scooped up Casey Weldon's fumble and raced into the end zone to give the Rage a 14-0 lead in the second quarter.
"I saw the end zone and nobody around me, but I'm not so sure that I could have gone another 20 yards," Duff said. "I might have started looking for a defensive back to pitch it to."
Orlando opened the scoring early in the second quarter on Jeff Brohm's 12-yard touchdown pass to Brian Shay. After Duff made it 14-0, Jay Taylor added a 42-yard field goal on the final play of the half.
Orlando scored again early in the fourth quarter, with Derrick Clark finishing off a 76-yard drive on a 9-yard run. Shay had 53 yards on the drive on three runs and a catch.
Weldon threw a 36-yard TD pass to Quincy Jackson for Birmingham, but former UW Husky Mario Bailey returned an onside kick 42 yards for the final score of the game.
"Our defense really stepped it up," Rage Coach Galen Hall said.