World Bowl IV
Encyclopedia
World Bowl '96 the championship game of American football's
WLAF
, took place at Murrayfield Stadium
in Edinburgh
, Scotland
on June 23, 1996. The 7-3 Scottish Claymores
defeated the 7-3 Frankfurt Galaxy
(the defending champions) 32-27 and, led by head coach Jim Criner
, completed the league's first ever worst to first turnaround. Claymores wide receiver Yo Murphy
was voted MVP
for his 163 receiving yards and 3 touchdown
s.
38,982 fans were in attendance that day, the highest in Claymores history and the largest crowd ever assembled for an American football game in Scotland.
would develop a 6-play, 30-yard drive that concluded with a 2-yard TD pass to Mario Bailey. For the first time in the game, the Galaxy led the Claymores, but Scotland's finest refused to enter halftime trailing. Claymore QB Jim Ballard would lead two successful drives, late in the half. First, a 2-play, 39-yard would set up a 6-yard pass to eventual MVP Yo Murphy (PAT failed). Then, a 3-play, 15-yard drive would set the stage for a 16-yard pass to Murphy, but the 2-point try failed, due to the Galaxy's pass rush. Still, the Claymores regained their lead, being ahead 19-14 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Claymores increased their lead by adding Paul McCallum's 46-yard field goal to their score. However, the Galaxy would respond with a 4-play, 74-yard drive that ended with a 32-yard pass to
Mario Bailey, but they failed on the 2-point conversion. The Claymores would respond big with a 71-yard TD pass from Jim Ballard to Yo Murphy (PAT failed). In the fourth quarter, the Claymores would get four points on a 50-yard field goal by Paul McCallum. With the Galaxy down 32-20, they needed points and they needed them fast. They would manage a 7-play, 63-yard drive that ended with a 5-yard pass from Steve Pelluer
to Mike Bellamy. After the Galaxy managed to get the ball back, they had less than a minute to get a touchdown and defend their title. Some quick passes helped Frankfurt get past midfield, but when the Galaxy reached a 4th & short situation, the mood throughout Murrayfield Stadium was tension. When the ball was snapped, the hand-off to Ingo Seibert was fumbled. Steve Pelluer
managed to recover the ball and pick up the first down, but then, a flag was thrown. The referees stated that the fourth down rule was in effect (see 4th Down rule below). Since another player recovered the ball, the play was blown dead. It was that play and that rule that preserved the Claymores lead, giving them their 1996 World Bowl title.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
WLAF
NFL Europe
NFL Europe was an American football league which operated in Europe from 1991 until 2007. Backed by the National Football League , the largest professional American football league in the United States, it was founded as the World League of American Football to serve as a type of spring league...
, took place at Murrayfield Stadium
Murrayfield Stadium
Murrayfield Stadium is a sports stadium located in the west end of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. Its all-seater capacity was recently reduced from 67,800 to 67,130 to incorporate the largest permanent "big screen" in the country though it still remains the largest stadium in Scotland and one...
in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
on June 23, 1996. The 7-3 Scottish Claymores
Scottish Claymores
The Scottish Claymores were an American football team from Scotland. The franchise played in the World League of American Football between 1995 and 2004, initially playing all home games at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh and latterly sharing home games with Hampden Park, Glasgow...
defeated the 7-3 Frankfurt Galaxy
Frankfurt Galaxy
The Frankfurt Galaxy was a professional American football team that originally played in the World League of American Football and later in the resurrected NFL Europe. The team was based in Frankfurt, Germany and played in the Commerzbank-Arena, formerly called the Waldstadion.-History:In 1991, the...
(the defending champions) 32-27 and, led by head coach Jim Criner
Jim Criner
Jim Criner is a former American football player and coach in the United States. He served as the head football coach at Boise State University from 1976 to 1982 and at Iowa State University from 1983 to 1986, compiling a career college football record of 76–46–3...
, completed the league's first ever worst to first turnaround. Claymores wide receiver Yo Murphy
Yo Murphy
Llewellyn "Yo" Murphy is a former Gridiron football player of multiple professional leagues. He is currently the head coach of the Tampa Breeze of the Lingerie Football League. He was originally signed by the BC Lions as an undrafted free agent in 1993...
was voted MVP
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
for his 163 receiving yards and 3 touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
s.
38,982 fans were in attendance that day, the highest in Claymores history and the largest crowd ever assembled for an American football game in Scotland.
Background
The Claymores swept the regular season series against the Galaxy (20-0 in Frankfurt & 20-17 in Edinburgh).Game summary
The game got off to a fast start as Claymore safety George Coghill, on the opening kickoff, stripped the ball from Mario Bailey's arms. After the ball came out, Markus Thomas used his running back speed to return the ball 25 yards for a touchdown, allowing Scottish rugby legend Gavin Hastings to kick the successful PAT. However, the Galaxy would respond to the Claymores challenge, by having an 11-play, 80-yard drive that ended with Jay Kearney running 16 yards on a reverse play for a touchdown. The Galaxy also flexed their defensive muscle when CB Bernard Tobias made 2 of his game high 3 interceptions in the first quarter. In the second quarter, Galaxy QB Steve PelluerSteve Pelluer
Steven Carl Pelluer is a former professional American football player who was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 5th round of the 1984 NFL Draft. A 6'4", 209-lb...
would develop a 6-play, 30-yard drive that concluded with a 2-yard TD pass to Mario Bailey. For the first time in the game, the Galaxy led the Claymores, but Scotland's finest refused to enter halftime trailing. Claymore QB Jim Ballard would lead two successful drives, late in the half. First, a 2-play, 39-yard would set up a 6-yard pass to eventual MVP Yo Murphy (PAT failed). Then, a 3-play, 15-yard drive would set the stage for a 16-yard pass to Murphy, but the 2-point try failed, due to the Galaxy's pass rush. Still, the Claymores regained their lead, being ahead 19-14 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Claymores increased their lead by adding Paul McCallum's 46-yard field goal to their score. However, the Galaxy would respond with a 4-play, 74-yard drive that ended with a 32-yard pass to
Mario Bailey, but they failed on the 2-point conversion. The Claymores would respond big with a 71-yard TD pass from Jim Ballard to Yo Murphy (PAT failed). In the fourth quarter, the Claymores would get four points on a 50-yard field goal by Paul McCallum. With the Galaxy down 32-20, they needed points and they needed them fast. They would manage a 7-play, 63-yard drive that ended with a 5-yard pass from Steve Pelluer
Steve Pelluer
Steven Carl Pelluer is a former professional American football player who was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 5th round of the 1984 NFL Draft. A 6'4", 209-lb...
to Mike Bellamy. After the Galaxy managed to get the ball back, they had less than a minute to get a touchdown and defend their title. Some quick passes helped Frankfurt get past midfield, but when the Galaxy reached a 4th & short situation, the mood throughout Murrayfield Stadium was tension. When the ball was snapped, the hand-off to Ingo Seibert was fumbled. Steve Pelluer
Steve Pelluer
Steven Carl Pelluer is a former professional American football player who was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 5th round of the 1984 NFL Draft. A 6'4", 209-lb...
managed to recover the ball and pick up the first down, but then, a flag was thrown. The referees stated that the fourth down rule was in effect (see 4th Down rule below). Since another player recovered the ball, the play was blown dead. It was that play and that rule that preserved the Claymores lead, giving them their 1996 World Bowl title.
Scoring summary
- Scotland - TD Thomas 25 yd fumble recovery 0:11 1st
- Frankfurt - TD Kearney 16 yd run 6:27 1st
- Frankfurt - TD Bailey 2 yd pass from Pelluer 4:39 2nd
- Scotland - TD Murphy 6 yd pass from Ballard 14:02 2nd
- Scotland - TD Murphy 16 yd pass from Ballard 14:52 2nd
- Scotland - FG McCallum 46 yd 6:46 3rd
- Frankfurt - TD Bailey 32 yd pass from Pelluer (2-Point failed)
- Scotland - TD Murphy 71 yd pass from Ballard 9:42 3rd (PAT failed)
- Scotland - 4-point FG McCallum 50 yd 5:06 4th
- Frankfurt - TD Bellamy 5 yd pass from Pelluer 12:10 4th