Outlaws Stun Brass with Last-Second Heroics

In a dramatic Week 17 showdown, the Oklahoma Outlaws edged the New Orleans Brass 20-17, thanks to Rick Johnson’s clutch eight-yard touchdown pass to Mel Gray as time expired. The game, played in neutral conditions, saw the Outlaws snap a five-game losing streak and preserve their slim postseason hopes. Both teams entered with sub-.500 records, but their spirited play gave fans a thrilling contest to remember.

The game was a defensive struggle early, with Oklahoma taking a 6-0 halftime lead on two field goals by Luis Herrera. New Orleans roared back in the third quarter, sparked by Reggie Phillips’ 41-yard interception return for a touchdown and a pinpoint 20-yard scoring pass from Rusty Hilger to Jerry Parrish. Oklahoma responded late in the quarter, as Johnson connected with Crane for a 15-yard touchdown to close the gap to 14-13. New Orleans nudged ahead in the fourth with an Ali Haji-Sheikh field goal, but their defense couldn’t hold off Johnson’s final drive. The Outlaws’ quarterback overcame four interceptions to engineer a 13-play, 80-yard masterpiece under immense pressure, sealing the victory in the dying moments.

The Outlaws’ balanced attack featured 147 rushing yards, with Johnson contributing 65 on the ground. Mel Gray stood out with 44 receiving yards and the game-winning score. For New Orleans, Parrish led all receivers with 113 yards and a touchdown, while their defense tallied four takeaways, including Phillips’ electrifying pick-six. Despite the heartbreaking loss, the Brass showcased resilience in the game, while the Outlaws lived to fight another day in this rollercoaster USFL season.