WEEK EIGHTEEN: SUNDAY RESULT

(10-6) Houston- 37    (5-11) Pittsburgh- 34

Houston, Tx:  In the only game scheduled for the week, the Frontier Division champion Houston Gamblers jumped out to a 31-14 first half lead behind Graham Harrell's 4 first half touchdown passes, then held off a strong Pittsburgh rally to defeat the Maulers 37-34 at NRG Stadium Sunday night.

Graham Harrell completed 23 of 34 passes for 317 yards and 4 touchdowns . Kevin Smith ran 19 times for 97 yards, plus 4 catches for 43 yards and a touchdown. TJ Jones had 8 catches for 102 yards and 1 touchdown. Dezmon Briscoe caught 7 passes for 84 yards and 2 touchdowns. Marquess Wilson had a touchdown reception while catching 4 passes for 69 yards. Jasper Brinkley recorded 12 tackles with 1 sack and a forced fumble to lead a Gambler defense that recorded 6 sacks, 7 hurries and 4 forced fumbles.

Quarterback Seth Dodge led the Mauler attack completing 24 of 35 passes for 263 yards and 1 touchdown with 1 interception and was sacked 6 times. Danny Woodhead ran for 3 touchdowns while rushing for 74 yards on 15 carries, plus had 8 catches for 92 yards. Mark Mariani had 5 catches for 70 yards. Cyrus Gray also had a touchdown reception in the loss for the Maulers.

" Well, we played hard. Dug ourselves into a hole that we just couldn't come out of." said Pittsburgh head coach Todd Haley following the game.

" It wasn't pretty but we will take it. Games like this will definitely wear on you that's for sure!" said Gambler head coach Brian Schottenhiemer who saw his team win their fourth straight and seem to be peaking at just the right time.

Attendance: 33,611