With the Scottish Claymores needing a win in Week 9 to preserve their World Bowl hopes, Green Bay Packers quarterback Craig Nall couldn't have been much better.
Over the weekend, the 2002 fifth-round draft choice from Northwestern (La.) State completed 14-of-16 passes for 207 yards and two touchdowns in only limited action as the Claymores (5-4) romped over the Barcelona Dragons (5-4) 45-7.
Nall went without an interception for the third-straight game and had a quarterback rating of 158.3, the highest possible. Both of his touchdown passes came in the first quarter, the first a 7-yarder to Maurice Hicks (Chicago Bears), the second a 23-yard connection with John Minardi (Houston Texans).
With the game well at hand, Nall was relieved by backup Shane Stafford (New England Patriots) for all of the second quarter and all but one possession of the second half.
The win keeps the Claymores in the World Bowl race. To advance to the championship game, the Claymores must defeat the Amsterdam Admirals (4-5) next weekend, and benefit from a Frankfurt Galaxy (6-3) win over the Berlin Thunder (2-7) or a Barcelona win over the Rhein Fire (5-4).
Should they advance, the Claymores would meet Frankfurt, which qualified for its record fifth World Bowl with a 38-7 win over Rhein last weekend.
Packers defensive back Jeremy Unertl factored significantly in the win, making his third interception of the season to go along with another pass defensed, while also making four tackles. Punter Tim Morgan was relied upon twice, booting punts of 47 and 37 yards.
Also in Week 9, Amsterdam defeated Berlin, 51-43. Packers wide receiver Travis Williams was not active for the Admirals.
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