Box Score
World Bowl '91
Sunday 9 June, 1991
Wembley Stadium, London
Final Score: London Monarchs 21 - 0 Barcelona Dragons

Normally, it is the offensive players who are most talked about following a game. The winning quarterback, the 100 yard rush, the touchdown catching receiver. Not at Wembley.

Safety Dan Crossman carved out a place in history, as well as legend, for himself one evening in June 1991. His three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown remain one of the most dominating defensive performances in World Bowl history as well as the MVP award.

London came into the game on the back of a 9-1 season where their only defeat had been to the 7-3 Dragons. They were looking for revenge...and they got it...big style.

It was Barcelona who had the first opportunity to score after Monarchs wideout Dana Brinson fumbled the opening kickoff giving the Dragons the ball on the London 18 yard line. The Monarchs defense allowed nothing and when Barcelona attempted a short field goal, punter Louis Aguiar fumbled the snap allowing London linebacker Danny Lockett to recover.

Later in the first quarter, Barcelona were again threatening deep in London territory. Again, the Monarchs defence tightened forcing the Dragons to attempt a second field goal. Massimo Manca's 37 yard attempt sailed wide right, again letting London off the hook.

This time, London took advantage when quarterback Stan Gelbaugh hit receiver Jon Horton who outjumped the coverage and raced away for the score and a 7-0 Monarchs lead.

Cornerback Charles Fryer talked about the play after the game "When he threw the ball I had good position. I felt Horton then all of a sudden I didn't feel him. One second I had my hands up ready to intercept the ball and the next second - no ball. He's a heck of a receiver. He's been doing that all year".

Starting on their own 14 yard line, Barcelona QB Scott Erney threw over the middle only to be picked off by Crossman for the second time who strolled in for a 20 yard score.

Late in the second quarter, Crossman picked off Erney for a third time, setting up the Monarchs third touchdown. Gelbaugh made 4 of 5 passes to move to the Dragons 14 yard line before hitting Judd Garrett the score and a 21-0 lead following Phil Alexander's extra point.

Monarchs offensive lineman Paul Berardelli commented after the game on the experience "atmosphere in the stadium was electric, it was very close to sex! I came from a little college (Villanova) and we had about 10,000 fans a game - this was unbelievable. I've been in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles and nothing felt like this".

SCORES
TEAM 1 2 3 4   TOTAL
Barcelona 0 0 0 0 -- 0
London 7 14 0 0 -- 21

SCORING SUMMARY
TEAM QUARTER ELAPSED TIME SCORING PLAY DRIVE SCORE
Lon 1 15:00 TD Horton 59 pass from Gelbaugh (Alexander kick) 4-80 0-7
Lon 2 2:42 TD Crossman 20 interception return (Alexander kick) 1-20 0-14
Lon 2 14:17 TD Garrett 14 pass from Gelbaugh (Alexander kick) 9-55 0-21
TEAM STATISTICS
CATEGORY BARCELONA LONDON
First Downs 17 15
Rushes - Yards 22-92 25-76
Passing - Yards 240 169
Comp-Att-Int 17-41-4 19-27-1
Return Yards 78 23
Punts 2-19.5 5-38
Sacked - Yards Lost 3-27 4-28
Fumbles Lost 0 1
Penalty - Yards 42 30
Time of Possession 33:10 26:50

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
TYPE TEAM DATA
Passing Barcelona Rice 10-24-165-0 TD-0 INT; Erney 7-17-102-0 TD-4 INT.
London Gelbaugh 18-25-191-2 TD-1 INT; Witkowski 1-2-6-0 TD-0 INT.
Receiving Barcelona Taylor 4-93; Davis 6-83; Woods 3-44; Carr 1-19; Egerton 1-11; Norman 1-11; Bell 1-3.
London Garrett 13-99-1 TD; Horton 1-59-1 TD; Riley 5-39.
Rushing Barcelona Bell 14-46; Carr 3-27; Rice 4-19; Aguiar 1-0.
London J. Alexander 15-33; D. Smith, 6-33; Brinson 1-8; Ebubedike 1-3; Horne 1-0; Witkowski 1-minus 1.