Fatal Newbie Mistake - Never say "That Looks Easy!"

I'm attempting a 3-d Football cake, and with this project am "3rd and Long!" I suspect it is possible, based on so many pictures I've seen...

I've tried this by baking two layers with the Wilton 1st and 10 pan. Once with regular cake recipe, once with pound cake. Both attempts have resulted in a crumbling bottom tier. I am stumped how to construct this elusive little bugger and am hoping some of the pro's will chime in and provide construction advice. Once I have a cake that is stable, I intend to crumbcoat in buttercream, and decorate with MMF...

Do I freeze and thaw my tiers? Do I use cakeplates and dowels? If so, how, because of the shape of the cake? Do I frost in a cakeboard under the top layer?

I can tell you what I won't do...Give UP!! Any suggestions? Winning advice will be credited when I give him his cake! (And go down in my MVP Hall of Fame on Cake Central!)

Thanks, All. Happy (stiff grin) Baking!

I'm sorry this is giving you so much trouble. I've never used those pans. I typically use 2 wondermold pans. You can use pound cake, or mix pound cake with regular cake. Run a dowel through the center to hold them together. There are several examples in the "Got Game?" gallery on my website.

Are you putting a board between the two cakes? I've made footballs several times using that pan and have never had this problem.

Nancy, thanks so much for sharing the info so generously! PIcked up a wondermold pan and will try this tonight.

Cheatize, yes, I used a cakeboard and dowels both attempts. I'll try the wondermold method and see how this turns out.

Thank you both for your time in responding. I appreciate your help!