The Denver Gold of the United States Football League had
gotten off to a 7-1 start during the 1984 season, but were in the midst of a
five-game losing streak as they faced the San Antonio Gunslingers on May 25. At
7-6 Denver was still on top of the mediocre Pacific Division, but Head Coach
Craig Morton’s club desperately needed a win and was without injured starting
QB Craig Penrose.
The Gunslingers, in their first season in the USFL, were
5-8 despite coming off a win at Washington the previous week and had their own
difficulties. Poorly managed, the Gunslingers, who were coached by Gil Steinke,
were respectable on the field and had overcome a 0-4 start. Rookie QB Rick
Neuheisel showed considerable promise, but it was the young-but-tough defense
that fueled the improvement.
There were 20,077 in attendance for the Friday night game
at Alamo Stadium. The Gunslingers took a 3-0 lead late in the first quarter on
a 32-yard field goal by Nick Mike-Mayer. Brian Speelman tied the score less
than five minutes into the second quarter with a 23-yard field goal and then
backup QB Fred Mortensen (pictured above) threw to RB Bill Johnson for a 23-yard touchdown with
4:20 remaining in the first half. It was 10-3 in favor of the visitors at the
intermission.
In the third quarter, San Antonio took advantage of a
fumble recovery at the Denver 7. RB George Works ran for a TD from two yards
out and, with the successful extra point, the game was tied at 10-10. Speelman
added another field goal later in the period to make it 13-10 and, before the
quarter was over, Denver got a break when the Gunslingers failed to convert a
fourth down, allowing the Gold to take over at the San Antonio 29. Four plays
later, and now in the final quarter, RB Harry Sydney ran for a three-yard
touchdown and Denver was ahead by 20-10.
The Gunslingers got within seven points as the 34-year-old
veteran Mike-Mayer kicked his ninth straight field goal, from 33 yards out four
minutes later. A blocked punt by LB Reggie Oliver then set up another score for
San Antonio. Works scored his second touchdown from a yard out and Mike-Mayer
booted the tying extra point. But the decisive play of the game came with 1:52
left on the clock as Mortensen tossed a pass to RB Dave Preston that was good
for a 32-yard touchdown. It was enough to give the Gold a 27-20 win.
Denver outgained the Gunslingers (394 yards to 252) and
had more first downs (16 to 10). However, they also turned the ball over twice,
to one by San Antonio.
In his relief role, Fred Mortensen completed 19 of 27
passes for 308 yards and two touchdowns with none intercepted. WR Elmer Bailey
led the Denver receivers with 4 catches for 82 yards while WR Leonard Harris
was right behind with three receptions and 81 yards. Harry Sydney rushed for 42
yards on 9 carries.
For the Gunslingers, Rick Neuheisel was successful on 11
of 20 throws for 148 yards and no TDs or interceptions. RB Marcus Bonner had 43
rushing yards on 6 attempts and also caught 4 passes for 29 yards. WR Danny Buggs
gained the most receiving yards with 50 that all came on a single reception.
George Works (pictured at left), who scored two touchdowns, gained 37 yards on 10 carries.
Ending the losing streak did not mark a turnaround for
Denver. The Gold lost the following week and won just once more the rest of the
way, finishing at 9-9 and in third place in the Pacific Division – although, in
a week division, they remained in contention until the season finale. San
Antonio also finished third in the Central Division with a 7-11 record.
Fred Mortensen appeared in seven games and completed 64
of 100 passes for 994 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions.
Released by the Gold following the season, he was picked up by San Antonio for
1985.
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