The Houston Gamblers, new to the United States Football
League in its second season, were off to a 2-1 start as they hosted the
undefeated New Jersey Generals on March 18, 1984. Owned by Dr. Jerry Argovitz
and coached by Jack Pardee, the Gamblers had a pass-oriented “run-and-shoot” offense
operated by rookie QB Jim Kelly, who was proving to be remarkably well-suited
to it.
The visiting Generals were coached by ex-Jets mentor Walt
Michaels and, while they still were a ground-oriented team based around the
presence of RB Herschel Walker, had taken steps to improve the overall roster. Newly-acquired
veterans included QB Brian Sipe, G Dave Lapham, CB Kerry Justin, FS Gary
Barbaro, SS Greggory Johnson, and linebackers Jim LeClair, Willie Harper, and
Bob Leopold and the result was great improvement over the team that went a
disappointing 6-12 in the USFL’s inaugural season.
There were 35,532 in attendance at the Astrodome for
Houston’s home-opening game. The Generals opened the scoring as Sipe threw to
TE Jeff Spek for a seven-yard touchdown midway through the first quarter. Houston
responded with a scoring drive that featured a Kelly completion to WR Gerald
McNeil for 29 yards and a 12-yard pass to WR Greg Moser. It ended in a
five-yard touchdown run by RB Sam Harrell. PK Toni Fritsch completed a
two-point TD pass to Harrell shot-put style after the center snap on the extra
point try was bobbled by the holder, Moser, who then lateraled to the veteran
placekicker. The result was that the Gamblers were ahead by 8-7 after a period
of play.
That lead was extended in the second quarter after CB
Will Lewis (pictured below) intercepted a Sipe pass and returned it to the New Jersey one yard
line. From there, Harrell scored again and, with Fritsch kicking the extra
point this time, the Gamblers were up by 15-7 at the half.
Houston made it 22-7 ten minutes into the third quarter
when Kelly threw a screen pass to WR Scott McGhee for a 25-yard TD that was
followed by another successful Fritsch PAT. Three minutes into the final
period, Fritsch added a 20-yard field goal and the game was essentially put
away shortly thereafter when Lewis again picked off a Sipe pass and returned it
34 yards for a touchdown.
The Generals fought back with Sipe throwing to WR
Clarence Collins for a six-yard TD and then tossing to Walker for a successful
two-point conversion. With less than three minutes remaining, Walker scored
another touchdown from a yard out, but that was it for the visitors. Houston
came away with a convincing 32-25 win.
The Gamblers outgained New Jersey (370 yards to 234) and
had more first downs (22 to 17). In addition, the Generals turned the ball over
three times, all on interceptions, to one suffered by Houston.
Jim Kelly showed off his mobility as well as his passing
skill, leading the team with 65 yards on 6 carries in addition to completing 22
of 36 passes for 271 yards with a touchdown and an interception. WR Richard
Johnson caught 6 passes for 46 yards while Gerald McNeil gained 73 yards on his
5 pass receptions. Sam Harrell was right behind Kelly as he rushed for 60 yards
on 20 carries that included two TDs.
For the Generals, Brian Sipe was successful on 18 of 29
throws for 148 yards and two touchdowns but also the three interceptions.
Herschel Walker had relatively modest output, rushing for 65 yards on 14
attempts and catching three passes for 21 yards. Clarence Collins led the club
with 6 catches for 64 yards.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the way this team played,” said
Houston Head Coach Jack Pardee. “We held down a good club today and came up
with the turnovers when we had to have them. It was a great team effort.”
The Gamblers went on to become the most successful of the
six new USFL franchises in ’84, topping the Central Division with a 13-5 record
before losing to Arizona in the first round of the playoffs. New Jersey placed
second in the Atlantic Division at 14-4 but also exited in the first round of
the postseason, falling to the division-rival Philadelphia Stars.
Jim Kelly had a sensational year throwing the football as
he led the league in most major passing categories, including yards (5219) and
TD passes (44) – although also interceptions (26). However, as the game against
the Generals suggested, he was also one of the USFL’s most productive
quarterbacks at running the ball as he gained 493 yards on 85 carries (5.8
avg.) and scored five touchdowns.
