The United States Football League matchup in Memphis on June
1, 1984 featured the New Orleans Breakers, at 8-6 struggling to stay in the
playoff hunt, against the Memphis Showboats, 6-8 and in an even more precarious
situation, although much improved after a 2-7 start.
The Showboats, coached by colorful Pepper Rodgers in
their first USFL season, had an exciting offense but had backup QB Mike Kelley (pictured at right) behind center in place of injured rookie QB Walter Lewis. And while the defense
had a star in rookie DE Reggie White, the unit as a whole gave up too many
yards.
New Orleans was coached by Dick Coury and was moving in
the opposite direction of the Showboats, having stumbled after winning seven of
the first nine games. Veteran QB John Walton led a talented offense, but the defense,
while also containing talent, had trouble against the pass.
There were 31,191 in attendance at the Liberty Bowl for
the Friday night game. They saw the visitors score first on a 42-yard Tim
Mazzetti field goal. The Showboats scored the initial touchdown of the game on
their second possession that ended with Kelley throwing to TE Gary Shirk from
three yards out.
A blocked punt set up the second Memphis TD late in the
second quarter. RB Cornelius Quarles ran in for the score from a yard out with
less than a minute left on the clock and the Showboats led by 14-3 at the half.
The Breakers narrowed the margin in the third quarter
thanks to a three-play, 69-yard drive that ended with John Walton throwing to
WR Frank Lockett for a 42-yard TD. Walton struck again in the fourth quarter
with a 10-yard scoring throw to RB Buford Jordan and it was 17-14 in favor of
New Orleans with just over five minutes remaining in regulation.
The Showboats fought back and with 1:10 left on the clock
Alan Duncan booted a 45-yard field goal to tie the score. Overtime appeared
likely until DB Mike Thomas made the biggest defensive play of the game, intercepting
a Walton pass and returning it 28 yards to the New Orleans 35. Duncan came
through with another long field goal, from 52 yards, with two seconds to spare and
Memphis came away with a stunning 20-17 win.
New Orleans outgained the Showboats (341 yards to 266)
and had the edge in first downs (15 to 14). Memphis even turned the ball over
five times, to four by the Breakers, but the last New Orleans turnover proved
to be fatal.
Mike Kelley completed 17 of 25 passes for 178 yards and a
touchdown, but also tossed three interceptions. RB Glenn Ford gained 80 yards
on 18 carries and caught 5 passes for 36 yards. WR Cormac Carney gained 49
yards on his three pass receptions.
For the Breakers, John Walton was successful on just 14
of 29 throws for two touchdowns but also the one big interception. Buford
Jordan rushed for 104 yards on 14 carries and scored a TD on one of his three
pass receptions for 16 more yards. RB Marcus Dupree led the team with four pass
receptions, for 37 yards, to go along with his 12 carries for 29 yards while
Frank Lockett had 59 yards and a score on his two catches.
Despite the win, Memphis was eliminated from postseason
contention two days later. The Showboats ended up fourth in the Southern
Division with a 7-11 record. The Breakers were right ahead of them at 8-10,
having lost all of their remaining games.
Alan Duncan, who had been drafted by the NFL’s Eagles in
1981 but never made it to the regular season and was an assistant coach at
Carson Newman College in 1983, was successful on 21 of his 28 field goal
attempts and all but one of his 36 extra point tries to end up with 98 points
in what was his most successful pro season.
