The Denver Gold had a 3-1 record heading into Memphis to
face the Showboats in a United States Football League game on March 25, 1984. Coached by Craig Morton, the Gold had a
strong fan base that was being rewarded with improved offensive play. QB Craig
Penrose, a former teammate of Morton’s with the NFL Broncos, was behind center and
had promising rookie WR Leonard Harris, who also returned kicks, as a target while
productive RB Harry Sydney was the best of the backs.
The first-year Showboats, coached by the colorful Pepper
Rodgers, were struggling at 1-3. Rookie QB Walter Lewis was more noted for his
running than passing, but the defense was anchored by DE Reggie White, a
first-year player out of Tennessee who was showing off the abilities that would
make him an all-time great.
There was a crowd of 21,213 in attendance at the Liberty
Bowl. The Gold jumped out to a 14-0 lead thanks to two Memphis turnovers. The
first was a fumble, which led to a nine-yard touchdown carry by RB Vincent
White, and then a pass interception that set up a Craig Penrose TD pass to TE
Bob Niziolek that covered 36 yards. Brian Speelman added the extra point after
each. Early in the second quarter, Alan Duncan kicked a 48-yard field goal to
finally get the Showboats on the board and the score remained 14-3 at the half.
Memphis narrowed the margin in the third quarter, this
time benefiting from a Denver turnover as SS Terry Love intercepted a Penrose
pass and returned it 79 yards for a TD. Just before the end of the period, the
Showboats took the lead when Walter Lewis scored on a one-yard touchdown carry.
Duncan successfully converted after each score and the tally was 17-14.
Denver responded on the next series by scoring on a
Penrose pass to WR John Arnold that covered 34 yards. The Showboats put
together a 16-play, 72-yard drive that culminated in RB Alan Reid running for a
one-yard touchdown and, with the successful extra point, they led by 24-21 with
under three minutes to go in the contest.
There was still enough time for the Gold, and they went
66 yards on their next series. Penrose threw to Leonard Harris for a 27-yard
gain to the Memphis 25 and, with 57 seconds remaining, Vincent White scored
from 16 yards out. Speelman added the PAT and Denver came away with a
hard-earned 28-24 win.
Memphis led in total yards (323 to 277) and first downs
(19 to 11). The Showboats were hurt by the two early turnovers that put them in
a hole, while Denver turned the ball over once. There were many penalties, with
the Gold being flagged 9 times at a cost of 50 yards to 8 penalties for 63
yards on Memphis.
Craig Penrose completed 12 of 20 passes for 177 yards and
two touchdowns while giving up one interception. Harry Sydney ran for 54 yards
on 12 carries and Vincent White was right behind with 52 yards on 7 attempts
that included two TDs. Bob Niziolek had three catches for 45 yards and a
touchdown and John Arnold gained 49 yards on his two receptions that also
included a score.
For the Showboats, Walter Lewis was successful on 17 of
25 throws for 175 yards and a TD as well as one that was picked off. He also
ran the ball five times for 37 yards and a score. Alan Reid had 22 carries for
71 yards and a touchdown and added another 34 yards on four catches. WR Derrick
Crawford led the club with 5 pass receptions, for 31 yards, while WR Cormac
Carney gained 52 yards on his three catches. On defense, Reggie White accounted
for both of his team’s sacks.
Denver’s promising start failed to hold up over the long
haul. The Gold won their next three games to reach 7-1 before the bottom fell
out and they lost eight of their last ten contests to finish at a disappointing
9-9 and third in the USFL's Pacific Division. Memphis won the next week but continued
to struggle and ended up fourth in the Southern Division at 7-11.
Craig Penrose ended up being one of five quarterbacks
utilized by the Gold, but was the most productive as he completed 60.3 percent
of his passes for 1984 yards and 12 touchdowns along with 14 interceptions.
