The Michigan Panthers were fighting for a playoff spot in the inaugural United States Football League season as they hosted the Washington Federals on June 20, 1983. The Federals had defeated Michigan early in the season, but the Panthers had undergone changes that improved their fortunes since then.
Coached by Jim Stanley, Michigan got off to a 1-4 start
(including the loss at Washington) before veteran additions to the offensive
line helped fuel a turnaround that had the club at 9-6 and a game behind
Chicago and Tampa Bay in the USFL’s Central Division. Unheralded rookie QB
Bobby Hebert was fast developing into a star and WR Anthony Carter (pictured above), the
high-priced first year player out of Michigan, had overcome a slow start to
become a potent deep threat. The running game was sound and the defense formidable.
The Federals, under Head Coach Ray Jauch, were far less
successful and had won only one other contest thus far to linger at the bottom
of the Atlantic Division with a league-worst 2-13 record. There was an
outstanding rookie in RB Craig James and first-year QB Mike Hohensee was able
when healthy, but he was out for the rematch with the Panthers and veteran NFL
backup Kim McQuilken was filling in.
There were 26,418 fans in attendance for the Monday night
game at the Pontiac Silverdome. Early in the first quarter, the Panthers
advanced into Washington territory and Bobby Hebert threw to Anthony Carter,
who split two defenders on the way to a 37-yard touchdown. Novo Bojovic added
the extra point.
On their next possession, the Panthers again moved well.
Hebert completed passes to Carter for 20 and 10 yards, but after gaining a
first down inside the Washington 10, the Federals were able to keep them out of
the end zone thanks to good plays by LB Joe Harris and CB Jeff Brown. Michigan
had to settle for a 19-yard Bojovic field goal.
Down 10-0, the Federals put together a good drive.
McQuilken tossed passes to WR Mike Harris, Craig James, and RB Billy Taylor and,
facing third-and-one at the Michigan four, he faked a handoff and threw to a
wide-open Taylor in the end zone for a TD. Sandro Vitiello missed the point
after but the score was narrowed to 10-6.
Washington’s next series resulted in a punt from deep in
its own territory. DE Ronnie Paggett partially blocked the kick and Carter
returned it to the Federals’ 14. A pass interference call and throw from Hebert
to Carter that covered 10 yards set up a one-yard touchdown carry by RB John
Williams. Bojovic converted and the Panthers were ahead by 17-6 with 1:12
remaining in the half. The second quarter scoring was not yet over, however, as
the Federals were able to get past midfield and, on the final play before
halftime, Vitiello booted a field goal from 51 yards that made it 17-9.
Early in the third quarter, Washington got a break on
defense when TE Mike Cobb fumbled after catching a pass from Hebert and SS Doug
Greene recovered the loose ball and ran 35 unmolested yards for a TD. A try for
a two-point conversion that would have tied the score failed, but Michigan’s
lead was narrowed to 17-15.
The Federals pulled off a successful onside kick but
turned the ball over on a Taylor fumble three plays later. Michigan took
advantage, driving to a one-yard run for a TD by RB Ken Lacy, and Bojovic added
the extra point. Washington responded with a 74-yard possession that featured
the running of James and RB Curtis Bledsoe and resulted in a one-yard scoring
carry by James with 6:48 to go in the period. This time Vitiello made good on
the point after to again make it a two-point contest at 24-22.
That was it for the scoring until the fourth quarter when
Vitiello came through on a 45-yard field goal that gave the visitors a narrow
25-24 advantage. But with their backs to the wall, the Panthers put together a
73-yard drive. With 18 seconds left on the clock, Bojovic kicked an 18-yard
field goal that provided the final margin in Michigan’s 27-25 win.
The Panthers led in total yards (335 to 285) while
Washington had the edge in first downs (17 to 16) and time of possession (31:13
to 28:47). Each team turned the ball over twice while Michigan recorded four
sacks, to none by the Federals.
Bobby Hebert completed 13 of 21 passes for 195 yards and
a touchdown as well as an interception. Anthony Carter had 5 catches for 94
yards and a TD. Ken Lacy rushed for 81 yards on 22 carries that included a
touchdown and John Williams added 59 yards on 16 attempts that also included a
score.
For the Federals, Kim McQuilken was successful on 19 of
27 throws for 158 yards and a TD without giving up an interception. Craig James (pictured above) gained 89 yards on 13 rushing attempts and also had 7 pass receptions for 63
yards.
The win kept the Panthers even with the Bandits, who
lost, and they ultimately finished atop the Central Division at 12-6 (Chicago
ended up with the lone Wild Card spot and Tampa Bay finished third and missed
the postseason). Michigan handily defeated the Oakland Invaders in the
Semifinal playoff round and then edged the Philadelphia Stars to win the
initial USFL Championship. The hard-luck Federals managed to win twice more and
were 4-14.
