Highlighted Year: Joe Cribbs, 1984

Running Back, Birmingham Stallions

 Age: 26

5^th season in pro football, 1^st in USFL & with Stallions

College: Auburn

Height: 5’11” Weight: 191

Prelude:

Buffalo’s running game had been subpar in 1979 with Terry Miller as the feature back, and the Bills took Cribbs in the second round of the ’80 NFL draft. Small but versatile – and having gained 4561 all-purpose yards and scored 34 touchdowns in college - it was anticipated that he would at least initially return kicks, but he quickly moved into the starting lineup, putting together a Pro Bowl season in which he rushed for 1185 yards and received Rookie of the Year recognition from UPI and Pro Football Weekly. Cribbs followed up his outstanding rookie season by gaining 1700 yards from scrimmage in 1981 (1097 rushing, 603 receiving) and was again selected to the Pro Bowl. Due to a contract holdout, he missed the first two games of the strike-shortened ’82 season but was effective upon the resumption of play with 633 rushing yards in seven games, although his productivity as a receiver out of the backfield dropped considerably. Cribbs rebounded in 1983 with 1131 rushing yards and 524 more yards on 57 pass receptions, garnering a third Pro Bowl selection. He jumped to the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL in 1984.

1984 Season Summary

Appeared in 16 of 18 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 297 [1, tied with Kelvin Bryant]

Most attempts, game – 33 (for 191 yds.) at Pittsburgh 3/11

Yards – 1467 [1]

Most yards, game – 191 yards (on 33 carries) at Pittsburgh 3/11

Average gain – 4.9 [10]

TDs – 8 [13, tied with Buford Jordan, Greg Boone & John Williams

100-yard rushing games – 6

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 39      

Most receptions, game – 5 (for 36 yds.) vs. New Jersey 2/26, (for 32 yds.) vs. New Orleans 4/2

Yards – 500

Most yards, game – 94 (on 3 catches) at Denver 4/29

Average gain – 12.8

TDs – 5 [20, tied with nine others]

Scoring

TDs – 13 [9, tied with four others]

Points – 78

Postseason: 2 G

Rushing attempts – 39

Most rushing attempts, game – 21 at Philadelphia, USFL Eastern Conference Championship

Rushing yards – 184

Most rushing yards, game – 112 vs. Tampa Bay, USFL First Round playoff

Average gain rushing – 4.7

Rushing TDs – 1

Pass receptions – 9

Most pass receptions, game – 6 at Philadelphia, USFL Eastern Conference Championship

Pass receiving yards – 118

Most pass receiving yards, game – 63 at Philadelphia, USFL Eastern Conference Championship

Average yards per reception – 13.1

Pass Receiving TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

1^st-team All-USFL: League, Sporting News, College & Pro Football Newsweekly, Pro Football Weekly

Stallions went 14-4 to finish first in the USFL Southern Division while leading the league in rushing yards (3313). Won USFL First Round playoff over Tampa Bay Bandits (36-17) and lost Eastern Conference Championship to Philadelphia Stars (20-10).

Aftermath:

Cribbs followed up with 1047 rushing yards in 1985 and then returned to the Bills during the Autumn ‘85 season before moving on to San Francisco for two years in a part-time role. His career came to an end in a 1988 season split between the Colts and Dolphins. In the NFL, Cribbs rushed for 5356 yards and 27 TDs on 1309 carries (4.1 avg.) and caught 224 passes for 2199 yards and 15 touchdowns. With the USFL, he rushed for 2514 yards on 564 attempts (4.5 avg.) and 15 TDs and had 80 catches for 787 yards and six TDs.

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating

Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970

Highlighted Year: Derrick Crawford, 1984

Wide Receiver, Memphis Showboats

Age: 23

1^st season in pro football

College: Memphis State

Height: 5’10” Weight: 185

Prelude:

Crawford caught 63 passes for 1117 yards (17.7 avg.) and five touchdowns and averaged 21.3 yards on 45 kickoff returns in college. The Showboats took him in the 1984 USFL territorial draft and he proved to be productive as both the team’s top pass receiver as well as a kick returner.

1984 Season Summary

Appeared in all 18 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 61 [13]          

Most receptions, game – 6 (for 21 yds.) at Los Angeles 4/14, (for 86 yds.) at Tampa Bay 6/9, (for 52 yds.) vs. Birmingham 6/16

Yards – 703

Most yards, game – 86 (on 6 catches) at Tampa Bay 6/9

Average gain – 11.5

TDs – 12 [4]

Rushing

Attempts – 13

Yards – 27

Average gain – 2.1

TDs – 0

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 47 [1]

Yards – 1237 [1]

Most yards, game – 152 (on 4 ret.) at Oakland 5/19

Average per return – 26.3 [1]

TDs – 1 [1, tied with Clarence Verdin & Greg Taylor]

Longest return – 97 yards

Punt Returns

Returns – 3

Yards – -1

Average per return – -0.3

TDs – 0

Longest return – 1 yard

Scoring

TDs – 13 [9, tied with four others]

Points – 78

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-USFL: League, Sporting News, Pro Football Weekly, College & Pro Football Newsweekly

Showboats went 7-11 to finish fourth in the USFL Southern Division.  

Aftermath:

Crawford followed up in 1985 with 70 catches for 1057 yards (15.1 avg.) and 9 touchdowns. He was used less for returning kickoffs, averaging 23.9 yards on 11 returns, but had a touchdown among his eight punt returns. With the demise of the USFL, Crawford signed with the 49ers, who had selected him in the 1984 NFL supplemental draft, for 1986. He caught just five passes as a backup wide receiver and averaged 18.7 yards on 15 kickoff returns in his one year in San Francisco. Crawford later moved on to the CFL where he spent four seasons with the Calgary Stampeders, catching 174 passes for 3026 yards and 27 TDs. His best seasons came in 1990, when he gained 1096 yards on 57 pass receptions that included 11 touchdowns and he received All-Western Division recognition and 1993, when he again caught 57 passes for 1007 yards and 10 TDs. Crawford’s career ended with a three-game stint with Birmingham in ’95. Overall in the USFL, Crawford had 131 catches for 1760 yards and 21 touchdowns and averaged 25.9 yards on 58 kickoff returns.

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating

Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970

1983: Jim Kelly Signs with USFL

The Houston Gamblers, one of the United States Football League’s six expansion franchises for its second season, made a major acquisition on June 9, 1983 as prize QB Jim Kelly from the Univ. of Miami signed a contract.

Kelly had been chosen by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the NFL draft as part of a much-heralded quarterback class that included Stanford’s John Elway and Dan Marino of Pittsburgh. While contract terms were not released at the time of the signing, it was later revealed to be a five-year fully-guaranteed deal for $3.3 million. While they were at it, the Gamblers also signed Kelly’s roommate at Miami, RB Mark Rush, who had been Minnesota’s fourth-round draft pick (he lasted five games with Houston before being released).

“Kelly is more ready to play pro football than some of the others because of the type of offense he was under in college,” explained Gene Burrough, Houston’s general manager.

Playing under Head Coach Howard Schnellenberger at Miami, who utilized a pro-style passing offense, Kelly set school records for pass completions (376), passing yards (5228), and TD passes (31), but his college career was curtailed when he suffered a separated shoulder against Virginia Tech in the third game of the 1982 season. Already given a clean bill of health, but with the USFL season not set to start until February of 1984, he would have that much more time to fully heal.

While the Gamblers were coached by Jack Pardee, the offensive coordinator was Darrel “Mouse” Davis, architect of the “run-and-shoot” offense at Portland State. Houston lost its opening game, 20-17 to the Tampa Bay Bandits, and Kelly passed for 229 yards and a touchdown while giving up two interceptions. But the following week, on a Monday night, the Gamblers blasted the San Antonio Gunslingers, another first-year club, and Kelly threw for 309 yards and a TD while running for two more. The Gamblers got off to a 3-1 start, stumbled for two losses, and then went on to a 13-5 record that placed first in the Central Division. Moreover, the offense was nothing short of sensational, averaging 34.3 points per game on the way to racking up 618 points, which were 79 more than the runner-up, and scoring 79 touchdowns over the course of 18 games.

Kelly significantly exceeded rookie expectations, topping the circuit in pass attempts (587), completions (370), yards (5219), and touchdowns (44), although also in interceptions (26). In addition, he rushed for 493 yards on 85 carries (5.8 avg.) and five TDs. Two of his receivers, Richard Johnson (115 catches, 1455 yards, 15 TDs) and Ricky Sanders (101 receptions, 1378 yards, 11 TDs) finished first and second in pass receptions. For his efforts, Kelly was a consensus first-team All-USFL selection and was named Player of the Year by the league. That the Gamblers fell short in the first round of the playoffs against the Arizona Wranglers took little luster off of the season of accomplishments.

The Gamblers were without “Mouse” Davis in 1985, who became the head coach of the Denver Gold, but it did not slow down Kelly and the offense. In the opening game against the Los Angeles Express and another heralded young quarterback, Steve Young, Kelly had a remarkable performance in a 34-33 come-from-behind win. His 574 passing yards not only far exceeded the existing USFL record but also the NFL mark of 554 set in 1951 by Norm Van Brocklin of the Rams. He went to the air 54 times, completed 35, and five were good for touchdowns.

Kelly maintained high production through another outstanding season until he was sidelined for the last four games with a knee injury, yet he still topped the USFL in pass attempts (567), completions (360), yards (4623), and TD passes (39). He again received consensus first-team All-USFL honors. And while Kelly returned for the postseason, Houston was once more eliminated in the first round.

The 1985 season proved to be the end of the line for the USFL. A planned move to the autumn in 1986 was aborted when an antitrust lawsuit against the NFL led to a favorable ruling but, essentially, no cash award (one dollar, times three), something that was desperately needed by the USFL. The Gamblers had been merged with the New Jersey Generals during the offseason in a move that was to put Kelly in the same backfield with star RB Herschel Walker, but it was not to be. He left the USFL having thrown for 9842 yards and 83 TDs in just two seasons and 32 games.

Kelly went on to the NFL and the Buffalo Bills, who retained his rights. He stayed with Buffalo for eleven years, passing for 35,467 yards and 237 touchdowns, and performing well in a fast-paced, no-huddle offense that was similar to the one he had so much success with in the USFL. The club won four straight AFC Championships between 1990 and ’93 and Kelly, who received consensus first-team All-NFL honors once and was chosen to five Pro Bowls, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002.    

1984: Gamblers Rally but Panthers Win in Overtime

The Michigan Panthers hosted the Central Division-rival Houston Gamblers in a United States Football League game on May 6, 1984 with hopes of ending a four-game losing streak.

The Panthers were the defending USFL Champions under Head Coach Jim Stanley and had started the season fast with six straight wins before going into the swoon to stand at 6-4 and in a three-way battle for the division lead. QB Bobby Hebert (pictured at right) was hampered by a bad knee and the losses had begun when star WR Anthony Carter went down for the year with a broken arm. The offensive line, a strength coming into the season, was injury-ridden as well, but the defense remained one of the league’s better units.

Houston, a first-year club coached by Jack Pardee, was also at 6-4 and was coming off a tough overtime loss the previous week. Rookie QB Jim Kelly had been outstanding in operating the run-and-shoot passing offense, although he had taken many sacks. The Gamblers had lost starting RB Sam Harrell to injury and Todd Fowler, a lightly-regarded rookie out of Stephen F. Austin, was taking his place.

There were 29,068 fans in attendance at the Astrodome. The first quarter was scoreless until, following an interception by LB John Corker that gave the Panthers the ball at the Houston 39, the home team advanced in four plays to a touchdown on a 13-yard pass from Bobby Hebert to a wide-open RB Ken Lacy. Novo Bojovic added the extra point for the 7-0 lead.

With the Michigan defense keeping the Gamblers in check, the Panthers moved methodically in a 12-play, 61-yard series that extended into the second quarter and ended with another Hebert TD pass, this time to WR Walter Broughton from four yards out. Bojovic converted and Michigan was up by 14-0.

The next possession by the Panthers ended with Hebert being picked off by CB Mike Mitchell and the Gamblers capitalized when Kelly completed a third down pass to WR Ricky Sanders for a 37-yard touchdown. Toni Fritsch added the extra point to narrow the score to 14-7.

A short Michigan possession led to a punt and Bojovic, normally just the placekicker but forced to do double duty due to an injury to SS/P David Greenwood, boomed a 59-yard kick that pinned the Gamblers inside their 10 yard line. The teams traded punts for the remainder of the half and the score remained unchanged.

The Panthers had first possession in the third quarter and, with Hebert passing effectively and RB John Williams picking up 17 yards on a key carry, they drove 72 yards in nine plays to a TD on a seven-yard run by Williams. Bojovic converted to put Michigan ahead by 14 points at 21-7.

Todd Fowler ran effectively on Houston’s next series that ended with Kelly firing long to Sanders for a 44-yard touchdown. Fritsch’s point after narrowed Michigan’s lead to seven points once more. But it didn’t take long for the Panthers to respond as, on their third play of the next series, Williams took off down the right sideline for a 68-yard TD. Bojovic booted the extra point and the score was 28-14 in favor of the home team.

WR Clarence Verdin returned the ensuing kickoff 39 yards and the Gamblers again interspersed draw plays by Fowler to good effect. With the game now early in the fourth quarter, they scored on a five-yard bootleg by Kelly to complete the six-play, 61-yard drive. Fritsch successfully converted to make the score 28-21.

An onside kick by Houston was recovered by the Panthers and, while they were unable to capitalize, Bojovic’s punt was downed at the Gamblers’ seven yard line. Fowler immediately took off for a 20-yard run and caught a third-and-10 screen pass for a first down, but the visitors were ultimately forced to punt. However, they got the ball back at the Michigan 14 when Hebert fumbled while being sacked and FS Tommy Myers recovered. Fowler hit the line repeatedly, the last time for a touchdown from less than a yard out. Fritsch’s kick tied the score at 28-28 with 4:37 remaining in regulation. Neither team was able to get into scoring position the rest of the way and the contest headed into overtime.

The Gamblers won the toss for the overtime period but the squibbed kick hit a Houston player and was recovered by Michigan center Max Gill at the Houston 49. However, Hebert was sacked on first down and two passes fell incomplete to force a punt. The Gamblers drove into Michigan territory, converting two third downs along the way, and appeared set to win until Fritsch’s 30-yard field goal attempt was partially deflected by John Corker and missed to the left. Granted a reprieve, the Panthers drove methodically in 12 plays with Williams running well and Hebert hitting key passes. Bojovic kicked a 29-yard field goal and Michigan won by a final score of 31-28 with 59 seconds remaining in the extra period.   

Both teams rolled up significant yardage, with the Panthers coming out ahead (420 to 405) and also holding the edge in first downs (24 to 21) and time of possession (40:54 to 33:07). Michigan gained 246 yards on the ground to 181 for the normally air-oriented Gamblers. The Panthers accumulated five sacks, to three for Houston and the Gamblers turned the ball over three times, to two by the home team.

Bobby Hebert completed 20 of 36 passes for 199 yards and a touchdown while giving up an interception. John Williams had a big day with 165 yards on 22 carries that included two TDs. WR Derek Holloway and Walter Broughton each caught five passes, for 61 and 46 yards, respectively, and Broughton scored a touchdown. On defense, DE Larry Bethea accounted for three of Michigan’s sacks.

For the Gamblers, Jim Kelly was successful on 23 of 36 throws for 249 yards and two TDs, along with two interceptions. Todd Fowler (pictured at left) rushed for 140 yards on 22 attempts with a touchdown, his best outing to date. Ricky Sanders had 9 pass receptions for 120 yards and two TDs and Richard Johnson also caught 9, for 67 yards.

The win put the Panthers alone in first place in the Central Division, but they lost their next three games and had to rally to finish second and grab a wild card playoff slot with a 10-8 record. They lost an epic First Round playoff game to the Los Angeles Express in the third overtime period. Houston, having now lost two straight games in overtime, reeled off seven consecutive wins to close out the season in first place at 13-5. However, the Gamblers then fell to Arizona in a close First Round contest.

Both John Williams and Todd Fowler remained productive on the ground. Williams rushed for 984 yards on 194 carries for a 5.0 average and scored eight touchdowns. Fowler, barely a footnote during the first half of the season, ended up gaining 1003 yards on 170 attempts (5.9 avg.), including 208 in a single game, and compiled 11 TDs.  

1984: Stars Rally to Defeat Wranglers

The Arizona Wranglers were off to a slow start in the second United States Football League season as they hosted the Philadelphia Stars on April 8, 1984. Due to an exchange of franchises, the Wranglers were a transplanted version of the 1983 Chicago Blitz, bringing with them venerable Head Coach George Allen. In two meetings between the Blitz and Philadelphia in ‘83, one of them a playoff game, the Stars had pulled off dramatic second half rallies to ultimately win.

The Stars, coached by Jim Mora, remained strong and had a 5-1 record. However, they were missing RB Kelvin Bryant, a key component of their ball control offense, due to a sprained knee. Still, QB Chuck Fusina (pictured above) was a dependable, if unspectacular, field general and the opportunistic defense was stingy and adept at creating opportunities through takeaways.

Arizona was loaded with veteran talent but off to a sluggish 3-3 start. QB Greg Landry had plenty of savvy in his 16^th pro season and he had a good target in second-year WR Trumaine Johnson. The running back combination of RB Tim Spencer and FB Kevin Long was a productive one. Characteristic of Allen-coached teams, the defense was strong and yielded ground grudgingly.

There were 30,252 fans in attendance at Sun Devil Stadium. Arizona had the first possession and drove 73 yards in 12 plays that concluded with a one-yard touchdown run by Kevin Long. Frank Corral added the extra point. At the end of the opening period, the Wranglers extended their lead when Greg Landry threw to Trumaine Johnson for a 10-yard TD and Corral successfully converted to make it 14-0.

In the second quarter, the Stars put together a long drive of 73 yards in 18 plays that resulted in FB David Riley’s run for a four-yard touchdown. However, David Trout hooked the extra point attempt and the Wranglers maintained an eight-point lead.

In the final minutes of the first half, Arizona had a long series of its own that advanced 84 yards in 15 plays. Tim Spencer ran two yards for a TD with 22 seconds remaining on the clock and, with Corral’s successful point after, the Wranglers took a 21-6 lead into halftime.

Early in the third quarter, the Wranglers had an opportunity to add to their lead but Corral missed a 41-yard field goal attempt. Philadelphia got a further break, recovering a fumbled punt at the Arizona 46, and capitalized seven plays later when Chuck Fusina passed to Riley for a 30-yard touchdown. A running play to try for a two-point conversion failed and Arizona maintained a still-formidable 21-12 advantage.

Another fumbled punt by the Wranglers, recovered by WR Herbert Harris, gave the Stars the ball at the Wranglers’ 15 early in the fourth quarter and, while they weren’t able to reach the end zone, David Trout booted a 27-yard field goal to further narrow the home team’s lead to 21-15.

There was 3:31 remaining to play when, with the Wranglers attempting to drive to a game-clinching field goal, LB Sam Mills recovered yet another fumble by the Wranglers, this time due to a poor snap that Landry couldn’t handle, at the Philadelphia 35. The aroused Arizona defense initially rose to the occasion as Fusina was aggressively sacked by DE Karl Lorch for a five-yard loss on first down and then a short completion to WR Willie Collier led to the loss of another yard thanks to a quick tackle by CB Frank Minnifield. But facing third-and-16 at his own 29 Fusina, very near the line of scrimmage as he scrambled to avoid tacklers, threw into a crowd and Riley pulled it in for a 60-yard gain to the Arizona 11. With 1:40 left on the clock, Fusina then passed to Collier for an 11-yard touchdown and Trout’s successful kick put the visitors in the lead. The Stars sealed the 22-21 win on another Landry fumble that was recovered by NT Pete Kugler at the Philadelphia 47.

Arizona led in total yards (314 to 206), first downs (22 to 14), and time of possession (31:32 to 28:28). The Wranglers also recorded five sacks to one by Philadelphia. But the home team also turned the ball over five times, to just one suffered by the Stars. There were many penalties on both sides, with the Stars flagged 11 times at a cost of 62 yards and Arizona hit for 9 penalties for 35 yards.

Chuck Fusina completed 15 of 29 passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns while giving up one interception. He also led the Stars in rushing, who without Bryant and against Arizona’s tough defense had an uncharacteristically mediocre day on the ground, with 27 yards on three attempts. David Riley (pictured at left) gained 19 rushing yards on five carries but had a big receiving day out of the backfield with four catches for 106 yards and a TD. Willie Collier also had four pass receptions, gaining 32 yards and scoring the winning touchdown.

For the Wranglers, Greg Landry was an efficient 24 of 29 for 217 yards with a TD and an interception, but gave up two fumbles. Trumaine Johnson had 8 pass receptions for 68 yards and a score. Tim Spencer led the rushers with 55 yards on 17 carries and Kevin Long contributed 46 yards on 14 attempts. On defense, DT Kit Lathrop and Karl Lorch were credited with two sacks apiece.

“I can’t think of a loss over the years that was more disheartening and devastating as this one,” said a distraught Coach Allen. “It’s like a morgue in this locker room.”

The Stars kept winning, topping the Atlantic Division with a league-best 16-2 record. They easily advanced to the USFL Championship game with victories over New Jersey and Birmingham in the first two playoff rounds. Arizona, having dropped to 3-4 with the loss to Philadelphia, finally turned things around during the second half of the season and finished second in the Pacific Division at 10-8. Qualifying for the postseason as a Wild Card, the Wranglers edged Houston in the first round and then defeated Los Angeles, the club that won the division, to reach the league title game and a rematch with the Stars. It was not nearly as close the second time, and no late heroics by Philadelphia were necessary, as the Stars dominated by a score of 23-3.

1984: Cribbs & Clanton Star as Stallions Defeat Breakers

The Birmingham Stallions had won four straight games and were trying to catch the undefeated New Orleans Breakers in the United States Football League’s Southern Division as they went head to head in a Monday night game on April 2, 1984.

Coached by Rollie Dotsch, the Stallions were much improved on offense from the previous year thanks largely to the addition of RB Joe Cribbs (pictured at right), formerly of the Buffalo Bills, and ex-Steelers QB Cliff Stoudt. Another former Steeler, WR Jim Smith, was back for a second year and provided Stoudt with an outstanding target. The defense was the USFL’s best thus far against the run, although less adept at covering passes.

New Orleans was coached by the offense-minded Dick Coury and it was the explosive attack that had the Breakers at 5-0. QB John Walton, who had been sacked only once thus far, had a strong arm and rarely threw interceptions. WR Frank Lockett was the top receiver for the Breakers and had able partners in WR Charlie Smith and TE Dan Ross, both veterans with significant NFL experience. Rookie RB Buford Jordan powered the ground game.

It was a rainy Monday night at Legion Field with attendance held to 28,100 as a result. On the game’s third play, a pass by John Walton, throwing under pressure, was intercepted by FS Chuck Clanton, who raced 29 yards for a touchdown. Danny Miller added the extra point for the quick 7-0 advantage.

New Orleans missed out on a scoring opportunity when Tim Mazzetti was wide on a 47-yard field goal attempt, his first failure of the season. Following a punt by the Stallions, the Breakers were driving as the opening period ended, having advanced from their 20 to the Birmingham 14. On the first play of the second quarter, RB Marcus DuPree fumbled and the Stallions recovered but Joe Cribbs immediately fumbled the ball back and the Breakers came away with a 31-yard Mazzetti field goal that narrowed the score to 7-3.

Cliff Stoudt quickly passed the Stallions into New Orleans territory and Cribbs ran effectively. Two bootlegs by Stoudt got the ball inside the one from where FB Leon Perry crashed into the end zone for a TD to complete the eight-play, 69-yard series. Miller added the point after to extend the home team’s lead to 14-3.

On the ensuing series, Walton threw to Charlie Smith for a long gain in a third-and-12 situation to get the ball into Birmingham’s end of the field and the 72-yard possession that took nine plays ended with Buford Jordan running seven yards for a touchdown. Mazzetti’s PAT made it a four-point contest with 2:46 remaining in the first half. The score remained 14-10 at halftime as a drive by the Stallions ended with Miller missing on a 45-yard field goal try.

Birmingham had the ball first in the third quarter and advanced methodically in a 17-play drive that covered 89 yards and used up 7:22 of playing time. Cribbs had two key carries along the way and the Stallions converted two fourth downs. Stoudt passed to Cribbs for a six-yard touchdown and Miller converted to make the score 21-10.

The Breakers stormed back, advancing 70 yards in eight plays helped by a pass interference penalty, and Jordan ran around end for an 11-yard TD. Mazzetti added the extra point to again narrow the Birmingham lead at 21-17.

Birmingham put together another time-consuming drive that featured a dropped near-interception and a fake field goal that backup QB Bob Lane, the holder, converted into a first down at the New Orleans 12. It led to a 29-yard Miller field goal and seven-point lead for the Stallions.

A turnover by the Breakers on the first play following the ensuing kickoff, when a pitchout went awry deep in their own territory, was recovered by LB Mike Murphy for the Stallions at the one and quickly led to another short Perry touchdown carry. Miller booted the point after and Birmingham was ahead by 14 points and in control with 9:30 remaining to play.

It was more than enough for the Stallions. Clanton interceptions ended the next two New Orleans possessions, with a Birmingham drive in between that ended with a missed field goal but, most importantly, once again ran significant time off the clock. The Stallions won convincingly by a final score of 31-17.

Birmingham had the edge in total yards (354 to 199), first downs (23 to 17), and time of possession (34:11 to 25:49), including 22:49 to 7:11 in the second half. Of the yardage total for the Stallions, 231 came on the ground. The Breakers also turned the ball over five times, to two by Birmingham. There were only two punts during the game, one by each team.

Joe Cribbs was the star for the Stallions on offense, rushing for 162 yards on 26 carries and catching 5 passes for 32 yards and a touchdown. Cliff Stoudt completed 12 of 25 throws for 123 yards and a TD while giving up no interceptions. Leon Perry contributed 48 yards on 15 rushing attempts that included the two short touchdowns. WR Jim Smith gained 63 yards on his four pass receptions. On defense, Chuck Clanton (pictured at left) had three interceptions that he returned for 57 yards and a TD.

For the Breakers, John Walton, who was heavily pressured throughout the contest, completed 12 of 31 passes for 116 yards and no touchdowns while being picked off three times. Buford Jordan ran the ball 7 times for a team-leading 44 yards and two TDs. TE Dan Ross had four catches for 43 yards.

“We played our kind of game in the second half,” said Birmingham’s Coach Dotsch. “We took the ball, ground it out, and scored. It was nothing fancy – just football.”

Birmingham’s winning streak reached nine games on the way to a 14-4 record that topped the Southern Division. The Stallions defeated Tampa Bay in the first playoff round before losing to Philadelphia for the Eastern Conference Championship. The Breakers regained their winning touch the following week but collapsed during the second half of the season and ended up at a disappointing 8-10 tally that placed a distant third in the division.

Joe Cribbs took over the USFL rushing lead with his big performance against New Orleans and that is where he ended up, gaining 1467 yards on 297 carries (4.9 avg.) with eight touchdowns. He also caught 39 passes for 500 yards and another five TDs, and received consensus All-League honors. Chuck Clanton intercepted 10 passes, which he returned for a league-leading 249 yards and three TDs.

1984: Gunslingers Edge Invaders for First Win

The United States Football League game in San Antonio on March 24, 1984 featured two teams seeking their first win of the season. The Oakland Invaders and San Antonio Gunslingers were both at 0-4 and struggling to put points on the board.

The Gunslingers were one of six expansion teams for the USFL’s second year, and all of the others had recorded at least one win in the early going (two of them were off to 3-1 starts). The club was underfinanced but well coached by Gil Steinke and featured a scrappy defense, although the offense, directed by promising rookie QB Rick Neuheisel (pictured at right), was less impressive.  

Oakland topped the weak Pacific Division in 1983 but was off to a dreadful start in ’84, having scored a mere 14 points thus far. Head Coach John Ralston was dismissed after three games and Chuck Hutchison, the Director of Player Personnel, was now in command. QB Fred Besana, who performed ably the previous year, was ineffective thus far although he had a standout in WR Gordon Banks for his passes. Like the Gunslingers, the defense was the better unit, but the failure of the offense to generate points was too damaging.

There was a small but enthusiastic crowd of 11,012 fans at Alamo Stadium. In the first quarter, the Invaders methodically advanced 65 yards in seven plays that concluded with a pass from Fred Besana to Gordon Banks down the middle for a 19-yard touchdown. Kevin Shea added the extra point for the 7-0 advantage.

Good gains on passes by Rick Neuheisel to TE Joey Hackett and WR Danny Buggs moved San Antonio into Oakland territory at the end of the opening period. But the drive finally stalled at the 20 and Nick Mike-Mayer’s 37-yard field goal attempt was blocked.

A short punt by the Invaders gave the Gunslingers the ball in good field position. The offense couldn’t move but LB Putt Choate ran 25 yards on a fake punt for a first down at the Oakland 22. Shortly thereafter, Neuheisel threw to Hackett for a nine-yard TD and Mike-Mayer converted to tie the score.

There was no further scoring in the first half as Shea was far off the mark on a 51-yard try for a field goal on the final play before halftime.

Oakland moved back into the lead midway through the third quarter on a 36-yard Shea field goal, his first of the season. The Gunslingers had a drive that featured a 32-yard gain thanks to a pass from Neuheisel to Buggs that had 15 yards tacked on to the end due to a roughing-the-passer penalty. RB Scott Stamper ran for 10 yards and San Antonio reached the Oakland 11, but a pass attempt on a fourth-and-one play was batted down.

The teams exchanged punts as the game headed into the fourth quarter. With time running down to less than two minutes, the Gunslingers put together an eight-play, 42-yard drive that concluded with RB Al Penn-White punching in for a touchdown from a yard out. Mike-Mayer added the point after to make it a four-point game. The fired-up San Antonio defense then stopped the Invaders in four downs to win by a final score of 14-10.

The Gunslingers led in total yards (270 to 201), first downs (17 to 12), and time of possession (34:23 to 25:37). However, Oakland recorded four sacks, to two by the Gunslingers, and San Antonio was penalized eight times, at a cost of 55 yards, to five penalties for 35 yards on the Invaders. There were no turnovers by either club.

Rick Neuheisel completed 13 of 26 passes for 156 yards with one touchdown. Scott Stamper led San Antonio’s rushers with 46 yards on 17 carries and RB Marcus Bonner and Joey Hackett (pictured at left) were the top receivers with 45 yards on four and three catches, respectively, and Hackett scored a TD.

For the Invaders, Fred Besana was successful on 19 of 34 throws for 154 yards and a TD. Gordon Banks caught 6 of those passes for 81 yards and a touchdown. RB Arthur Whittington gained 43 yards on 13 rushing attempts. On defense, LB Randy McClanahan accounted for two sacks.

The Gunslingers didn’t immediately build upon their initial victory as they lost twice more before winning three of four games on the way to a 7-11 record that placed third in the Central Division. Oakland’s losing streak reached nine games, and a third head coach, Charlie Sumner, was in charge before the Invaders abruptly turned around and reeled off seven straight wins to move into contention in the still-mediocre Pacific Division. They ultimately fell short and also finished at 7-11.

Highlighted Year: Pete Catan, 1984

Defensive End, Houston Gamblers

Age: 26

4^th season in pro football, 1^st in USFL & with Gamblers

College: Eastern Illinois

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 240

Prelude:

In college, Catan set school records with 47 career sacks, including 21 in a season and six in a single game. He joined the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL in 1981 and spent three seasons with them, compiling 26.5 sacks and six fumble recoveries. His CFL high for sacks was 12.5 in ’82, a season in which he was named a Western All-Star. Catan signed with the Gamblers as a free agent in 1984, although contractual issues caused him to miss the team’s first game.

1984 Season Summary

Appeared in 15 of 18 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – 16 [2, tied with Sam Clancy]

Most sacks, game – 3 at Oklahoma 3/31

Multi-sack games – 4

Interceptions – 0

Fumble recoveries – 2

Fumble recovery TDs – 0

Scoring

TDs – 1

Points – 6

(TD scored on return of blocked field goal)

Postseason: 1 G (USFL First Round playoff vs. Arizona)

Sacks – 2

Interceptions – 0

TD – 0

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-USFL: League, Sporting News, College & Pro Football Newsweekly

Gamblers went 13-5 to finish first in the USFL Central Division. Lost USFL First Round playoff to Arizona Wranglers (17-16).

Aftermath:

Catan missed time due to injuries in 1985 but still accounted for 11 sacks and received second-team All-USFL recognition. Following the spring league’s demise, he failed to catch on with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL but did return briefly to the CFL with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in ’87. Overall, he accumulated 53.5 sacks in his pro career, 27 of with the Gamblers.

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating

Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970

Highlighted Year: Kelvin Bryant, 1984

Running Back, Philadelphia Stars

Age: 23

2^nd season in pro football & with Stars

College: North Carolina

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 195

Prelude:

A three-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference back in college, Bryant was chosen by the Stars in the first USFL territorial draft and went with the new league (the Washington Redskins selected him in the 7^th round of the ’83 NFL draft even though he had already signed with the USFL). He moved directly into the starting lineup and quickly became the focal point of the ground-oriented offense. Bryant rushed for 1442 yards and 16 TDs, caught 53 passes for another 410 yards and a score, and received MVP honors from the league as well as consensus first-team All-USFL recognition.

1984 Season Summary

Appeared in 15 of 18 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 297 [1, tied with Joe Cribbs]

Most attempts, game – 27 (for 114 yds.) vs. Tampa Bay 4/1

Yards – 1406 [2]

Most yards, game – 194 yards (on 24 carries) at Denver 6/8

Average gain – 4.7 [11]

TDs – 13 [6, tied with Leon Perry]

100-yard rushing games – 5

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 48      

Most receptions, game – 5 (for 34 yds.) vs. Oakland 3/18

Yards – 453

Most yards, game – 67 (on 3 catches) vs. Pittsburgh 6/4

Average gain – 9.4

TDs – 1

Scoring

TDs – 15 [5, tied with Richard Johnson & Kevin Long]

Points – 90 [5, tied with Richard Johnson & Kevin Long]

Postseason: 3 G

Rushing attempts – 80

Most rushing attempts, game – 29 vs. Arizona, USFL Championship

Rushing yards – 384

Most rushing yards, game – 152 vs. Birmingham, Eastern Conference Championship

Average gain rushing – 4.8

Rushing TDs – 5

Pass receptions – 4

Most pass receptions, game – 2 vs. New Jersey, USFL First Round playoff

Pass receiving yards – 45

Most pass receiving yards, game - 32 vs. New Jersey, USFL First Round playoff

Average yards per reception – 11.3

Pass Receiving TDs – 1

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-USFL: League, Sporting News, College & Pro Football Newsweekly, Pro Football Weekly

Stars went 16-2 to finish first in the USFL Atlantic Division with the league’s best record. Won First Round playoff over New Jersey Generals (28-7), Eastern Conference Championship over Birmingham Stallions (20-10), and USFL Championship over Arizona Wranglers (23-3).

Aftermath:

Bryant continued to be one of the league’s best runners, even though battling occasional injuries, tying for fourth in ’85 with 1207 yards. He ended up gaining 4055 yards over the course of the three USFL seasons, and the Stars won the league championship in the last two. Following the demise of the USFL, Bryant joined the Redskins where he spent four seasons from 1986 to ’90, missing all of 1989 due to a neck injury. In the NFL, he battled injuries and was utilized more for his pass receiving skills, catching over 40 passes in each of his first three years but only once compiling as many as 100 carries (108 in 1988). With Washington, he rushed for a total of 1186 yards and caught 154 passes for 1634 yards.

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating

Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970

1984: Stars Defeat Generals in USFL Playoff Contest

Two rivals from the Atlantic Division of the United States Football League faced off in a First Round Playoff game on June 30, 1984. The Philadelphia Stars had gone 16-2 during the regular season, the league’s best record, but both losses were to the New Jersey Generals, the club that finished second in the division with a 14-4 tally. The second meeting had been just the previous week, and Philadelphia had been uncharacteristically sloppy in both contests.

The Stars, who narrowly lost the USFL Championship game the previous year, were coached by Jim Mora. QB Chuck Fusina, the league’s most efficient passer, directed the ball-control offense that featured RB Kelvin Bryant (pictured #44 above, with WR Willie Collier) operating behind a solid line. The tough and opportunistic defense that included All-League performers in NT Pete Kugler, LB Sam Mills, CB Garcia Lane, and FS Mike Lush yielded a league-low 12.5 points per game.

New Jersey was coached by Walt Michaels and was much improved over the 1983 unit thanks to the addition of significant veteran talent. QB Brian Sipe was one of those upgrades, and while he didn’t have a big season, he was far more effective than the signal callers of the previous year. RB Herschel Walker was again the key to the offense, but he suffered from a sore shoulder all season and looked more tentative, although he still rushed for 1399 yards and 16 TDs while FB Maurice Carthon also reached a thousand yards (1042). The defense benefited from the addition of linebackers Willie Harper, Bobby Leopold, and Jim LeClair, FS Gary Barbaro, and CB Kerry Justin.

The game was played before 19,038 fans at Franklin Field of the Univ. of Pennsylvania, once home of the NFL Eagles, due to a conflict with major league baseball’s Phillies for use of Veterans Stadium. The locker rooms were too small to accommodate the teams and they had to suit up at the nearby Hollenbeck Center and walk to the stadium.

It had rained during the morning, but stopped prior to kickoff. In the first quarter, a promising ten-play possession for the Generals ended with a pass by Brian Sipe being intercepted by FS Scott Woerner at the Philadelphia 16, and he returned it to his 40.  

The opening period remained scoreless as the teams traded punts. Early in the second quarter, another turnover by the Generals set up the first score of the game. Pete Kugler sacked Sipe, causing the quarterback to fumble. LB John Bunting recovered and the Stars took just three plays to travel 49 yards. Chuck Fusina connected with WR Scott Fitzkee for 17 yards and FB David Riley for 22, and Kelvin Bryant reached the end zone on a ten-yard sweep. David Trout added the extra point and Philadelphia was ahead by 7-0 three minutes into the period.

New Jersey’s next possession ended in a punt and Garcia Lane, sprung thanks to outstanding blocks by DB Bill Hardee and WR Herbert Harris, returned it 70 yards for a TD. Trout again converted to widen the home team’s lead to 14-0.

The Generals, down by two touchdowns, were forced out of their game plan, but they advanced into Philadelphia territory on the next series, helped along by a roughing-the-passer penalty on the Stars. However, the visitors came up empty when Roger Ruzek missed on a 42-yard field goal attempt. Bryant immediately took off on a 38-yard jaunt to key an eight-play, 75-yard drive that culminated in Bryant catching an 11-yard touchdown pass over his shoulder in the corner of the end zone. Trout added the point after. The first half ended with Ruzek failing on a field goal try from 49 yards and, despite New Jersey running more plays and generating the most yards, the Stars took a 21-0 lead into halftime. Adding to their problems, the Generals lost three starters to injuries in the hard-hitting first half: Gary Barbaro, Kerry Justin, and G Wayne Harris.

The Stars punted following the first possession of the third quarter and New Jersey advanced into scoring territory, but after reaching the Philadelphia 15 following Herschel Walker’s run to convert a fourth down, the Stars stiffened on defense and Ruzek missed a third field goal attempt, hooking to the left from 42 yards.  

Philadelphia proceeded to put together a 20-play drive that covered 75 yards and ran 11:48 off the clock. Bryant punched over from the one for a touchdown that, with Trout’s PAT, put the Stars up by 28-0 with 10:41 to play and effectively sealed the win. The Generals finally got on the board when Sipe threw to WR Clarence Collins for a 14-yard TD, but it was of no consequence. Philadelphia advanced to the next round by a decisive score of 28-7.

New Jersey had the edge in total yards (313 to 269) and first downs (24 to 17), but also suffered the game’s only two turnovers, both of which were turned into points by the Stars. Philadelphia held the Generals to just 70 yards on the ground and recorded three sacks, to one by New Jersey. There were a total of 16 penalties called in the hard-hitting game, with the Stars getting flagged 10 times.

Kelvin Bryant rushed for 117 yards on 23 carries that included two touchdowns and scored another on one of his two catches for 32 yards. Chuck Fusina didn’t go to the air often but was typically efficient, completing 9 of 14 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown, including six-of-six for 77 yards in the first half. David Riley and Scott Fitzkee caught three passes apiece, for 39 and 33 yards, respectively.

For the Generals, Brian Sipe was successful on 24 of 40 throws for 259 yards and a TD along with one interception. Herschel Walker was limited to 50 yards on 15 rushing attempts but led the club with 6 catches for 79 yards. Clarence Collins contributed 5 receptions for 62 yards and a score and TE Jeff Spek added 58 yards on his 5 catches.

“A loss today meant the season,” said Kelvin Bryant. “We really wanted to get them because they were the only team to beat us.”

“We were a lot more physical today, there was a lot of emotion out there,” said Coach Mora of the Stars.

The Stars went on to defeat the Birmingham Stallions the following week for the Eastern Conference title and won the USFL Championship handily over the Arizona Wranglers. New Jersey came back in 1985 to go 11-7 and again qualify for the playoffs, and once more fell to the Stars, now based in Baltimore, in the first round.

1984: Late Scores Propel Express Past Wranglers

Two teams struggling to remain in contention in the Pacific Division of the United States Football League met in a Saturday contest on May 26, 1984. The visiting Arizona Wranglers and the hosts, the Los Angeles Express, each came into the contest with 6-7 records that put them one behind the division-leading Denver Gold.

Arizona was having trouble with consistency despite being a veteran-dominated club coached by George Allen. The Wranglers were coming off a big win against Denver the previous week, but had yet to win consecutive games. 16-year veteran QB Greg Landry led the ball control offense that also featured WR Trumaine Johnson and the running back combination of Tim Spencer and Kevin Long. DE John Lee was leading the USFL in sacks and the defense was stingy. But the team tended to hurt itself with penalties and turnovers.

The Express was a young club, coached by John Hadl. High-priced rookie QB Steve Young provided a huge lift once he joined the team in the sixth week with his passing and mobility.  WR JoJo Townsell led the receiving corps and there was a good group of young running backs, although injuries were giving rookie Kevin Mack an opportunity to start.

There was a typically sparse crowd of 11,702 fans in attendance for the Memorial Day weekend game at the Memorial Coliseum. Following a punt by the Express, the Wranglers drove 67 yards in nine plays on their first possession, concluding with a five-yard touchdown carry by Tim Spencer. Frank Corral added the extra point.

Los Angeles responded by advancing into Arizona territory with Steve Young passing effectively and running for a first down on a third-and-short play.  A 15-yard carry by JoJo Townsell got the ball to the five yard line and, from there, Young ran for a TD. Tony Zendejas tied the score at 7-7 with the successful conversion.

The Express nearly scored on the ensuing kickoff when it was mishandled, but the ball went out of bounds for a touchback. The game remained tied as the contest headed into the second quarter. A promising LA possession ended with CB Carl Allen intercepting a Young throw at the Arizona 12. Following an exchange of punts, the Wranglers moved into LA territory thanks to a Greg Landry pass to Kevin Long for 27 yards in a third-and-three situation. Completions to Trumaine Johnson and WR Lenny Willis got the ball to the 15 but a sack by DE Fletcher Jenkins backed the visitors up and they settled for a 34-yard Corral field goal with 20 seconds remaining in the first half. Arizona took a 10-7 lead into halftime.

The teams exchanged punts to start the third quarter before the Wranglers, taking advantage of good field position, drove 55 yards in ten plays with Spencer bulling three yards for a touchdown. Corral’s extra point made it a ten-point advantage for Arizona. The Express came back on a series highlighted by Young throws to RB Tony Boddie for 32 yards and 20 yards to Townsell and completed by Mack running for a nine-yard TD on a third down draw play. It was the rookie’s first pro touchdown and, with Zendejas converting, the score was 17-14 heading into the final period.

The teams traded punts and a time-consuming drive by the Wranglers had them in Los Angeles territory, but Spencer fumbled the ball away at the 24. Young immediately fired to TE Darren Long for 36 yards and the Express tied the score with a 43-yard field goal by Zendejas.

Arizona had the ball back with two minutes remaining in regulation and, facing third-and-13, took advantage of back-to-back penalties to maintain possession and get to near midfield. However, in the key play of the game, a Landry pass was intercepted by DB Troy West, who sped down the sideline for 58 yards to the three yard line. RB Kevin Nelson, entering the game late due to a broken rib, took a pitchout and gained the last three yards for the touchdown. Zendejas booted the point after and the Express came away with a 24-17 win.

The Wranglers had the edge in total yards (355 to 282) and first downs (25 to 15). But the two late turnovers proved to be their undoing, to one suffered by the Express, and Arizona was also hurt by nine penalties to four called on LA. The Express accumulated four sacks, to two by the Wranglers.

Steve Young did not have an impressive completion percentage, hitting on 11 of 23 passes, but they were good for 184 yards with one interception. The nimble Young also ran the ball four times for 23 yards (and avoided several near-sacks) and scored one touchdown. Kevin Mack led the LA runners with 44 yards on 14 carries. JoJo Townsell had three catches for 38 yards and Darren Long gained 55 yards on his two receptions.

For the Wranglers, Greg Landry was successful on 19 of 37 throws for 232 yards and gave up the one big interception. Trumaine Johnson caught 12 of those passes for 145 yards and Tim Spencer rushed for 81 yards on 15 attempts, scoring two TDs although also making a costly fumble.

The win put the Express alone in second place and had Arizona in jeopardy of both not making the playoffs and becoming the first George Allen-coached team to finish with a losing record. LA won its next two games while the Wranglers finally caught fire and won three straight, leading to a final-week rematch that Arizona won. Both teams ended up at 10-8, with tiebreakers giving the Express the division title and the Wranglers second place and a Wild Card playoff slot (Denver collapsed, meanwhile, falling to third place at 9-9). The Express won in dramatic fashion over the Michigan Panthers in the first postseason round, prevailing in the third overtime period. Arizona edged the Houston Gamblers, and that set up a third meeting between Los Angeles and the Wranglers for the Western Conference Championship. Arizona won to advance to the USFL Championship game, falling to the Philadelphia Stars.