1983: Walker & Generals Hold Off Late Rally to Defeat Gilliam & Federals

The New Jersey Generals had made the biggest player signing heading into the inaugural United States Football League season, but were struggling at 1-6 as they hosted the Washington Federals on April 17, 1983. RB Herschel Walker (pictured above), who left Georgia after a Heisman-winning junior year in ’82 to sign with the new Spring league, overcame a slow start to rank among the top rushers, but Head Coach Chuck Fairbanks’ team as a whole was lacking. QB Bobby Scott, longtime NFL backup to Archie Manning in New Orleans, was mediocre and the defense was no better.

The Federals also came into the game with a 1-6 record. Coached by Ray Jauch, the club had some talent but suffered many injuries and was prone to losing close contests. Two rookies on offense, QB Mike Hohensee and RB Craig James, showed promise when healthy. The defense was woeful and the effort to find a reliable placekicker was not going well.

There were 35,381 fans in attendance at Giants Stadium in the New Jersey Meadowlands. The only score of the first quarter came as a result of a safety on New Jersey’s opening possession when punter Dave Jacobs ran out of his end zone. Washington was ahead by a 2-0 margin.

The Generals took control in the second quarter. A 40-yard pass play from Bobby Scott to TE Victor Hicks was good for a touchdown although an attempted two-point conversion was unsuccessful. Midway through the period, a 46-yard New Jersey possession was capped by a two-yard Herschel Walker touchdown carry. This time Scott threw to FB Maurice Carthon to add two points and make the score 14-2.

With the Federals down by twelve points, Joe Gilliam entered the game at quarterback. The 32-year-old Gilliam had experience as a starting quarterback with the NFL Steelers, but had fallen on hard times in the intervening years due to off-field problems. He had started in place of Hohensee the previous week and now guided the visitors to their first offensive score, tossing an 18-yard TD pass to WR Mike Holmes. The the extra point attempt was missed, however, and New Jersey later added a 32-yard Jacobs field goal to take a 17-8 lead into halftime.

The third quarter was scoreless, but on the first play of the fourth quarter, Walker breezed into the end zone from eight yards out for a touchdown. The try for extra point failed, but the home team’s 23-8 lead appeared to be secure.

At this point, Washington began to mount a comeback. On a drive highlighted by two pass interference calls on Generals SS Dana Noel, Gilliam connected with WR Joey Walters for a nine-yard touchdown. Gilliam again threw to Walters for two points and New Jersey’s lead was narrowed to 23-16.

The Federals scored once more on a spectacular play when Gilliam passed to Craig James, who caught it at the New Jersey 35, was spun around at the 28, regained his balance, and sped the rest of the way for a 52-yard touchdown. However, down by a point and trying to take the lead, Washington attempted a two-point conversion that failed when Gilliam’s pass was knocked down by FS Keith Moody.

Still, there were eight minutes remaining. In the final minute, Gilliam drove the Federals down the field, starting at their own 13 and reaching the New Jersey 16 with a 26-yard completion to WR Vince Kinney highlighting the series. The Federals lined up for a field goal attempt with eight seconds left, but Ken Olson missed from 33 yards and New Jersey came away with a 23-22 win.

The Generals had the edge in total yards (389 to 312) and first downs (24 to 18). However, New Jersey also turned the ball over three times, to one by the Federals, and Washington accumulated three sacks, to two by the Generals. The Federals punted seven times, to two by New Jersey, while also drawing eight penalties to six flags thrown on the Generals.

Herschel Walker rushed for 143 yards on 28 carries that included two touchdowns, and his longest gain was for 38 yards. Maurice Carthon contributed 57 yards on 18 rushing attempts. Bobby Scott completed 13 of 25 passes for 206 yards with one TD but also three interceptions. Victor Hicks had four catches for 72 yards and a score.

For the Federals, Joe Gilliam was successful on 10 of 22 throws for 199 yards and three touchdowns, giving up one interception, in relief of Mike Hohensee, who was three-of-seven for 21 yards. RB Billy Taylor gained 85 yards on 17 carries and added four pass receptions for 26 yards while Craig James rushed for 28 yards on 10 attempts and gained 77 yards on his three catches that included a TD.

New Jersey lost a close game in overtime the next week on the way to a 6-12 finish, which placed a distant third in the Atlantic Division. Washington ended up in the cellar at 4-14.

Herschel Walker was in a virtual dead heat with another rookie, RB Kelvin Bryant of the Philadelphia Stars, in the USFL rushing standings following the win over the Federals and ultimately came out on top with 1812 yards. He also topped the new league with 17 rushing touchdowns and 18 overall. He received consensus All-League recognition.

Joe Gilliam continued to split time with Mike Hohensee and ended up completing 40 of 102 passes (39.2 %) for 673 yards and five TDs while giving up 12 interceptions.  

The missed field goal try at the end was Ken Olson’s first official attempt for the Federals. He had not had any attempts in his debut the previous week and an earlier miss from 37 yards against the Generals was nullified by a roughing-the-kicker penalty. Olson was gone by the next week.

1975: Gilliam Rallies Steelers to Win Over College All-Stars

After a delay of one year due to the NFL preseason players’ strike in 1974, the 41^st College All-Star Game was held on August 1, 1975. The Pittsburgh Steelers, having won the first championship in franchise history the preceding season, represented the professionals while John McKay of USC coached a group of All-Stars that included 22 first round draft choices.

Pittsburgh, under Head Coach Chuck Noll, featured an outstanding defense and an offense that also had plenty of talent, with FB Franco Harris, the Super Bowl MVP, leading the ground attack and a good group of receivers. QB Terry Bradshaw had regained the starting job that Joe Gilliam (pictured above) had held for the first six games in ‘74, and displayed savvy as the team reached the top.

The All-Stars included California QB Steve Bartkowski, HB Walter Payton from Jackson State, and Oregon TE Russ Francis on offense and, on defense, DT Randy White from Maryland, Jackson State LB Robert Brazile, and Ohio State CB Neal Colzie. John McKay was coaching the collegians for the second time (he had also been designated as head coach for the game that was cancelled the previous year).

There were 54,562 fans in attendance on a Friday night at Soldier Field. The field was wet after a shower doused it two hours before kickoff, and it rained throughout the contest.

The All-Stars scored on their first possession, going 80 yards in just four plays. Steve Bartkowski threw to Northwestern WR Larry Burton for a 48-yard gain and then to WR Pat McInally from Harvard for a 28-yard touchdown and the successful conversion by Maryland PK Steve Mike-Mayer made it 7-0. However, the receiver suffered a broken leg on the play

The fired-up All-Star defense forced the pro champs to punt on the next series, but when the Steelers regained possession, they drove 87 yards in 17 plays and tied the score when Bradshaw tossed a two-yard TD pass to TE Randy Grossman at five minutes into the second quarter, Roy Gerela adding the PAT. Along the way, Pittsburgh overcame a second-and-24 hole as Bradshaw passed to WR Ron Shanklin and HB Rocky Bleier to set up a fourth-and-one situation that the quarterback converted with a plunge into the line. Bradshaw also completed passes of 20 yards to TE Larry Brown, 11 yards to Bleier, and nine to FB Reggie Harrison.

On the next Pittsburgh possession, Coach Noll chose to put many backups into the game, although Bradshaw remained at quarterback. The Steelers went three-and-out and punted, but on the next play FS Glen Edwards intercepted a Bartkowski pass. Pittsburgh got a first down on the ensuing series but ended up having to punt again and, in the most exciting play of the game, DB Virgil Livers of Western Kentucky returned Bobby Walden’s kick 88 yards. The return set an All-Star Game record, and, with Mike-Mayer’s conversion, the collegians took a 14-7 lead into halftime.

The pro champs were further damaged when Franco Harris and CB Mel Blount left the game with minor injuries during the first half. Still, Pittsburgh’s other starters were back for the third quarter, although they continued to have difficulty moving the ball against the tough All-Star defense. The Steelers managed to pin the All-Stars back inside their one yard line after a punt, and Neil Clabo had to kick from his end zone after the collegians went nowhere. The punt was a good one to midfield and the defense again came through, sacking Bradshaw twice to squelch any threat.

The Steelers were passing more than usual, especially with Harris sidelined. With three minutes remaining in the period, Pittsburgh got the ball on a turnover when LB Jack Lambert recovered a Bartkowski fumble. On a series highlighted by two runs and a pass reception by HB John “Frenchy” Fuqua, the Steelers advanced to the All-Star 15, but then Florida LB Ralph Ortega came up with an interception that he returned to his 35.

The All-Stars had difficulty on offense themselves in the second half, managing just two first downs in the third quarter and none in the fourth. Bartkowski (pictured below) stayed in the game but was victimized by dropped passes and untimely holding penalties.

Joe Gilliam relieved Terry Bradshaw in the fourth quarter and the Steelers came alive on offense. Finishing off a 42-yard series, Gilliam threw to HB Rocky Bleier for a six-yard TD at less than five minutes into the final period. Then, with 4:16 left on the clock, Gilliam put the Steelers ahead with a touchdown pass to WR Frank Lewis that covered 21 yards and capped a 45-yard drive that was set up by a shanked punt. Gerela successfully added the extra points after each and, after much difficulty, Pittsburgh came away with a 21-14 win.

For all of the trouble that the Steelers had on offense, they still significantly outgained the All-Stars (287 yards to 123) and had far more first downs (17 to 4). The All-Stars recorded six sacks of Pittsburgh quarterbacks to just two of the collegians by the Steelers.

Terry Bradshaw completed 14 of 24 passes for 145 yards with one touchdown and one interception and Joe Gilliam was successful on five of his six throws for 50 yards and two TDs while giving up no interceptions. Rocky Bleier paced Pittsburgh’s ground game with 41 yards on 11 carries and also led the club with five pass receptions, for 41 yards and a touchdown. Larry Brown gained 45 yards on his three catches.

For the All-Stars, Steve Bartkowski was successful on 7 of 18 passes for 126 yards and a TD. Russ Francis was the best of the receivers with two catches for 46 yards and Walter Payton was the leading rusher, although with only 16 yards on 7 carries.

“Physically, we got the hell kicked out of us,” said an irritated Chuck Noll afterward, disappointed at his team’s effort. “That’s what happens when you underestimate somebody.”

The Steelers went on to repeat as NFL Champions, putting together a 12-2 record in the regular season. While Joe Gilliam played well in relief of Terry Bradshaw against the College All-Stars, it was Bradshaw guiding the offense all the way and receiving Pro Bowl recognition for the first time.

Steve Bartkowski went on to play for the Atlanta Falcons, who had taken him in the first round of the draft, and became a two-time All-Pro. Walter Payton had a great career with the Chicago Bears that ended with his topping the NFL career rushing list and gaining enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Pat McInally, who suffered the broken leg while scoring the game’s first touchdown, spent ten years with the Cincinnati Bengals, although he was more productive as a punter than as a pass receiver. Virgil Livers, who had the long punt return for a score, joined Walter Payton with the Bears, where he played cornerback and returned kicks for five seasons.

There were concerns about the future of the All-Star Game, and only one more was played before the series that had started in 1934 came to an end. The win by the Steelers was the 30^th for the pro champs, as against nine for the All-Stars and two ties (Pittsburgh also won the final contest in ’76). 

1974: Steelers and Broncos Play to Tie in First NFL Regular Season Overtime Game

Among several significant rules changes in effect for the 1974 NFL season was the introduction of overtime for regular season games that were tied after the regulation four quarters. However, unlike the postseason, where overtime was already in use and had yielded some memorable results, the overtime for the regular season contests would be limited. If the score was still even after one extra 15-minute period it would end as a tie.

Overtime wasn’t necessary for any of the opening week games in ’74, but on September 22 the new rule came into effect for the first time in a contest at Denver between the Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Broncos, coached by John Ralston, were coming off the franchise’s first winning record (7-5-2) in ’73 but had lost their Week 1 contest to the Rams. 35-year-old QB Charley Johnson made the passing game formidable and eighth-year RB Floyd Little was still effective. It was hoped that the first draft choice from 1973, RB Otis Armstrong, would contribute more in his second year, while third-year TE Riley Odoms had already emerged as a key factor in the offense. The defense included rising stars in DE Lyle Alzado, DT Barney Chavous, and SS Bill Thompson.

Pittsburgh, in Head Coach Chuck Noll’s sixth season, was a tough defensive team with an offense still struggling to excel. A surprise coming into the ’74 season was the replacement of 1970’s overall first draft pick, Terry Bradshaw, at quarterback by Joe Gilliam (pictured above), a strong-armed African-American at a time when black signal callers were a rarity. The Steelers had made it to the playoffs the previous two years and were looking to move up. They had won their opening game against the Colts by a 30-0 score.

The fans at Mile High Stadium witnessed an exciting first quarter. There were 37 plays from scrimmage in all with the Broncos maintaining possession for most of the period. It started off when Denver’s Jim Turner squibbed the opening kickoff, which WR Jerry Simmons recovered for the Broncos. After driving to the Pittsburgh 39, Denver was forced to punt, but Billy Van Heusen pinned the Steelers down at their one yard line. The Steelers went three-and-out and punted in turn, giving the Broncos excellent field position.

On Denver’s first play following the punt, Charley Johnson fired a pass to Otis Armstrong for a 45-yard touchdown. The Steelers came right back, however. On the fourth play of their next series, Gilliam threw a screen pass to RB Steve Davis that, using downfield blocking effectively, was turned into a 61-yard TD. Roy Gerela’s extra point made it 7-7 at five minutes into the opening period.

Armstrong returned the ensuing kickoff 33 yards to the Denver 42. A second down pass to Floyd Little gained 18 yards and shortly thereafter Johnson, just getting his pass away over the hands of a Pittsburgh linebacker, hit WR Haven Moses at the four yard line. Two plays later, Moses finished off the drive with a touchdown reception in the corner of the end zone and the Broncos retook the lead.

On Pittsburgh’s next play from scrimmage, Gilliam threw to WR Frank Lewis who fumbled when hit hard by CB Calvin Jones. LB Mike Simone recovered for the Broncos and ran to the Denver one, where he was brought down by OT Jon Kolb. Rookie FB Jon Keyworth powered in for another Denver TD. While there were still five minutes left in the period, the first quarter scoring was over and the Broncos held a 21-7 lead.

In the second quarter, the Steelers put together an 87-yard drive that culminated in Gilliam scoring on a quarterback sneak. That was it for the first half scoring as Denver went into halftime leading by 21-14. Pittsburgh had the edge in total offense at the half (193 to 165) but suffered from dropped passes and a total of eight penalties that cost 66 yards.

Early in the third quarter, the Steelers tied the game following a third-down interception of a Johnson pass. Johnson suffered a severe shoulder sprain on the play, forcing him out of the game, and backup Steve Ramsey went the rest of the way. On the ensuing series, FB Franco Harris made a big catch for Pittsburgh at the Denver 13 and Davis finished the drive with a one-yard run followed by the tying extra point.

Another good Van Heusen punt forced the Steelers to start their next possession at their 9, and after getting out to the 38, Davis fumbled after catching a screen pass and Lyle Alzado recovered for Denver. Two plays later, Armstrong made an outstanding 32-yard run up the middle to the Pittsburgh three. Ramsey threw to Riley Odoms for a touchdown to put the Broncos back in front.

Gilliam hit on passes of 38 yards to WR John Stallworth, nine yards to TE Randy Grossman, and 10 yards to Lewis as the Steelers drove to another score. Davis ran for a one-yard touchdown and Gerela’s extra point made it 28-28.

Ramsey gave up an interception to LB Marv Kellum that gave the Steelers the ball at the Denver 16. Pittsburgh took the lead shortly thereafter when RB John “Frenchy” Fuqua scored from a yard out to make it 35-28.

It looked like big trouble for the Broncos when Ramsey turned the ball over again, this time on a fumble at his own 32 that Pittsburgh DE L.C. Greenwood recovered. However, after completing four passes, including a 17-yarder to Grossman to advance the ball to the Denver 14, Gilliam was sacked on a play that also drew a holding penalty and a pass intended for Stallworth bounced off the receiver’s hands as he was hit and was picked off by LB Tom Jackson at the 11, who proceeded to make a big return to the 50.

Armstrong caught a pass to get to the Pittsburgh 38, ran for 15 yards, and then caught another pass for a 15-yard touchdown. The extra point tied the game at 35-35.

With the score tied in the fourth quarter, the Steelers made it to midfield but were stymied by the Denver defense. However, on their next possession inside the last minute of regulation Gilliam passed the Steelers from the Denver 42 to the eight yard line. With five seconds left on the clock, Roy Gerela attempted a 25-yard field goal to win, but Barney Chavous and Bill Thompson broke through the line to block the kick and send the contest into overtime.

In the overtime period, the Steelers again drove to midfield but a sack by Tom Jackson moved them back and a third-and-22 pass was intercepted by DB John Rowser at the 35. Thanks to outstanding running by Armstrong, the Broncos drove into field goal range, but Jim Turner’s 40-yard attempt was wide to the right.

The Steelers had one last shot, getting the ball back at their own 16 yard line with 50 seconds remaining in the extra period. Coach Noll proved unwilling to take any chances, however, as Pittsburgh passed once and ran two running plays to exhaust the remaining time. The three-hour and 49-minute contest concluded as a 35-35 draw.

“I don’t think either team deserved to lose and neither team did,” summed up Denver’s Coach Ralston.

The teams combined for 160 plays that yielded 816 yards, with Pittsburgh accumulating the most (484 to 332) and also leading in first downs (33 to 20). The Steelers also turned the ball over four times, to three suffered by Denver, and penalties continued to be a problem as they committed 12 at a cost of 91 yards to 7 flags thrown on the Broncos for 61 yards. The Steelers converted 7 of 18 third downs, however, while Denver was only successful on one of 11.

Joe Gilliam provided plenty of excitement with his deep drops and rifled passes, going to the air 50 times and completing 31 for 348 yards with a touchdown and two intercepted. Franco Harris rushed for 70 yards on 20 carries and also led the club in pass receiving with 9 catches for 84 yards. Likewise, Steve Davis was at his best as a receiver out of the backfield – while he ran for two short TDs, he gained just 16 yards on 6 attempts but had 5 pass receptions for 58 yards and another score.

Otis Armstrong (pictured below) was the biggest star on offense for the Broncos as he rushed for 131 yards on 19 carries and caught 5 passes for 86 more yards plus two TDs. Charley Johnson completed 6 of 15 passes for 129 yards with two touchdowns and one interception before having to leave and Steve Ramsey added 6 completions in 12 attempts for 62 yards, also with two touchdowns and an interception. Haven Moses gained 61 yards and scored a TD on his three pass receptions.

The Steelers lost to Oakland the following week but then won five straight on their way to a 10-3-1 record that topped the AFC Central. They advanced to the Super Bowl where they attained the first NFL Championship in franchise history. Denver ended up second in the AFC West at 7-6-1.

Despite the impressive early showing, Joe Gilliam didn’t last as the starting quarterback for the Steelers – he was backing up Terry Bradshaw by the end of the season. He completed 45.3 percent of his 212 passes for 1274 yards with four touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Otis Armstrong had an outstanding year for the Broncos, leading the NFL in rushing with 1407 yards on 263 carries (5.3 avg.). He scored 9 TDs and also 38 passes for 405 more yards and three additional touchdowns. His 1812 yards from scrimmage also led the league.

There was just one other regular season overtime game in 1974, which was settled in overtime. It would be 1976 before another game ended in a tie in the NFL.