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.

--

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

1985: Showboats Come from Behind to Defeat Bulls

The Jacksonville Bulls and Memphis Showboats were both coming off of opening-week wins to start off the 1985 United States Football League season as they faced off on March 4.

The visiting Showboats were coached by Pepper Rodgers, who guided the club to a respectable 7-11 record in its first season. QB Walter Lewis (pictured above) augmented his passing with impressive mobility and had tossed three touchdown passes in the first-week win over San Antonio. RB Leonard Williams, who had seen scant action in his 1984 rookie year, rushed for 136 yards in that contest as well. The defense was anchored by second-year DE Reggie White.

Jacksonville, under Head Coach Lindy Infante, was coming off of a 6-12 first-year record but upset the defending-champion Baltimore Stars the previous week. However, injuries were a significant concern, especially at quarterback. Veteran Brian Sipe, obtained from New Jersey, went down with a shoulder separation against the Stars and while backup Robbie Mahfouz performed well in relief, he had suffered from a bout of the flu and missed practice during the intervening week. While ex-San Diego QB Ed Luther had just been signed, it would be Buck Belue making his first pro start. Belue had come out of the Univ. of Georgia and, after two years playing minor league baseball, spent ’84 on Jacksonville’s developmental squad.

There were 40,112 fans in attendance for the nationally-televised Monday night game at Jacksonville’s Gator Bowl. The teams traded punts to start the contest before Walter Lewis, who failed to complete a pass in the first quarter, fumbled in the process of running for first down yardage and the Bulls recovered at their 40. But after driving to the Memphis 22, Brian Franco missed a 39-yard field goal attempt.

As the game headed into the second quarter, and following another exchange of punts, the Bulls were able to pin the Showboats at their one yard line. The result was a Memphis punt that gave the home team good starting field position and the Bulls capitalized, advancing 46 yards in six plays. RB Mike Rozier broke several tackles as he spun up the middle on the way to an 11-yard touchdown. Franco added the extra point and Jacksonville had a 7-0 lead.

The score remained unchanged at the half. Alan Duncan missed a 48-yard field goal try for the Showboats on the next series after the Jacksonville score and DB Henry “Gizmo” Williams had a 47-yard punt return for the Showboats that they were unable to capitalize on.

Memphis had the ball first in the third quarter and drove 81 yards in five plays. Leonard Williams broke away for a 37-yard run and Walter Lewis capped the series with a pass to WR Greg Moser for a 22-yard touchdown on the next play. Duncan converted to tie the game at 7-7.

Another exchange of punts ensued, with an apparent return for a TD by Jacksonville WR Reggie Butts nullified by a roughing-the-kicker penalty, and while the Showboats gained ground following the reprieve, a holding penalty and sack on third down forced them to punt in return.

A 62-yard pass completion by the Bulls was called back due to another untimely penalty, this time for holding, and with the ball deep in their own territory, Belue fumbled and NT Paul Hanna recovered at the Jacksonville four. On the next play, Lewis ran around end for another Memphis TD. Duncan added the point after for a seven-point Memphis advantage.

It got worse for the Bulls on the ensuing kickoff when Butts fumbled and DB Doran Major of the Showboats fell on the loose ball at the Jacksonville 25. Five plays later, Lewis bulled to another touchdown, barely breaking the plane of the goal line. Duncan’s extra point put the visitors ahead by 21-7.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Bulls finally got on the board again when Belue tossed a two-yard scoring pass to WR Aubrey Matthews on a fourth down play. It capped a 10-play, 66-yard series highlighted by three key Belue scrambles. With Franco converting it was again a seven-point contest with 13:21 remaining in regulation.

On the next possession, Lewis, throwing on the run, completed a pass to TE Mark Raugh for a gain of 50 yards to the Jacksonville 13, and, while the Showboats were unable to reach the end zone, that set up a 24-yard Duncan field goal and a ten-point cushion.

Jacksonville had three more possessions, but the next two resulted in punts and the last ended when DB Leonard Coleman intercepted a Belue pass in the end zone with less than two minutes remaining to seal the 24-14 win for Memphis.

The Showboats had the edge in total yards (328 to 251) while each team generated 15 first downs. Jacksonville turned the ball over three times, with the two in the third quarter especially damaging, to one suffered by Memphis. The Bulls compiled four sacks, to three by the Showboats.

Walter Lewis, who completed just one pass in the first half, ended up hitting on 9 of 18 throws for 117 yards and a touchdown while giving up no interceptions. He also ran the ball 11 times for 76 yards and two TDs. Leonard Williams led the Showboats in rushing with 93 yards on 14 carries. Greg Moser had 5 catches for 72 yards and a touchdown.

For the Bulls, Buck Belue completed 16 of 31 passes for 118 yards and a TD while giving up one interception, and he ran for 47 yards on 6 carries. Mike Rozier led the rushers with 81 yards on 8 attempts that included a touchdown. Wide receivers Perry Kemp and Alton Alexis caught four passes apiece, for 42 and 39 yards, respectively.

Memphis won again the next week and went on to an 11-7 record that placed third in the Eastern Conference. The Showboats thrashed Denver in the Quarterfinal playoff round before falling to the Oakland Invaders in their Semifinal game. The Bulls struggled to a 9-9 tally, finally hitting stride with four straight midseason wins after having gotten off to a 2-5 start, placing sixth in the conference.

While Buck Belue performed capably in his first start, he eventually gave way to the veterans Brian Sipe and Ed Luther. For the season, he completed 37 of 68 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns as well as three interceptions.

1985: Kelley & White Spur Showboats to Upset of Stallions

The Memphis Showboats of the United States Football League had their work cut out for them as they faced the Birmingham Stallions on May 3, 1985. Coached by the colorful Pepper Rodgers, the Showboats were 6-4 in their second USFL season, but had stumbled after getting off to a 4-0 start. The defense, which featured DE Reggie White, was benefiting from the addition of rookies Leonard Coleman at cornerback and safety Mossy Cade. The offense was slipping, however, and Mike Kelley (pictured above) had replaced Walter Lewis at quarterback the previous week.

Birmingham was a formidable adversary, tied for first place atop the USFL’s Eastern Conference with New Jersey and Tampa Bay at 7-3. The Stallions, under Head Coach Rollie Dotsch, were a well-balanced team with a productive offense guided by QB Cliff Stoudt and featuring RB Joe Cribbs and WR Jim Smith, while the tough defense was one of the league’s best. Moreover, Memphis had lost to them in each of the three previous meetings between the clubs.

There were 29,025 fans in attendance for the Friday night game at the Liberty Bowl. On their first play from scrimmage, the Showboats lined up in a spread formation with both quarterbacks, Mike Kelley and Walter Lewis, in the backfield. Lewis, after faking to Kelley, ran around end for 22 yards to the Memphis 43 and spurred a six-play, 79-yard drive that concluded with Kelley throwing to TE Mark Raugh for a touchdown from five yards out. Alan Duncan added the extra point.

Late in the first quarter, the Memphis defense stopped the Stallions near the goal line and Birmingham settled for a 31-yard field goal by Danny Miller. However, the Showboats fumbled away the ensuing kickoff and less than a minute later the Stallions scored again, this time on a pass from Cliff Stoudt to WR Ken Toler that covered 34 yards. The extra point attempt failed, but Birmingham was in front by 9-7.

In the second quarter, Kelley tossed another scoring pass for the Showboats, this time covering nine yards to WR Derrick Crawford to finish off a 55-yard possession. Alan Duncan again added the PAT and his 20-yard field goal later in the period improved the Memphis lead to 17-9.

The Stallions fought back as Stoudt threw to Jim Smith for a 15-yard TD with 30 seconds remaining in the half and was followed by a Stoudt toss to Toler for two points, tying the contest at 17-17 going into halftime.

Four minutes into the third quarter, the Showboats took advantage of a Birmingham fumble to regain the lead as RB Harry Sydney ran 18 yards for a touchdown. Early in the fourth quarter, Sydney scored again, this time gaining the final yard to cap a 62-yard series.

It got worse for the Stallions on their next possession. Stoudt, under a heavy rush, fumbled and Reggie White (pictured at left) recovered and returned it 20 yards for another Memphis TD. All of Duncan’s extra point attempts were successfully added, thus giving the home team a sizable lead of 38-17.

The Stallions finally put a scoring drive together later in the final period, going 72 yards in 11 plays that ended with Stoudt throwing to Toler for an 18-yard touchdown, but by then the outcome was a foregone conclusion. The Showboats came away with a convincing 38-24 upset win.

The Showboats had the edge in total yards (320 to 315) while both teams accumulated 19 first downs. The Memphis defense did a fine job against the normally-proficient running game of the Stallions, holding them to 88 yards on the ground. Each club also turned the ball over two times and time of possession was nearly even with Memphis holding a 30:51 to 29:09 edge. The Showboats accounted for the only two sacks of the game.

Mike Kelley completed 21 of 28 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns while giving up one interception. WR Greg Moser had 5 catches for 72 yards. Harry Sydney topped the Memphis rushers with 37 yards on 8 carries that included two TDs.

For the Stallions, Cliff Stoudt was successful on 24 of 33 throws for 240 yards and three TDs with none picked off.  Jim Smith had 7 pass receptions for 82 yards and a touchdown. Joe Cribbs rushed for 69 yards on 12 attempts and caught two passes for 29 more.

“We made things happen on both sides of the ball,” said an effusive Coach Pepper Rodgers, who called the win the most impressive in the team’s short history.

The Showboats won their next two games and five of their last seven to end up at 11-7 and third in the Eastern Conference. They thrashed Denver in the Quarterfinal playoff round before losing to the Oakland Invaders in the Semifinal game. Birmingham recovered to top the conference with a 13-5 record, edging Houston in the Quarterfinal contest before also falling in the Semifinal round, to the eventual-champion Baltimore Stars.

1984: Gold Defeat Showboats in Back-and-Forth Contest

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. 

1984: Late Field Goals Propel Showboats Past Breakers

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. 

1985: Carter Stars as Invaders Defeat Showboats

The United States Football League Semifinal playoff game in Memphis on July 6, 1985 featured the Oakland Invaders against the host Memphis Showboats. While the Invaders had been in the USFL for both of the previous seasons, they had combined with the Michigan Panthers for ’85. The result was a stronger team, benefiting from the influx of talent from the Panthers, the league’s first championship club in 1983 and a playoff club again in ’84. QB Bobby Hebert, running backs John Williams and Albert Bentley, and wide receivers Anthony Carter (pictured at right) and Derek Holloway all moved into Oakland’s starting lineup with good results. Oakland topped the Western Conference with the league’s best record (13-4-1) and got past Tampa Bay in the Quarterfinal round of the postseason.

Memphis, coached by Pepper Rodgers, was also much improved from its debut season in ’84. The defense was the key, in particular DE/NT Reggie White and backs Leonard Coleman and Mossy Cade. Mike Kelley and Walter Lewis split the quarterbacking, RB Tim Spencer led the running attack, and wide receivers Derrick Crawford and Greg Moser both had over a thousand receiving yards. The Showboats were 11-7 during the season, placing third in the Eastern Conference, and had annihilated the Denver Gold by a score of 48-7 in the first playoff round.

There were 37,796 in attendance on a hot day at the Liberty Bowl. Oakland scored first with a long, 91-yard drive that extended into the first play of the second quarter when John Williams took a pitchout from Hebert and ran around right end for a seven-yard touchdown.

A promising second quarter drive by the Showboats finally was stopped by the Oakland defense and they had to settle for a 34-yard field goal by Alan Duncan. However, with 1:43 left in the half Memphis took the lead thanks to a 73-yard drive that culminated in a 23-yard scoring run on a draw play by RB Anthony Parker.

Thanks to Reggie White’s domination of the middle of the line, the normally proficient Oakland running game had yielded only 47 yards in the first half. In addition, White had caused Hebert to toss a pair of poorly-thrown passes that were intercepted, including one with 19 seconds remaining in the half that preserved the three-point margin.

The Memphis lead was extended to 13-7 early in the third quarter thanks to a 47-yard field goal by Duncan. But the tide began to turn as Hebert adjusted, dropping back more quickly and completing passes to Anthony Carter, who could not be adequately contained by the Showboat secondary. The Invaders came back with a six-play drive that went 66 yards and resulted in a 24-yard touchdown pass play from Hebert to Carter, who caught the ball on the eight and sped into the end zone untouched. The successful extra point put Oakland ahead by 14-13. Later in the third quarter, Hebert again connected with Carter on a TD pass play that covered 19 yards.

Midway through the fourth quarter it looked as though the Invaders, leading by eight points, would be pinned back deep in their own territory, facing a third-and-ten situation from their own eight yard line. A completion to Carter for an apparent first down was wiped out by a penalty, but Hebert again threw to Carter for a 15-yard gain that counted and provided Oakland with the necessary first down. Eight plays later, Carter caught a pass at the Memphis one that set up a quarterback keeper by Hebert for a touchdown. The 92-yard drive for all intents put the game away for the Invaders.

The Showboats put together a 66-yard scoring drive in the last five minutes as Parker again scored on a draw play with 4:19 on the clock. The crucial two-point conversion attempt failed due to an offensive penalty, however, and that was it for the home team. The Invaders won by a score of 28-19.

Oakland outgained the Showboats (386 yards to 304), had more first downs (21 to 17), and dominated time of possession (34:06 to 25:54). The Invaders also recorded six sacks, to just one by Memphis, but turned the ball over twice while the Showboats suffered one.

Anthony Carter was the offensive star for the Invaders, catching 9 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns. Bobby Hebert completed 18 of 33 throws for 287 yards with the two TDs and two intercepted. John Williams (pictured below) led the running attack with 70 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.

For Memphis, Mike Kelley went the distance at quarterback and was successful on 13 of 25 passes for 202 yards and had one intercepted. Thanks to the two scoring carries, Anthony Parker rushed for 68 yards on just eight attempts while Tim Spencer ran the ball 12 times for 46 yards. Greg Moser was the team’s top receiver as he pulled in 5 passes for 103 yards.

“We find ways to make them exciting,” said a victorious Coach Charlie Sumner. “I felt we were in good shape at the half. We were down by only three points and we knew what we had to do.”

“They’ve got one of the most impressive passing games I’ve seen,” said Pepper Rodgers regarding Oakland. “Hebert is a tremendous passer and we did everything we knew of to stop Anthony Carter and we never could come up with the right kind of coverage. He’s just a tremendous pass catcher.”

The win at Memphis advanced the Invaders to the USFL Championship game, which they lost to the Baltimore Stars. But while it was the end of the line for the spring league, several players for the Invaders and Showboats became stars in the NFL, including Anthony Carter, Bobby Hebert, and Reggie White.

Past Venue: Liberty Bowl

Memphis, TN



Year opened: 1965
Capacity: 62,380

Names:
Memphis Memorial Stadium, 1965-76
Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, 1976 to date

Pro football tenants:
Memphis Southmen (WFL), 1974-75
Memphis Showboats (USFL), 1984-85
Memphis Mad Dogs (CFL), 1995
Tennessee Oilers (NFL), 1997
Memphis Maniax (XFL), 2001

Postseason games hosted:
WFL Semifinal playoff, Blazers 18 Southmen 15, Nov. 29, 1974
USFL Quarterfinal playoff, Showboats 48 Gold 7, June 30, 1985
USFL Semifinal playoff, Invaders 28 Showboats 19, July 6, 1985

Other tenants of note:
Univ. of Memphis (college football), 1965 to date
Memphis Rogues (NASL), 1978-80

Notes: Hosts annual Liberty Bowl football game, 1965 to date. Hosts annual Southern Heritage Classic football game between Jackson State and Tennessee State, 1990 to date. Located at the Mid-South Fairgrounds, playing surface was named Rex Dockery Field in 1983 in honor of Univ. of Memphis football coach who was killed in a plane crash. Stadium has also hosted home games for Univ. of Tennessee, Univ. of Mississippi, and Mississippi State Univ. Field area was not large enough to accommodate larger regulation CFL football field, resulting in the Mad Dogs playing by CFL rules on a US-sized field. Stadium was originally built lopsided, with the southwest side taller than the facing northeast side, but an expansion that added 12,000 seats in 1987 resulted in a balanced look. Hosted an exhibition baseball game between the Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers during the 1975 season, with the right field fence only 174 feet down the line.

Fate: Still in use

1984: Young & Townsell Star as LA Defeats Showboats

The Los Angeles Express had been among the least-productive teams offensively during the United States Football League’s first season in 1983, and the club was not doing much better early in ’84. However, the arrival of rookie QB Steve Young, who had signed a huge contract to play in the USFL (10 years, $40 million), marked a change for the better.

On April 14, the Express hosted the first-year Memphis Showboats at the Memorial Coliseum. Under Head Coach John Hadl, they had lost their first four home games and were 2-5 coming into the contest. The team at least changed their appearance for the home fans, playing in white jerseys rather than the usual blue.

There were only 10,409 in attendance for the Saturday game at the huge stadium, and it did not get off to a promising start for the home team when Memphis WR Derrick Crawford returned the opening kickoff 71 yards. The Showboats, also 2-5 entering the contest, made the most of the good field position, driving to a touchdown on an eight-yard run by QB Walter Lewis.

Later in the first quarter, the Express got a big break when an underthrown pass by Young went through the hands of CB Leon Williams; WR JoJo Townsell made the catch and went all the way for an 81-yard touchdown that tied the game.

A minute into the second quarter, LA extended its lead when RB Kevin Nelson scored on a five-yard TD carry. Midway through the period, Alan Duncan kicked a 31-yard field goal for Memphis and the Express led by 14-10 at the half.

The Showboats were being outgained offensively, but nevertheless took the lead at 17-14 in the third quarter on a four-yard touchdown run by RB Cornelius Quarles, and it seemed as though Los Angeles might come up short once again.

With four minutes left in the fourth quarter, Memphis had the ball and was seeking to run time off the clock and possibly score again. However, a 30-yard carry by RB Alan Reid was wiped out by a holding penalty and the Showboats were forced to give up possession. The Express took over at their 34 with 1:58 remaining.

Young drove the team down field and appeared to have given LA the advantage on a 12-yard scoring run with just 59 seconds left on the clock. However, the end zone celebration was cut short by a penalty on the team’s oldest player, 30-year-old RT Jeff Hart, who was called for holding. Nelson followed up with a 10-yard run to the Memphis 12 and Tony Zendejas tied the game at 17-17 on a 27-yard field goal with a second remaining.

The Showboats won the toss for the overtime period, but four plays into OT, Express CB Wymon Henderson forced a fumble on an attempted option pass by Crawford and LB David Howard recovered for LA at the Memphis 36. A pass from Young to Townsell, who got an outstanding block from tackle Gary Zimmerman, covered 34 yards to the Memphis two. Young scored the game-winning touchdown at 2:51 into overtime, pushing between C Mike Ruether and G Mike Durrette to get into the end zone. The final score was 23-17 in favor of the Express.

The Express easily outgained Memphis (527 yards to 255) and had far more first downs (26 to 11), but untimely penalties and turnovers had kept the score close and nearly cost LA the game.

Steve Young had his best performance to date. The rookie from Brigham Young threw for 358 yards as he completed 22 of 34 passes that included one TD while none were picked off. JoJo Townsell, the second-year receiver out of UCLA, was the chief beneficiary as he caught 9 of those passes for a league-record 249 yards and the long touchdown. Kevin Nelson, also a UCLA product, rushed for 113 yards on 21 carries, including a touchdown.


For Memphis, Walter Lewis completed 14 of 20 passes for 147 yards with no TDs or interceptions. Alan Reid ran for 81 yards on 18 attempts and added 55 yards on 5 catches out of the backfield. Derrick Crawford caught 6 passes for 21 yards while WR Cormac Carney had 57 yards on his lone reception.

“The only thing I can say is we did the same things we've been doing, but we won tonight,” said a relieved Coach John Hadl afterward. “Again, the kids showed a lot of character. We put ourselves in some bad situations again, but we came back.”

Behind Steve Young’s solid play, the Express ended up with a 10-8 record, good enough to place first (thanks to tiebreakers) in the weak Pacific Division. They won an epic triple-overtime Quarterfinal playoff game over the Michigan Panthers, but lost in the Western Conference Championship to the Arizona Wranglers. Memphis was 7-11 for fourth place in the Southern Division.

Appearing in twelve games, Young completed a healthy 57.7 percent of his passes and threw for 2361 yards with 10 touchdowns against 9 interceptions. He also rushed for 515 yards on 79 carries for a 6.5-yard average and seven TDs (Walter Lewis led all USFL quarterbacks in rushing with 552 yards). JoJo Townsell ended up with 58 catches for 889 yards (15.3 avg.), seven of which were for touchdowns.

1985: Late Collier TD Clinches Orlando Win Over Memphis

After two unsuccessful seasons as the Washington Federals (a combined 7-29 record and average attendance in 1984 of 7694 fans per home game), the franchise moved south to Florida and became the Orlando Renegades for the 1985 United States Football League season. They had a new owner (Donald Dizney) and head coach (Lee Corso) in addition to a new name and surroundings. However, they still yielded the same results, losing their first six games. To be sure, the club was becoming more competitive, losing one game in overtime and, in the sixth contest, led the Gold by 17-0 at halftime before succumbing by a final score of 21-17.

On April 4, 1985 the Renegades hosted the Memphis Showboats at Orlando Stadium. The Showboats, in their second USFL season under colorful Head Coach Pepper Rodgers, had started strong with three wins, but then lost the next three games prior to the contest in Orlando.

There were 21,223 fans in attendance for the Thursday night game and they saw it get off to a rousing start as WR Jerry Parrish took the opening kickoff for the Renegades, found a hole up the middle of the field and then broke for the right sideline on his way to an 87-yard touchdown.

Midway through the first quarter, the Showboats responded as QB Walter Lewis completed a 10-yard TD pass to TE Mark Raugh to cap an eight-play, 64-yard drive. Just under two minutes later, Orlando culminated an eight-play possession that covered 70 yards, including three straight pass completions that moved the ball from the Memphis 38 to the one. QB Reggie Collier, starting his second game in place of injured veteran Jerry Golsteyn, sneaked for a one-yard TD to put the Renegades back in front at 14-7 after one period.

That was all the scoring until the fourth quarter as neither team was able to generate much offense. Collier ran for his second TD, this time from two yards out on the second play of the final period. At that point, with a 21-7 lead, it seemed as though Orlando had the game in hand, but the Showboats mounted a comeback.

RB Harry Sydney ran for a 13-yard touchdown to culminate a quick possession by Memphis in which QB Mike Kelley, who took over for Lewis, completed two passes that covered 49 yards, including a 30-yard throw to Raugh.

Kelley passed the Showboats into scoring position again with a crucial completion to RB Ricky Porter that covered 34 yards on a third-and-23 play. When Chuck Bushbeck kicked a 26-yard field goal with 4:25 left on the clock, Orlando’s margin shrank to 21-17.

The Showboats again threatened, and it seemed as though another late defeat was in the offing for the Renegades. But Kelley then missed on four straight passes, including a fourth-and-ten play at the Orlando 30 with the clock running down to 58 seconds in which his throw was just beyond the outstretched fingertips of RB Anthony Parker. Three plays later, Collier dropped back to pass, couldn’t find an open receiver, eluded two Memphis linemen in the backfield, and took off down the right sideline on an electrifying 63-yard run for a touchdown to nail down the win with 33 seconds remaining. The final score was 28-17.

Memphis had more first downs (24 to 15) and led in both rushing (185 yards on 33 attempts) and passing yards (216). The Renegades had 147 rushing yards on 29 carries and 136 passing yards. In addition, Memphis missed two costly field goals, to one by Orlando.

Reggie Collier ran for a team-leading 70 yards on 6 carries and completed 12 of 19 passes for 136 yards with none intercepted. RB Curtis Bledsoe ran for 45 yards on 12 attempts and caught three passes for 25 yards. FB Rickey Claitt had 29 yards on three catches.

For Memphis, Walter Lewis, who entered the game as the USFL’s top-rated passer, completed 6 of 13 throws for 64 yards with a TD and had none picked off before being benched, while Mike Kelley was successful on 7 of 15 passes for 152 yards with one intercepted in relief. Harry Sydney rushed for 95 yards on 16 attempts. Mark Raugh caught 5 passes for 97 yards.

“I said all along that we were becoming a better team each week,” Coach Lee Corso commented afterward. “Our philosophy this week was that if we could win this week we could wipe out all the other games and get respect.”


While there was jubilation among the Renegades and their fans, an angry Coach Pepper Rodgers and GM Steve Ehrhart of the Showboats locked the locker room door, refusing to admit reporters after the game in violation of USFL rules. The club’s PR director appeared with a statement from Rodgers that read, “To say that I'm disappointed is the understatement of the year. This is undoubtedly one of the low points of the season for the.Showboats.”

It was the fourth straight loss for Memphis after a 3-0 start. They recovered to end up at 11-7 for third place in the Eastern Conference and qualified for the postseason – after dismantling the Denver Gold by a score of 48-7 in the Quarterfinal round, they lost to the Oakland Invaders in the Semifinal game. Orlando continued to improve, at least offensively (the defense gave up a league-high 481 points), and went 5-7 after the 0-6 start, which still left them in the Eastern Conference basement with a record of 5-13.

Third-year QB Reggie Collier, as he did decisively against Memphis, continued to make the most of his mobility by running for 606 yards on 92 carries (6.6 avg.) with 12 touchdowns. His passing statistics were less impressive as he was successful on 53.6 percent of his passes for 2578 yards with 13 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.