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: Raymond Chester, 1983

Tight End, Oakland Invaders

Age: 34

13^th season in pro football, 1^st in USFL & with Invaders

College: Morgan State

Height: 6’3”   Weight: 232

Prelude:

In the market for a tight end, the Raiders took Chester in the first round of the 1970 NFL draft (24^th overall), impressed with the speed he brought to the position. He moved directly into the starting lineup and responded by catching 42 passes for 556 yards (13.2 avg.) and seven touchdowns, receiving Rookie of the Year honors from NEA and second-team All-AFC as well as Pro Bowl recognition. Chester went to the Pro Bowl after the 1971 and ’72 seasons, after which he also received first-team All-AFC honors, although his numbers were below those of his first year. But while his output was 62 catches over those two seasons, 15 of them went for touchdowns. He was dealt to the Baltimore Colts for DE Bubba Smith in 1973 and, over the course of five seasons with the Colts, caught 148 passes for 2122 yards and 11 TDs. Chester returned to the Raiders in 1978 and, in ’79, achieved NFL career highs in pass receptions (58) and yards (712) while earning a fourth Pro Bowl selection. His second stint with the Raiders came to an end in 1981, but after sitting out a year he signed with the Invaders of the new USFL for the Spring of ’83.

1983 Season Summary

Appeared in all 18 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 68 [4] 

Most receptions, game – 7 (for 101 yds.) at Michigan 3/19, (for 120 yds.) at Denver 3/28, (for 100 yds.) at Los Angeles 4/3

Yards – 951 [7]

Most yards, game – 120 (on 7 catches) at Denver 3/28

Average gain – 14.0 [17]

TDs – 5 [10, tied with eight others]

100-yard receiving games – 3

Scoring

TDs – 5

Points – 30

Postseason: 1 G (USFL Semifinal playoff at Michigan)

Pass receptions – 4

Pass receiving yards – 41

Average yards per reception – 10.3

Pass Receiving TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

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

Invaders went 9-9 to finish first in the USFL Pacific Division. Lost USFL Semifinal playoff to Michigan Panthers (37-21).

Aftermath:

Chester retired following his lone USFL season. For his 12-year NFL career, he caught 364 passes for 5013 yards (13.8 avg.) and 48 touchdowns and was chosen to four Pro Bowls.

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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: Bandits Withstand Late Rally to Defeat Invaders

Two teams involved in tough division races in the United States Football League’s inaugural season met in Week 10 on May 8, 1983. The visiting Tampa Bay Bandits were 6-3 and even with the Chicago Blitz in the Central Division while the hosts, the Oakland Invaders, had the same 4-5 record as the other three clubs in the Pacific Division.

Tampa Bay had gotten off to a 4-0 start under the guidance of offensive-minded Head Coach Steve Spurrier. The passing game was the key to success, and while 33-year-old veteran QB John Reaves went down with a broken wrist three weeks earlier, Jimmy Jordan (pictured above), a former Florida State standout, had taken over the starting quarterback duties and performed capably.

The Invaders also had a capable quarterback in Fred Besana, a former minor leaguer, and experienced stars on offense in TE Raymond Chester and RB Arthur Whittington, who were ex-NFL Raiders. Coached by John Ralston, Oakland had problems with consistency and had won for the first time in three weeks in the previous game, but in the league’s weakest division, it was enough to keep pace.

About 10,000 of the 26,989 ticketholders were no-shows at the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum for the nationally telecast Mother’s Day game. Many of those present spent much of the contest loudly booing the home team.

On their first series, the Bandits reached the Oakland 46, but they came up empty when a completion to WR Martin Cox was fumbled by the receiver and CB Kenny Daniel recovered at the Oakland 19. On Tampa Bay’s next possession, Jimmy Jordan completed a 19-yard pass to WR Danny Buggs that moved the ball to the Oakland 11 and, while a penalty nullified a potential touchdown play, Zenon Andrusyshyn kicked a field goal from 22 yards to give the visitors a 3-0 lead with 2:09 remaining in the opening period. 

The Invaders responded with a promising series that included runs of 15 and 22 yards by Arthur Whittington, but WR Gordon Banks coughed up the ball at the Tampa Bay 10 when hit by FS Glen Edwards after catching a pass and SS Doug Beaudoin recovered to extinguish the threat.

Jordan was sacked during the ensuing series in which the Bandits were forced to punt, but Tampa Bay got the ball back when LB Kelly Kirchbaum recovered a fumble at the Oakland 46. Once again Jordan was sacked, for a loss of 11 yards, and the visitors punted once more, but a Whittington fumble on the ensuing series gave the Bandits the ball at their own 44. This time they capitalized as RB Greg Boone ran effectively and Jordan completed three passes as Tampa Bay used nine plays to go 56 yards. With 3:35 remaining in the first half, Jordan threw to Buggs for a nine-yard touchdown. Andrusyshyn added the extra point.

It seemed as though the Invaders would get on the board before the intermission as Besana threw to WR Wyatt Henderson for a 21-yard gain to the Tampa Bay seven, but a third down pass hit Henderson in the shoulder and was intercepted by CB Jeff George. While Oakland did get one last shot with 27 seconds still on the clock, Kevin Shea’s 55-yard field goal attempt fell short. The Bandits took a 10-0 lead into halftime.

Jordan was efficient in the first half, completing 12 of 14 passes for 145 yards. Oakland moved the ball well on offense, compiling 227 yards, but gave up three fumbles and an interception.

The Bandits drove 68 yards to open the third quarter, with Jordan throwing to WR Eric Truvillion for an 18-yard TD. Andrusyshyn again converted to put Tampa Bay up by 17 points. However, Jordan was lost with a shoulder separation midway through the period as he threw long for Truvillion and was struck by NT Dupre Marshall on a borderline late hit.

Nathaniel “Billy” Koonce came in for Jordan and Tampa Bay was unable to generate any offense for the remainder of the game. Koonce threw only two passes and one was intercepted, setting up Oakland’s only TD. His first toss hit Truvillion but bounced away and was picked off by SS Marcus Quinn of the Invaders at the Tampa Bay 20. Shortly thereafter, and just four seconds into the fourth quarter, Besana ran three yards for a touchdown. Shea’s extra point made it a ten-point contest.

The Invaders again drove into Tampa Bay territory, but with just over four minutes to go, an apparent scoring pass from Besana to WR Gordon Banks in the end zone from four yards out was nullified by an offensive pass interference penalty. Oakland was forced to settle for a 30-yard Shea field goal. The Invaders still had comeback hopes, but they were finally dashed in the final seconds when Besana’s desperation pass was intercepted by George, his second of the contest, to seal the 17-10 win for Tampa Bay.

The Invaders outgained Tampa Bay (402 yards to 251) and had more first downs (24 to 17). They also recorded four sacks, to three by the Bandits. However, Oakland was undone by six turnovers, losing four of six fumbles in addition to two interceptions.  The Invaders were penalized seven times, at a cost of 60 yards, to four flags thrown on Tampa Bay.

Before being knocked out of the game, Jimmy Jordan completed 15 of 22 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns while giving up one interception. Greg Boone led the team with 46 rushing yards on 14 carries. RB Sam Platt contributed 28 yards on 12 attempts and had five catches, for 54 yards, while Danny Buggs accumulated 64 yards on his four pass receptions.

For the Invaders, Fred Besana (pictured at right) completed a then-USFL record 15 straight passes during the fourth quarter comeback on the way to compiling 25 completions in 38 attempts for 254 yards, but with two picked off (he would exceed his consecutive completion streak the following year). Arthur Whittington rushed for 128 yards on 26 attempts but also fumbled the ball away twice. HB Louis Jackson had 7 catches for 70 yards to top the club.

“We were fortunate to win this game,” said Coach Spurrier of the Bandits. “It was due mostly to Oakland turnovers.”

The win improved Tampa Bay’s record to 7-3, and the Bandits maintained their share of the Central Division lead along with Chicago. Billy Koonce was quickly supplanted by Mike Kelley at quarterback in place of the injured Reaves and Jordan, who both eventually returned, and talented rookie RB Gary Anderson joined the club. Nevertheless, the team faded down the stretch and finished in third place and out of the running at 11-7. The Invaders ended up with a 9-9 record, but that was enough to top the Pacific Division, although they lost badly to Michigan in the first playoff round.

Highlighted Year: Fred Besana, 1983

Quarterback, Oakland Invaders

Age: 29 (Mar. 9)

6^th season in pro football, 1^st in USFL & with Invaders

College: California

Height: 6’4”   Weight: 210

Prelude:

Son of a former minor league pitcher and baseball scout, Besana backed up Steve Bartkowski and Joe Roth as a college quarterback. He was chosen by the Buffalo Bills in the fifth round of the 1977 NFL draft. While active for two games during his rookie season, Besana saw no action and was released at the end of the preseason in ’78. He was signed by the New York Giants late in the year and again was active for two games but didn’t play. Released by the Giants during the ’79 preseason, Besana played three years with the Twin Cities Cougars of the minor league California Football League while running a beer distributorship. The Cougars were champions all three seasons and Besana was twice named to the league All-Star team. He threw for 1433 yards and 15 TDs in 1980 and led the circuit in passing in ’82 by throwing for 1767 yards and 19 touchdowns with only four interceptions. Besana was signed by the Invaders of the new USFL just before training camp for their inaugural Spring season.

1983 Season Summary

Appeared in all 18 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing

Attempts – 550 [2]

Most attempts, game – 47 at Tampa Bay 5/21

Completions – 345 [1]

Most completions, game – 27 at Tampa Bay 5/21

Yards – 3980 [1]

Most yards, game – 341 at Michigan 3/19

Completion percentage – 62.7 [1]

Yards per attempt – 7.2 [4]

TD passes – 21 [2]

Most TD passes, game – 4 vs. Washington 5/16

Interceptions – 16 [6, tied with Alan Risher & John Reaves]

Most interceptions, game – 2 on five occasions

Passer rating – 96.7

300-yard passing games – 2

200-yard passing games – 13

Rushing

Attempts – 41

Most attempts, game – 6 (for 12 yds.) vs. Birmingham 3/13, (for 31 yds.) vs. Tampa Bay 5/8

Yards – 139

Most yards, game – 31 yards (on 6 carries) vs. Tampa Bay 5/8

Yards per attempt – 3.4

TDs – 3

Scoring

TDs – 3

Points – 18

Postseason: 1 G (Semifinal playoff at Michigan)

Pass attempts – 35

Pass completions – 23

Passing yardage – 258

TD passes – 1

Interceptions – 2

Rushing attempts – 1

Rushing yards – 1

Average gain rushing – 1.0

Rushing TDs – 1

Invaders went 9-9 to finish first in the USFL Pacific Division. Lost USFL Semifinal playoff to Michigan Panthers (37-21).

Aftermath:

Following his impressive 1983 season, Besana and the Oakland offense got off to a rough start in ’84. The team was 0-9 before catching fire with a seven-game winning streak. Besana ended up throwing for 2792 yards and 14 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. The Invaders were merged with the Michigan Panthers for 1985 and Besana lost his starting job to Bobby Hebert. He threw just 58 passes, completing 34 for 494 yards and six TDs along with four interceptions. The demise of the USFL brought an end to Besana’s career. For his three USFL seasons, Besana completed 60.3 percent of his passes for 7266 yards and 41 touchdowns while giving up 32 interceptions and being sacked 140 times.

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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

1985: Last-Second FG Propels Invaders to Playoff Win Over Bandits

The United States Football League Quarterfinal playoff game in Oakland on June 30, 1985 featured the Oakland Invaders, who had topped the Western Conference with a league-best 13-4-1 record, against the Tampa Bay Bandits, fifth place finishers in the Eastern Conference at 10-8.

The Invaders, coached by Charlie Sumner, benefited greatly from the merger with the Michigan Panthers that brought several key players to the roster, most notably QB Bobby Hebert (pictured above) and wide receivers Anthony Carter and Derek Holloway. In combination with holdover WR Gordon Banks, Oakland had the league’s most dynamic trio of receivers and the running game, paced by ex-Panthers John Williams and Albert Bentley, was also productive. Oakland was a ten-point favorite entering the contest against the Bandits.

Tampa Bay was coached by the offensive-minded Steve Spurrier and had overcome many injuries to reach the playoffs. 35-year-old QB John Reaves passed for 4193 yards and 25 touchdowns while RB Gary Anderson was outstanding both as a runner (1207 yards) and pass receiver out of the backfield (72 catches, 678 yards) as he compiled 20 TDs.

There were 19,344 fans in attendance on a sunny afternoon at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. In their first series of the game, the Bandits were penalized for illegal motion, nullifying what would have been a successful fourth down conversion, and then Zenon Andrusyshyn suffered only the second blocked punt of his career to give Oakland the ball at the Tampa Bay 25. However, on the next play, LB James Harrell intercepted a Hebert pass to give the Bandits the ball again at their two yard line. After reaching the 12, Gary Anderson fumbled and CB Vito McKeever recovered for Oakland. Although an unnecessary roughness penalty at the end of the play backed the Invaders up, the result of the turnover was a 37-yard Novo Bojovic field goal for the first points of the game.

Tampa Bay drove to the Oakland 21 on the next series, but Reaves was then intercepted by safety Oliver Davis and the first quarter ended with the score still 3-0.

The Invaders, who were experiencing difficulty moving the ball, punted early in the second quarter and the Bandits, helped by the running of Anderson, drove down the field to a touchdown on a five-yard pass from Reaves to WR Spencer Jackson.  Tampa Bay struck quickly for another TD, this time on a fake reverse in which Reaves threw to a streaking Anderson on a play that covered 73 yards. Andrusyshyn successfully converted following both touchdowns.

Down by 14-3, the Invaders went 80 yards in eight plays and scored on a 25-yard pass completion from Hebert to Derek Holloway. In response, the Bandits again moved into scoring territory. Anderson caught a pass and tightroped to the end zone, but was called out of bounds at the Oakland 14. Coach Spurrier’s request for a review was for naught due to the television network having pulled away to cover a news event, making a replay unavailable. The Bandits came up empty when Andrusyshyn missed a 28-yard field goal attempt and the score remained 14-10 at the half, although Tampa Bay had dominated statistically.

Less than three minutes into the third quarter, and following a 40-yard third-and-13 completion to Gordon Banks, Oakland scored again, this time on a throw from Hebert to Anthony Carter that covered 40 yards. Bojovic added the extra point and, in stunning fashion, the Invaders were in front by 17-14.

It seemed as though Oakland might take control of the game on the next series when Vito McKeever intercepted a Reaves pass in Tampa Bay territory, but the Invaders came up empty when Hebert threw into the end zone and was in turn picked off by CB Mike Thurman. However, the reprieve was short-lived when another interception again gave the Invaders the ball in Tampa Bay territory, and this time they came away with a 52-yard field goal by Bojovic.

Trailing by six points, the visitors put together a seven-play, 58-yard series that was capped when Reaves ran for a six-yard touchdown (his first rushing TD in ten years). Andrusyshyn added the PAT and the Bandits were back in front by 21-20.

Early in the fourth quarter, Oakland was on the move and, after Hebert connected with Holloway for a 41-yard gain to the Tampa Bay one, FB Tom Newton bulled in for a TD. A pass for two points was nullified by a penalty, but Bojovic then kicked the extra point that made the tally 27-21.

Tampa Bay came back to tie the score when Reaves threw to WR Willie Gillespie for a 15-yard touchdown and appeared ready to move back in front once more in what had now turned into a back-and-forth contest. However, following two penalties on successive extra point attempts, Andrusyshyn failed to convert from 35 yards and the game remained knotted at 27-27.

The Invaders responded by driving into Tampa Bay territory, but failed to regain the lead when Bojovic missed a 31-yard field goal with 5:14 left on the clock. However, Oakland’s defense rose up and twice sacked Reaves on Tampa Bay’s next three-and-out possession and, with Andrusyshyn punting out of his end zone, the Invaders had good field position at the Bandits’ 40.

Oakland made the most of the opportunity, methodically moving down the field. On the last play of the game, Bojovic kicked a 23-yard field goal and the Invaders won by a final score of 30-27.

The Bandits led in total yards (418 to 344) and first downs (19 to 17). However, Tampa Bay also turned the ball over four times, to two suffered by the Invaders. Oakland, in turn, was penalized 11 times at a cost of 105 yards, to six flags for 45 yards on the visitors. Each team recorded two sacks apiece.

Bobby Hebert completed 15 of 27 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns while giving up two interceptions. Albert Bentley led the team in rushing with 38 yards on seven carries and also in pass receiving with four catches, for 37 yards. Derek Holloway gained 75 yards on his three receptions that included a TD and Gordon Banks was right behind with 73 yards on two catches.

For the Bandits, John Reaves was successful on 18 of 30 throws for 315 yards and three TDs, but also tossed three interceptions. Gary Anderson ran for 90 yards on 13 attempts and also topped the club with 111 yards on his five pass receptions that included the long touchdown, although most of his production came in the first half. Spencer Jackson contributed five catches as well, gaining 87 yards.

"The defense played great and so did the offense, which gave me the chance to make the kick,” said Novo Bojovic, who had missed three field goals in a losing playoff game while with Michigan the previous year. “It was a great game for everybody and I didn’t want to let them down.”

“We played our hearts out,” said a disappointed John Reaves in defeat. “But we just came up a little short.”

The Invaders went on to defeat the Memphis Southmen in the Semifinal round the following week to advance to the USFL Championship game, where they lost a close contest to the Baltimore Stars. It would prove to be the league’s last game, but several of the Invaders, including Bobby Hebert, Anthony Carter, and Albert Bentley, went on to play in the NFL, as did Tampa Bay’s Gary Anderson. 

1983: Invaders Edge Breakers to Win Pacific Division Title

The Oakland Invaders had a mediocre 8-8 record with two contests to go in the inaugural United States Football League season, but that was enough to put them in control of their own destiny in the weak Pacific Division. On June 25, 1983 they hosted the Boston Breakers, who were 10-6 and trying to secure the lone Wild Card playoff spot.

The Invaders, coached by John Ralston, had uncovered a hidden talent in 29-year-old QB Fred Besana, a former semi-pro player who was proving to be one of the USFL’s most productive passers. Two former members of the NFL Raiders, TE Raymond Chester and RB Arthur Whittington, were better known to Bay Area football fans and key players on the offense, although Whittington was out with an injury for the Breakers game. The inconsistent defense had a good group of linebackers, most notably Frank Manumaleuga and Gary Plummer on the inside as they utilized a 3-4 alignment.

Head Coach Dick Coury’s Breakers boasted a well-balanced offense directed by QB John Walton, a veteran of the Continental and World Football Leagues as well as the NFL who had come out of retirement to play in the USFL. With a fine group of receivers plus ex-Canadian Football League RB Richard Crump, Boston could typically move the ball. Like the Invaders, the best part of the defense was the linebacking corps that was led by rookie Marcus Marek, but stopping the pass was a chronic problem.

There was a crowd of 30,396 on hand at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum for the Saturday contest. They saw the home team take the early lead when Besana, rolling to his right, just got off a pass before going out of bounds that was caught in the end zone by HB Louis Jackson for a touchdown. Kevin Shea’s successful extra point made it 7-0, and that was the score after a period of play.

Boston got on the board in the second quarter thanks to a 35-yard Tim Mazzetti field goal. Oakland again moved into scoring position but a field goal attempt was blocked and returned 75 yards for a touchdown by LB Ben Needham. Instead of extending their lead, the Invaders were behind by 10-7. Before the half was over, Shea got another shot at a field goal and was successful from 22 yards out to tie the game at 10-10 at the half.

Mistakes by the Breakers in the third quarter put Oakland back in front. A fumble was recovered at the Oakland 48 and, with the help of three penalties, the Invaders moved to the Boston three. On the first play of the fourth quarter, FB Ted Torosian powered into the end zone for a touchdown and, with the successful extra point, Oakland took a 17-13 lead.

The Breakers again hurt themselves when an apparent touchdown was called back due to a penalty. Mazzetti was able to add a 24-yard field goal but the Oakland defense held the rest of the way and the Invaders won the game, and the division title, by the slender margin of 17-16.

Oakland outgained the Breakers (322 yards to 282), had more first downs (18 to 9), and significantly dominated time of possession (39:21 to 20:39). The Invaders also recorded five sacks, for a total loss of 31 yards, while Boston got to Besana twice. The Breakers turned the ball over three times, to one suffered by Oakland, and while the Invaders were penalized 11 times, Boston was flagged on 12 occasions, often in key situations, at a total cost of 115 yards.

Fred Besana had a solid, if unspectacular, performance as he completed 25 of 36 passes for 227 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. In place of Arthur Whittington, Louis Jackson rushed for 90 yards on 23 carries and caught 8 passes for 110 yards and a TD. Ted Torosian pulled in 10 receptions for 63 yards in addition to his 8 rushes for 16 yards and a score as most of Besana’s completions went to backs. Raymond Chester added 4 catches for 45 yards and only two completions were made to a wide receiver.

For the Breakers, John Walton was successful on only 7 of 20 throws for 109 yards with no TDs and one picked off while Doug Woodward went two-for-six and 28 yards with another interception. Richard Crump gained 122 yards on just 13 rushing attempts. WR Nolan Franz caught three passes for 36 yards while WR Charlie Smith gained 55 yards on his two receptions.

The Invaders lost their season finale and ended up at 9-9. They were defeated decisively by the Michigan Panthers in the Semifinal playoff game. Boston finished second in the Atlantic Division at 11-7 and out of the postseason. 

Fred Besana led the USFL in passing yards (3980) and completion percentage (62.7) while ranking second in passing overall. He tossed 21 TD passes as opposed to 16 interceptions.  In a backup role, Louis Jackson rushed for 273 yards on 82 carries (3.3 avg.) and caught 29 passes for 294 yards – his touchdown against Boston was his only one of the year.

1983: Surging Panthers Overwhelm Invaders in USFL Semifinal Playoff Game

The inaugural season of the United States Football League ended with four teams qualifying for the postseason (three division winners plus a wild card). On July 10, 1983 two of those teams, the Oakland Invaders and Michigan Panthers, met for a Semifinal Playoff game in Pontiac, Michigan.

The Panthers, coached by Jim Stanley, had hardly started out looking like a playoff contender as they lost four straight contests after narrowly defeating the Birmingham Stallions in Week 1. However, veteran talent was brought in to solidify the offensive line and rookie QB Bobby Hebert (pictured above), along with the more-heralded first-year player, WR Anthony Carter out of Michigan, overcame the slow start and began to hit their stride. The defense included the new league’s Defensive Player of the Year, LB John Corker with his 28 sacks, and another star rookie, SS David Greenwood. Michigan caught fire in the second half, winning six consecutive games and 11 of the last 13 to win the Central Division with a 12-6 record and take a great deal of momentum into the postseason.

Oakland was the top team in the Pacific Division, but it was the USFL’s weakest grouping and the Invaders had prevailed with a mediocre 9-9 record. Head Coach John Ralston, formerly of Stanford and the Denver Broncos, had gotten good mileage out of two ex-NFL Raiders on offense, TE Raymond Chester and RB Arthur Whittington. He had also uncovered a surprising star in QB Fred Besana, who had been working in a beer distributorship and playing minor league football before signing with the Invaders and leading the league in passing yards (3980), completions (345), and completion percentage (62.7). However, the Invaders had a leaky offensive line and the immobile Besana thus also led the USFL by being sacked 71 times. Inconsistency on defense was also a problem – definitely a concern in facing an explosive team like the Panthers. Furthermore, Whittington would not be starting due to a disciplinary action after missing a practice – the team officially said he was out with a rib injury, and while he came into the game late in the second quarter, his contribution was negligible.

A USFL-record crowd of 60,237 was present at the Pontiac Silverdome, helped along by free parking and reduced ticket prices, and it was loud and enthusiastic. Nevertheless, Oakland scored first, driving 78 yards in 14 plays that ate up over seven minutes of the first quarter. But after getting a first down at the Michigan two yard line, it took four plays for the Invaders to get into the end zone, with Besana finally sneaking for the last yard on fourth down.

Behind 7-0, the Panthers responded impressively on the next series that stretched into the second quarter as Hebert threw to WR Derek Holloway for a 40-yard gain and RB John Williams ran for a five-yard touchdown. The defense then set up another score when LB Kyle Borland intercepted a Besana pass and the resulting Michigan possession led to a 38-yard field goal by Novo Bojovic.

With the Invaders unable to move the ball effectively against the inspired Michigan defense, the Panthers decided to press their advantage in extending the lead late in the second quarter. In a key gamble, they passed up an easy field goal attempt on fourth down with 11 seconds left in the half and Hebert passed to Carter for a three-yard touchdown that made it a 17-7 contest at the midway point.

Oakland wasn’t out of it yet and on the third play of the second half, LB David Shaw picked off a swing pass by Hebert and ran 19 yards for a touchdown that, with the successful extra point, narrowed Michigan’s lead to 17-14. The Panthers once again responded by scoring, putting together an 11-play, 80-yard drive that culminated in Hebert keeping the ball himself for a one-yard TD. It was 24-14 with just under ten minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Late in the period, Michigan LB Ray Bentley forced Oakland RB Ted Torosian to fumble and DE Allen Hughes recovered for the Panthers at the Michigan 17. On the ensuing series, the biggest play was a Hebert-to-Carter pass that covered 56 yards. Shortly thereafter, RB Ken Lacy scored on an 18-yard run and the home team was up by 31-14 and firmly in control.

That was it for the scoring until RB Cleo Miller ran for a touchdown from three yards out for the Panthers with a little under two minutes remaining (the extra point attempt failed). Oakland responded with a consolation five-yard scoring pass from Besana to WR Marc Lewis.

Following Oakland’s final touchdown, fans overflowed the field with 25 seconds on the clock and tore down the goal posts. The teams and officials headed to the locker rooms and the game was officially declared complete at 14:35 of the final period. The Panthers came away with a decisive 37-21 win.

Michigan showed a great deal of flair, using laterals and reverses and twice passing up field goal attempts on fourth down to successfully go for touchdowns. While the Invaders held only a narrow edge in first downs (22 to 20), they rolled up significantly more yardage (463 to 321) and held the ball over six minutes longer (32:58 to 26:37). Oakland was further handicapped by turning the ball over four times, against two suffered by the Panthers.

Bobby Hebert completed 18 of 27 passes for 295 yards with one touchdown and interception apiece. Anthony Carter (pictured at right) caught three passes for 78 yards and a TD and Derek Holloway also had three receptions, for 78 yards. TE Mike Cobb contributed three more for 25 yards. However, the team’s leading receiver was RB Ken Lacy, who had 4 catches for 30 yards to go along with his 73 yards on 14 rushing attempts. John Williams compiled 59 yards on his 17 carries. Ray Bentley had a notable game on defense for the Panthers, forcing two fumbles and recovering one.

Fred Besana, playing catch-up for most of the game, went to the air 35 times and completed 23 for 258 yards with the one late touchdown and had two picked off. WR Gordon Banks caught 7 of those throws for 96 yards. Ted Torosian gained just 18 yards on 10 carries that included a fumble and pulled in 7 pass receptions for 46 yards. Of Oakland’s total of 64 yards on the ground, 43 came on two carries by Marc Lewis.

“We could have settled for three there,” said Jim Stanley regarding the decision to pass up the field goal attempt for the pass on fourth down late in the first half. “But this team has worked awfully hard. If I don’t have faith in them, I lose something.”

“We misfired on a couple of turnovers,” said Coach Ralston in defeat. “Against a team like Michigan, you have to play error-free. Our offense moved the ball pretty much like we wanted, but the turnovers killed us.”

The Panthers kept up the momentum, defeating the Philadelphia Stars in the USFL Championship game. Their 1984 season was the mirror opposite of ‘83 as Michigan ran out to a 6-0 start but, thanks to key injuries to Anthony Carter and David Greenwood, slumped in the second half and nosed into the postseason as a wild card team with a 10-8 record. Oakland lost its first nine contests of ’84, turned around and won seven straight, and finished at 7-11. 

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.

1984: Big Plays Propel the Express Past the Invaders

The Los Angeles Express were atop the United States Football League’s Pacific Division with a 9-7 record coming into their June 15, 1984 contest against the Oakland Invaders. Head Coach John Hadl’s team had started off slowly but benefited from the arrival of heralded rookie QB Steve Young (pictured above). The mobile lefthander out of Brigham Young brought a jolt to an offense that averaged just 10.7 points per game in the first five outings. He was further helped by the offensive line play of G Gary Zimmerman and C Mike Ruether. While not well supported by the LA fans and with unstable ownership, the Express was playing well and had won four straight games coming into Week 17.

Oakland, however, had a seven-game winning streak on the line, which was all the more remarkable because the Invaders had started off the season with nine straight losses. Head Coach John Ralston was let go after three weeks and Chuck Hutchison lasted five before owner Tad Taube hired Charlie Sumner to take over. The offense scored just 82 points during those first nine losing games, but the emergence of RB Eric Jordan, combined with a defense that didn’t give up a lot of points, turned things around. Injury-plagued QB Fred Besana benefited from the improved running attack. The Invaders were 7-9 but just two games behind Los Angeles with two to play.

Attendance was typically sparse at 14,794 for the Friday night showdown at the Memorial Coliseum. Oakland started off impressively, going 71 yards in 16 plays in its opening possession. Besana completed five of six passes and the result was a 26-yard field goal by Kevin Shea, who was coming off a poor performance the previous week against Michigan in which he missed all three of his field goal attempts.

It was still 3-0 at the end of the opening period, but on the first play of the second quarter, Young tossed a short pass to RB Mel Gray, who ran 76 yards untouched down the left sideline for a touchdown that gave LA the lead.

The Invaders responded by going from their 23 to the LA 14 in six plays. However, a holding penalty followed by a sack of Besana by DT Lee Williams that cost an additional 12 yards forced them to settle for a field goal, with Shea connecting from 47 yards to make it a one-point game.

While Oakland was leading in time of possession, the Express again struck quickly on their next series. On the fourth play, Young kept the ball and dashed 47 yards up the middle for a TD that resulted in a 14-6 score. That remained the tally at the half.

Oakland scored in the third quarter thanks to a 15-yard, 70-play drive that ended with Jordan running in for a TD on a one-yard sweep. However, the Express retained the lead when the Invaders went for a two-point conversion and Besana’s pass was broken up by DB Darrell Pattillo.

LA failed in an opportunity to increase its margin on an ensuing series when RB Kevin Mack was stopped for no gain on a fourth-and-one play. But the Express got the ball back and came through with yet another big play, this time when Young passed to WR Malcolm Moore for a 44-yard gain to the Oakland 32. A few plays later, Young was stopped three yards short of a first down at the Oakland 14 but LB Gary Plummer was penalized for unnecessary roughness. With the ball moved to the 7, Gray ran in for a touchdown on the next play and the score was 21-12 with 9:37 remaining in the game.

The Invaders were far from done and came back with a five-play, 74-yard drive that resulted in a 30-yard TD pass from Besana to TE Brian Williams. They were again just two points down, but the Express put together a drive that was extended twice by fourth down conversions on runs by Mack. With less than two minutes to play, Tony Zendejas kicked a 37-yard field goal for the Express that extended the lead to what would prove to be a vital five points.

Now down to 1:35 in the contest, Oakland regained possession and nearly pulled the game out. The Invaders, starting from their own ten yard line, reached the LA nine with the clock down to seven seconds, but two passes by Besana were batted down to preserve the 24-19 win for the Express.

Oakland outgained the Express (370 yards to 334), had more first downs (25 to 14), ran off 18 more plays, and dominated time of possession (33:18 to 26:42), but LA won with big plays in a game in which there were no turnovers.

Steve Young was highly efficient throwing the ball, completing 14 of 16 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown - he also ran the ball 8 times for 82 yards and the long TD. Mel Gray rushed for 44 yards on five carries and led the receivers with 82 yards on four catches, scoring a total of two TDs. Malcolm Moore also caught four passes, for 70 yards.

For Oakland, Fred Besana was successful on 23 of 35 throws for 256 yards and a touchdown. Eric Jordan (pictured at left) gained 88 yards on 13 carries and scored once. Brian Williams had 8 pass receptions for 91 yards and a TD.

Los Angeles clinched a playoff spot with the win and, with Young sitting out the finale, lost to Arizona but finished atop the Pacific Division with a 10-8 record. In their first playoff game, the Express defeated Michigan in an epic contest that lasted into the third overtime period, but they fell to the Wranglers in the Western Conference Championship game. For Oakland, the loss ended the improbable winning streak and, losing again in the last game, the Invaders ended up at 7-11 and at the bottom of the division.

Appearing in 12 games, Steve Young completed a healthy 57.7 percent of his passes for 2361 yards with 10 touchdowns against 9 interceptions. He also ran the ball 79 times for 515 yards (6.5 avg.) and seven TDs.

Eric Jordan, who was such a key performer during Oakland’s winning streak, ended up rushing for 744 yards on 135 carries (5.5 avg.) and scored six touchdowns. He also caught 19 passes for 140 yards. 

1983: Besana and Ex-Raiders Lead Invaders to Win Over Panthers

On March 19, 1983 the Michigan Panthers of the United States Football League made their home debut against the Oakland Invaders. Both teams came into the contest at 1-1. Coached by Jim Stanley, the Panthers had scored just one touchdown in the first two contests (they won their opening game over the Birmingham Stallions by a 9-7 score thanks to three Novo Bojovic field goals). Rookie QB Bobby Hebert, a largely unknown quantity from out of Northwest Louisiana State, had won the starting job but was off to a slow start, as was the far-more-heralded rookie WR Anthony Carter from the Univ. of Michigan, who had been the team’s biggest preseason signing.

Oakland was coached by John Ralston, formerly of Stanford and the Denver Broncos, and had its own unheralded starting quarterback in Fred Besana, a 29-year-old who had last been behind center for the Twin Cities Cougars of the semi-pro California Football League. Backup to Steve Bartkowski and the ill-fated Joe Roth at California, he had failed to make the cut with the NFL Giants and Bills, but was making the most of his opportunity in the new USFL. He had already found a favorite target in WR Wyatt Henderson. The Invaders, who had skimped on talent coming out of college, also featured TE Raymond Chester and HB Arthur Whittington (pictured above), veteran ex-Raiders, on offense.

There were 28,952 in attendance at the Pontiac Silverdome for the Saturday night game. Hebert started poorly, completing only one of his first seven passes, and was relieved by backup Whit Taylor. Still, the Panthers led by 3-0 after one quarter of play thanks to a 44-yard field goal by Bojovic.

Oakland took the lead in the second quarter as Besana connected with Henderson on a fly pattern for a 45-yard touchdown. Bojovic kicked another 44-yard field goal but Kevin Shea was successful from 32 yards and the Invaders were up by 10-6 at the half.

Oakland scored two more touchdowns in the third quarter, with Besana tossing another TD pass to Henderson, this time of 22 yards, and Whittington running for a 14-yard score. The extra point was missed after the latter TD, but it hardly seemed to matter as the Invaders held a commanding 23-6 lead.

The Panthers were down but not out, however, and Hebert returned to the game to spark a furious rally. It began with a touchdown pass to WR Derek Holloway that covered 48 yards and, with the successful extra point, made it 23-13 heading into the fourth quarter.

Besana extended Oakland’s lead by finding the 13-year veteran Chester along the sideline for a 32-yard touchdown, and this time the PAT was successful. But Hebert brought Michigan back once more as he threw long to Carter for a 58-yard gain that set up another scoring pass to Holloway, this time covering 22 yards.

Nursing a ten-point lead, the Invaders drove to another score. Kevin Shea’s 24-yard field goal extended their margin to 33-20 with 4:25 to go. The Panthers came back one more time, as Hebert connected for a third time with Holloway, who made a leaping grab in the end zone for a 38-yard touchdown, but time finally ran out on Michigan. Oakland came away the winner by a score of 33-27.

The Invaders outgained the home team (460 to 375) and had more first downs (23 to 20) as well as a big lead in time of possession (38:06 to 21:54). Oakland rolled up 169 rushing yards to just 55 on 14 carries by the Panthers, who were playing catch-up during the second half. Besana was sacked seven times (four of them by LB John Corker, the eventual USFL leader in that category) while Oakland’s defense dumped Michigan quarterbacks on four occasions. However, the Invaders suffered no turnovers while the Panthers gave up the ball twice (both on fumbles).

Fred Besana completed 24 of 30 passes for 341 yards with three touchdowns and none intercepted. While Wyatt Henderson scored two of those TDs among his three catches for 93 yards, Raymond Chester was Oakland’s top receiver as he pulled in 7 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. Arthur Whittington also had a big day, rushing for 109 yards and a TD on 26 carries and adding 4 catches for 46 more yards.

For the Panthers, following the shaky start Bobby Hebert ended up completing 13 of 23 throws for 289 yards with three TDs and no interceptions. Derek Holloway caught three passes – all for touchdowns – and gained 108 yards. RB Ken Lacy was the team’s leading ground gainer with 23 yards on 8 attempts. Anthony Carter had a mixed performance, pulling in two passes for 85 yards that included the one long bomb that set up Holloway’s second TD. However, he also fumbled two punts, one of which led to an Oakland score.


The loss dropped the Panthers to 1-2 and they would fall to 1-4 before turning the season around. In the end, they finished first in the Central Division with a 12-6 record and narrowly won the USFL Championship over the Philadelphia Stars. In the first round of the playoffs they defeated the Invaders, who had a mediocre 9-9 record but were still able to top the weak Pacific Division.

Things got much better for Bobby Hebert and Anthony Carter. Hebert led the league in passing, yards per attempt (7.9), and TD passes (27). Carter caught 60 passes for 1181 yards (19.7 avg.) and 9 touchdowns.

Raymond Chester concluded his accomplished pro football career by catching 68 passes for 951 yards (14.0 avg.) and five TDs and garnering All-League honors. Arthur Whittington was dogged by injuries but nevertheless rushed for 1043 yards on 282 carries (3.7 avg.) and had 66 receptions for 584 more yards. Fred Besana led the USFL in passing yards with 3980 and Wyatt Henderson, who got off to the fast start on the scoring end of Besana’s passes, finished with 54 receptions for 801 yards and 9 TDs.

1983: Third-String QB and Defense Lead Bandits to Win Over Invaders

The Tampa Bay Bandits had gotten off to a good start in the United States Football League’s inaugural season and were on top of the Central Division with an 8-3 record after eleven weeks. Coached by Steve Spurrier, the Bandits had an explosive offense and kept on winning even after veteran QB John Reaves was lost with a broken wrist. Backup Jimmy Jordan performed well in relief, but he also went down with an injury.

On May 21, 1983 the Bandits hosted the Oakland Invaders at Tampa Stadium, and they were starting their third-string quarterback, Mike Kelley, who had made his first appearance in a winning cause the previous week. A first-year player out of Georgia Tech, Kelley had originally been drafted by the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons in 1982, was cut in the preseason, and had been cut by both the Birmingham Stallions and Invaders of the USFL without seeing any action prior to signing with the quarterback-desperate Bandits.

Oakland, under Head Coach John Ralston, also boasted a good offense and had the league’s top-rated passer, former minor league star Fred Besana, at quarterback. The Invaders had a lesser record, at 5-6, but that still was enough to contend in the mediocre Pacific Division where they were tied for first with the Los Angeles Express. They had lost to Tampa Bay at home just 13 days earlier in a close contest.

There were 43,389 fans in attendance for the Saturday night game. In the first possession, Mike Kelley completed five of six passes for 71 yards as Tampa Bay went 80 yards in eight plays. Kelley threw to star WR Eric Truvillion, running a slant, for a 21-yard TD. A key play along the way had been a 22-yard completion to RB Gary Anderson, a highly-touted rookie who signed with the club a week earlier and had an impressive debut in the previous game.

Oakland responded with a 43-yard field goal by Kevin Shea, and the score was 7-3 after one period of play. The Bandits had an apparent three-yard TD run by Anderson in the second quarter called back because of illegal procedure and had to settle for a 25-yard field goal by Zenon Andrusyshyn, making the score 10-3.

The Bandits’ swarming defense was effective in throttling the Oakland attack and before the second quarter was over, Tampa Bay mounted a second scoring drive. Anderson again played a key role as he grabbed a short pass from Kelley on a third-and-12 play from the Bandits’ own six yard line and gained 26 yards. WR Willie Gillespie scored on a 16-yard pass play from Kelley with 41 seconds remaining in the half to extend Tampa Bay’s lead to 17-3.

There was a scary moment in the third quarter when veteran TE Raymond Chester, well known to Oakland fans from his years with the Raiders, was injured and had to be taken from the field on a stretcher. Fortunately, x-rays were negative and the star tight end was diagnosed with a severe neck sprain. He returned to the sideline later wearing a cervical collar.

Andrusyshyn kicked two field goals in the third quarter, from 26 and 38 yards, to extend Tampa Bay’s lead to 23-3 before Besana finally got the Invaders on the board in the final period when he scored on a one-yard quarterback sneak, although the extra point attempt failed. With seven minutes left to play, Oakland got a break when Anderson fumbled and NT George Atiyeh recovered for the Invaders at the Tampa Bay 14. However, Oakland’s coaching staff was called for unsportsmanlike conduct for running onto the field to protest a call on an ensuing sideline pass, moving the ball back to the 26, and the Bandits defense held to end the threat.

RB Greg Boone scored the final points for Tampa Bay on a 12-yard run with 36 seconds left in the game. The PAT attempt was no good, but it hardly mattered as the Bandits won easily by a score of 29-9.

Tampa Bay outgained the Invaders (419 yards to 284) and had more first downs (24 to 15). Moreover, the defense held Oakland to just 25 rushing yards on 17 carries and sacked Besana a league-record 10 times. NT Ken Times led the way with three of those sacks, while DE Walter Carter and NT Fred Nordgren had two apiece.

Mike Kelley completed 21 of 40 passes for 307 yards with two touchdowns and none intercepted. Gary Anderson ran for 66 yards on 16 attempts and caught three passes for 55 more. WR Danny Buggs caught four passes for 72 yards while Greg Boone also had four receptions, for 41 yards, to go along with his 62 yards on 19 rushing attempts that included one TD.


For Oakland, despite being under heavy pressure for much of the game, Fred Besana was successful on 27 of 47 throws for 328 yards, although he was intercepted once and had no touchdown passes. WR Gordon Banks caught 9 of those passes for 128 yards. RB Arthur Whittington led what there was of a running attack, gaining just 12 yards on 9 carries.

The Bandits stayed on top of their division with the win although the loss knocked Oakland out of the tie with Los Angeles in theirs. However, Tampa Bay was badly beaten by Michigan the next week and lost four of its last six games to not only lose the division, but fail to make the postseason. They finished third in the Central Division with a record of 11-7. Conversely, Oakland did make it to the postseason, winning the Pacific Division at 9-9, and lost to the Panthers in the first round of the playoffs.

Mike Kelley ended up completing 48.8 percent of his 166 passes for 1003 yards with four touchdowns and five interceptions. He was taken by the Memphis Showboats in the league’s expansion draft for 1984. Gary Anderson finished off his fine rookie year with 516 yards rushing on 97 carries (5.3 avg.) and four touchdowns and gained another 347 yards on 29 pass receptions. Both Fred Nordgren and Ken Times reached double figures in sacks in ’83 (15 and 11, respectively), and Nordgren was an All-League selection.

[Revised 6/10/12]

1983: Invaders Roll Up Yards, But Bryant & Stars Prevail

The Philadelphia Stars were off to a 5-1 start in the inaugural United States Football League season as they faced the Oakland Invaders at Veterans Stadium on April 16, 1983. Under the direction of Head Coach Jim Mora, the Stars boasted a stingy defense and a ground-oriented offense that featured rookie RB Kelvin Bryant (pictured above). The Invaders, coached by John Ralston, were 3-3, but that made them contenders in the Pacific Division as, entering Week 7, all of the teams had identical records. Two ex-Raiders, RB Arthur Whittington and TE Raymond Chester, were key players on the offense, as was QB Fred Besana, a former minor league star.

There were 34,901 fans in attendance for the Saturday game at the Vet. For much of the first half, they saw Oakland outplay the Stars, but fail to score points. Bryant, who had been held to under a hundred yards in the previous two games as he played with a bruised sternum, was held to three yards in the first quarter.

Meanwhile, Oakland ran up 215 yards of offense in the first half, yet came up empty. Within inches of a touchdown on one first quarter possession, FB Jairo Penaranda fumbled into the end zone and CB Antonio Gibson recovered for the Stars. In addition, PK Kevin Shea missed two field goal attempts, of 46 and 42 yards, to stifle scoring opportunities.

Deep into the second quarter, Philadelphia’s offense had generated just one first down and was being kept in check. However, that all changed when Bryant took a handoff in his own territory, appeared to be stopped behind the line of scrimmage near the sideline, but then broke a tackle and reversed field. 45 yards later he was pulled down at the Oakland 25, setting up a 39-yard field goal by David Trout for the first score of the game.

Following the Trout field goal, the Stars got the ball back quickly when safety Mike Lush intercepted a Besana pass and returned it 33 yards. Bryant again made a big play with less than two minutes remaining in the half, running for a 37-yard touchdown, and Philadelphia went into halftime with a 10-0 lead. Bryant, thanks to the two long runs, gained 99 yards rushing in the second quarter alone.

Near the end of the third quarter, Besana threw to WR Wyatt Henderson for an eight-yard TD, the first touchdown the Stars defense had allowed in three weeks (they had surrendered just six points in their previous two games combined). However, Philadelphia put the game away in the fourth quarter when QB Chuck Fusina connected with WR Tom Donovan for an 18-yard touchdown. The defense kept Oakland in check the rest of the way and the final score was 17-7.

The Invaders outgained Philadelphia (339 yards to 270) and generated far more first downs (23 to 12). But they failed to score points when they had the opportunity and turned the ball over three times (the Stars suffered no turnovers at all).

Kelvin Bryant gained 118 yards on 14 carries that included one touchdown. Chuck Fusina completed 9 of 16 passes for 146 yards with a TD and no interceptions. Bryant, WR Willie Collier, and FB Booker Russell each caught two passes, with Collier’s 57 yards leading the club.

For Oakland, Fred Besana was successful on 26 of 42 throws for 271 yards and included a touchdown, but two were picked off. Arthur Whittington gained 89 yards rushing on 27 attempts. Raymond Chester caught 6 passes for 51 yards while Wyatt Henderson accumulated 78 yards on five receptions and scored the team’s lone TD.

“I’ve never been around a defense that comes through like these guys, week after week after week,” said Coach Mora. “They bend, but they don’t break.”

A disappointed Fred Besana said afterward, “It’s the same old story, we drive up and down the field, then we have breakdown after breakdown.”

The Stars continued on to a 15-3 record, winning the Atlantic Division, and advanced to the USFL Championship game, which they lost in a close 24-22 contest against the Michigan Panthers. The Invaders finished first in the Pacific Division with a mediocre 9-9 tally and lost to the Panthers in the Semifinal playoff round.

Kelvin Bryant was leading the league in rushing after the win over Oakland with 713 yards. He ultimately ended up as the runner-up to New Jersey’s Herschel Walker with 1442 yards on 318 carries (4.5 avg.) and was named MVP by the league.