'89 Chronology-Stars Rope Wranglers!

Event Date: Tuesday, April 25th, 1989

Event Description: Week #7 Monday Fish Wrap

Saturday Games: (5-1) Arizona Wranglers at (6-0) Baltimore Stars

Score: Stars over Wranglers 23-21

Weather: 75’ Calm

Attendance: 33,045

Summary-Brian Franco's 33-yard field goal with 1:10 remaining in the game was the difference, as the Baltimore Stars took a 23-21 win over the Arizona Wranglers to remain the only undefeated team in the U.S.F.L..

Chuck Fusina completed 28-of-43 passes for 333 yards and two scores, with no interceptions, for the Stars who have now improved to (7-0). Lonnie Turner finished with six catches for 78 yards, while Earl Winfield had three catches for 42 yards and two touchdowns. Napolean McCallum led Baltimore's running attack with 118 yards on 19 carries.

Rick Neuheisel was 19-for-39 passing for 333 yards and two touchdowns for Arizona (5-2), whose last-minute attempts to go back in front were unsuccessful. Backup quarterback Rick Johnson also tossed a touchdown pass to Trumaine Johnson while filling in for an injured Neuheisel who later returned.

The Wranglers led, 21-20 with just over three minutes remaining, but a long run by Napolean McCallum, coupled with three Chuck Fusina passes and Baltimore was able to drive deep into Arizona territory setting up the winning field.

The Wranglers have now lost their last two games, dropping them into a tie with Portland in the Pacific division. Both teams will play at home next week with Baltimore hosting Michigan, and Arizona taking on Memphis in the desert.

more to come...........

'89 Chronology-Week #7 Sunday Review

Event Date: Monday, April 24th 1989

Event Description: Week #7 Sunday Games

Sunday Games: (2-4) Tampa Bay Bandits at (5-1) Memphis Showboats

Score: Memphis over Tampa Bay 24-16

Weather: 56’ Light Wind

Attendance: 41,818

Game MVP: Tony Champion

Summary-Orville Lee's 7-yard touchdown run with less than 3 1/2 minutes left in the fourth quarter proved to be the game-winning score, as the Memphis Showboats held off a feisty Tampa Bay Bandits club, 24-16, during a windy affair at the Liberty Bowl.

Lee rushed 19 times for 56 yards and caught three passes for 17 yards to help the Showboats (6-1) win their fourth straight home game against the Bandits. Walter Lewis completed 20-of-31 passes for 216 yards, while Gilbert Renfroe completed 1-of-1 passes for 7 yards. Mark Raugh also had a 4-yard TD reception, while Tony Champion led the receiving corps with nine catches for 118 yards and one touchdown.

Kerwin Bell completed 17-of-33 passes for 225 yards and a touchdown for Tampa Bay which has now fallen to (2-5) on the season. Marc Zeno hauled in four balls for 88 yards and scored his first touchdown of the season. Derrick McAdoo ran for 51 yards on five carries to go along with Joe Dudek who added 46 yards on 13 carries.

Tampa Bay dominated the first half, scoring 13 unanswered points in the half to take a 13-7 lead into half-time. However, Memphis made the necessary adjustments as they held Tampa to just one field goal in the second half.

Tampa Bay will host Portland next week on Monday night, while will travel to Arizona to take on the Pacific division leading Wranglers.

Sunday Games: (4-2) Portland Breakers at (1-5) Michigan Panthers

Score: Breakers 35-28 over Panthers

Weather: Pontiac Silverdome

Attendance: 26,674

Game MVP: Marcus Dupree

Summary- Marcus Dupree rushed for 108 yards on 17 carries, including a 63 yard touchdown burst, as the Portland Breakers defeated Michigan by a score of 35-28 at the Pontiac Silverdome.

Backup quarterback Matt Dunigan replaced starter Steve Dils who was a late scratch due to an aggravated shoulder injury. Dunigan finished the game with 373 yards passing on 21 of 36 pass attempts and one touchdown.

Frank Lockett and Marcus Dupree both led the Breakers with five receptions apiece with Lockett going over the 100 yard mark with five receptions for 127yards and one touchdown.

Michigan quarterback Bob Gagliano was benched in favor of backup Steve Smith who threw for 329 yards and two scores in defeat. Smith finished 17-of-31 for over 300 yards and two touchdowns. Veteran wideout Jim Smith finished with seven receptions and 175 yards receiving with two touchdowns.

The will now travel to Tampa Bay to take on the Bandits’ next Monday night, while Panthers will travel to Baltimore to take on the Stars.

Sunday Games: (0-6) Oakland Invaders at (2-4) Jacksonville Bulls

Score: Jacksonville over Oakland 35-25

Weather: 84’ Wind 10-20

Attendance: 37,722

Game MVP: Alton Alexis

Summary-Tracy Ham completed 18-of-25 passes for 308 yards with one interception and four touchdowns as the Jacksonville Bulls defeated Oakland by a score of 35-25. Jacksonville raced out to a 35-9 lead before Ken Hobart led the Invaders with three late scores down the stretch.

Alton Alexis totaled six catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns, while Marc Lewis caught five passes for 57 yards and two scores. Tracy Ham continues his blistering pace as he has already thrown 22 touchdown passes at the mid-season point.

Oakland (0-7) turned the offensive reigns over to Ken Hobart who replaced the injured Fred Besana. Hobart finished the game 27 of 47 efficiency for 341 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. Hobart also led the Invaders with 52 yards rushing.

The (3-4) Bulls will travel to Birmingham next Saturday night, while the Invaders will host Houston.

Sunday Games: (2-4) Birmingham Stallions at (3-3) Los Angeles Express

Score: Stallions over Express 21-18

Weather: 86’ Calm

Attendance: 22,901

Game MVP: Reggie Collier

Reggie Collier rushed for 82 yards and three touchdown runs on 15 carries, and his 42-yard scamper late in the fourth quarter turned out to be the winning score, as Birmingham edged Los Angeles, 21-18 at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

Collier finished with 245 yards passing on 16-of-26 attempts for Birmingham, which has won two straight to improve 3-4 on the season. Otis Brown added another 53 yards on 11 carries for the victors.

Ed Luther threw for 223 yards and two scores on 17-of-26 throws but tossed one for Los Angeles, which has now dropped to (3-4). Victor Harrison made five receptions for game-high 108 yards in the loss.

Los Angeles will now host New Jersey next week while Birmingham will take on Jacksonville at Legion Field.

more to come.....

'89 Chronology-Generals Handle Gamblers!

Event Date: Sunday, April 23rd, 1989

Event Description: Week #7 USFL Saturday Summary

Saturday Game: (3-3) Houston Gamblers at (3-3) New Jersey Generals

Score: Generals over Gamblers 34-24

Weather: 58’ Calm

Attendance: 33,357

Summary- Art Schlichter threw for 356 yards on 29-of-33 attempts with four touchdowns to lead the New Jersey Generals to a 34-24 victory over the Houston Gamblers.

Perry Tuttle had seven catches totaling 107 yards and one touchdown, while Byron Williams added two touchdowns on three receptions for 71 yards as the Generals improved to (4-3).

The Generals also dominated the time of possession, 35 minutes to 24, enroute to amassing 115 yards rushing. Gill Fenerty led the way with forty yards, while Rich Erenberg chipped in an additional thirty nine.

Todd Dillon totaled 347 yards on 22-of-34 passing with one touchdown and one interception for the Gamblers, who have dropped to (3-4) on the year. Dillon also fumbled twice and was sacked three times. The Gamblers were also without the services of Craig James who sat the game out with a calf injury.

New Jersey will now travel to Los Angeles, while Houston will travel to Oakland to take on the hapless Invaders.

more to come...........

'89 Chronology-Week #7 Preview

Event Date: Friday, April 21st, 1989

Event Description: Week #7 Preview

Saturday Game: (3-3) Houston Gamblers at (3-3) New Jersey Generals

Key Matchup: Todd Dillon vs. Art Schlichter. Both of these veteran pivots have performed well this season. Look for these two to light up the scoreboard on Saturday night.

Players to Watch: New Jersey wide out Perry Tuttle has been the most consistent performer on the offensive side of the ball.

Latest Line: New Jersey -2.5

Sunday Game: (2-4) Tampa Bay Bandits at (5-1) Memphis Showboats

Key Matchup: The Bandits offensive line against sack specialist John Corker. Corker already has eight sacks this season and will be looking to add to that total against Kerwin Bell who will sometimes hold on to the ball too long.

Players to Watch: Memphis running back Orville Lee is having somewhat of a sophomore slump with only 174 yards on 73 carries, averaging just 2.4 yards per carry.

Latest Line: Memphis -11

Sunday Game: (4-2) Portland Breakers at (1-5) Michigan Panthers

Key Matchup: The Michigan quarterback situation could be in flux as the team may go with either Steve Smith or rookie Steve Taylor this week.

Players to Watch: Marcus Dupree. After injuring his knee in practice, the Breakers may choose to give their star running back some rest against the lowly Panthers.

Latest Line: Portland -7

Sunday Game: (0-6) Oakland Invaders at (2-4) Jacksonville Bulls

Key Matchup: The Oakland offense has struggled all season and they will again turn to a new quarterback to try and bring a spark to the offense.

Players to Watch: Oakland will turn to newly acquired Ken Hobart at quarterback marking the third starter to be used by the Invaders this season.

Latest Line: Jacksonville -9

Sunday Game: (2-4) Birmingham Stallions at (3-3) Los Angeles Express

Key Matchup: The Los Angeles linebackers against Reggie Collier. Knowing that Collier is prone to scrambling, look for the Express to place a “scout” on Collier so as to try and minimize his rushing ability.

Players to Watch: Los Angeles wide out Joey Walter leads the team in receiving with 27 receptions and 466 yards receiving.

Latest Line: Los Angeles -3

Monday Night Game: (6-0) Baltimore Stars at (5-1) Arizona Wranglers

Key Matchup: Two of the leagues’ better teams square off in a prime time matchup.

Players to Watch: Baltimore running back Napolean McCallum is putting together a solid season behind one of the leagues’ best offensive lines.

Latest Line: Pick 'em

more to come............

'89 Chronology-Pacific Coast Rumblings

Event Date: Thursday, April 20th, 1989

Event Description: Dupree sprains knee in practice; Hobart set to start for Invaders

Marcus Dupree , the $6 million halfback for the Portland Breakers of the United States Football League, was hurt in practice today with an injury to his left knee that a team doctor said, “...was minor but that it could linger throughout the remainder of the season.” Steven Cook the team physician was to examine him Friday.

He suffered the injury when he was tackled late in practice, ''My knee is hurting,'' said Dupree, who was hurt as he partially slipped on the wet practice field. “I should be good to go by the weekend, everyone is sort of banged up by this point in the season. I will be able to play.”

Team officials said Dupree should be ready for this weeks game against Michigan, however quarterback Steve Dils would likely sit due to tendinitis in his elbow. If Dils is unable to go, backup quarterback Matt Dunigan would get the start.

In other league news; The Portland Breakers and Oakland Invaders today worked out the final terms of the trade which sent quarterback Ken Hobart to Oakland. Hobart is slated to start for the Invaders in their game against Jacksonville this weekend.

more to come......

'89 Chronology-Invaders sign C.F.L. veteran...

Event Date: Wednesday, April 19th, 1989

Event Description: Invaders hope Paopao can fill void at quarterback

Source: Pro Football Weekly

The Oakland Invaders, looking to fill a hole opened by the sudden injury to Fred Besana, yesterday signed former C.F.L. veteran quarterback Joe Paopao.

"Joe Paopao was a valuable contributor to the Canadian Football League when he was a player up there. “ said Invaders head coach John Ralston. Paopao played nine seasons in Canada, his last coming in 1987 with the Ottawa Rough Riders.

As for Besana, it was learned after the Invaders’ game against Baltimore over the weekend that the veteran quarterback has suffered a leg injury at the end of the game. Besana will be placed on injured reserve which could spell an end to his season.

The Invaders also worked out former Calgary Stampeders quarterback Greg Vavra, but elected to sign Paopao for the remainder of the season. Paopao, 33, also played for Long Beach State in the mid-1970’s.

In other league news; The Tampa Bay Bandits have signed free agent quarterback Danny McManus. McManus, who starred at Florida State from 1984-1987, was a backup with the Kansas City Chiefs last season but was given his release after the teams off-season mini camp.

To make room for McManus, the Bandits also traded quarterback Bernard Quarles to the Los Angeles Express for future considerations.

more to come......

'89 Chronology-Week #6 Wrap Up

Event Date: Tuesday, April 18th, 1989

Event Description: Monday Night Re-Cap

Tracy Ham threw for 355 yards and one touchdown, as the Jacksonville Bulls got back in the win column with a 30-12 win over the Los Angeles Express.

Ham completed 23-of-36 passes for Jacksonville (2-4), which snapped a three-game and moved the Bulls into third place in the Atlantic Division. Ham also added 28 yards on the ground with a touchdown, while Alton Alexis caught seven passes for 149 yards.

Ex-Bulls quarterback Ed Luther went 14-of-27 through the air for 154 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions agaisnt his old team. Tony Boddie hauled in four balls for 27 yards, while Scott McGhee scored L.A.'s only touchdown.

The Bulls will host winless Oakland next week, while the (3-3) Express will take on Birmingham in the Coliseum.

more to come..........

'89 Chronology-Week #6 Review

Event Date: Monday, April 17th 1989

Event Description: Week #6 Sunday Games

Sunday Games: (1-4) Michigan Panthers at (2-3) New Jersey Generals

Score: New Jersey over Michigan 30-6

Weather: 66’ Light Rain & Wind

Attendance: 40,004

Game MVP: Art Schlichter

Summary-Art Schlichter threw for 403 yards on 20-of-29 passing with four touchdowns and one interception to lead the New Jersey Generals to a 30-6 victory over the Michigan Panthers.

The Michigan offense struggled as New Jersey pressured quarterback Bob Gagliano who finished with just 215 yards on 10-of-20 passing with three interceptions for the Panthers who have now fallen to (1-5) on the year.

Gagliano was sacked eleven times and fumbled four times as the New Jersey defensive front dominated the game. Michigan now (1-5) was held to just 202 of net offense, prompting head coach Steve Mariucci to admit that he may have to make a quarterback change next week. “Clearly if our line continues to play as it has, we may have to put Steve (Taylor) in just to minimize our losses.”

The Generals (3-3) will host Houston next week, while Michigan will take on the Breakers at the Silverdome.

Sunday Games: (5-0) Arizona Wranglers at (1-4) Birmingham Stallions

Score: Stallions over Wranglers 17-14

Weather: 67’ Light Wind & Rain

Attendance: 31,952

Game MVP: Joe Cribbs

Summary- Joe Cribbs rushed for 67 yards on 10 carries, and his 20-yard scamper late in the second quarter ended up sealing the win, as Birmingham edged Arizona, 28-21 in a rain- soaked affair at Legion Field.

Reggie Collier posted a six-yard touchdown run at the end of the half giving Birmingham a lead which they would not relinquish. Collier contributed through the air, finishing with 183 yards passing on 16-of-26 efficiency for Birmingham, which has improved to (2-4) on the season. Otis Brown also added 64 yards on the ground and a touchdown for the victors.

Rick Neuheisel threw for an impressive 225 yards and two scores on 15-of-33 throws but fumbled twice for Arizona, which had its five-game win streak halted. Alvin Williams made four receptions for game-high 83 yards in the loss.

Rain came down in buckets throughout the fourth quarter, causing stagnant offense for both clubs. Arizona will host Baltimore next week, while Birmingham will travel to Los Angeles.

Sunday Games: (5-0) Memphis Showboats at (3-2) Portland Breakers

Score: Breakers 31-20 over Showboats

Weather: 78’ Calm

Attendance: 36,619

Game MVP: Marcus Dupree

Summary-Marcus Dupree ran for 160 yards and three scores on 22 carries for the Breakers (2-4), who have now climbed into second place in the Pacific Division.

Steve Dils completed 16-of-21 passes for 216 yards with one interception and one touchdown. Veteran wide out Greg Moser was again steady for the Breakers adding 73 yards through the air on four receptions.

Walter Lewis threw for 211 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions, for the Memphis Showboats (5-1) who lost their first game of the season.

Derrick Crawford added five catches for 30 yards and a touchdown, while Mark Raugh caught four passes for 41 yards. David Trout began the half hitting field goals of 32 and 26 yards, respectively, after the Breakers did a nice job of preventing the ‘Boats offense from scoring touchdowns.

Memphis will now return home to take on Tampa Bay, while Portland will travel to Detroit to take on the Panthers.

Sunday Games: (5-0) Baltimore Stars at (0-5) Oakland Invaders

Score: Baltimore 30-10 over Oakland

Weather: 55’ Slight Wind

Attendance: 26,205

Game MVP: Chuck Fusina

The second John Ralston era started with a thud as the visiting and still undefeated Baltimore Stars left Oakland with a 30-10 victory.

Chuck Fusina threw for 187 yards on 16-of-26 efficiency with touchdowns to three different receivers as Baltimore rolled over Oakland. Napolean McCallum chipped in 52 yards on 18 carries, and Earl Winfield added 79 yards on four receptions.

Oakland quarterback Fred Besana finished 15-of-27 for 187 yards passing with two interceptions and one touchdown. Besana was also sacked four times and fumbled once as he faced constant pressure from the Stars’ defense. Mike Cobb led the Invaders offensively with 71 yards on six catches and one touchdowns in defeat.

Both of these teams will take the road next week, as Baltimore travels to Arizona and Oakland visits Jacksonville.

more to come.....