Event Date: March 7th, 1983
Event Description: USFL Roundup
Source: United Press International
Herschel Walker drew more attention from the Los Angeles Express defense than from the Los Angeles fans in his USFL debut Sunday.
Walker carried 27 times for 173 yards, but former UCLA quarterback Tom Ramsey and the Express spoiled Walker's pro debut with a 25-20 victory over the New Jersey Generals before a disappointing crowd of 34,002 in the 90,000-seat Coliseum.
The Generals-Express game drew the lowest attendance of the five USFL openers played on Sunday.
Ramsey fired a late touchdown pass, hitting Ricky Ellis from 22 yards out with just under ten minutes reaining as the Express held on for the victory. Ramsey finished 10-for-27 for 159 yards to go along with one sack. Backup pivot Mike rae also tossed a 46-yard touchdown midway through the third frame.
Bobby Scott, an 11-year NFL veteran, completed 18-of-28 passes for 238 yards for New Jersey, but was intercepted twice and sacked five times.
In other games, Boston bashed Tampa Bay 40-10, Chicago blanked Washington 10-0, Philadelphia routed Denver 32-6 and Oakland downed Arizona 20-10.
In Tampa, Former WFL quarterback Johnny Walton threw a pair of touchdown passes for the Breakers. Waltons' first scoring pass was a 13-yard toss to veteran wideout Charlie Smith in the second period and his second came early in third after hitting Nolan Franz for a 24-yard score. Ex-CFL star Richard Crump paced the Boston ground attack with 112 yards and one touchdown.
In Washington, rookie running back Tim Spencer rushed for 123 yards while Kevin Long added a late touchdown run to give George Allen a triumphant return to the nation's capital as the Blitz shout out the Federals.
In Denver, Chuck Fusina tossed a touchdown pass to Willie Collier and ran for another touchdown, while David Trout kicked a pair of field goals as Philadelphia routed Denver by a score of 32-6. Rookie Kelvin Bryant rushed for 88 yards and scored the games’ opening touchdown.
In Tempe, Ariz., Fred Besana threw two touchdown passes to lead the Invaders over the Wranglers by a score of 20-10. A crowd of 45,167 attended the game in Arizona State University's Sun Devil Stadium.
Story-(Modified from UPI)
2 comments:
The Atlantic division really flexed its muscle on this inaugural Sunday. Herschel seemed to fulfill gaudy expectations (27 carries, 173 yds) despite the loss in LA, giving the Generals hope going forward. Philadelphia's ground game (55 rushes for 249 yds) and defense (6 turnover and 208 yards total offense) just pounded the Gold flat in front of an initially raucous Mile-High crowd. Johnnie Walton and the backs helped keep the ball away from Spurrier's Bandits, though the Breaker "D" still proved quite stout against the veteran QB Reaves (19 of 35 for 194 yds and 2 INTs). Heck, even the Federals defense looked effective against the Blitz...though I am going to blame the swampy conditions at RFK until they prove they can sustain the success.
Hopefully the Panthers and Stallions can give ESPN's Monday night audience something to talk about around the water cooler on Tuesday morning.
Awesome!
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