Event Date: March 21st, 1983
Event Description: Bandits Cruise
Source: United Press International
New Jersey coach Chuck Fairbanks knew what had to be done.
With his Generals 0-2 going into their home debut and quarterback Bobby Scott nursing a sore shoulder, Fairbanks knew Herschel Walker had to run the ball early and often.
The Tampa Bay Bandits also knew, however, and were more prepared to stop Walker than the Generals were to spring him. Holding Walker to 77 yards on 18 carries and getting three touchdown passes from Jimmy Jordan, Tampa Bay cruised to a 35-12 win over the Generals Sunday at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
“I think it was obvious early that Herschel wasn't going to run very far on us,” Bandits coach Steve Spurrier said after his team improved to 1-2 before a USFL record crowd of 53,370.
“I saw Herschel Walker get knocked backward an awful lot. I don't know if you've seen that happen much, I know I haven't.”
Walker rarely got knocked back at Georgia, where he was a three-time All-America and won the Heisman Trophy before signing with the Generals after his junior year.
Walker carried eight times in the first quarter Sunday, but never got untracked. His longest run was fourteen yards and the Bandits minimized his effectiveness by taking a 26-6 lead into the intermission.
“I've still got a lof of learning to do,” Walker said. “Pro ball is a lot different than college ball. It's hard whenever you fall behind early, especially against a team like Tampa. It's not something we looked forward to doing.”
“I am embarrassed,” Fairbanks said. “I think the coach has to get better. We will look over the roster and anyone who knows he's not doing his job knows he won't stay.”
In other games Sunday, Chicago crushed Denver 31-7 and Washington upset Boston 22-20.
On Saturday night, Michigan won their home opener beating Oakland 37-17 and Los Angeles edged Arizona 17-14 on a late field goal by Vince Abbott.
The Philadelphia Stars visit the Birmingham Stallions tonight to complete the USFL's third week.
Michigan Panthers 37
Oakland Invaders 17
Bobby Hebert threw for 231 yards and two touchdowns, the first to Anthony Carter, to lead Michigan to their first home win. Ken Lacy rushed for a career-high 226 yards with one touchdown and David Tipton returned an interception for a late score.
L.A. Express 17
Arizona Wranglers 14
Mike Rae passed for 247 yards and a pair of touchdowns leading Los Angeles to a 17-14 win on the road against the Wranglers. Los Angeles receiver Kevin Williams caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Rae and Wilbert Haslip led all rushers with 55 yards on the ground.
Chicago Blitz 31
Denver Gold 7
Denver quarterback Ken Johnson left the game due to injury as Chicago rolled to a 31-7 victory behind backup pivot Tim Koegel. Koegel tossed three touchdown passes in relief of Greg Landry and Kevin Long added a five-yard touchdown run to go along with 46 yards rushing. Trumaine Johnson was solid for Chicago as he hauled in seven receptions for 118 yards and one score.
Washington Federals 22
Boston Breakers 20
Mike Hohensee’s second touchdown pass, a 30-yarder to newcomer Mike Holmes, gave the Federals a 22-10 lead early in the third stanza as Washington held on for the victory.
Story-(Modified from UPI)
3 comments:
One thing you might want to check on...I thought I remembered reading about Herschel having a bum shoulder coming into the 1983 season and then aggravating it throughout the year. Also there was a lot of conversation about players coming out of a fall season and struggling their first spring season due to fatigue.
GO FEDS GO! 2-1 as they head into next week's matchup with the Panthers...a team they beat in overtime, 22-16, back in 1983.
Chris,
Thanks so much for the comments and recommendations...........it is much appreciated, love the input............I will keep an eye out regarding Herschel and the NFL vets!
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