'84 Chronology-The Pepper Rodgers Show

'84 Chronology-Weekend Roundup

Event Date:  March 5th, 1984

Event Description: Weekend Roundup

Source: PFW

Chicago 45

Jacksonville 20

Larry Canada scored a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns to spark the Chicago Blitz to a 45-20 victory over the Jacksonville Bulls Saturday night, despite a sound performance by Bulls’ quarterback Matt Robinson who threw three touchdown passes.

Canada capped two fourth quarter scoring drives with runs of 20 and seven yards respectively. Backup quarterback Greg Landry fired a 16-yard pass to wideout Marcus Anderson in the opening frame and Tim Spencer added a pair of touchdown runs to boost last year's league champions to a 31-14 halftime lead.

Perry Kemp led all receivers with five receptions for 138 yards with one score and Gary Clark added six receptions for 60 yards and a touchdown for Jacksonville.

Game Notes: The Blitz lost QB Greg Landry due to injury early in the second quarter, he was replaced by third-stringer Ron Reeves.

Birmingham 23

New Orleans 7

The Birmingham Stallions routed New Orleans by a score of 23-7 as Cliff Stoudt led the way with 224 yards passing and an 18-yard touchdown run.

Game Notes: Joe Cribbs paced the Birmingham ground game with 99 yards on 22 carries...the Breakers were without starting quarterback Johnny Walton who was out due to injury...the team also lost quarterback Doug Woodward late in the first quarter which forced recently signed Robin Gabriel into action.

Michigan 37

Tampa Bay 42

John Reaves threw a pair of touchdown passes to lead the Bandits to their second straight USFL victory. Reaves completed 20-of-25 passes with no interceptions while Bobby Hebert was 16-of-30 for 239 for the Panthers. 

Game Notes: Gary Anderson led the Bandits’ ground attack with 114 yards rushing and three scores...Anthony Carter added 109 receiving yards to go along with two touchdowns for Michigan.

Washington 17

Denver 13

Reggie Collier passed for 217 yards with two touchdowns to lift the Federals. The Gold lost starting quarterback Craig Penrose with strained ligaments in his left knee. He was replaced by Ken Hobart who led a late touchdown drive.

Game Notes: The Federals were without star running back Craig James who was out with a leg injury...the teams combined for 17 penalties and six turnovers.

New Jersey 6

Arizona 20

Backup quarterback Alan Risher led the way with 228 passing yards and two touchdowns as Arizona shut down New Jersey. Al Williams and Trumaine Johnson each hauled in touchdown receptions and Kevin Long added 64 rushing yards. 

Game Notes: Herschel Walker led all rushers with 70 yards...Roger Ruzek and Frank Corral accounted four two field goals apiece.

Pittsburgh 15

Oakland 9

The kickers accounted for all of the scoring as Tony Lee nailed five field goals for Pittsburgh while Kevin Shea connected on three field goals for Oakland. 

Game Notes: Walter Holman led the Pittsburgh ground attack with 106 yards on 12 totes...rookie Mike Rozier added 94 yards on 21 carries for the visitors.

Philadelphia 17

Los Angeles 10

The Stars defense shut down the Express in the second-half as Philadelphia held on for the 17-10 win. Chuck Fusina led the Stars offense with 177 passing yards on 18 of 29 efficiency with one touchdown pass. 

Game Notes: Kelvin Bryant led all rushers with 115 yards on the ground....Los Angeles pivot Tom Ramsey finished with three picks and three sacks amidst talk of the team signing BYU star Steve Young.

'84 Chronology-Coming to Terms

Event Date: March 4th, 1984

Event Description: Breakers Sign Dupree

Source: Ocala Star-Banner

'84 Chronology-Puttin' On The Blitz

Event Date: March 2nd, 1984

Event Description: Young Faces Decision

Source: Ocala Star Banner

'84 Chronology-Decision Stage

Event Date: March 2nd, 1984

Event Description: Colts to Indy?

Source: Gettysburg Times

'84 Chronology-PFW Week #2 Preview

Event Date: March 2nd, 1984

Event Description: Week #2 Preview

Source: Pro Football Weekly

Week #2 USFL Preview

Saturday, March 3rd

  Chicago Blitz at Jacksonville Bulls

Latest Line: (Bulls -8)   

Television: ESPN National: Tom Kelly & Don Heinrich

Radio: ABC Radio: Don Chevrier & Paul Hornung

Birmingham Stallions at New Orleans Breakers

Latest Line: (Stallions -5)

Television: ESPN Regional: Paul Manfra & Dan Lovett

Radio: ESPN: Jim Fyffe & Dick James

Sunday, March 4th

  Michigan Panthers at Tampa Bay Bandits

Latest Line: (Bandits -7)

Television: ABC Regional: Tim Brandt & Lee Grosscup

Radio: ESPN : Gene Deckerhoff & Vic Prinzi

Pittsburgh Maulers at Oakland Invaders

Latest Line: (Invaders -2)

Radio: ESPN : Sam Nover & Jack Ham 

Washington Federals at Denver Gold

Latest Line: (Gold -4)

Radio: ESPN : Mike Nolan & Ben Martin

     Philadelphia Stars at Los Angeles Express

Latest Line: (Express -4)

Radio: ESPN: Tom Kelly & Kermit Alexander

New Jersey Generals at Arizona Outlaws

Latest Line: (Outlaws -2)

Television: ABC National: Keith Jackson & Lynn Swann

Radio: ABC Radio: Charley Steiner & Dave Herman

Monday, March 5th

Memphis Showboats  at Houston Gamblers

Latest Line: (Showboats -5)

Television Coverage: ESPN-National: Jim Simpson & Paul Maguire

Radio: ABC Radio: Bob Buck and Dick Butkus

'84 Chronology-Boris Ruling

Event Date: March 1st, 1984

Event Description: Boris Wins Case

Source: UPI

The U.S. Football League's policy against drafting college underclassmen violates federal antitrust law, a judge ruled Wednesday in a decision that could alter the structure of professional sports.

Although the National Football League and Canadian Football League were not involved in the case, their college eligibility rules are identical to the USFL policy against drafting a collegiate player before his four years of eligibility have expired.

Officials of the NFL and CFL had no immediate comment.

The ruling made formal a decision U.S. District Judge Laughlin Waters announced after hearing arguments Jan. 30 in the case of Bob Boris, a former punter for the University of Arizona.

USFL lawyer Don Meyers said the decision could clear the way for the signing of Marcus Dupree, 19, who has reportedly agreed to a five-year, $5 million contract with the New Orleans Breakers. Dupree was a sophomore this year but dropped out of the University of Oklahoma and Southern Mississippi.

Waters consented to a USFL request to allow an immediate appeal of the ruling while other issues raised in the suit await trial later this year. A league attorney said papers would be filed with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeal within 10 days.

Boris left Arizona in 1982 and signed with an agent, which made him permanently ineligible for college sports. Ignored by the CFL, Boris became frustrated when the USFL signed college standout Herschel Walker after his junior season and then said it would make no more exceptions to its eligibility rule. Boris sued the league and its Arizona Wranglers' franchise.

In a brief summary judgment, Laughlin ruled the USFL's eligibility rule, as applied to Boris, “constituted a group boycott” and was therefore a “per se violation” of antitrust law.

Story-(UPI)

'84 Chronology-Fire Sale!

Event Date: March 1st, 1984

Event Description: Blitz For Sale

Source: The Spokesman-Review

'84 Chronology-Cousin Dupree

Event Date: February 29th, 1984

Event Description: Professional Leap

Source: The Victoria Advocate

'84 Chronology-Ready, Set, Sign

Event Date: February 28th, 1984

Event Description: Dupree Eyes Pact

Source: Eugene Register-Guard

'84 Chronology-Dupree Discussions

Event Date: February 27th, 1984

Event Description: Dupree Turning Pro

Source: Lodi News Sentinel

'84 Chronology-Sunday Roundup

Event Date: February 27th, 1984

Event Description: Sunday USFL Roundup

Source: UPI

Michigan 31

Jacksonville 33

Perry Kemp caught six passes for 86 yards and a pair of touchdowns as he sparked the (1-0) Jacksonville Bulls to a 33-31 upset against the Michigan Panthers to kick off the 1984 USFL season at the Gator Bowl.

Jacksonville quarterback Matt Robinson finished the contest 23-of-32 for 289 yards with three touchdown strikes for the Bulls as they provided head coach Lindy Infante his first victory of the year.

"It was all about playing fast," Infante said of his team's efforts. "They just kept playing fast all night and we were successful. I was proud of our guys. I told them it wasn't just one guy, it was everyone tonight."

The Panthers (0-1) were paced by quarterback Bobby Hebert who converted 22-of-39 for 277 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.

Game Notes-John Williams paced the Michigan ground game with 123 yards rushing with one touchdown...Derek Holloway led all receivers with eight receptions for 109 yards and one touchdown....Brian Franco connected on all four field goal attempts, including the game-winner with just under three minutes remaining.

Memphis 32

New Orleans 16

Walter Lewis completed 17-of-25 passes for 224 yards with one touchdown pass and another via the ground to lead the (1-0) Memphis Showboats to a season-opening 32-16 win over New Orleans at the Superdome.

"It always feels good when you win, but it's even more special when we can open a season with a win," coach Pepper Rodgers said. "We're still getting a feel for each other. Once we get in a groove, we are going to be tough to stop."

Doug Woodward, filling in for an injured Johnny Walton, completed 14-of-41 passes for 105 yards with one interception and one sack for the Breakers (0-1).

Game Notes-Buford Jordan led all rushers with 135 yards on 22 carries...Alan Duncan nailed six field goals for Memphis...defensive standout Reggie White made his pro debut, registering one sack, one run stuff and three tackles.

Philadelphia 48

Denver 34

Chuck Fusina tossed a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns leading the (1-0) Stars to a 48-34 win on the road at Denver.

Fusina finished with three touchdown passes and also added a touchdown run just before halftime. Second-year stud Kelvin Bryant rushed for 136 yards with one touchdown run.

Game Notes-Craig Penrose finished 19 of 30 for 336 yards with four touchdown passes and four interceptions for (0-1) Denver...Victor Hicks led all receivers with five catches for 122 yards with one touchdown and wideout Leonard Harris added 117 receiving yards with one touchdown.

Washington 13

Los Angeles 37

The (1-0) Los Angeles Express dominated as Tom Ramsey completed 20-of-26 passes for 281 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Kevin Nelson rushed for 71 yards and also hauled in a touchdown reception. David Hersey added seven receptions for 87 yards. 

Mike Hohensee completed 10-of-17 passes for 118 yards before leaving the game due to injury in the third quarter. Billy Taylor led the (0-1) Federals offensively with 50 yards rushing and 42 yards receiving.

Game Notes-Reggie Collier relieved Mike Hohensee in the third frame and finished with 97 passing yards and two picks...Troy West returned an interception 23 yards for a score in the final frame.

New Jersey 10

Oakland 17

The Oakland offense and the defense each scored touchdowns to lift the Invaders over New Jersey, 17-10, in the season-opener for both teams. 

Fred Besana completed 8-of-20 passes for just 67 yards with one interception and three sacks for the (1-0) Invaders.

Making his USFL debut, Brian Sipe threw for 167 yards on 15-of-41 passing with four picks and two sacks for the (0-1) Generals.

Defensive back Marcus Quinn scored the first touchdown for Oakland via a 45-yard interception return and Gordon Banks the second on a 27-yard pass from Besana midway through the third quarter.

Game Notes-Herschel Walker led all rushers with 143 yards on 23 carries and scored the only touchdown for New Jersey...Jim LeClair paced the Generals defense with seven tackles and one sack.

'84 Chronology-Backup Plan

Event Date: February 26th, 1984

Event Description: USFL Kicks Off

Source: Pittsburgh Tribune

Tony Lee kicked a 44-yard field goal with just seconds remaining, as the Pittsburgh Maulers (1-0) upset the Arizona Outlaws for a 27-24 win on Saturday night.

Pittsburgh pivot Glenn Carano was knocked out of the game on his second pass attempt pushing backup Tom Rozantz into action. Rozantz then went on to complete 18-of-26 passes for 255 yards with two touchdown passes.

Ex-NFLer Doug Williams completed 12-of-26 passes for 114 yards with one interception and no touchdowns. Williams also left the game midway through the final quarter, and was relieved by backup Alan Risher who passed for 104 yards with a pair of touchdowns.

Game Notes;

Kevin Long led all rushers with 180 yards on 25 carries...Mike Rozier was held to 21 yards rushing on just eight attempts.

more to come......

'84 Chronology-A Star Is Born

Event Date: February 26th, 1984

Event Description: Gamblers Win Opener

Source: Football News

In his professional debut, Jim Kelly threw for 260 yards and four touchdowns on 20-of-27 passing to lead the Houston Gamblers to a 35-30 win over the Birmingham Stallions on Saturday.

Ricky Sanders caught five passes for 64 yards and Scott McGhee hauled in a pair of touchdowns while Todd Fowler had 69 rushing yards for the Gamblers (1-0).

"It is nice to start the season with a win, especially here at home, hopefully this will set the stage for us to start building some fan support." said Houston head coach Jack Pardee. "The big guys up front really stepped it up tonight."

Ex-Steeler quarterback Cliff Stoudt completed 18-of-28 passes for 291yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions for the Stallions (0-1). Former Bills’ running back Joe Cribbs, making his USFL debut, finished with 133 rushing yards with one score. Veteran Jim Smith had six catches for 96 yards in the setback.

"We have to be more consistent in our game," said head coach Rollie Dotsch. "We can't have all these missed assignments and missed tackles. That's the bottom line."

Joe Cribbs’s seven yard run put the Stallions up 7-0 near the end of the opening quarter, but then Houston responded with two scoring drives of their own, each ending with Jim Kelly touchdown passes.

A Cliff Stoudt eleven yard touchdown pass to Joey Jones tied things up at 14-14 with just 4:03 remaining in the first-half. However the Gamblers’ responded with a seven-play, 89-yard drive which culminated with a Kelly to Greg Moser 36-yard scoring strike.

The Stallions posted a 22-yard Dan Miller field goal as the Gamblers took a 21-17 lead into the intermission.

Houston trailed 24-21 after three frames, but the Gamblers took control in the final quarter, posting two touchdowns while limiting the Birmingham offense.

Houston opened the fourth quarter scoring with a Sam Harrell touchdown run and then near the end of the stanza another Kelly to Scott McGhee pitch and catch, this time from 23 yards out pushing Houston out to a 35-24 lead.

A Stoudt to Jones 42 yard touchdown pass rounded out the scoring.

Game Notes;

Ex-Miami Hurricane Mark Rush hauled in three catches for 41 yards with one touchdown reception...the Gamblers outgained Birmingham 507-435...an announced crowd of 35,532 witnessed the home opener for Houston.

more to come......

'84 Chronology-Championship Poll

Which team will win the 1984 USFL championship?

Chicago Blitz

Philadelphia Stars

Michigan Panthers

Birmingham Stallions

New Jersey Generals

New Orleans Breakers

Houston Gamblers

Arizona Outlaws

Los Angeles Express

Tampa Bay Bandits

Other

Make a quiz