'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......