'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.