'84 Chronology-Gamblin' Man!

Event Date: July 16th, 1984

Event Description: Gamblers Take Title

Source: UPI

The Houston Gamblers were confident they could throw on the Birmingham Stallions, and pass they did.

Game MVP Jim Kelly passed for 351yards leading Houston to to a 35-26 win over the Stallions in the second annual USFL championship game Sunday night.

“Our offensive unit and our coaches have a lot of confidence in passing the ball,” said jubilant Houston coach Jack Pardee. “Our intention was to run the ball on them, and we did, but at the end of the day with a quarterback like Jim you have to let him lead the way” he said.

The Gamblers scored on their first two possessions of the third frame, the first a 33-yard strike to Richard Johnson and the second a 40-yarder to Ricky Sanders which pushed Houston ahead 21-10.

“I knew it was going to be a tough game for Birmingham after our first two possessions to start the second-half, ” said Kelly. The Gamblers put together a pair of long drives to start the second-half and never looked back.

Kelly finished the night with 24 completions in 31 attempts for 351 yards with three touchdowns, three sacks and three interceptions. Kelly also rushed for 31 yards on six attempts and added a late touchdown run to seal the victory.

Todd Fowler carried 16 times for 101 yards with one touchdown run and hauled in three passes for 30 yards, the first a 16-yard touchdown reception which opened the scoring.

Richard Johnson finished with nine receptions for 103 yards with one touchdown. Greg Moser finished with five receptions for 81 yards and Ricky Sanders added four receptions for 70 yards with one touchdown.

The Gamblers wasted several scoring opportunities. Kelly was intercepted after getting to the Birmingham 16, and Toni Fritsch missed a field goal attempt just before the intermission.

But the Houston defense covered up for those mistakes by sacking Birmingham quarterback Cliff Stoudt on four occasions and holding Joe Cribbs to under 100 yards rushing, Cribbs finished with 83 yards on 14 carries. 

Stoudt finished with 307 passing yards on 19-of-34 efficiency with one interception, a pair of touchdowns and four sacks.

“I think our defense is among the best in the league,” Pardee said. 

Story-(UPI Modified)