'84 Chronology-Right on Schedule

Event Date: December 22nd, 1984

Event Description: USFL Releases Schedule

Source: United Press International

The third United States Football League season opens Feb. 23 when the Tampa Bay Bandits host the Orlando Renegades, the USFL announced Saturday.

The 16-team, 16-week regular-season schedule includes 128 games and ends Saturday, June 8th. The USFL championship game will be played June 29th at a site to be announced.

Two new teams have joined the league this season. The San Antonio Gunslingers have replaced the defunct Chicago franchise and the Washington Federals have moved to Orlando.

The Eastern Conference will again consist of the Atlantic and Southern divisions, while the Western Conference features the Central and Pacific divisions.

The Atlantic division includes the Philadelphia Stars, New Jersey Generals, Pittsburgh Maulers and Orlando Renegades.

The Southern division will again be the home to the Birmingham Stallions, Jacksonville Bulls, Memphis Showboats, and Tampa Bay Bandits. 

The Pacific division consists of the Arizona Outlaws, Denver Gold, Los Angeles Express, and Oakland Invaders.

The Central will house the Houston Gamblers, Michigan Panthers, New Orleans Breakers and San Antonio Gunslingers.

For the third year, ABC and ESPN will carry 16 weeks of USFL games. ABC will televise Sunday afternoons and provide playoff and championship coverage. 

ESPN, which entered into a new three-year agreement with the USFL after the 1984 season, will offer Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday night games.

The Gamblers, who defeated Birmingham 35-26 for the 1984 championship, open defense of their title in Los Angeles against Steve Young and the Express on Sunday, Feb. 24th. Orlando and Tampa Bay play the only game Feb. 23rd, opening the season with an 8 p.m. EST kickoff.

Five head coaches are scheduled to make their USFL debuts. Frank Kush, who departed the Indianapolis Colts of the NFL, will succeed George Allen in Arizona; Darrel “Mouse” Davis left his assistant position with the Gamblers to take over Denver; long-time NFL assistant Charlie Sumner is the new Oakland coach; former college coach Lee Corso will pilot the Renegades; and former Texas Tech defensive coordinator Jim Bates will be the head coach in San Antonio.

The USFL playoffs begin June 29. Eight teams qualify -- the top two finishers in each conference and four wild cards selected by record regardless of conference.

Story-(UPI Modified)