'85 Chronology-Smooth Sailing

Event Date: February 10th, 1985

Event Description: USFL Exhibition Games

Source: PFW

Tim Spencer and Harry Sydney ran for touchdowns Saturday to lead the Memphis Showboats to a 35-16 USFL exhibition victory over the New Jersey Generals.

Spencer scored on a one-yard run on the Showboats second possession, and Sydney crashed in from 15-yards out midway through the second quarter as Memphis crusied to the win.

Memphis made it 28-6 with 1:21 left in the third frame on a 16-yard touchdown pass from Waler Lewis to Derrick Crawford.

Showboats starting quarterback Walter Lewis completed 6 of 10 passes for 113 yards and ran for 117 more on eleven carries.

The game was staged in Charlotte by businessman George Shinn, who is testing the city's response in his pursuit of a USFL franchise. A crowd of 11,667 sat through a light rain in the 24,500-seat Memorial Stadium.

Shinn said he was pleased with the crowd. He said he will reach a franchise decision sometime after a second USFL game in the city between thedefending league champion Philadelphia Stars and the Tampa Bay Bandits.

In other exhibition action; the Philadelphia Stars downed the new Orlando franchise by a score of 31-10 at Deland, Florida. Ex-Tampa Bay Bucs quarterback Jerry Golsteyn got the start for the Renegades throwing for 239 yards with three interceptions.

The new San Antonio Gunslingers squad got off to a good start with a 26-9 win over Birmingham with Rick Neuheisel tossing a 15-yard touchdown pass and veteran kicker Nick Mike-Mayer connecting on four field goals.

Meanwhile the Los Angeles Express downed Denver by a score of 19-15, the Arizona Outlaws outlasted Oakland 13-6, the Jacksonville Bulls beat defending champion Houston by a 29-20 count, the New Orleans Breakers defeated Michigan 37-28 and the Tampa Bay Bandits beat visiting Pittsburgh by a score of 21-14.