'85 Chronology-April Fools

Event Date: April 1st, 1985

Event Description:  Verdin Sparks Victory

Source: PFW

Jim Kelly fired a 52-yard scoring strike to Gerald McNeil and Clarence Verdin returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown Sunday to lead the Houston Gamblers to a 20-13 victory over the New Jersey Generals.

Houston, the defending USFL champions, raised its record to 5-1 and handed the Generals their second loss of the season to go along with four victories.

Houston converted two turnovers, including two forced by Kiki DeAyala, into scores. Trailing 7-0, Houston pulled to within 7-3 after a Doug Flutie interception led to a 19-yard Toni Fritsch field goal.

Four minutes later, Kelly hit McNeil with a 52-yard touchdown pass, pushing Houston ahead 10-7. Roger Ruzek closed out the first-half scoring with a 31 yard field goal as the teams headed into the intermission tied 10-10.

In the final frame, trailing 13-10, the Generals again tied the game with another Ruzek field goal, this time from 25-yards out.

Houston then secured the victory with the Verdin kickoff return which immediately followed the Ruzek field goal.

Elsewhere, Tampa Bay overtook Birmingham 30-21, the Gold downed Arizona 21-18 and Michigan pounded San Antonio by a score of 34-3.

At Birmingham, John Reaves returned to action threw two touchdown passes and Gary Anderson ran for another to lead the Bandits over the (1-5) Stallions.

At San Antonio, the Panthers improved to (5-1) as Cleo Miller and John Williams both rushed for over 100 yards with Williams adding a pair of touchdowns.

more to come......