'85 Chronology-Saturday Showdown

Event Date: March 10th, 1985

Event Description: Gamblers Secure Late Victory

Source: PFW

Jim Kelly threw for three scores and Toni Fritsch connected on all three field goal attempts, sparking the Houston Gamblers to a 28-27 USFL triumph over the previously unbeaten Memphis Showboats.

The Gamblers, (3-0), scored with just 30 seconds remaining to secure their third straight victory.

In a see-saw game before an estimated crowd of just over 35,000, Kelly hit Richard Johnson on a 27-yard touchdown pass late in the first quarter and connected again with Johnson via 75-yard strike early in the final frame.

Kelly, who completed 38 of 57 passes for 447 yards, closed out the game with a six yard pass to Clarence Verdin.

Toni Fritsch added field goals of 26, 21 and 20 yards for the Gamblers, who remain atop the Central division standings.

The Showboats, (2-1), opened the scoring on Walter Lewis's 14-yard touchdown pass to Derrick Crawford as Memphis opened an early 7-0 lead.

Early in the second stanza, Lewis found former Gambler Rick Moser for a 23-yard score. Memphis would go into the intermission with a 14-13 lead.

In the final frame, key gains by Tim Spencer, and Harry Sydney pushed Memphis to the two-ayrd line, where Lewis then took it in via a quarterback sneak, giving Memphis a 21-13 lead at the 14:33 mark.

Houston then responded with the Kelly to Johnson touchdown pass as the Gamblers closed to within 21-19.

At the 2:18 mark, Walter Lewis found Moser again, this time from 36 yards out, in what appeared to be the game-clinching score as Memphis moved ahead 27-22.

However, the Gamblers responded with a 13-play, 54 yard drive which culminated with the Kelly to Verdin game-winner.

Game Notes: Houston hybrid back Todd Fowler was also lost to injury in the opening frame…Memphis quarterback Walter Lewis finished with 322 passing yards while also rushing for 53 yards…the two teams combined for over 1,000 yards of total offense.

In other Saturday action; the New Orleans Breakers improved to (2-1) after their 34-20 win over Jacksonville. Buford Jordan led the way with a pair of touchdown runs and Matt Robinson was efficient at quarterback throwing for 256 yards and one touchdown.