'85 Chronology-Stivey Stifled

Event Date: June 10th, 1985

Event Description: Stivey Suit

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'85 Chronology-Week #16-Oakland at Los Angeles

'85 Chronology-Week #16 Preview

Event Date: June 6th, 1985

Event Description: Week #16 Preview

Source: Pro Football Weekly

Week #16 USFL Preview

Thursday, June 6th

(6-9) Orlando Renegades at (10-5) New Jersey Generals

Latest Line: (Generals -8)   

Television: ESPN Regional: Fred Manfra & Mike Adamle

ESPN Radio: Charley Steiner & Robert Casciola

(10-5) Philadelphia Stars at (3-11-1) Pittsburgh Maulers

Latest Line: (Stars -10)

Television: Local

ESPN Radio: Harry Donahue & Vince Papale

Friday, June 7th

(10-5) Denver Gold at (5-10) Arizona Outlaws

Latest Line: (Gold -4)

Television: ESPN Regional: Jim Simpson & Paul McGuire

ESPN Radio: Gary Bender & John Moynihan

Saturday, June 8th

(7-8) Jacksonville Bulls at (8-7) Memphis Showboats

Latest Line: (Showboats -4)   

Television: ESPN: Roger Twibell & Marv Levy

ESPN Radio: Rick Weaver & Mike Lawhead

(6-9) New Orleans Breakers at (13-2) Houston Gamblers

Latest Line: (Gamblers -8)

Television: Local

 ESPN Radio: John Greer & Ed Biles

(4-11) San Antonio Gunslingers at (13-2) Michigan Panthers

Latest Line: (Panthers -14)

Television: Local

Radio: ESPN Radio: Jay Howard & Bill Mercer

(2-13) Oakland Invaders at (8-7) Los Angeles Express

Latest Line: (Express -7)

 Television: ESPN Regional: Fred Manfra & Marv Levy

ESPN Radio: Bob Murphy & Bob Lee

(4-10-1) Birmingham Stallions at (10-5) Tampa Bay Bandits

Latest Line: (Bandits -8)

Television: ABC National: Keith Jackson & Lynn Swann

Radio: ESPN Radio: Gene Deckerhoff & Vic Prinzi

'85 Chronology-Trouble with Truvillion

Event Date: June 4th, 1985

Event Description:  Trouble in Tampa

Source: UPI

Eric Truvillion, the leading receiver in Tampa Bay Bandits' history, was demoted from the USFL club's active roster Thursday following a dispute with Coach Steve Spurrier.

Truvillion was deactivated from the 43-man roster available for Saturday night's game against Birmingham. He was placed in the pool of seven players still on the team but not activated for this week's game.

Asked if Truvillion would be activated for the upcoming playoffs, team spokesman Dave Jovanovic said, “He could be, but he won't be.”

Truvillion and Spurrier have been feuding since the mid-season, when Spurrier and other coaches felt the club's top receiver wasn’t focused during practice and team meetings.

“Coach Spurrier called me over to his office yesterday where he told me, “I’m going to release you so you can play in the NFL or CFL,'' Truvillion said.

The Bandits, who sit atop the Southern division at (10-5), have finally been hit by the economic turmoil reverberating through the league, in part because they have had to help ailing franchises such as San Antonio, Birmingham and Los Angeles. Tampa Bay management has called in letters of credit signed by its limited financial partners.

“We have a slow cash flow now,” said Ralph Campbell, the club's director of business operations who is running the Bandits while principal owner John Bassett undergoes treatment in Toronto for two brain tumors. 

When the Tampa franchise was organized in 1982, limited partners put up $100,000 in cash and a $200,000 letter of credit. Actor Burt Reynolds owns a small piece of the team.

(*Story-UPI Modified)

'85 Chronology-Numbers Game

Event Date: June 4th, 1985

Event Description: Dickerson Questions Record

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'85 Chronology-Record Setter

Event Date: June 3rd, 1985

Event Description: Week #15 Roundup

Source: PFW-UPI

The Houston Gamblers, battling for the Central division title, avenged an earlier loss Sunday with a 24-20 victory over the Michigan Panthers.

In the process, the Gamblers knocked out Michigan quarterback Bobby Hebert, albeit briefly, with a mild ankle sprain.

“I feel fine,” Hebert said. “The ankle is a little sore and the only discomfort I have is from the fact that we lost the game.”

Houston linebacker Kiki DeAyala sacked Hebert late in the second quarter, sending him to the sidelines until the second-half.

The Gamblers,13-2, are now tied with Michigan for first place as both teams are seeking home field advantage as the playoffs near.

“The best thing about the win is we can control our own destiny,” Gamblers coach Jack Pardee said. “It won't be easy because we have a tough game against New Orleans next week, but we are feeling pretty good about our chances.”

Houston was led by Jim Kelly's 300 passing yards and two touchdowns. The Panthers had beaten the Gamblers back in week five in a 59-42 shoot out at the Silverdome.

In the other Sunday games, Herschel Walker rushed for 183 yards with three scores as the Generals swept the season series against Philadelphia. Walker also set the professional football rushing record as he now has 2,148 yards on the season. 

The previous pro record was held by Eric Dickerson who amassed 2,105 yards during the 1984 NFL season. A win next week against Orlando would give the Generals the division title.

Also Denver, (10-5), clinched the Pacific division title after their 23-20 win at Oakland. Bob Gagliano led the Gold with 370 yards passing while the Denver defense added a pair of interceptions and three sacks.

The other games of the day witnessed San Antonio upset New Orleans 12-6 and Orlando edging Pittsburgh 21-17.

The Monday night features Florida rivals Tampa Bay visiitng Jacksonville. The Bulls will need a win to remain in the playoff hunt.

'85 Chronology-Week #15-Memphis at Birmingham

'85 Chronology-Week #15 Preview

Event Date: May 30th, 1985

Event Description: Week #15 Preview

Source: Pro Football Weekly

Week #15 USFL Preview

Thursday, May 30th

(7-7) Los Angeles Express at (5-9) Arizona Outlaws

Latest Line: (Outlaws -1)

Television: Local

ESPN Radio: Gary Bender & John Moynihan

Saturday, June 1st

(7-7) Memphis Showboats at (4-9-1) Birmingham Stallions

Latest Line: (Showboats -1)   

Television: ESPN: Roger Twibell & Marv Levy

ESPN Radio: Jim Fyffe & Herb Winches

Sunday, June 2nd

(10-4) Philadelphia Stars at (9-5) New Jersey Generals

Latest Line: (Generals -4)

Television: ABC National: Keith Jackson & Lynn Swann

ESPN Radio: Charley Steiner & Robert Casciola

(13-1) Michigan Panthers at (12-2) Houston Gamblers

Latest Line: (Gamblers -1)

Television: ABC Regional: 

 ESPN Radio: John Greer & Ed Biles

(5-9) Orlando Renegades at (3-10-1) Pittsburgh Maulers

Latest Line: (No Line)   

Television: Local: John Saunders & Steve Talbot

ESPN Radio: David Steele & Sam Behr

(3-11) San Antonio Gunslingers at (6-8) New Orleans Breakers

Latest Line: (Breakers -9)

Television: Local

Radio: ESPN Radio: Jay Howard & Bill Mercer

(9-5) Denver Gold at (2-12) Oakland Invaders

Latest Line: (Gold -5)

 Television: Local

ESPN Radio: Mike Nolan & Irv Brown

Monday, June 3rd

(10-4) Tampa Bay Bandits at (6-8) Jacksonville Bulls 

Latest Line: (Bandits -2)

Television: ESPN National: Tom Mees & Paul McGuire

Radio: ESPN Radio: Larry Munson & Mel Arthur

'85 Chronology-No Regrets

Event Date: May 30th, 1985

Event Description: 

Source: UPI

In the wacky world of the USFL -- the Uncertain Shaky Football League -- Lee Corso stands out as a true Renegade.

Orlando's 49-year-old rookie coach enters Sunday's game against Pittsburgh with a 3-11 record and no regrets since taking over a franchise which transferred from Washington, D.C., to this central Florida city.

“I'd do absolutely everything the same,” said Corso, who brought 26 years of college coaching experience to the Renegades. “My approach was right for this particular set of circumstances. I wouldn't have made a single decision any differently.”

While some other USFL coaches scramble to land jobs elsewhere, Corso's resume remains in his file cabinet.

“I don't have any haziness about my future,” he said. “We're gonna be here, I'm gonna be here and the team's gonna be good. I know exactly what I'm gonna be doing next year.”

Corso was a color commentator for ABC during the USFL's inaugural 1983 season and that experience gives him a unique perspective to judge the league's progress.

“I knew this league was good before I came in to coach,” Corso said. “I watched this league in its conception and growth and it has made tremendous improvement. The team I have right now would have qualified for the playoffs in the league's first year, I sincerely believe that.”

Corso, who apparently has never been photographed without a smile on his sharply chiseled face, has maintained his upbeat attitude through all the losses. He says his only disappointment is Orlando's meager record.

“I really thought we could get to the playoffs,” Corso said with a chuckle that tried to mask his seriousness. “The reason you don't see me downcast is I have a strong faith in something bigger than this life and I have the very strong support of my wife and family. Also, remember one thing ... I'm doing exactly what I want to be doing. Sure I hurt and I hurt bad, but people don't want to see that. One thing I never have done is take the game home with me.”

Corso stresses a familial approach with his predominantly young team and admits he's dropped more talented players in favor of lesser athletes.

“You win with character, not characters,” he said. “I crack the whip here, but I do it silently. The guys here believe in each other and this will be a great franchise. Right now, though, we're like the baby that has to learn how to walk. It can get frustrating.”

Corso, who coached collegiately at Louisville, Indiana and Northern Illinois, isn't about to give up the life he loves.

“I love the ability to lead a group of human beings in stressful situations in a way you can lead by your own personal example,” he said. “You're giving them an alternative way of life to the viciousness and back-biting everyday world.”

And the liabilities of coaching? “Losing,” he said.

Story-(UPI Modified)

'85 Chronology-Manges Mutiny

Event Date: May 29th, 1985

Event Description: 'Slingers Seek Back Pay

Source: UPI

The San Antonio Gunslingers staged a brief no-pay, no-play strike Wednesday but returned to practice when warned their action would kill the U.S.Football League franchise.

One player said team president Bud Haun told them if they continued holding out, “the shop is going to fold.”

He also assured the disgruntled players the two overdue paychecks would be available Thursday, the San Antonio Light reported.

After Haun and the players met, one Gunslinger, who will miss the season's last four games because of injury, picked up his shoulder pads and left Alamo Stadium.

“It's a no-win situation,” the paper quoted another player as saying. “They told us the same garbage they told us eight weeks ago.”

A team source speculated that owner Clinton Manges' financial dealings with a Mormon group had not progressed as anticipated, causing the cash shortfall.

General manager Roger Gill said money was wired to the team bank Wednesday but management was unable to furnish the players with cashiers' checks.

“I feel reasonably sure they'll be paid (today),” Gill said.

“Basically, everybody's distraught about not being paid,” defensive lineman Jeff Gaylord said. “That's what we play the game for at the professional level.”

Gaylord said Haun told the players Manges' projected financial arrangements will underwrite team salaries for the rest of the season. The players are owed their May 14 pay as well as this week's check.

The USFL Players Association has filed a grievance on behalf of the players for the May 14 checks, but any result from that procedure still is more than a week away.

“Of course they're discouraged and disheartened,” coach Jim Bates said. “But if they as a group of people refuse to play, I don't know what other alternative there would be (to shutting down). You hate to go into all the ramifications of folding an outfit. They have a real responsibility to play it (the season) out.”

'85 Chronology-Week #14-MNF: Houston over San Antonio

'85 Chronology-Advance Notice

Event Date: May 26th, 1985

Event Description: Johnson Buyout 

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'85 Chronology-Week #14-SNF: Oakland at Arizona

'85 Chronology-Week #14-FNF: Los Angeles at Denver

'85 Chronology-Payola

Event Date: May 24th, 1985

Event Description: Football Roundup

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'85 Chronology-Week #14 Preview

Event Date: May 23rd, 1985

Event Description: Week #14 Preview

Source: Pro Football Weekly

Week #14 USFL Preview

Thursday, May 23rd

(10-3) Philadelphia Stars at (4-9) Orlando Renegades

Latest Line: (Stars -3)

Television: Local

ESPN Radio: David Steele & Tom Korun

Friday, May 24th

(7-6) Los Angeles Express at (8-5) Denver Gold

Latest Line: (Gold -6)

Television: ESPN Regional: Tim Brando & Marv Levy

ESPN Radio: Mike Nolan & Irv Brown

Saturday, May 25th

(9-4) Tampa Bay Bandits at (7-6) Memphis Showboats

Latest Line: (Showboats -1)   

Television: ESPN National: Tom Kelly & Don Heinrich

ESPN Radio: Gene Deckerhoff & Vic Prinzi

(2-11) Oakland Invaders at (4-9) Arizona Outlaws

Latest Line: (Outlaws -4)

Television: ESPN National: Jim Simpson & Paul McGuire

Radio: ESPN Radio: Gary Bender & John Moynihan

Sunday, May 26th

(6-7) Jacksonville Bulls at (3-9-1) Birmingham Stallions

Latest Line: (Stallions -1)

 Television: ABC National: Keith Jackson & Lynn Swann

ESPN Radio: Larry Munson & Mel Arthur

(8-5) New Jersey Generals at (3-9-1) Pittsburgh Maulers

Latest Line: (Generals -4)   

Television: Local: John Saunders & Steve Talbot

ESPN Radio: Charley Steiner & Dave Herman

(6-7) New Orleans Breakers at (12-1) Michigan Panthers

Latest Line: (Panthers -9)

Television: Local

 ESPN Radio: Bob Sherman & Dan Follis

Monday, May 27th

(12-1) Houston Gamblers at (3-10) San Antonio Gunslingers

Latest Line: (Gamblers -8)

Television: ESPN National: Roger Twibell & Mike Haffner

Radio: ESPN Radio: Jay Howard & Bill Mercer

'85 Chronology-English Leather featuring Doug Flutie

'85 Chronology-Major Reappraisal

Event Date: May 23rd, 1985

Event Description: Breaking Away?

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'85 Chronology-Serious Consideration

Event Date: May 22nd, 1985

Event Description: 'Gades Pursue Hampton

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'85 Chronology-Backup Plan

Event Date: May 21st, 1985

Event Description: Bulls Dump Express

Source: PFW

Robbie Mahfouz threw for 175 yards with one touchdown and Mike Rozier piled up 95 rushing yards Monday night to lead the Jacksonville Bulls to a 20-10 win over the L.A. Express in the U.S. Football League.

Mahfouz who was filling in for the injured Ed Luther,  connected on a 44-yard touchdown pass to Alton Alexis late in the first-half as the Bulls built a 14-10 half-time lead. The touchdown followed a Don Bessilieu interception that was returned 23 yards to set up the score.

Mahfouz completed 17-of-27 with a pair of interceptions and one sack.

Steve Young completed 19-of-36 attempts for 162 yards with two interceptions and three sacks in the loss.

The hard-hitting game was marred by numerous roughing the passer, unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct on both teams and a mini-brawl erupted midway through the final period after Jacksonville’s Vaughn Johnson intercepted a Young pass.

Johnson was forced out of bounds and then cut down by a hard body block, prompting an unnecessary roughness call. Several scuffles broke out near the restraining wall, not far from the Express' bench and fans began pelting players with debris.

The loss was dropped Los Angeles to (7-6) while Jacksonville improved to (6-7). Both teams are very much alive in their respective playoff wild-card races.