'85 Chronology-Overtime Oeurve

Event Date: June 24th, 1985

Event Description: Generals Advance

Source: PFW-UPI

Doug Flutie fired a 36-yard touchdown strike to Clarence Collins in overtime Sunday to power the New Jersey Generals to a 40-34 triumph over the Tampa Bay Bandits in the Eastern Conference final of the U.S. Football League.

“We never had an opportunity in overtime after they scored on the opening possession,” said Tampa Bay coach Steve Spurrier. “ I know our fans are disappointed but we didn't play as well as I thought we would so New Jersey deserves a shot to win the championship.” 

Maurice Carthon's three-yard touchdown opened the scoring in the first quarter at the ten-minute mark giving the visitors an early 7-0 lead. 

That score was quickly followed up by a Flutie to Collins 52-yard strike which was set up by a Gregg Johnson 20-yard interception return. 

A Roger Ruzek 27-yard field goal pushed New Jersey out in front by a score of 17-0 at the five-minute mark of the opening stanza.

The Bandits however rallied at the point, scoring 17 unanswered in the second frame as Gary Anderson scored via a three-yard run and later on a 42-yard strike from John Reaves. A 27-yard field goal from Zenon Andrusyshyn tied things at 17-17 as the teams headed into the intermission.

The Bandits pulled ahead by a score of 31-17 in the second-half after Tampa put together two long drives of 73 and 80 yards respectively, with both culminating with John Reaves touchdown passes. The first an eleven yard swing pass to Larry Brodsky and the second a 15-yarder to tight end Marvin Harvey.

Another Doug Flutie touchdown pass to Clarence Collins and a Herschel Walker ten-yard tuchdown run tied things at 31-31 with just over three minutes remaining in regulation. The Generals led 34-31 after Roger Ruzek nailed a 28-yard field goal at the 1:13 mark.

The Bandits then sent the game into overtime when Andrusyshyn connected on a 31-yard field goal with just 23 seconds remaining in regulation.

Doug Flutie finished 23-for-33 for 368 yards with two picks and three touchdowns while John Reaves was 26-for-37 for 366 yards. 

Herschel Walker led all rushers with 172 yards on 29 carried and Gary Anderson carried the ball fourteen times for 96 yards in the loss.

Story-(UPI Modified)