'85 Chronology-Romper Room

Event Date: June 24th, 1985

Event Description: Big Play Panthers

Source: PFW-UPI

Bobby Hebert fired four touchdown passes and John Williams ran for 199 yards with one touchdown, leading the Michigan Panthers to a 55-34 romp over the Houston Gamblers in the Western Conference final of the United States Football League.

The victory earned the Panthers their first berth in next weeks’ U.S.F.L. Championship game at the Meadowlands in New Jersey.

Hebert completed 21-of-30 passes for 317 yards with one interception and no sacks. 

Derek Holloway, who led the league with 1,733 receiving yards during the season, and Anthony Carter torched the Houston secondary throughout the contest. 

Holloway finished with 10 receptions for 154 yards with one score while Carter piled up 156 yards on ten receptions with three touchdowns.

Vito McKeever turned the game into a rout with a 37-yard fumble return for a touchdown early in the second quarter as Michigan led 28-3 early in the frame.

At the end of the half, the Panthers went 80 yards in seven plays on runs by Williams of 27 and 16 yards and a 17-yard reception from Carter as Michigan went up 38-3.

The Gamblers, the defending league champions, were dominated on both sides of the ball throughout the contest.

“I gave them fourteen points” said Houston quarterback Jim Kelly, referring to McKeever’s return and a second quarter interception that led to a score. “There were times today that I wish I could have just started the game all over again,” said Kelly. 

“Getting behind early like we did just allowed them to control the tempo and things just snowballed in the second quarter.”

Kelly finished the day with 299 passing yards on 26-of-37 efficiency with three touchdowns and a pair of interceptions.

“I have a lot of respect for Houston's defense,” said Michigan head coach Jim Stanley. “But their defense may be easier to break a big play on than it is to gain a simple four or five yards against.”

The Panthers will now travel to New Jersey next week to take on the Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Generals who will have home-field advantage on their side. 

Story-(UPI Modified)