'86 Chronology-Bo Knows Debuts

Event Date: April 8th, 1986

Event Description: Bo Makes Debut

Source: Football News

Bo Jackson made his entrance into pro football on Monday night leading the Birmingham Stallions' to a 31-21 victory over the division leading Memphis Showboats.

Before the largest crowd of the year at Legion Field, Jackson led his team with 181 rushing yards with one touchdown as the Stallions moved into a tie for first place in the Eastern conference.

Jackson collected his first pro touchdown right at the start of the contest after Memphis quarterback Walter Lewis was intercepted deep in their own territory. Jackson’s 12-yard run gave Birmingham an early 7-0 lead.

Later in the initial frame, Cliff Stoudt found Joey Jones for a 23-yard score and then midway throught the second quarter Earl Gant scored on a six-yard run as the Stallions led 21-0 at the intermission.

The second half saw Memphis put together three touchdown drives as Walter Lewis threw touchdown passes of one, 47 and 12-yards respectively.

But a Cliff Stoudt to Ken Toler 14-yard touchdown combined with a Danny Miller 22-yard field goal allowed the Stallions to secure the win.

“I like our whole football team,” Stallions head coach Rollie Dotsch said. “Everybody's doing what they have to do. It's a team thing. Of course the addition of Bo gives us the ability control the ball with the running game. I think he has a very bright future in pro football.”

Birmingham stands 5-2 overall and are now tied with Memphis and Orlando for the Eastern conference lead with each team sitting at (5-2).

“This is the type of team you have to beat to get ahead in this league,” Showboats coach Pepper Rodgers said afterward. “They're good, sound and solid. And their new running back ain’t chopped liver either.”

The other Monday night game of the week saw (3-4) Los Angeles down the hapless (0-7) Oakland Invaders by a score of 28-21 as Rick Neuheisel tossed three touchdown passes in the win.

In other Week #7 action; the (5-2) Orlando Renegades downed struggling Baltimore (2-5) by a score of 17-10;

On Saturday the Denver Gold improved to (3-4) after a 40-28 win at (2-5) New Orleans;

On Sunday, the (7-0) Houston Gamblers remained undefeated after edging (2-5) Arizona 34-31, and the suddenly surging (3-4) New Jersey Generals won at (5-2) Michigan 34-27.

more to come......