'86 Chronology-Jackpot!

Event Date: June 29th, 1986

Event Description: Gamblers Win Championship

Source: Football News

Jim Kelly threw a pair of touchdown passes and Sam Harrell ran for two more Saturday to power the Houston Gamblers to a 41-35 overtime win over Birmingham in the fourth USFL championship.

Kelly completed 30 of 48 passes for 329 yards leading Houston to its second league championship in three years, with both wins coming against Birmingham.

The former Miami star hit wide-receiver Richard Johnson with a 16-yard touchdown with just 44 seconds remaining in regulation, and then followed that up with a 33-yard strike to Scott McGhee in overtime.

“It tastes real sweet,” Kelly said as he sipped champagne in the winning locker room. “The city of Houston has been very good to me, so I'm happy for the fans,” Kelly said. 

“I'm glad I'm here, the USFL has been a great opportunity for me.”

Kelly has previously hinted that he may buy out the remainder of his USFL contract if the team were to win the championship.

“I know there have been some rumors about my contract circulating as of late. All I can say is I'd like to stay in Houston because I'm established in this league and I know that this team is committed to winning.” he said.

Birmingham quarterback Cliff Stoudt praised the new league champs.

“Their team has a great quarterback, a solid pass rush and phenomenal special teams'” he said. “They showed again today that they are the best team in the league.” 

Birmingham opened the scoring with a 55-yard pass from Stoudt to wide receiver Greg Anderson at the 10:35 mark of the first quarter as the Stallions moved out to an early 7-0 lead.

The Gamblers responded with a pair of touchdown drives which were both capped by Sam Harrell touchdown runs. The first a seven-yard run near the end of the initial frame and the second a nine-yard run to start the second as Houston moved to a 14-7 lead.

In the second quarter, the Stallions took advantage of a pair of interceptions turning both into touchdowns. 

The first came via an eight-yard touchdown run by star running back Bo Jackson which was then followed by a Stoudt to Joey Jones score pushing Birmingham out to a 21-14 lead.

Frank Corral rounded out the first half with a 25 yard field goal closing the gap to 21-17 at the intermission.

Second half scoring opened with a Paul Ott Carruth nine-yard touchdown run which capped a five-play, 36 yard drive, which was again set up by a Kelly interception.

Frank Corral again reduced the deficit with a 19-yard field goal at the end of the quarter.

At the start of the final frame, explosive return man Gerald McNeil took a return 80-yards for a score and Sam Harrell was successful on a two-point conversion as the Gamblers tied the contest at 28-28. McNeil was named the games' Most Valuable Player.

Bo Jackson broke the tie with a one-yard touchdown run with just over two minutes remaining as Birmingham appeared to be on the verge of victory.

Richard Johnson then took a 16-yard pass from Kelly at the 0:44 mark to send the game into overtime.

The game was played in clear weather with temperatures in the low-80s and drew a crowd of 63,934.

Game Notes: Paul Ott Carruth led all rushers with 131 yards on 16 carries…Birmingham defensive back David Dumars finished with 12 tackles and one interception…the two teams combined for nine turnovers and 13 penalties.

'86 Chronology-USFL Championship: Fight to the Finish II

 

'86 Chronology-USFL Championship: Fight to the Finish I

 

'86 Chronology-Championship Preview

Event Date: June 27th, 1986

Event Description: Championship Preview

'86 Chronology-TSN USFL Awards

Event Date: June 25th, 1986

Event Description: USFL Awards ‘86

Source: League Office

Memphis Showboats quarterback Walter Lewis was named U.S. Football League Most Valuable Player by the Sporting News on Tuesday.

Birmingham Stallions cornerback Chuck Clanton was named defensive MVP and the weekly newspaper also picked Orlando Renegades coach Lee Corso as USFL Coach of the Year. Gene Burrough of the Houston Gamblers was named Executive of the Year.

Lewis passed for a career high 3,599 yards this season, and led the league with a 106.3 quarterback rating. Lewis also finished with 34 touchdown passes and rushed for 918 yards and eight touchdowns.

Also joining Lewis on the 11-member all-star offense were New Jersey running back Herschel Walker, Baltimore running back Kelvin Bryant, Tampa tight end Marvin Harvey, Michigan wide receiver Derek Holloway, New Orleans wide receiver Jerry Gordon, Baltimore tackle Irv Eatman, Birmingham tackle Buddy Aydelette, Orlando guard Jerry Dornbrook, Tampa guard Rufus Brown and New Jersey center Kent Hull.

The 11 defensive selections included Memphis tackle Calvin Clark, Houston tackle Tony Fitzpatrick, New Orleans end Jearld Baylis, Arizona end Dave Tipton, Houston inside linebacker Kiki DeAyala, Michigan linebacker Marcus Marek, Birmingham linebacker Herbert Spencer, New Jersey defensive backs Jerry Holmes and Kerry Justin, Birmingham defensive back Chuck Clanton and Houston strong safety Luther Bradley.

The specialists chosen for the squad were Houston kickoff returner Clarence Verdin, Houston punt returner Gerald McNeil, Houston kicker Frank Corral and Orlando punter Greg Cater.

The player of the year and all-star awards were chosen by TSN's editors. The coach and executive of the year awards were chosen by peers around the league.

'86 Chronology-Play It Again Sam

Event Date: June 23rd, 1986

Event Description: Championship Contest Set

Source: Football News

Three touchdown throws by Jim Kelly and a one-yard scoring run by Sam Harrell in the second half sent the Houston Gamblers cruising past the New Orleans Breakers, 34-10, and into the USFL championship for the second time in three years.

After leading 6-3 at the intermission, Houston took control in the second half thanks to a one-yard touchdown run by Sam Harrell, capping a nine-play, 73 yard drive, which was then followed by a 66-yard strike from Kelly to Clarence Verdin as the Gamblers moved out to a 20-3 lead.

The Breakers moved to within 20-10 after a Matt Robinson to Marcus Dupree 15-yard touchdown pass, but were shut out in the final quarter as Houston cruised to victory.

By winning against their conference rival, the Gamblers earned a trip to Jacksonville, where they will again meet the Birmingham Stallions for the league title. The teams met in 1984, with the Gamblers coming out on top by a score of 35-26.

Birmingham beat Jacksonville 44-27 behind a four-touchdown performance by quarterback Cliff Stoudt. The Stallions scored 24 unanswered points and finally broke free of Jacksonville in the fourth quarter after trailing 27-20 at the start of the final frame.

Stoudt and Bulls’quarterback Ed Luther both threw four touchdown passes as the Stallions and Bulls combined for over 500 passing yards. Perry Harrington led all rushers with 170 yards on 23 carries, while Bo Jackson paced Birmingham with 110 yards on ten touches.

Week #18 game notes;

Houston running back Sam Harrell had a career playoff high 131 yards rushing on 22 attempts.…Matt Robinson finished with 275 yards on 16-of-31 efficiency with three picks and three sacks…a report out of New Orleans over the weekend claimed that the Breakers may be forced to relocate due to the financial issues facing the Superdome.

more to come......

The USFL: Where Football Is Still A Game!

 

'86 Chronology-Bryant Files Suit

Event Date: June 20th, 1986

Event Description: Bryant Files Suit

Source: UPI

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Kelvin Bryant, the second-leading rusher in U.S. Football League history, is suing the Baltimore Stars for breach of contract and interfering with his ability to negotiate with other teams.

In addition, Bryant, 25, is seeking a temporary injunction to allow him to negotiate with the NFL's Washington Redskins before the suit is settled. The Redskins own his NFL rights.

If the injunction is granted, Bryant could play with the Redskins for the 1986 season. Redskins General Manager Bobby Beathard and other team officials would not comment on the matter. 

Washington used a seventh-round pick in the 1983 NFL draft on Bryant, a University of North Carolina product.

The Stars gave Bryant permission last month to contact the Redskins, but later took it back. The running back has one year remaining on his contract, worth $250,000 in 1987.

The Washington Times quoted Charles Holton, one of Bryant's lawyers, as saying the suit could be heard as early as this spring and that a decision on the injunction could come within three weeks.

The suit, filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Greensboro, asserts that the Stars have failed to make payments on Bryant's contract and have changed his compensation. It also claims the team has a lack of adequate training facilities.

Named in the lawsuit are the USFL, the Stars, team owner Myles Tanenbaum, league Commissioner Harry Usher and several other defendants, court officials said.

“Our only comment at this point is that we have not yet been notified,” said Bob Rose, spokesman for the USFL in New York. “We haven't seen the suit and haven't had a chance to review it.”

Source: (UPI Modified)

'86 Chronology-Week #18 Preview

Event Date: June 20th, 1986

Event Description: Week #18 Preview

'86 Chronology-Playoff Roundup

Event Date: June 16th, 1986

Event Description: Wild Card Roundup

Source: Football News

Wide receiver Alton Alexis terrorized the Memphis secondary for 156 yards and two touchdown catches, vaulting the Jacksonville Bulls into the Eastern conference championship.

The Bulls, who improved to (10-7), will travel to Birmingham next week to take on the Stallions. Birmingham cruised to the final after their 34-13 win at Orlando.

With Jacksonville leading 6-3 early in the third quarter, Alexis, the Bulls' leading receiver during the regular season, opened the second half scoring with a 51-yard strike from Ed Luther.

Perry Harrington then moved Jacksonville ahead by a score of 20-3 at the 8:07 mark of the third frame with a one-yard touchdown plunge.

Memphis pulled to within 23-10 at the end of the quarter when Walter Lewis found Harry Sydney for a 17-yard score, finishing a 10-play, 80 yard drive.

In the final frame, the Bulls pulled away for good when Ed Luther tossed a pair of touchdowns, the first to Frank Lockett from 15 yards, and the second an eight-yard toss to Alexis as Jacksonville moved out to a 38-10 lead.

The Showboats rounded out the scoring with another Lewis to Sydney touchdown from 14-yards.

Game Notes: Walter Lewis was intercepted three times and sacked twice….John Banaszak finished with 14 tackles for Memphis…Jacksonville kicker Roger Ruzek connected on three fields and three extra points.

In other weekend playoff action;

In Michigan, Matt Robinson threw four touchdown passes as the Breakers staged a 24-point second half surge as New Orleans won a 45-34 shoot out against the Panthers.

Robinson and Michigan quarterback Bob Gagliano combined for seven touchdown passes and Panthers’ wideouts Eric Truvillion and Derek Holloway finished with 200 and 163 receiving yards respectively.

In Orlando, the visiting Stallions pounded the Renegades with Bo Jackson and their rushing attack on their way to a 34-13 victory. Jackson finished with 116 yards and the Stallions finished with 251 as a team.

Birmingham quarterback Cliff Stoudt tossed a pair of touchdowns to wide receiver Greg Anderson and Joey Jones hauled in seven receptions for 88 yards.

In Houston, Jim Kelly threw four touchdown passes and Sam Harrell rushed for 113 yards with one score as the Gamblers blew out Los Angeles by a score of 48-27.

more to come......

'86 Chronology-Stallions Stun 'Gades!

 

'86 Chronology-Breaking Away!

 

'86 Chronology-Week #17 Preview

Event Date: June 13th, 1986

Event Description: Week #17 Preview

'86 Chronology-Breaking Away?

Event Date: June 13th, 1986

Event Description: Saints Need Incentives

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'86 Chronology-Playoffs!

Event Date: June 10th, 1985

Event Description: USFL Playoffs

Source: UPI

Tickets for the Orlando Renegades' first U.S. Football League playoff game went on sale Monday, the club announced.

Prices for the June 14th game against the Birmingham Stallions range from $12 to $18 for non-season ticket holders and $10 to $16 for season ticket holders, the team said.

The game is one of three USFL playoff contests set for next weekend.

Story-(UPI Modified)

This Is The USFL

 

'86 Chronology-Round 1 Playoff Matchups

 1986 United States Football League

Playoffs Round 1

Eastern Conference

(9-7) Jacksonville Bulls at (12-4) Memphis Showboats

(11-5) Birmingham Stallions at (11-5) Orlando Renegades

Western Conference

(7-9) Los Angeles at (13-3) Houston Gamblers

(7-9) New Orleans Breakers at (8-8) Michigan Panthers

'86 Chronology-Week #16 Capsule

Event Date: June 9th, 1986

Event Description: Week #16 Capsule

'86 Chronology-Week #16 Roundup

Event Date: June 8th, 1986

Event Description: Week #16 Roundup

Source: Football News

The Baltimore Stars, battling for a USFL playoff spot, did their part after a 42-21 victory over the Denver Gold, but were utimately eliminated after the Jacksonville Bulls won on the road against hapless Oakland.

The Stars finished the season at a disappointing (8-8) while the Bulls improved to (9-7) and will travel to Memphis next week to take on the division leading Showboats. The other Eastern conference contest will see Birmingham travel to Orlando.

“The best thing about the win is we now control our own destiny,” Bulls coach Lindy Infante said. “It won't be easy because we have a very tough game ahead, but we don't have to depend on anyone winning or losing else.”

In the Western conference the Michigan Panthers secured a wild-card playoff berth after downing Memphis by a score of 24-14 behind a strong effort from Panthers’ pivot Bob Gagliano. Gagliano threw for 409 yards with a pair of touchdowns. 

The Panthers will host the (7-9) New Orleans Breakers next week, while the (7-9) Los Angeles Express will visit (13-3) Houston.

The Express secured the final playoff spot despite losing to Tampa Bay 26-7 at Anaheim Stadium.

The other games saw Birmingham down Arizona 28-7, Houston edge New Jersey 12-6 meanwhile Orlando crushed the Breakers by a score of 31-10.

more to come......

'86 Chronology-Sweet Sixteen

 

'86 Chronology-Week #16 Preview

Event Date: June 6th, 1986

Event Description: Week #16 Preview

'86 Chronology-ABC on MNF

Event Date: June 5th, 1986

Event Description: ABC Seeks Relief

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'86 Chronology-Week #15 Capsule

Event Date: June 4th, 1986

Event Description: Week #15 Capsule