'87 Chronology-Indoor Clash

Event Date: August 1st, 1987

Event Description: Arena Bowl I

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Smoke and Mirrors

 

'87 Chronology-Reading Tea Leaves

Event Date: July 31st, 1987

Event Description: Jury Deliberations

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Ready For Action!

Event Date: July 30th, 1987

Event Description: Walker Arrives

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Early Bird

Event Date: July 30th, 198

Event Description: Coleman Reports Early

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Expansion Plans

Event Date: July 30th, 1987

Event Description: Arena League Expansion

Source: Ledger Wire Services

'87 Chronology-Steeltown Showdown

Event Date: July 27th, 1987

Event Description: AFL Championship Set

Source: Beaver County Times

'87 Chronology-Ignorance is Bliss

Event Date: July 22nd, 1987

Event Description: NBC Ignored USFL

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Back Pay

Event Date: July 22nd, 1987

Event Description: 'Slinger Salaries

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Economies of Scale

Event Date: July 16th, 1987

Event Description: Economist Disputes Claims

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Moonlighting

Event Date: July 14th, 1987

Event Description: Jackson Joining Raiders

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Definition of Winning

Event Date: July 14th, 1987

Event Description: Future of Football

Source: Knight Ridder

'87 Chronology-Sly as a Fox

Event Date: July 7th, 1987

Event Description: Fox Eyes New League

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Conspiracy Theory

Event Date: July 6th, 1987

Event Description: Hess Denies Conspiracy

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Tamper Tantrum

Event Date: July 3rd, 1987

Event Description: Myerson v. Schramm

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Dollars to Doughnuts

Event Date: July 2nd, 1987

Event Description: NFL Cites USFL Spending

Source: St.Petersburg Times

'87 Chronology-Law of Averages

Event Date: July 2nd, 1987

Event Description: Finks Testifies

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-Enemy Within

Event Date: July 1st, 1987

Event Description: Simmons Called

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Cosell Show

Event Date: June 30th, 1987

Event Description: Cosell Show

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Smooth Sailing

Event Date: June 29th, 1987

Event Description: 'Boats Win Title Game

Source: PFW

Walter Lewis threw two touchdown passes to Greg Moser and Sam Bowers and Leonard Williams rushed for 134 yards with a pair of scores, keying the Showboats 48-34 win over Denver in the U.S.F.L. championship game on Sunday night.

The Showboats led 28-20 at halftime Sunday, then struck for three touchdowns in the fourth quarter on their way to the fourteen point victory. 

Denver pulled to within one, after a 74-yard touchdown drive was capped by a Vince Evan to Kris Haines 22-yard touchdown reception. Making it a 28-27 contest, late in the third quarter.

But in the final frame, Leonard Williams scored on a 14-yard run and Bryan Howard returned a fumble 70 yards as Memphis pulled ahead by a score of 41-27 with just over eleven minutes remaining.

Walter Lewis followed with a one-yard run for a touchdown at the 3:24 mark as Memphis never looked back.

Denver finally scored in the final stanza with just over one minute left when quarterback Vince Evans hit Kris Haines for a 22-yard touchdown, his second of the contest.

“I was not concerned with our offensive production going into the game,” coach Pepper Rodgers said afterward. “ I knew that our offense could move the ball. It was our defense and special teams that had to step up today and they did. The blocked punt and the fumble return really sparked the entire team. It’s just a great feeling to know we are being rewarded for our hard work all season.”

Todd Gerhart opened the scoring for Denver with a two-yard touchdown plunge at the 10:13 mark. That score was followed by a Leonard Williams four-yard run for Memphis, tying the game at 7-7.

At the end of the first quarter, Walter Lewis found Sam Bowers for a seven yard touchdown, culminating a six-play, 45-yard drive pushing the ‘Boats ahead 14-7. 

A Van Hughes blocked punt at the ten minute mark of the second stanza resulted in a score and a 21-7 lead for Memphis.

Vince Evans then drove the Gold 68 yards on nine plays and hit Todd Gerhart on a nine-yard swing pass as Denver pulled to within 21-13 after a missed extra point.

A 17-yard pass from Lewis to Greg Moser was quickly followed by a Vince Evans to Daric Zeno touchdown as Memphis led 28-20 at the intermission.

Denver quarterback Vince Evans completed 20-of-36 passes for 289 yards and threw one interception to go along with four sacks.

Vincent White led the Gold receivers with seven receptions for 89 yards. Memphis forced Denver into two turnovers and the Gold committed nine penalties for 76 yards.

Game MVP Leonard Williams led Memphis with 134 yards rushing and Walter Lewis added an additional 88 rushing yards with one rushing touchdown. Lewis hit on 9-of-15 passes for 129 yards with two touchdowns, no interceptions and just two sacks.

An announced crowd of just under 48,000 attended the game.

The USFL’s antitrust suit against the NFL resumes this week as rumors of a settlement swirled through the press corps and amongst some league officials.

more to come......

'87 Chronology-Under Pressure

 

'87 Chronology-Leading the Way!

 

'87 Chronology-Championship Preview

Event Date: June 27th, 1987

Event Description: USFL Championship Preview

Source: UPI

The Memphis Showboats and Denver Gold will meet in the USFL championship game Sunday, resolved to have some fun amid questions regarding the leagues’ future.

Facing what may be their swan song as their antitrust trial moves forward against the National football League, the Showboats and Gold will both try to secure their first league championship title.

“I enjoy competing against Memphis,” said veteran pivot Vince Evans. “The games are always clean, hard-hitting and challenging. They are one of the best teams in the league, we are one of the best teams in the league.”

The teams have a lot in common. Both have solid defenses, explosive offenses and both have coaches who are unfraid to open things up and take some chances.

The Showboats defeated Baltimore in the opening round of the playoffs and then knocked off Orlando last week, improving to (14-4) on the season.

The Gold edged the Arizona Outlaws by a single point in the first round and then dominated Oakland at home last week, posting an (11-7) record going into the final contest.

With the USFL moving toward a culmination of their antitrust fight against the NFL, the players and coaches continue to focus their attention on the field.

“(Lewis) doesn't have a rifle arm but he's a great scrambler,” said Denver's all-star linebacker John Nevens. “But he's a winner. He'll find a way to beat you.”

The Showboats beat the Gold in their lone matchup this season —a 42-23 win way back in Week #1 at Memphis.

Lewis's backfield partner is running back Leonard Williams and his wideouts include star receiver Derrick Crawford, veteran slotman Greg Moser and tight end Sam Bowers. 

Denver counters with quarterback Vince Evans, fullback Todd Gerhart and hybrid Vincent White who lines up at a variety of positions.

Walter Lewis was named Offensive MVP this week, with White finishing second in the voting. Memphis head coach Pepper Rodgers finished second in coach of the year voting, just behind Orlando head man Lee Corso.

The league championship gets underway this Sunday from the Liberty Bowl at 8:00 pm. Television coverage starts at 7:00 p.m. on ABC, ESPN and RCA satellite.

Story-(UPI Modified)

'87 Chronology-Week #19 Preview

Event Date: June 27th, 1987

Event Description: Week #19 Preview