Event Date: March 1st, 1988
Event Description: Week #1 Roundup
Source: PFW
Walter Lewis threw three touchdown passes to lead Memphis to a 28-21 victory over the Tampa Bay Bandits Monday before a home crowd of 37,959.
The fifth-year veteran completed 23 of 34 passes for 358 yards with three touchdowns and three sacks.
The Showboat
s victory saw major contributions from newcomers Allen Harvin who rushed for 57 yards and ex-Bandit Willie Gillespie hauled in six receptions for 131 yards and one touchdown.
Ben Bennett, the former Duke star finished with 223 passing yards on 18-of-25 efficiency with one touchdown for the visitors. Greg Allen led all rushers with 109 yards on sixteen totes and one touchdown.
Bennett opened the scoring with a 22 yard touchdown pass to Larry Brodsky at the 8:44 mark of the first quarter.
The Showboats then ran off 20 straight points behind a pair of Brian Franco field goals and two Walter Lewis touchdown passes. The first an 18-yard strike to Derrick Crawford and the second a seven-yarder toveteran Frank Lockett.
The Bandits responded in the second-half with a pair of touchdown runs from Allen and Joe Dudek as they led 21-20 early in the final period.
The Showboats, however, sealed the win at the 5:02 mark when Lewis found Derrick Crawford on a 48-yard pass and a two-point conversion by Harvin.
“It's a great way to open the season,” said Memphis head coach Pepper Rodgers. “One chapter is written. But we have many more chapters to fill.”
In other Week #1 action:
Houston Gamblers 28
Oklahoma Outlaws 45
Rick Neuheisel threw for 310 yards and three touchdowns, the first to Ron Wheeler, to lead Oklahoma to their first home win. Reggie Brown rushed for 105 yards with one touchdown and Allan Clark rushed for three touchdowns.
Birmingham Stallions 24
Oakland Invaders 22
Cliff Stoudt passed for 328 yards and three touchdowns leading Birmingham to a 24-22 come from behind win with new kicker David Trout hitting a 20-yard field goal with no time remaining.
Stallions’ receiver Greg Anderson caught a 52-yard touchdown pass from Stoudt to open the scoring and another in the third frame.
New Oakland quarterback Ed Luther finished with 398 passing yards on 29-0f-39 with two touchdowns and one pick. Newcomer Al Williams hauled in seven receptions for 202 yards and two scores.
New Jersey Generals 38
Orlando Renegades 26
New Jersey quarterback Doug Flutie left the game due to injury at the end of the first quarter but the Generals’ rolled to a 38-26 victory behind veteran backup Matt Robinson.
Robinson tossed three touchdown passes in relief and ex-Giant Leon Perry added 130 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns. Sam Bowers made his return to the Meadowlands finishing with eleven receptions for 174 yards and two touchdowns.
Orlando pivot Reggie Collier finished with 223 passing yards and three touchdowns but was sacked four times.
Baltimore Stars 32
Jacksonville Bulls 34
The new-look Jacksonville Bulls held on to defeat Baltimore as the Stars fell behind by a score of 34-6, before launching a furious rally in the second-half only to fall two points short.
Ex-Gambler Sam Harrell led all rushers with 150 yards on 14 carries and Vince Evans threw for 175 yards with one touchdown.
