'88 Chronology-Play It Again

Event Date: June 27th, 1988

Event Description: 'Boats to take on Bulls

The Memphis Showboats are back in familiar territory as they will face the Jacksonville Bulls in next weeks’ U.S.F.L. championship game. Memphis is back in the championship game for the second year in a row, and in many ways so are their opponents the Jacksonville Bulls.

Memphis faced the now defunct Denver Gold in last years’ game, and now many of those former players are on the current Jacksonville roster including quarterback Vince Evans. The Gold and the Bulls merged after the completion of the 1987 season.

The Bulls (13-5) are peaking at the right time with wins over the New Jersey Generals and Baltimore Stars in their last two games.

Evans completed 14-of-20 passes for 215 yards and two first-half touchdowns and Vincent White carried the Bulls on the ground with 156 yards rushing, as Jacksonville edged New Jersey by a score of 31-27 in the Liberty division championship game. 

In the Liberty final, the Showboats handed the Birmingham Stallions a 45-14 beat down behind a four touchdown performance by Lewis, who is again a contender for league MVP.

Lewis led the league with 36 touchdown passes while also amassing over 750 yards on the ground with an additional eleven scores. 

Veterans Derrick Crawford and Willie Gillespie were favorite targets of Lewis, combining for 3,372 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns. Memphis also boasts a formidable defense, led by defensive back Vic Minor who led the league with 14 interceptions.

The U.S.F.L. championship game will take place in Baltimore for the first time this upcoming Saturday. The game will be televised on ABC, ESPN and RCA affiliates.

more to come.....