'83 Chronology-Bullish on Infante

Event Date: July 13th, 1983

Event Description: Bullard Hires Infante

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Mutual Interest

Event Date: July 13th, 1983

Event Description: Bulls Pursue Pair

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Great Expectations?

Event Date: July 12th, 1983

Event Description: Smash or Flop?

Source: Pittsburgh Post Gazette

'83 Chronology-Stars Maul Michigan

Event Date: July 11th, 1983

Event Description: Stars Maul Michigan

Source: Pro Football News

Chuck Fusina threw three touchdown passes and Kelvin Bryant ran for two more Sunday to power the Philadelphia Stars to a 48-7 triumph over Michigan in the USFL semifinal round, sending the Stars to the USFL Championship next week in Denver.

Fusina connected on 17-of-21 passes for 155 yards, with no interceptions and just one sack. The former Penn State star led the way with touchdown strikes to Bryant, tight end Steve Folsom and fullback David Riley. 

Bryant, the USFL rushing champion finished with just 48 yards on 16 carries to go along with three receptions for 32 yards and one touchdown reception.

The Michigan offense sputtered troughout the contest as Bobby Hebert was held to just 24 yards passing while being intercepted three times, one of which was returned for a touchdown.

The Stars will now travel to Denver to take on Chicago, the only team to have beaten them this season.

Game Notes: Allen Harvin led all rushers with 50 yards on 11 carries...the Panthers committed eight turnovers and were just one of thirteen on third down.

'83 Chronology-Blitz Edge Gold

Event Date: July 10th, 1983

Event Description: Blitz Edge Gold

Source: PFW

Frank Corral kicked three field goals and Walt Easley added a third quarter touchdown run, giving the Chicago Blitz a 16-10 victory over the Denver Gold Saturday in their USFL playoff opener.

Corral nailed two second quarter field goals as the Blitz took a 6--0 lead into halftime.

Early in the third frame, Chicago pivot Tim Koegel lofted a pass over the head of intended receiver Trumaine Johnson and defensive back David Dumars intercepted it and returned it for a touchdown as Denver then took a 7-6 lead. 

The Blitz then responded with an 18-play, 80 yard drive which culminated with easley’s touchdown plunge as the Blitz moved  back on top by a score of 13-7.

Early in the final frame the Gold started from their 26 and Ken Johnson took Denver deep into Chicago territory before the drive stalled and Brian Speelman connected on a 24-yard field goal, bring the Gold to within three at 13-10.

Corral kicked his final field goal in the fourth period after a Ken Johnson interception at the two-minute mark sealed the win for Chicago.

A crowd of 28,090 sat through sweltering heat for the sluggish contest. Early in the second half, the temperature was 85 degrees with a humidity of 76 per cent. Temperatures were much higher on the field.

The Blitz will now meet Philadelphia in next weeks’ championship game in a battle between the leagues’ two best teams.

Game Notes; Chicago starting quarterback Greg Landry as sidelined due to injury, but team officals believe he will be ready to play next week...Denver committed eight turnovers while the Blitz were responsible for five.

'83 Chronology-Week #19 Preview

Event Date: July 8th, 1983

Event Description: Week #19 Preview

Source: Pro Football Weekly

Week #19 USFL Preview

Saturday, July 9th

(8-10) Denver Gold at  (15-3) Chicago Blitz

Latest Line: (Blitz -8)

Television Coverage: ABC National

Sunday, July 10th

(14-4) Michigan Panthers  at (17-1) Philadelphia Stars

Latest Line: (Stars -6)

Television Coverage: ABC National

'83 Chronology-Iron City Eyes

Event Date: July 8th, 1983

Event Description: Heddleston Named GM

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

'83 Chronology-League MVP

Event Date: July 8th, 1983

Event Description: Bryant Named MVP

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Bulls Eye

Event Date: July 6th, 1983

Event Description: The Jacksonville Bulls

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Eye on Indiana?

Event Date: July 6th, 1983

Event Description: Breakers Eye Indy Dome

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Show Me The Money

Event Date: July 6th, 1983

Event Description: Dickerson Seeks Deal

Source: The Montreal Gazette

'83 Chronology-Holiday Conflict Part II

Event Date: July 4th, 1983

Event Description: Stallions Ink Superstar

Source: The Montreal Gazette

'83 Chronology-Holiday Conflict Part I

Event Date: July 4th, 1983

Event Description: Martha Named Grid President

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

'83 Chronology-Un-Lucky

Event Date: July 4th, 1983

Event Description: CFL Report

Source: Montreal Gazette

'83 Chronology-Coming Home

Event Date: July 3rd, 1983

Event Description: Cribbs Jumps

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Week #18 Preview

Event Date: July 1st, 1983

Event Description: Week #18 Preview

Source: Pro Football Weekly

Week #18 USFL Preview

Saturday, July 2nd

   (5-12) Tampa Bay Bandits at (12-5) Birmingham Stallions

Latest Line: (Stallions -4)

Television Coverage: ESPN National

Sunday, July 3rd

  (7-10) Oakland Invaders at  (14-3) Chicago Blitz

Latest Line: (Blitz -8)

Television Coverage: ABC National

 (3-14) New Jersey Generals at (8-9) Boston Breakers

Latest Line: (Breakers -6)

Television Coverage: Local

 (1-16) Arizona Wranglers at (13-4) Michigan Panthers

Latest Line: (Panthers -12)

Television Coverage: ABC Regional

       (16-1) Philadelphia Stars at (9-8) Washington Federals

Latest Line: (Stars -7)

Television Coverage: Local

  (8-9) Denver Gold at (6-11) Los Angeles Express

Latest Line: (Gold -2)

Television Coverage: Local

'83 Chronology-Tomb Raiders

Event Date: July 1st, 1983

Event Description: New League Forming

Source: The Day

'83 Chronology-Breaking Point

Event Date: July 1st

Event Description: Breakers May Move

Source: United Press International

The Breakers' days in Boston may be numbered unless a stadium owner nearby is willing to make a deal that would keep the USFL club from seeking a home elsewhere, team officials say.

“We're at the point where if we can't get a substantially better situation, a better facility and a better stadium, we probably would go,” team president Bob Caporale said Thursday. “Given the current situation, we'd be hard-pressed not to.”

The current situation is this:

Officials at Harvard University apparently are not going to give up any space at their stadium and Nickerson Field at Boston University - where the team is currently housed -- is unsatisfactory. Billy Sullivan's asking price at Sullivan Stadium is too high.

To use the Foxboro facility -- home of the New England Patriots - the Breakers would have to pay at least $33,333 per game to the Sullivans. That is basically the same deal the Patriots have.

“It makes no sense whatsoever for us to pay the same as the Patriots,” Caporale said. “I'm very disappoionted. I don't think those numbers are even close to what we'd accept.”

But the Breakers are not totally forlorn.

“They (the Sullivans) may feel we have absolutely no alternative, so they may not want to be flexible. What they don't realize is we have a fair number of other options. They're just not in this area,” Caporale said.

The other interested cities reportedly are Memphis, Indianapolis, Orlando, Tulsa, Seattle, Portland and New Orleans -- but there is nothing firm.

“Even though right now it's looking bleak in Boston, we're here. We don't have a stadium deal in any other city,” Caporale said.

Story-(UPI)

'83 Chronology-Three's A Crowd

Event Date: June 30th, 1983

Event Description: USFL Challenger

Source: The Leader-Post

'83 Chronology-Three's Company

Event Date: June 30th, 1983

Event Description: I.F.L. Plans '84 Kickoff

Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune

'83 Chronology-Happy Camper

Event Date: June 30th, 1983

Event Description: Fouts Signs

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Art of the Deal

Event Date: June 29th, 1983

Event Description: Simmons Promises Deal

Source: United Press International

The owners of the former San Diego franchise in the U.S. Football League said Tuesday they were not close to moving the franchise to Oklahoma or anywhere else. 

William “Bill” Tatham Jr. and his father William Tatham Sr. said, “nothing has been finalized as of yet, we are continuing to examine all of our options.”

USFL officials in New York have declined comment about the possible transfer of the franchise, but league officals have confirmed that the Tathams could also buy an existing franchise as the league strives to expand to sixteen teams.

“It could be tomorrow or next month, but in the end we will get something worked out,” stated league commissioner Chet Simmons. 

The Tathams and general manager Sid Gillman have visited Indianapolis, Tulsa, San Antonio and Minneapolis. The younger Tatham said a coach “with NFL experience” and a current NFL quarterback is “a must for this team when we get everything settled.”

Story-(UPI Modified)

'83 Chronology-USFL Roundup

Event Date: June 29th, 1983

Event Description: Kish Goodbye

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Quarterback Carousel

Event Date: June 28th, 1983

Event Description: Pivotal Deals

Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune

'83 Chronology-Guerrilla War

Event Date: June 28th, 1983

Event Description: Bassett Brokers' Deal

Source: Boca Raton News

'83 Chronology-Eye On '85

Event Date: June 28th, 1983

Event Description: Collinsworth Readies Jump

Source: The Leader-Post

'83 Chronology-Saint Stabler

Event Date: June 27th, 1983

Event Description: Stabler Signs

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Top Dog!

Event Date: June 27th, 1983

Event Description: Stars Take Top Seed

Source: UPI

The Philadelphia Stars scored on a hail-mary pass with no time left on the clock to garner a hard fought 20-13 victory over the Birmingham Stallions on Sunday afternoon.

The triumph pushed the record of the Atlantic division champions to 16-1 and enabled them to secure the #1 playoff seed for the upcoming post-season.

The Stars will host an as yet unnamed opponent July 9 in the first round of the USFL playoffs.

The Stars, who have been starting sluggishly the past few weeks, took the lead early in the game after a David Trout 54-yard field goal. The Stallions responded later in the quarter with a Reggie Collier to Jim Smith 8-yard touchdown pass giving Birmingham a 7-3 lead.

David Trout hit another field goal with just under two-minutes remaining in the half before Chuck Fusina hit Willie Collier for a 45-yard touchdown pass with 0:03 remaining to cap a five-play, 75-yard drive. 

A pair of Scott Norwood fields goals rounded out the scoring for Birmingham in the second-half.

In other weekend action: Michigan moved closer to a playoff berth of their own after downing Chicago by a score of 16-7. John Corker led the Panthers’ defense by posting ten tackles, one forced fumble and four sacks.

Also the Federals defeated Los Angeles by a score of 19-0, while the Gold take on Tampa Bay on Monday night.

Story-(UPI Modified)

'83 Chronology-Knock Out!

Event Date: June 27th, 1983

Event Description: USFL Review

Source: UPI

Billy Taylor rushed for 117 yards including a seven-yard  touchdown run late in the second quarter Sunday to lead the Washington Federals to a 19-0 over the Los Angeles Express.

Kim McQuilken and Mike Hohensee combined for 291 passing yards and kicker Sandro Vitiello connected on four of his six field goal attempts.

Los Angeles, (6-11) was knocked out of playoff contention with the loss, while Washington, which is also out of the playoff hunt, improves to (9-8).

On Saturday; Oakland downed Boston 29-21 and the New Jersey Generals won for the third time in four weeks after defeating Arizona by a score of 28-14.

Story-(UPI Modified)

'83 Chronology-Long Term

Event Date: June 25th, 1983

Event Description: Bowden Comments

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-No Thanks

Event Date: June 25th, 1983

Event Description: Bowden Denies Offer

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Week #17 Preview

Event Date: June 24th, 1983

Event Description: Week #17 Preview

Source: Pro Football Weekly

Week #17 USFL Preview

Saturday, June 25th

  (8-8) Boston Breakers at (6-10) Oakland Invaders

Latest Line: (Invaders -3)

Television Coverage: ESPN National

 (1-15) Arizona Wranglers at  (2-14) New Jersey Generals

Latest Line: (Generals -6)

Television Coverage: ESPN Regional (Tape Delay)

Sunday, June 26th

 (6-10) Los Angeles Express at (8-8) Washington Federals

Latest Line: (Federals -1)

Television Coverage: Local

(12-4) Michigan Panthers at (14-2) Chicago Blitz

Latest Line: (Blitz -2)

Television Coverage: ABC National

      (12-4) Birmingham Stallions at (15-1) Philadelphia Stars

Latest Line: (Stars -4)

Television Coverage: ABC Regional/Local

Monday, June 27th

  (8-8) Denver Gold at (4-12) Tampa Bay Bandits

Latest Line: (Gold -2)

Television Coverage: ESPN (Tape Delay)

'83 Chronology-Late Season Moves

Event Date: June 24th, 1983

Event Description: Bandits Cut Stephens

Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune

'83 Chronology-Men at Work

Event Date: June 24th, 1983

Event Description: Ready To Go

Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune

'83 Chronology-Bullish on Bowden

Event Date: June 24th, 1983

Event Description: Bullard Chasing Bowden

Source: sarasota Herald-Tribune

'83 Chronology-Bengal Pursuit

Event Date: June 23rd, 1983

Event Description: Bandit Pact

Source: Boca Raton News

'83 Chronology-Final Refusal

Event Date: June 20th, 1983

Event Description: Tathams Will Take Time

Source: United Press International

The San Diego City Council Monday refused to reconsider last week's decision not to lease San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium to holders of a proposed San Diego franchise in the United States Football League.

The action appeared to doom USFL prospects in San Diego, and presumably will speed transfer of the franchise to Minneapolis, Tulsa, San Antonio or some other city. The council deadlocked, 4-4, on the reconsideration vote, which required a simple majority for passage.

After Monday’s vote, Jack Tatham Jr., a minority partner in the franchise, said “Tulsa is very much in the running, however we will examine all of our options, including purchasing an existing franchise”, but that “no decision had been made on where to move. We are looking at all of our options, including purchasing the Denver franchise. Nothing is set in stone.”

In other USFL news: The Boston Brekaers downed the Tampa Bay Bandits on Sunday by a score of 31-10. The Breakers were paced by Richard Crump who rushed for a touchdown and Marcus Marek who returned a fumble for a score.

'83 Chronology-Rock the Vote

Event Date: June 18th, 1983

Event Description: USFL Union Vote

Source: United Press International

U.S. Football League players failed to select a union in last week's National Labor Relations Board supervised election, according to results released by the league.

On the ballot, the players had three options:

-- The USFL-FPA, a group affiliated with the NFL Players Association, headed by executive director Gene Upshaw.

-- The USFLPA, Inc., an organization headed by New York-based attorney Ron Baron and former player agent Mike Trope.

-- Neither union.

“Neither union” received 248 votes, with the USFL-FPA gaining 245 votes and the USFLPA, Inc. got 23. A total of 58 ballots were challenged by the NLRB and the status of those ballots will be determined at a July 6 meeting.

If, after the valid ballots are counted, neither the USFL-FPA or the “Neither Union” choice wins a majority of the total ballots, a runoff election between the two positions will be held at a later date.

Story-(UPI)

'83 Chronology-Week #16 Preview

Event Date: June 17th, 1983

Event Description: Week #16 Preview

Source: Pro Football Weekly

Week #16 USFL Preview

Friday, June 17th

 (14-1) Chicago Blitz at (11-4) Birmingham Stallions

Latest Line: (Stallions -1)

Television Coverage: ESPN National

 (1-14) Arizona Wranglers at (7-8) Denver Gold

Latest Line: (Gold -6)

Television Coverage: Local

 (6-9) Los Angeles Express at (1-14) New Jersey Generals

Latest Line: (Express -2)

Television Coverage: ESPN Regional

Sunday, June 19th

     (4-11) Tampa Bay Bandits at (7-8) Boston Breakers

Latest Line: (Breakers -3)

Television Coverage: ABC Regional/Local

Monday, June 20th

 (6-9) Oakland Invaders at (14-1) Philadelphia Stars

Latest Line: (Stars -7)

Television Coverage: ESPN-National 

(8-7) Washington Federals at (11-4) Michigan Panthers

Latest Line: (Panthers -3)

Television Coverage: Local