Event Date: July 2nd, 1984
Event Description: USFL Divisional Playoffs
Source: UPI
Jim Kelly hit Ricky Sanders with a five-yard pass with less than two minutes left Sunday, giving Houston a 34-24 victory over the Express and a berth in the USFL Western Conference title game against the the Michigan Panthers.
In the other Sunday game, Birmingham downed Tampa Bay 33-13 and will meet the Stars at Philadelphia Sunday for the the Eastern Conference championship.
Kelly led the Gamblers’ with 315 passing yards to go along with four touchdown passes. Kelly had 20 completions in 30 attempts for 315 yards with two interceptions and three sacks. The rookie pivot also rushed for 63 yards. Todd Fowler led the Houston ground attack piling up 127 yards on 17 carries.
On the Gamblers' second possession, Kelly found Ricky Sanders for a 57-yard touchdown strike as Houston moved out to an early 7-0 lead.
Los Angeles responded near the end of the frame when Mel Gray scored via a one-yard touchdown plunge, tying the game at 7-7.
Early in the second stanza, Kelly drove the the team 65 yards while hitting five consecutive passes, culminating with a five-yard pass to slot receiver Scott McGhee, to give the Gamblers a 14-7 lead.
The Express then moved the ball 80 yards in twelve plays, ending with a Steve Young to David Hersey, 12-yard touchdown pass, again leading to a tie game at 14-14.
Later in the half a Toni Fritsch 35-yard field goal and another Kelly touchdown pass, this time to Richard Johnson, moved Houston out to a 24-14 lead at the break.
In the third quarter, Los Angeles moved to within 24-17 after a Tony Zendejas 19-yard field goal, ending a 16-play, 55 yard drive.
Early in the fourth quarter, Toni Fritsch added his second field goal of the day as Houston again moved ahead by ten.
At the 5:00 minute mark the Express capped a 69-yard, eight-play drive, that was set up by a Wymon Henderson interception, with a Kevin Nelson four-yard run as Los Angeles moved to within 27-24.
To end the contest, Kelly hit Ricky Sanders with an five-yard touchdown strike to complete an 61-yard game winning drive.
The Stallions dominated the second half scoring twice in the third quarter to take a 27-13 lead. Stoudt tossed a nine-yard touchdown to Darryl Mason and Miller kicked a 23-yard field goal with 3:04 left in the period.
A pair of Miller fourth quarter field goals seed the victory for Birmingham.
John Reaves passed for 239 yards on 20-of-36 efficiency but was intercepted three times to go along with a trio of sacks. Gary Anderson led the offense with 88 rushing yards awith an additional 60 through the air.
On Saturday, Michigan upset Arizona 26-14 and Philadelphia mauled Memphis 41-24.
At Arizona, the Michigan defense led the way with four turnovers and Bobby Hebert passed for 299 yards with one touchdown as the Panthers downed Arizona.
The Outlaws, who were without starting quarterback Doug Williams, fell behind 16-0 and could never fully get untracked. Rookie Rick Neuheisel did throw a pair of touchdowns but was intercepted twice and sacked once.
At Philadelphia, Kelvin Bryant, who rushed for 145 yards on 24 carries, scored one touchdown and Chuck Fusina tossed three touchdown passes as the Stars cruised to their 17th win of the season.
Willie Collier hauled three touchdown receptions and Mike Lush led the defense with ten tackles and one sack.
Story-(UPI Modified)
No comments:
Post a Comment