Event Date: June 29th, 1986
Event Description: Gamblers Win Championship
Source: Football News
Jim Kelly threw a pair of touchdown passes and Sam Harrell ran for two more Saturday to power the Houston Gamblers to a 41-35 overtime win over Birmingham in the fourth USFL championship.
Kelly completed 30 of 48 passes for 329 yards leading Houston to its second league championship in three years, with both wins coming against Birmingham.
The former Miami star hit wide-receiver Richard Johnson with a 16-yard touchdown with just 44 seconds remaining in regulation, and then followed that up with a 33-yard strike to Scott McGhee in overtime.
“It tastes real sweet,” Kelly said as he sipped champagne in the winning locker room. “The city of Houston has been very good to me, so I'm happy for the fans,” Kelly said.
“I'm glad I'm here, the USFL has been a great opportunity for me.”
Kelly has previously hinted that he may buy out the remainder of his USFL contract if the team were to win the championship.
“I know there have been some rumors about my contract circulating as of late. All I can say is I'd like to stay in Houston because I'm established in this league and I know that this team is committed to winning.” he said.
Birmingham quarterback Cliff Stoudt praised the new league champs.
“Their team has a great quarterback, a solid pass rush and phenomenal special teams'” he said. “They showed again today that they are the best team in the league.”
Birmingham opened the scoring with a 55-yard pass from Stoudt to wide receiver Greg Anderson at the 10:35 mark of the first quarter as the Stallions moved out to an early 7-0 lead.
The Gamblers responded with a pair of touchdown drives which were both capped by Sam Harrell touchdown runs. The first a seven-yard run near the end of the initial frame and the second a nine-yard run to start the second as Houston moved to a 14-7 lead.
In the second quarter, the Stallions took advantage of a pair of interceptions turning both into touchdowns.
The first came via an eight-yard touchdown run by star running back Bo Jackson which was then followed by a Stoudt to Joey Jones score pushing Birmingham out to a 21-14 lead.
Frank Corral rounded out the first half with a 25 yard field goal closing the gap to 21-17 at the intermission.
Second half scoring opened with a Paul Ott Carruth nine-yard touchdown run which capped a five-play, 36 yard drive, which was again set up by a Kelly interception.
Frank Corral again reduced the deficit with a 19-yard field goal at the end of the quarter.
At the start of the final frame, explosive return man Gerald McNeil took a return 80-yards for a score and Sam Harrell was successful on a two-point conversion as the Gamblers tied the contest at 28-28. McNeil was named the games' Most Valuable Player.
Bo Jackson broke the tie with a one-yard touchdown run with just over two minutes remaining as Birmingham appeared to be on the verge of victory.
Richard Johnson then took a 16-yard pass from Kelly at the 0:44 mark to send the game into overtime.
The game was played in clear weather with temperatures in the low-80s and drew a crowd of 63,934.
Game Notes: Paul Ott Carruth led all rushers with 131 yards on 16 carries…Birmingham defensive back David Dumars finished with 12 tackles and one interception…the two teams combined for nine turnovers and 13 penalties.
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