'85 Chronology-Unlimited Potential

Event Date: April 9th, 1985

Event Description: 'Gades Looking to Deal

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'85 Chronology-Determination

Event Date: April 9th, 1985

Event Description: Bassett Ends Mystery

Source: The Evening Independent

'85 Chronology-No Comment

Event Date: April 8th, 1985

Event Description: Bassett Seeks Treatment

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'85 Chronology-Cruise Control

Event Date: April 8th, 1985

Event Description: Bandits Sink 'Boats

Source: UPI

Gary Anderson rushed for a pair touchdown passes Saturday night to lift the Tampa Bay Bandits to a 43-14 triumph over the Memphis Showboats.

Tampa's secondary victimized Memphis quarterback Walter Lewis for five interceptions and a fumble. Three of the thefts resulted in Bandits' scores and the fourth killed a drive in the second quarter.

John Reaves completed 25-of-37 passes for 360 yards with two touchdowns and two picks. Lewis was 13-of-28 for 154 yards to go along with 91 rushing yards for the Showboats.

After Memphis went ahead 7-3 at the end of the first quarter, the Bandits took the lead to stay in the second quarter when Reaves engineered a five-play, 54-yard drive capped by a 2-yard run by Anderson for a touchdown.

Tampa Bay scored another touchdown near the end of the frame when Alvin Bailey intercepted Lewis and Spencer Jackson caught a four-yard pass from Reaves to make it 20-7.

A late field goal from Zenon Andrusyshyn put the Bandits ahead 23-7 at the intermission.

The Bandits put the game away in the third period with two touchdowns, one each from Anderson and Reaves. Anderson scored via a one-yard touchdown plunge and Reaves found Eric Truvillion for a 31-yard touchdown.

Game Notes: The Bandits were hit by a rash of injuries during the contest, including the loss of wideout Willie Gillespie and defensive back Warren Hanna.

Story-(UPI Modified)

'85 Chronology-Easter Lillies

Event Date: April 8th, 1985

Event Description: Weekend Roundup

Source: PFW

Easter Sunday left the stands bare as the majority of  USFL football games were played on Saturday so as to avoid conflict with the spring holiday.

Still, smallish crowds seemed to be the rule rather than the exception as the league played five contests on Saturday.

The biggest football crowd of the day -- 41,381 -- was watching the Tampa Bay Bandits' crush Memphis by a score of 43-14. 

Meanwhile in New Jersey, 34,573 saw the Generals roll over the Pittsburgh Maulers 31-14, and 16,599 fans in Philadelphia rooted for the Stars' 30-28 victory over the Orlando Renegades. 

The other games of the day featured the Oakland Invaders 23-13 win over Arizona and the Gamblers 28-16 victory against state-rival San Antonio before a crowd of 34,549.

The one game played on Sunday saw the Birmingham Stallions down the Jacksonville Bulls by a score of 27-20.

more to come.....

'85 Chronology-Under Pressure!

'85 Chronology-Money Ball

Event Date: April 5th, 1985

Event Description:  'Slingers Financial Woes

Source: UPI

Members of the San Antonio Gunslingers picked up their overdue paychecks Friday afternoon, and the owner of the U.S. Football League club said he has no problem paying the team's bills.

Team spokesman Les Singleton said the checks arrived about 5:15 p.m. CST.

Checks not picked up Friday will be distributed to players and employees Saturday, he added.

Checks bounced last week because the Internal Revenue Service placed a lien on the Gunslingers' payroll account, claiming it was owed $404,763 in back payroll taxes.

Checks bounced last week because the Internal Revenue Service placed a lien on the Gunslingers' payroll account, claiming it was owed $404,763 in back payroll taxes.

However, team owner Clinton Manges said the team has no financial problems.

“Let me assure you. I have no problem. The team has no problem,” Manges said Friday. “I just paid $500,000 for assessments for all the other teams. We paid off that tax lien. I've paid it off. If anyone had bothered to check, they would have found I have an estate in excess of $400 million,” Manges said in a copyright interview with San Antonio radio station WOAI.

Story-(United Press International)

'85 Chronology-Week #7 Preview

Event Date: April 5th, 1985

Event Description: Week #7 Preview

Source: Pro Football Weekly

Week #7 USFL Preview

Saturday, April 6th

(2-4) Pittsburgh Maulers at (4-2) New Jersey Generals

Latest Line: (Generals -9)

Television: ESPN Regional: Jim Simpson & Paul McGuire

ESPN Radio: Charley Steiner & Robert Casciola

(2-4) Orlando Renegades at (4-2) Philadelphia Stars

Latest Line: (Stars -9)   

Television: Harry Donohue & Dan Tollefson

ESPN Radio: David Steele & Sam Behr

(1-5) Arizona Outlaws at (1-5) Oakland Invaders

Latest Line: (Invaders -4)

 Television: Local

ESPN Radio: Joe Starkey and Bob Lee

(1-5) San Antonio Gunslingers at (5-1) Houston Gamblers

Latest Line: (Gamblers -14)   

Television: ESPN Regional: Roger Twibell & Mike Haffner

ESPN Radio: Jay Howard & Bill Mercer

(3-3) Memphis Showboats at(5-1) Tampa Bay Bandits

Latest Line: (Bandits -8)   

Television: ESPN Regional: Tom Kelly & Don Heinrich

ESPN Radio: Gene Deckerhoff & Vic Prinzi

Sunday, April 7th

(1-5) Birmingham Stallions at (3-3) Jacksonville Bulls

Latest Line: (Bulls -10)

Television: ABC National: Keith Jackson & Lynn Swann

ESPN Radio: Larry Munson & Mel Arthur

Monday, April 8th

(5-1) Michigan Panthers (4-2) New Orleans Breakers

Latest Line: (Panthers -2)

Television: ABC National: Tim Brandt & Lee Grosscup

Radio: ABC Radio: Bob Buck and Dick Butkus

(4-2) Denver Gold at (3-3) Los Angeles Express

Latest Line: (Gold -1)

Television: ESPN Regional: Tim Brando & Marv Levy

ESPN Radio: Mike Nolan & Irv Brown

'85 Chronology-Permission Granted

Event Date: April 3rd, 1985

Event Description: Cowboys QB Search

Source: NY Times

While allowing Gary Hogeboom, their second-string quarterback, to shop around for a possible trade, the Dallas Cowboys have requested and been granted permission to talk to Reggie Collier, quarterback of the United States Football League's Orlando Renegades.

Collier, drafted in the sixth round by Dallas in 1983 out of Southern Mississippi, signed instead with the Birmingham Stallions but was later traded to the Washington Federals, who moved to Orlando. 

He has a one-year option remaining on his Renegade contract for about $250,000. Meanwhile, Hogeboom, who asked to be traded last season after serving as backup to Danny White, still hasn't come up with a nibble from the 14 teams his agent has contacted thus far.

Story-(New York Times)

'85 Chronology-Dizney Delight

Event Date: April 3rd, 1985

Event Description: Dizney Pursues Kosar

Source: UPI

Donald Dizney, owner of the Orlando Renegades, said Tuesday he would be delighted if other U.S. Football League owners chipped in to help him sign standout college quarterback Bernie Kosar.

Dizney made his comments one day after it was learned that Donald Trump had asked the other USFL owners to “partially reimburse” the New Jersey Generals for the cost of signing 1984 Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie.

“I am presently involved in getting Kosar and if the league wants to do something like that (reimbursing Trump) for me, I'm all for it,” Dizney said. “I just don't think the league could do it right now.”

Kosar, who led the University of Miami to the 1983 national championship as a freshman and is currently ahead of the pace set by Doug Flutie in establishing the all-time NCAA record for passing yardage, has indicated that he would forgo his two remaining years of college eligibility if the right deal can be made with a pro team.

Kosar hopes to graduate this summer and is expected to declare himself eligible for the NFL draft before the April 15 deadline.

“We've talked to Kosar's agent (Dr. John Geletka),” Dizney said. “It looks 50-50 right now.”

Trump sent a letter last week to the league office, asking that the matter of reimbursement for Flutie's contract reported to be worth as much as $8.3 million be brought up at a league meeting in the near future.

“Everybody asked Trump to go out and sign Flutie,” John Barron, a vice president of the Trump Organization, said Monday. “He said he would do it, but only if partial reimbursement were made by the league.”

“I have heard this before,” Dizney said of Trump's desire to be reimbursed. “But I don't know of anyone involved with the Renegades who agreed to anything like it.”

Barron Tuesday backed off his earlier assertion that Trump had gotten some sort of assurance from the other owners about helping with Flutie's contract, saying that Trump meant merely to “go back nicely and ask for a reimbursement.”

Jim Byrne, a spokesman for the league, said Trump's letter had been received and that it had been “circulated among the owners.” Byrne said the commissioner had agreed to bring the matter up at the next meeting but could not say when that would be.

Another USFL owner, Myles H. Tanenbaum, majority partner of the Philadelphia Stars, refused to comment on the reimbursement issue other than to say it was “a private matter for the people in the league.”

Story-(UPI Modified)

'85 Chronology-The Red Barron

Event Date: April 2nd, 1985

Event Description: Trump Seeks Salary Relief

Source: Daily News

'85 Chronology-High Hopes

Event Date: April 2nd, 1985

Event Description: Birmingham Wants Team

Source: Daily News

'85 Chronology-Labor Peace

Event Date: April 2nd, 1985

Event Description: USFL Finds Labor Peace

Source: NY Times

There may be some doubts about whether the United States Football League can survive the next four seasons, but if it does, the league will be assured of labor peace. 

After nine months of negotiations the owners and the Players Association have approved a four-year agreement that league officials, called ''a major step in providing stability and continuity for the U.S.F.L.'' 

The agreement, worked out by management representatives led by Vince Lombardi and the union, which is headed by Doug Allen, calls for a minimum salary of $22,500, a variety of medical and insurance benefits and an independent arbitration system for hearing grievances.

Story-(New York Times)

'85 Chronology-Establishing Priorities

Event Date: April 2nd, 1985

Event Description: Stallions Seek Concessions

Source: UPI

Mayor Richard Arrington claims the city will do everything in its power to persuade the U.S. Football League's Stallions to remain in Birmingham.

“We may be limited in the concessions we can make,” Arrington said at a news conference Thursday. “But we intend to do what we can.”

Marvin Warner, an Ohio financier, said his majority ownership in the Stallions is up for sale, but team officials said they were confident the franchise would remain in Birmingham.

Stallions president Jerry Sklar said the 16 local minority investors have raised funds to keep the team operating in Birmingham until a majority owner or additional investors can be found.

“Our local investors have worked hard for the past two weeks to make sure the franchise stays here,” Sklar said. 

“We have already put in place interim financing. We are sure we will be able to get permanent financing to keep the franchise here. I don't know how long this will take, but our investors are commatted to see this through.”

Warner, 65, is a former ambassador to Switzerland. He is being forced to give up his share of the club while trying to save his financial empire, which was shaken by the closing of his Home State Bank in Cincinnati.

Estimates are that bank customers withdrew about $150 million before the state ordered the bank closed earlier this month.

The assets of the bank have been frozen and a state investigation is underway into Home State's investment practices.

Charlotte, N.C. businessman George Shinn, who has been trying to land a team in has city for the past year, has contacted the Stallions about purchasing the team. Sklar said local investors wanted to keep the team in Birmingham.

"Our intentions are to work out the problems here," Sklar said. "We want to maintain the franchise here for a long time to come."

Both Sklar and Arrington agreed increased attendance would help the Stallions fand new investors.

“If this community wants a pro football team it must build its own,” Arrington said. 

“We cannot expect to enjoy the reputation as the football capital of the South unless we support this team.”

The Birmingham-born Warner, who lives on a horse farm outside Cincinnati, attended most of the Stallions games during the first two seasons, but has not watched the team play since its home-opener with New Jersey Feb. 24.

Sklar said Warner has not been involved in the team's operations.

“He hasn't disassociated himself with the franchise,” Sklar said. “But I think in the last couple of weeks it has been incumbent for him to pull away from the Stallions. His priorities are somewhere else right now.”

Story-(UPI)

'85 Chronology-Bullish on Denver

Event Date: April 2nd, 1985

Event Description: Monday Roundup

Source: PFW-UPI

Ed Luther threw two second-half touchdown passes and Mike Rozier ran for another with no time remaining to rally the Jacksonville Bulls to a 28-20 USFL victory over the visiting Memphis Showboats.

Luther passed five yards to Rozier and five yards to Alton Alexis to lead Jacksonville. Larry Mason also scored from six yards out, lifting the Bulls to their third victory in six games this year. 

Jacksonville controlled the ball in the second half as they put together drives of 82 yards, 97 yards and the final drive which covered 81 yards. The final drive ended with a 23-yard run by Rozier which secured the victory.

The Showboats fell to 3-3 after jumping to a 20-0 first-half lead on quarterback Walter Lewis's touchdown passes of 51, 27 and 8 yards. Two of those passes went to Greg Moser with Derrick Crawford hauling in the third.

Game Notes: Rozier finished with 113 yards rushing, while Tim Spencer led the Memphis ground game with 84 yards.

In the other Monday night game, the Denver Gold improved to (4-2) after holding off a late rally by the Outlaws. Vince Evans led the way throwing three tuchdown passes and running back Bil Johnson churned out 78 rushing yards in the win.

Story-(UPI Modified)

'85 Chronology-Week #6 Monday Action!

'85 Chronology-April Fools

Event Date: April 1st, 1985

Event Description:  Verdin Sparks Victory

Source: PFW

Jim Kelly fired a 52-yard scoring strike to Gerald McNeil and Clarence Verdin returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown Sunday to lead the Houston Gamblers to a 20-13 victory over the New Jersey Generals.

Houston, the defending USFL champions, raised its record to 5-1 and handed the Generals their second loss of the season to go along with four victories.

Houston converted two turnovers, including two forced by Kiki DeAyala, into scores. Trailing 7-0, Houston pulled to within 7-3 after a Doug Flutie interception led to a 19-yard Toni Fritsch field goal.

Four minutes later, Kelly hit McNeil with a 52-yard touchdown pass, pushing Houston ahead 10-7. Roger Ruzek closed out the first-half scoring with a 31 yard field goal as the teams headed into the intermission tied 10-10.

In the final frame, trailing 13-10, the Generals again tied the game with another Ruzek field goal, this time from 25-yards out.

Houston then secured the victory with the Verdin kickoff return which immediately followed the Ruzek field goal.

Elsewhere, Tampa Bay overtook Birmingham 30-21, the Gold downed Arizona 21-18 and Michigan pounded San Antonio by a score of 34-3.

At Birmingham, John Reaves returned to action threw two touchdown passes and Gary Anderson ran for another to lead the Bandits over the (1-5) Stallions.

At San Antonio, the Panthers improved to (5-1) as Cleo Miller and John Williams both rushed for over 100 yards with Williams adding a pair of touchdowns.

more to come......

'85 Chronology-Sack Attack!

'85 Chronology-Week #6 Preview

Event Date: March 30th, 1985

Event Description: Week #6 Preview

Source: Pro Football Weekly

Week #6 USFL Preview

Saturday, March 30th

(3-2) Philadelphia Stars at (2-3) Pittsburgh Maulers

Latest Line: (Stars -4)

Television: Local: Harry Donahue & Don Tollefson

ESPN Radio: Sam Nover & Jack Ham

(4-1) New Orleans Breakers at (1-4) Orlando Renegades

Latest Line: (Breakers -9)   

Television: ESPN-Regional: Tom Mees & Paul McGuire

ESPN Radio: David Steele & Sam Behr

(2-3) Los Angeles Express at (1-4) Oakland Invaders

Latest Line: (Invaders -4)

 Television: ESPN-National: Fred Manfra & Marv Levy

ESPN Radio: Joe Starkey and Bob Lee

Sunday, March 31st

(4-1) Houston Gamblers at (4-1) New Jersey Generals

Latest Line: (Generals -2)   

Television: ABC-National: Keith Jackson & Lynn Swann

ESPN Radio: Charley Steiner & Robert Casciola

(4-1) Tampa Bay Bandits at (1-4) Birmingham Stallions

Latest Line: (Bandits -8)   

Television: ABC Regional: Corey McPherrin & Kevin Kiley

ESPN Radio: Gene Deckerhoff & Vic Prinzi

(4-1) Michigan Panthers at (1-4) San Antonio Gunslingers

Latest Line: (Panthers -8)

Television: None

ESPN Radio: Jay Howard & Bill Mercer

Monday, April 1st

(1-4) Arizona Outlaws at (3-2)Denver Gold

Latest Line: (Gold -11)

Television: ESPN-National: Jim Simpson & Paul Maguire

ESPN Radio: Gary Bender & John Moynihan


(3-2) Memphis Showboats (2-3) Jacksonville Bulls

Latest Line: (Bulls -3)

Television: ESPN Regional: Roger Twibell & Ed Biles

Radio: ABC Radio: Bob Buck and Dick Butkus

'85 Chronology-Lowering Expectations

Event Date: March 29th, 1985

Event Description: Stallions Survive

Source: Gadsden Times

'85 Chronology-Great Expectations

Event Date: March 29th, 1985

Event Description: Ehrhart Enthusiasm

Source: The Evening Independent