'88 Chronology-More Mora

Event Date: April 22nd, 1988

Event Description: Mora Extension

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'88 Chronology-Home & Home Series

Event Date: April 20th, 1988

Event Description: Week #9 Preview

Source: PFW

Week #9 USFL Preview

Thursday, April 21st

(4-4) Birmingham Stallions at (3-5) Houston Gamblers

Latest Line: (Gamblers -2)

Television: RCA: Larry Munson & Mel Arthur

ABC Radio: John Greer & Ed Biles

Saturday, April 23rd

(1-7) Orlando Renegades at (3-5) Tampa Bay Bandits

Latest Line: (Bandits -7)

Television: ESPN Regional/RCA: Tom Kelly & Don Heinrich

ESPN Radio: Gene Deckerhoff & Vic Prinzi

Sunday, April 24th

(5-3) Baltimore Stars at (5-3) New Jersey Generals

Latest Line: (Generals -4)

Television Coverage: ABC-National: Keith Jackson & Lynn Swann

Radio: ABC Radio: Charley Steiner & Rober Casciola

(6-2) Jacksonville Bulls at (1-7) Oakland Invaders

Latest Line: (Bulls -6)

ABC Television: Bill Flemming & Ron Mix

Radio: ABC Radio: Joe Starkey & Lee Grosscup

Monday, April 25th

(5-3) Oklahoma Outlaws at (7-1) Memphis Showboats

Latest Line: (’Boats -4)   

Television: ESPN National/RCA: Jim Simpson & Paul McGuire

ABC Radio:  Bob Buck & Dick Butkus

'88 Chronology-Trade Winds

Event Date: April 19th, 1988

Event Description: Bandits Acquire Reaves

The Tampa Bay Bandits Wednesday traded backup quarterback Mike Kelley to the struggling Orlando Renegades in exchange for veteran pivot John Reaves.

Kelley, an eighth-year pro out of Georgia Tech University, has been the backup to starter Ben Bennett. Bandits officials said Kelley had asked to be traded.

“Mike felt boxed in behind Ben and Jimmy (Jordan) on the depth chart,” said director of football operations Tom Bland.

“He asked Steve (coach Steve Spurrier) if something could be done as soon as possible to place him somewhere else and we tried to accommodate him.”

Bland said the Renegades have no particularly strong quarterback candidates behind Reggie Collier and Tim Riordan and that's why they were interested in Kelley.

Over the weekend, the Birmingham Stallions downed Houston 44-23 behind a four touchdown pass effort from Cliff Stoudt. 

In other action, the Renegades notched their first victory of the year beating Tampa Bay 31-24, meanwhile New Jersey beat Baltimore 34-20, Jacksonville ousted Oakland 24-10 and Memphis oulasted Oklahoma 45-38.

more to come......

'88 Chronology-Trials & Tribulations

Event Date: April 17th, 1988

Event Description: Football News

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'88 Chronology-Week #8 Preview

Event Date: April 13th, 1988

Event Description: Week #8 Preview

Source: PFW

Week #8 USFL Preview

Thursday, April 14th

(3-4) Houston Gamblers at (3-4) Birmingham Stallions

Latest Line: (Stallions -2)

Television: RCA: Larry Munson & Mel Arthur

ABC Radio: Johnny Holiday & Paul Hornung

Saturday, April 16th

(3-4) Tampa Bay Bandits at (0-7) Orlando Renegades

Latest Line: (Bandits -4)

Television: ESPN Regional/RCA: Tom Kelly & Don Heinrich

ESPN Radio: David Steele & Sam Behr

Sunday, April 17th

(4-3) New Jersey Generals at (5-2) Baltimore Stars

Latest Line: (Stars -4)

Television Coverage: ABC-National: Keith Jackson & Lynn Swann

Radio: ABC Radio: Scott Garceau & Tom Matte

(1-6) Oakland Invaders at (5-2) Jacksonville Bulls 

Latest Line: (Bulls -12)

ABC Television: Bill Flemming & Ron Mix

Radio: ABC Radio: Larry Munson & Mel Arthur

Monday, April 18th

(6-1) Memphis Showboats at (5-2) Oklahoma Outlaws

Latest Line: (Outlaws -4)   

Television: ESPN National/RCA: Jim Simpson & Paul McGuire

ABC Radio:  Bob Buck & Dick Butkus

ABCTV Intro

 

'88 Chronology-Seventh Heaven

Event Date: April 12th, 1988

Event Description: Week #7 Summary

Source: PFW

Baltimore Stars defensive lineman Willie Rosborough will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and will be lost for at least four games.

Head coach Ted Marchibrosa made the announcement early Tuesday. Rosborough has been struggling with torn knee cartilage for the last few games.

Over the weekend the Stars defeated Oakland by a score of 38-28. Other Week #7 games saw Oklahoma down Jacksonville 24-16, Birmingham defeat hapless Orlando 34-20, and the Gamblers 26-7 drubbing of New Jersey.

On Monday night the red-hot Memphis Showboats trounced Tampa Bay by a score of  47-29 as Walter Lewis tossed four touchdowns in the win.

more to come......

''88 Chronology-Week #7 Preview

Event Date: April 6th, 1988

Event Description: Week #7 Preview

Source: PFW

Week #7 USFL Preview

Thursday, April 7th

(5-1) Jacksonville Bulls at (4-2) Oklahoma Outlaws

Latest Line: (Outlaws -3)

Television: RCA: Larry Munson & Mel Arthur

Local Radio: Jerry Webber & Jack Nixon

Saturday, April 9th

(0-6) Orlando Renegades at (2-4) Birmingham Stallions

Latest Line: (Stallions -4)

Television: ESPN Regional/RCA: Tom Kelly & Don Heinrich

ESPN Radio: Jim Fyffe & Dick James

Sunday, April 10th

(4-2) New Jersey Generals at (2-4) Houston Gamblers

Latest Line: (Generals -4)

Television Coverage: ABC-National: Keith Jackson & Lynn Swann

Radio: ABC Radio: Charley Steiner & Robert Casciola

(1-5) Oakland Invaders at (4-2) Baltimore Stars

Latest Line: (Stars -14)

ABC Television: Bill Flemming & Ron Mix

Radio: ABC Radio: Fred Manfra and Dick Butkus

Monday, April 11th

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

Latest Line: (’Boats -3)   

Television: ESPN National/RCA: Jim Simpson & Paul McGuire

ABC Radio: Randy Scott & Ed Biles

'88 Chronology-Sainthood

Event Date: April 6th, 1988

Event Description: Saints Camp

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'88 Chronology-Week #6 Roundup

Event Date: April 5th, 1988

Event Description: Week #6 Roundup

Source: PFW

Walter Lewis fired three touchdown passes and ran for two more to lead the Memphis Showboats to a 38-20 victory over the slumping Birmingahm Stallions.

The Stallions suffered their fourth loss of the season as their record dropped to (2-4) while the Showboats improved their mark to (5-1), to give them sole possession of first place in the Independence division, a full game ahead of (4-2) Oklahoma.

In other Week #6 action;

The Baltimore Stars outlasted Tampa Bay 17-10, Oklahoma edged Orlando 14-10, meanwhile Jacksonville improved to (5-1) after beating New Jersey 20-10 and Houston ousted Oakland 20-16.

more to come......

'88 Chronology-Gamblers Fight Song

 

'88 Chronology-Week #6 Preview

 Event Date: March 31st, 1988

Event Description: Week #6 Preview

Source: PFW

Week #6 USFL Preview

Thursday, March 31st

(3-2) Baltimore Stars at (3-2) Tampa Bay Bandits

Latest Line: (Bandits -3)

Television: ESPN Regional/RCA: Tom Kelly & Don Heinrich 

Radio: ESPN : Gene Deckerhoff & Vic Prinzi

Saturday, April 2nd

(0-5) Orlando Renegades at (3-2) Oklahoma Outlaws 

Latest Line: (Outlaws -13)

Television: ESPN Regional/RCA: Kevin Killey & Corey McPherson

ESPN Radio: Jerry Webber & Jack Nixon

(2-3) Birmingham Stallions at (4-1) Memphis Showboats 

Latest Line: (’Boats -6)   

Television: ESPN National/RCA: Tom Mees & Ron Mix

Local Radio: John Ward & Paul Hartlage

Monday, April 4th

(1-4) Houston Gamblers at (1-4) Oakland Invaders

Latest Line: (Gamblers -1)

Local Television: Joe Starkey & Lee Grosscup

Radio: ABC Radio: Fred Manfra and Dick Butkus

(4-1) New Jersey Generals at (4-1) Jacksonville Bulls

Latest Line: (Generals -3)

Television Coverage: ESPN-National: Jim Simpson & Paul McGuire

Radio: ABC Radio: Charley Steiner & Robert Casciola

Still A Game!

 

'88 Chronology-Week #5 Roundup

Event Date: March 30th, 1988

Event Description: Week #5 Roundup

Vince Evans threw two touchdown passes Monday night to lead the Jacksonville Bulls to a 34-13 rout over the Oakland Invaders.

Jacksonville, (4-1), manhandled the Invaders both offensively and defensively. The Bulls had 429 total yards -- 252 rushing -- while holding Oakland to only 94 yards on the ground. Evans added 187 more yards through the air, hitting 11-of-19 passes.

Oakland, (1-4), could only manage a pair of Novo Bojovic field goals and a Ed Luther to Jeff Smith 61-yard touchdown pass at the end of the third quarter.

In other Week #5 action; 

The Tampa Bay Bandits downed Birmingham 26-14, the Oklahoma Outlaws outlasted New Jersey 41-35, meanwhile Memphis won 38-30 over winless Orlando and Baltimore beat Houston 16-10 to finish their home and home series.

more to come......

'88 Chronology-WIFL Ball

Event Date: March 30th, 1988

Event Description: New Indoor Grid League

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'88 Chronology-Sad Case

Event Date: March 25th, 1988

Event Description: Cade Case

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'88 Chronology-Week #5 Preview

Event Date: March 24th, 1988

Event Description: Week #5

Source: PFW

 Week #5 USFL Preview

Thursday, March 24th

(2-2) Houston Gamblers at (2-2) Baltimore Stars

Latest Line: (Stars -9)

Television: ESPN Regional/RCA: Tom Kelly & Don Heinrich 

Radio: ESPN : Scott Garceau & Bob Bartel

Saturday, March 26th

(4-0) New Jersey Generals at (2-2) Oklahoma Outlaws 

Latest Line: (Generals -6)

Television: ESPN Regional/RCA: Kevin Killey & Corey McPherson

ESPN Radio: Charley Steiner & Dave Herman

(3-1) Memphis Showboats at (0-4) Orlando Renegades

Latest Line: (’Boats -3)   

Television: ESPN National/RCA: Jim Simpson & Paul McGuire

Local Radio: David Steele & Sam Behr

Sunday, March 27th

(2-2) Birmingham Stallions at (2-2) Tampa Bay Bandits

Latest Line: (Bandits -6)

Television: ABC National: Keith Jackson & Lynn Swann

Radio: ABC Radio: Fred Manfra and Dick Butkus

Monday, March 28th

(1-3) Oakland Invaders at (3-1) Jacksonville Bulls

Latest Line: (Bulls -8)

Television Coverage: ESPN-National: Jim Simpson & Paul McGuire

Radio: ABC Radio: Joe Starkey & Lee Grosscup

'88 Chronology-Week #4 Roundup

Event Date: March 22nd, 1988

Event Description: Week #4 Roundup

Source: PFW

Turner Gill and Tony Boddie teamed up for a late touchdown Sunday afternoon as the Houston Gamblers rallied in the second half for a 22-21 victory over the Baltimore Stars.

Gill, a former Nebraska Cornhusker, marked his USFL debut by completing 17-of-22 passes for 212 yards and one touchdown while Tony Jeffery rushed for 114 yards as the Gamblers secured their first win of the season.

The Gamblers struck first when Frank Corral connected on an 18-yard field goal with 8:54 to go in the first quarter.

The Stars took a 7-3 lead early in the second frame when Chuck Fusina found Clarence Collins on a 41-yard strike.

The teams’ traded field goals in the remainder of the half, as Baltimore led 10-6 at the intermission.

Frank Corral connected on a pair of field goals in the third frame as Houston led 12-10 after three quarters.

Tim Mazzetti and Curtis Bledsoe helped the Stars take a 21-15 lead after a 35-yard field goal and a 15-yard run by Bledsoe. Greg Boone chipped in a two point conversion before Gill rallied the Gamblers to steal the win.

In other Week #4 action;

On Thursday, the New Jersey Generals improved to (4-0) after their 42-35 win against (3-1) Memphis. Doug Flutie led the way with five touchdown passes and 65 yards rushing.

Over the weekend, the (2-2) Bandits outlasted (2-2) Oklahoma 45-38 as Ben Bennett tossed five touchdown passes and Greg Allen rushed for 130 yards.

The other contests saw (3-1) Jacksonville down (2-2) Birmingham by a score of 33-23 and (1-3) Oakland won their first game after beating winless (0-4) Orlando 27-16.

more to come......

'88 Chronology-Rumor Mill

Event Date: March 20th, 1988

Event Description: NFL Roundup

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'88 Chronology-Marshall Plan

Event Date: March 18th, 1988

Event Description: Marshall May Move On

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'88 Chronology-Time For Change

Event Date: March 18th, 1988

Event Description: NFL Roundup

Source: Associated Press

'88 Chronology-Phoenix Cardinals

Event Date: March 18th, 1988

Event Description: Cardinals Head West

Source: Associated Press

'88 Chronology-Week #4 Preview

Event Date: March 16th, 1988

Event Description: Week #4 Preview

Source: PFW

Week #4 USFL Preview

Thursday, March 17th

(3-0) Memphis Showboats at (3-0)New Jersey Generals

Latest Line: (Generals -2)   

Television: ESPN National/RCA: Jim Simpson & Paul McGuire

Radio: ESPN Radio: Charley Steiner & Dave Herman

Saturday, March 19th

(2-1) Oklahoma Outlaws at (1-2) Tampa Bay Bandits

Latest Line: (Outlaws -2)

Television: ESPN Regional/RCA: Tom Kelly & Don Heinrich

Local Radio: Gene Deckerhoff & Vic Prinzi (WFLA)

Sunday, March 20th

(2-1) Baltimore Stars at (0-3) Houston Gamblers

Latest Line: (Stars -8)

Television: ABC National/RCA: Tim Brandt & Mike Adamle

Radio: ESPN : John Greer & Ed Biles

(2-1) Birmingham Stallions at (2-1) Jacksonville Bulls

Latest Line: (Stallions -2)

Television: ABC National: Keith Jackson & Lynn Swann

Radio: ABC Radio: Larry Munson & Mel Arthur

Monday, March 21st

(0-3) Orlando Renegades at (0-3) Oakland Invaders

Latest Line: (Pick ‘Em)

Television Coverage: ESPN-National: Tom Mees & Ron Mix

Radio: ABC Radio: Fred Manfra and Dick Butkus