Playoff teams tune up for next week and also-rans end up the season looking to the future as the initial regular season of the USFL comes to an end. Next up, the playoffs.
PHI 28 WSH 12—Philadelphia left no doubt that they were the Atlantic Division champs as they dismantled the undermanned Federals to close out the season. A Kelvin Bryant TD run and a Steve Folsom scoring catch in the first quarter were more than enough to have beaten the Feds. Bryant would finish the day with 88 yards rushing and anther 27 through the air. For Fusina it was a highly efficient day, as he was 23 of 26 for 272 yards and 2 scores. The Stars used the week to fine tune on both sides of the ball as they prepare to face the Tampa Bay Bandits in the playoffs next week.
NJ 18 BOS 15—In a game that had no meaning for either team, the Generals edged past a clearly dispirited Breakers squad, coming off a brutal loss to Philly and elimination from the playoffs last week. Boston’s usually potent offense just had no energy as Johnnie Walton only completed 45% of his passes and Richard Crump carried the ball 12 times for only 16 yards. The Boston D continued to fight, limiting Hershel Walker to only 88 yards rushing and knocking Generals QB Bobby Scott out of the game in the 3rd quarter. But, New Jersey had enoughand with Boston only scoring off the foot of Tim Mazzetti, the Generals took the win and finish the year at 7-9, while Boston limps home at 10-6.
TBY 35 BIR 32—It was in doubt all week whether Steve Spurrier would use this final division game to prep for the playoffs or to rest his starters. Spurrier opted to view this week as a tune up game, and his Bandits played a spirited game against a Birmingham Stallion team with nothing to lose. What emerged was an offensive show, with both John Reaves and Bobby Lane throwing for 4 scores each. Tampa had 3 receivers go over 100 yards each, as the patented Bandit Ball longball strategy proved very effective. Tampa finishes the year at an impressive 14-2, while Birmingham concludes at a respectable 10-6.
MGN 17 CHI 6—Defense was the name of the game as Michigan played without their all-league QB Bobby Hebert. Without Hebert, the Panther offense limped through most of the game, depending heavily on the rushing of Williams and Lacy, and using play action to offset the run. But, by holding Chicago to only two field goals, in a game where Greg Landry was relieved early by backup Tim Koegel, the Panthers notched a 12th win for the year. Chicago finished well below expectations at 5-11.
OAK 25 LA 27—In a game between two teams going nowhere this year, LA edged Oakland to finish the year at 4-12. Oakland, with the loss, fell to 5-11 for the year. The standout player for the game was Invader QB Fred Besana, who has played well all year, but not well enough to deliver more victories. Besana thew for 275 yards and 3 scores in a losing effort, something we are getting accustomed to saying. As the season ends for these two clubs, questions abound for both. Prime for Oakland is how they will put more weapons around Besana, while for LA, the big question is one of local support, as they once again failed to draw 10,000 fans to their game.
ARZ 6 DEN 27—Denver wins a game they did not need, while Arizona continues the streakiest season this reporter can remember. The Wranglers began the year 0-6, then won 5 straight, only to end the year with an 0-5 streak. They have some talent, particularly in gunslinging QB Alan Risher, but their defense is atrocious. Denver, on the other hand, is the very definition of a blue collar team. They have no star power, but week in and week out they plod along, mustering enough to win 9 of their 16 games and win the division. Will this style be enough next week when they face the Panthers? Well, if Bobby Hebert cannot go for Michigan, it may just be.