Week One of the 1984 USFL Season saw big crowds (43,236 average), healthy TV ratings, and some good games. In a week where 2 quarterbacks each threw for 5 scores, and 10 different receivers went for more than 100 yards, it was a good week for offensive football and a good kickoff for year 2 of the USFL
SCORES
BOS 21 NJ 33 Brian Sipe throws for 319 yards in the win.
MEM 16 BIR 30 Joe Cribbs runs wild for 120 yards and 3 scores.
WSH 17 TBY 35 John Reaves throws for 5 TD’s, 3 to Eric Truvillion
PIT 17 ARZ 35 Greg Landry silences critics with 384 yards and 5 scores.
MGN 35 DEN 27 Michigan, with Hebert at the helm, avenges playoff loss at Denver.
CHI 21 OAK 6 Chicago D smothers the Invaders. Vince Evans throws for 2 scores.
HOU 10 JAX 31 Run & Shoot fizzles against Bulls. WR Gary Clark scores twice for Bulls.
GAME OF THE WEEK: LA Express 28 Philadelphia Stars 31
Philly got a tougher than anticipated matchup against a revitalized LA Express. Led by rookie Steve Young, LA went back and forth with the highly-favored Stars, trailing 21-14 at half. Philadelphia scored 10 more in the third to pull out to a 17 point lead, but LA fought back in the 4th, with contributions from all 3 running backs, including a Broddie 4 yard TD run and a Kevin Mack score on a shovel pass from Young. Young finished 17 of 26 for 209 yards and 3 scores. For Philly, Chuck Fusina threw 4 TD passes on a day when the LA defense held Kelvin Bryant to only 31 yards rushing. It was enough, but just enough as Philadelphia held on for a 3 point win in front of 33,500 at Veteran’s Stadium.
NEWS & NOTES
It was a day for vets in the air, with Sipe, Landry and Reaves leading the way, but on the ground it was the young guns in charge with Joe Cribbs and Mike Rozier the week’s only 100 yard rushers. On defense Boston’s Buster Homer had 2 Ints against Brian Sipe and new Philly DE William Fuller scored his first sack to go with 5 tackles.
INJURIES: No major injuries this week, though a dislocated finger might keep ARZ RB Tim Spencer out of next week’s game. Dings to QB’s Vince Evans and Doug Williams lead both to be listed as Questionable for week 2 action.
LOOKING AHEAD
Week two is highlighted by the Bandits visiting New Jersey, Chicago playing Michigan in divisional action, Pittsburgh facing off against fellow expansion Memphis, and all 4 Pacific teams in divisional matchups, LA @ ARZ and DEN @ OAK. Houston and Philadelphia have the first bye weeks of the 17 week season.
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