The USFL’s second week saw expansion Jacksonville make a statement, Bobby Hebert once again own a defense, a resurgent LA offense, and a surprisingly stingy Washington defense. Attendance was down nearly 10,000 from week one as poor showings in Boston, Michigan and Oakland offset 51,000 in New Jersey and nearly 47,000 in Birmingham.
SCORES
WSH 13 BOS 10 Washington’s D holds Boston to only 210 total yards.
JAX 27 BIR 17 Doug Williams’s 328 yard, 3 TD day stuns the Stallions.
CHI 23 MGN 27 Another big day from Bobby Hebert in divisional win.
LA 30 ARZ 19 Tony Boddie busts out for 132 yards in LA romp.
DEN 20 OAK 27 Balanced attack leads Oakland to 4th quarter comeback.
PIT 16 MEM 30 Four interceptions of Glen Carano provide easy win for Memphis
BYES: Houston, Philadelphia
GAME OF THE WEEK: Tampa Bay Bandits 30 New Jersey Generals 27
Behind a strong game from RB Hershel Walker, New Jersey fought back from an early 13-0 deficit, taking the lead in the 4th quarter only to watch as John Reaves led a last minute drive that gave Tampa the victory with only seconds to spare. In a game that saw both running backs, Walker and Tampa's Gary Anderson slice up the opposing defenses (134 and 128 yards respectively), it was the QB play of John Reaves that once again made the difference.
While Reaves failed to complete 40% of his passes, the vertical game of Tampa was once again too explosive for an opponent to handle. Brian Sipe played well, completing 24 of 38 for 228 and 2 scorses, but it was Reaves, hitting TE Lewis Gilbert and wideout Willie Gillespie on longballs that once again proved to be too much. It seems that having the offseason to decipher the Tampa long ball game has not yet proven to be enough time for USFL defenses, as Reaves and company continue to find openings behind the coverage for their vertical game.
NEWS & NOTES
Other noteworthy performances this week include Memphis CB Alex Clark (2 Int, including a return for score), Oakland RB Arthur Whittington (162 yards on 21 carries), Jacksonville WR Gary Clark (12 catches for 128 and a score), and Pittsburgh SS Dave Duerson (10 tackles, a forced fumble and recovery). Special kudos to the entire Washington D, which kept Boston QB Johnnie Walton to only 15 of 51 pass attempts (29.4% completion rate) in a game most expected to go for the homestanding Breakers.
INJURIES
Denver TE Bob Niziolek left the DEN-OAK game with a concussion, but may be able to play next week. Chicago’s Vince Evans was unable to go this week, as Blair Kiel took the helm, but should be back next week. Arizona’s Tim Spencer was also unable to play vs. LA due to his dislocated, and possibly fractured finger. X-rays were inconclusive, and Spencer hopes to return to action in Week 4, after the Wranglers Week 3 bye.
LOOKING AHEAD
Four teams take their bye in Week 3 (Arizona, Chicago, Memphis and Tampa), so it is a short slate, with 2 Saturday games (WSH @ NJ and OAK @ HOU), and 4 Sunday games. The biggest matchups to watch are Boston, trying to get on track at Philadelphia (they will play back to back games in a weird schedule quirk) and Birmingham seeking to knock off unbeaten Jacksonville.
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