There were only 6 games on the schedule this week, but we got some good ones, as 3 of the 6 were one score results decided in the final minutes. We saw Pittsburgh and Boston get their first wins of the year, and Birmingham showed Jackonville that the Southern Division was no pushover. Atendance rebounded to over 46,000 as good weather and an amazing turnout of over 73,000 in Jacksonville boosted the leaguewide average. The TV ratings winner this week was the Boston-Philadelphia game, which won the Saturday night slot for ESPN.
SCORES
WSH 24 NJ 29 Brian Sipe leads the Generals back from 13 down in the 4th.
BOS 38 PHI 24 Marcus Marek INT for TD sparks the Breakers to knock off Philly.
BIR 34 JAX 20 Joe Cribbs accounts for 3 scores to lead the Stallions over the Bulls.
OAK 17 HOU 30 Despite redzone issues, Kelly leads the Gamblers to a 13 point win.
DEN 28 MGN 31 Denver falls again as Hebert leads Michigan to final 10 points and the win.
BYES: Arizona, Chicago, Memphis, Tampa
GAME OF THE WEEK: Los Angeles Express 31 Pittsburgh Maulers 34
In a game punctuated by a dazzling 18 yard Steve Young TD run, it was Heisman winner Mike Rozier and the Maulers who had the last laugh. Rozier rushed for 177 yards against an LA defense that was stacked to stop him. QB Glen Carano played well completing 23 of 29, but threw 2 interceptions, including a pick 6 which led some in the Pittsburgh crowd to call for WV star Jeff Hostetler to get a shot. In the end it was the ability of Pittsburgh to run the ball, use play action and hold possession (35 minutes to LA’s 25) that proved decisive. The Maulers regularly used Rozier in early downs to avoid long 3rd downs, and in some cases to break off long runs against stacked fronts. It was a style of play familiar to generations of Steeler fans who came out to see the new team in town. The Maulers drew a respectable crowd of 38,753 for a season opener held on a cold 28 degree day, and they got to watch the franchise earn its first win amid snow flurries.
NEWS & NOTES
Much as we saw last year, Arthur Whittington (21 for 162 yards) continues to play well, but the Invaders continue to lose. Bobby Hebert had his first 3 interception game against Denver, but his 4 TD’s still won the day. Boston LB Markus Marek was a monster, with 12 tackels, a sack, and an INT return for TD. Another LB, LA’s unheralded Timothy Blanchette also had a big game with an unlikely INT return for TD as he caught a ball tipped off the helmet of Pittsburgh wideout Harry Ivey, and trucked over RB Tony Boddie to reach the endzone.
INJURIES
A few notable injuries, though few long-term concerns, as the early season continues. Houston wideout Gerald McNeil may miss 1-2 weeks with a neck injury, while Michigan’s John Williams is listed as doubtful for next week after spraining his knee. Denver FB Larry Canada could miss multiple weeks with a stress fracture in his left foot. The biggest hit was in Birmingham where last year’s sack leader for the Stallions, Jackie Cline, suffered fractured ribs and is likely to miss several weeks.
LOOKING AHEAD
Back to a full slate of 8 games in Week 4. The highlights include another Boston-Philadelphia tilt, this time at Harvard Stadium, a battle of expansion clubs as the Bulls travel to Memphis, Houston travels to Chicago in what meteorologists are siting as potential whiteout conditions, and Denver has a tough task, trying to get their first win of the year in the Meadowlands against Hershel Walker and the Generals.
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