SCORES
BOS 7 MGN 31 Michigan dominates in all 3 phases against overmatched Breakers.
NJ 14 HOU 33 Gamblers go on 24-0 scoring run in 2nd half to blow past NJ.
PHI 24 CHI 12 Fusina, Bryant and Fitzkee shine as Stars knock Blitz from unbeatens.
WSH 21 PIT 39 John Jefferson catches 6 for 130 as Maulers keep Feds winless.
JAX 24 ARZ 35 Three turnovers in 2nd half cost Bulls the game in Tempe.
TBY 32 DEN 10 Reaves hits Collinsworth for 2 scores as Bandits roll over Gold.
MEM 21 OAK 16 Memphis D picks off Brian Sipe twice to lock up first win.
GAME OF THE WEEK
Birmingham Stallions 24 LA Express 31
Steve Young and TE Ricky Ellis come up big for LA in late surge to beat the Stallions. The Express held off a feisty Stallions team and never trailed in this week 4 clash in which Steve Young threw for 3 scores and HB Kevin Mack scored the winning TD to send Birmingham to an uncharacteristic 1-3 record. In a game played in front of LA's largest crowd in 2 years (29,850), the Express impressed.
LA began the scoring on their opening drive as Young hit Eric Martin on a 38 yard scoring pass. They added to their lead on their next drive as Tony Zendejas hit on a 45 yard field goal. But, not to be outdone, Cliff Stoudt led Birmingham down the field, eventually finding Jim Smith on a fade to put up 7 of their own. In the 2nd quarter, LA expanded their 10-7 lead up to 24-7 with scores from Jo-Jo Townsell and Mark Boyer before Birmingham notched a field goal with time running out in the half. 24-10 LA at the half.
In the second half it looked like the Birmingham comeback was assured. The Stallions used their formidable run game to grind down the clock while scoring runs from Joe Cribbs and FB Ken Talton tied up the game. But, as the 3rd quarter wound down, LA answered with a 11 play drive, ending with a Kevin Mack dive from the 1 to take the 31-24 score.
The final quarter would be a battle of two weary opponents, each trying to put enough together to take home the win. Both QB’s threw 4th quarter interceptions to end drives, but neither team was able to reach the red zone of their opponent, and the 31-24 score held. The win moves LA into a 3-way tie atop the Pacific Division at 2-2, while Birmingham now finds itself at 1-3, already 2 games behind Tampa Bay.
PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK
While there were several players providing offensive fireworks, we have to give this week’s award to a defensive performance for the ages. LB Paul Plurowski has labored in relative obscurity within the Tampa Bay defense for 2 seasons plus, but this week he reminded everyone that the Bandits are more than an explosive offense, they have defensive playmakers as well. The Tampa D harassed Denver’s Bob Gagliano for 4 quarters, sacking him twice, picking him off twice, and keeping him to under 50% completion rate for the game. Plurowski was a huge force for the Tampa D as he recorded both Tampa Bay sacks, one for a safety in the 3rd quarter. He also snagged one of the 2 Gagliano interceptions, added 2 tackles for loss against Denver backs, and recorded 8 total tackles. He was a force on nearly every play. So here is one for the unheralded blue-collar defenders who are essential to any winning team. Plurowski does not sell as many jerseys as Reaves, Truvillion or Gary Anderson, but he should.
NEWS & NOTES
As we wait for news out of the courts in New York in the USFL-NFL suit, and as we prepare for the midseason USFL Owners meeting. Let’s take a moment to talk about expansion. The USFL has already pointed to 1987 as the earliest proposed expansion date. With ownership in question in Chicago and Boston, and with attendance issues in several other cities, there is no guarantee that expansion in ’87 is a done deal, but that is not stopping potential ownership groups from preparing. There are strong rumors that the USFL might again expand in the south (as they did when they added Jacksonville, Houston, and Memphis). There are groups already pitching for potential expansion in Miami, Atlanta, New Orleans and San Antonio.
Meanwhile the recent overnight exodus of the NFL’s Baltimore Colts creates a vacuum that the USFL might try to fill. Other ownership groups are forming to try to bring USFL football to cities across the country, including San Diego, Portland, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Whether any of these potential franchises will even have a chance to add to a growing USFL may depend heavily on whether or not the USFL can shore up their weaker current franchises, and, perhaps even more, what happens in their lawsuit against the NFL. A loss and they could be financially strapped, while a win could bring significant damages to the league, funds which could bolster their 16 franchises and make room to expand to 18 or even 20 teams in 1987.
INJURIES
For the second year in a row, New Jersey SS Gary Barbaro faces a serious injury. This time around a quad muscle injury may keep him out for a month or more. Wideouts also had a rough week as both Oakland’s Gordon Banks and Philly’s Tom Donovan could miss multiple weeks. Tampa will be without LB James Harrell with turf toe for 1-2 weeks, and Chicago LB Ben Apuna suffered a concussion which may cause him to miss a week for the Blitz. The Bandits are 2-0 with Jimmie Jordan at QB, but there are rumors that John Reaves is looking to come back next week, though his ankle is still not looking 100%. Jim Kelly is probable to return next week after once again being banged around in Houston’s win over New Jersey.
LOOKING AHEAD
Week 5 is a mixed week with the Atlantic and Central playing divisional games while the Pacific and Southern Divisions face off. Boston will try to bounce back after their first loss at home against the Stars, who hope to take a 2 game lead with a win. New Jersey and Washington battle for relevance as neither wants to fall further behind in the Atlantic. In the Central, Chicago will travel to Pittsburgh to face the Maulers, while Houston has to try to win their 2nd in a visit to Michigan. In one of the better matchups of the week, Tampa will fly out west to face the Express in Angel Stadium, while Birmingham will try to right the ship at Oakland. Memphis also visits the Wranglers and Denver hosts the up and down Jacksonville Bulls.