The table is now set as two former champions showed their pedigree and returned for a 2nd USFL Championship. This will mark the first time that the Championship Game has repeat participants, and two teams that play very different games to get here. Before we preview the 1987 USFL Championship, let’s look at how Michigan and Philadlephia got here.
PHILADELPHIA STARS 28 TAMPA BAY BANDITS 21
It is rare that the game-defining play of a pro football game happens only 3 minutes in, but that is exactly what happened when Philadelphia’s Jumpy Gaethers snatched up a Gary Anderson fumble and ran it in for a score to open the game. Anderson was laid out by DE Wiliam Fuller, and the ball bounced right up into Gaether’s open hands. That score set the tone for the game as the Philadelphia defense shut down Tampa’s run game and forced them to be one-dimensional. Meanwhile the Stars offense did just enough to keep them ahead of any Bandit comeback attempt. Kelvin Bryant was dominant, as he rushed for 138 yards and Chuck Fusina found three different receivers for scores, including a beautiful toss to Collier to build up a 28-7 lead in the 3rd which would hold for the game. The defending champs return to the Championship with a shot at repeating.
MICHIGAN PANTHERS 48 NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS 14
Anyone who watched Michigan crush Arizona last week and still wondered if they Panthers had regained their swagger is not questioning any longer. The Panthers utterly dominated their division rivals, scoring 31 unanswered points in the second half to move from a modest 7 point halftime lead to a crushing 34 piont victory against an overmatched Breakers squad. The key for Michigan was their halftime adjustments, as Breakers HB Marcus Dupree had 85 yards rushing in the first half, but gained only 16 in the second. This was due in part to the quick need for New Orleans to play catchup after a half-opening Michigan score (a Clarence Chapman pick-6 of Eason), but also due to a shift in alignment which forced New Orleans away from their toss and sweep game towards an interior run game, which did not suit them well. Meanwhile, Bobby Hebert threw for 319 and 4 scores as the Panthers once again looked like the team that many thought could go undefeated. They return to the Championship after only a 1 year hiatus from their 1985 Championship.
1987 USFL CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
This looks like one for the ages, the two most recent USFL champions battling to be the first USFL team with two titles. Michigan, after losing their last 3 games of the regular season, has ripped through their two playoff opponts, winning by margins of 25 and 34 points. Philadlephia, slow and steady, had gotten here by beating two quality opponents, both from the state of Florida, where the Championship will be held. The Gator Bowl in Jacksonville will be the site, the Stars and the Panthers the opponents. Here are the keys to the game:
1. Philadelphia must establish the run in order for their play-action passing game to find success. To do so, they will have to break down one of the stingiest run defenses in the league. Michigan allowed only 98 yards per game during the season. Philadelphia averaged 111 a game, most of it on the efforts of Kelvin Bryant. Bryant’s success will be key to the Philadelphia offense.
2. Michigan must break the Philly coverage and find big plays. When they lost those late season games, it was because teams allowed the short game but denied the Panthers the long ball. That does not play to the strength of the Michigan skill players, who are there to hit on big shots. If the Panthers cannot get Holloway and Carter free down the field, and are forced to dink and dunk on long drives, they will not pose the threat that so many teams fear.
3. Half-time adjustments. We saw how important this was when Michigan shut down Marcus Dupree in the second half of last week’s game. How teams react at the half, and the battle of chess between Jim Stanley and Jim Mora will go a long way to determine the outcome of what most experts predict will be a one-score margin.
4. Avoiding the unforced error. Both Conference Championships turned on defensive takeaways and scores. Turnovers are always a big issues in playoff football, but the key here is to avoid making mistakes that lead to quick, momentum shifting scores.
Our Prediction: While we expect Michigan to hold down Bryant to a degree, we do not think they can completely remove the play action game from the Philadelphia offense. The Stars are hot at the right time, winning 5 of 6 to end the year, and facing, quite honestly, a tougher road to get here. We like their balance, we like their cool, calm demeanor, and we like their depth. This is a team that will not beat itself. For Michigan to win, they need the big play, and we just don’t see Philadelphia making the mental mistakes that allow those to happen. Our pick is Stars 27 Panthers 21.
OTHER LEAGUE NEWS AND NOTES
The NFL-USFL pipeline has remained open during the playoffs, as non-playoff teams get an early start at free agency. They cannot sign any current USFL free agents, but they can ink NFL free agents to contracts (and the NFL can do the same) and that two way shuttle has been in effect over the past weeks. Just in the last week, we have seen these inter-league signings:
NFL SIGNINGS
The Washington Federals have lost DT Bennie Smith to the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks.
After losing their divisional playoff game, Oakland suffered two more losses as starting Free Safety Willie Lyles has signed with the New York Jets, and backup running back Louis Jackson is headed to the Miami Dolphins.
New Jersey loses another LB as Steve DeOssie has signed with the Dallas Cowboys.
Jacksonville, after losing to the Stars in their playoff matchup, was also heavily hit by the NFL, losing three players this week. WR Perry Kemp will join the Green Bay Packers, LB Kevin Teel is off to Pittsburgh, and TE Trey Junkin has opted to join the LA Raiders.
Denver lost another backup with wideout Brian Brennan signing with Cleveland.
Arizona’s defense took a hit, losing both CB Frank Minnifield (Cleveland) and LB Jim Fahnhorst (San Francisco).
USFL SIGNINGS
In a shockingly aggressive move, the Washington Federals, with new head coach Sam Rutigliano, have made what many consider one of the boldest signings in league history, stealing QB Neil Lomax away from the St. Louis Cardinals. Lomax, who threw for over 3,200 yards for the Cardinals last year will almost certainly take the helm of the Federals, which begs the question of what Washington will do with Reggie Collier, who still has 2 years on his contract. In an odd move they have also signed longtime San Francisco kicker Ray Wersching to the team, which likely means that current kicker Nick Mike-Myer may be hitting the expansion market or be released.
The Baltimore Blitz wasted no time after their playoff defeat in improving their offense, adding more veteran leadership in the form of wideout Stanley Morgan. The longtime New England Patriot will line up opposite Trumaine Johnson in the Blitz attack.
Denver solidified its linebacking corps with the signing of former Packer Michael Douglass. Douglass started 15 games for the Packers last year.
Oakland responded to losing a defensive stalwart in Willie Liles, but signing a player they hope will aid their passrush in former Dolphin DE Kim Bokamper. Bokamper started 12 games for the Dolphins in 1985, but recorded only 2.5 sacks.
And finally, the Miami/Orlando franchise. Led by Howard Schnellenberger, is also trying not to fall behind on player acquisition as they still work on final arrangements for their team’s home, signing Dallas Cowboys Safety Bill Bates as their first signature player. Bates finished his rookie contract with Dallas with his best year to date, recording 4 interceptions and playing in all 16 games.