2019 USFL Week 1 Recap: Go Time!!

A real rarity for the USFL, an opening weekend in March with no snow, pretty nice temperatures all around and the only rain occurring in a region where it is expected, the Pacific Northwest. This was the ideal weekend for football, and fans turned out with huge crowds in Houston, Oklahoma, Birmingham, Michigan, Memphis, and Tampa Bay among other places. It was a weekend that saw the defenses generally ahead of the offenses, except in one expected case as Jacksonville and QB Teddy Bridgewater shocked everyone with a huge opening week performance. In Oakland the Invader defense made Marvin Lewis and the New Look Express struggle, shutting out their in-state rival, while in Orlando, the defense, playing without Calais Campbell for the first time in a decade, found a new hero as Dee Milliner scored 3 of the 4 picks thrown by Mitch Trubisky. It was a week of new faces and debut performances. Let’s get right to it and talk about football once again.

Opening Day a Huge Box Office Success as Weather Cooperates

While most of the stories after this week’s action will be about what happened on the field, we thought we should highlight just how good a week it was in the stands. We have gotten so used to opening week in the USFL being plagued by bitter cold, harsh winds, snow, ice, and torrential rain, that we are just ready for the opening week to be a bit of a weather-induced bummer. But not this year. We got sun and moderate temperatures from Oakland to Baltimore. The only game-impacting weather was in Seattle and Portland, and even that was mild compared to past years. So, how did the USFL fanbase react? They came out in droves.

The USFL recorded its highest ever opening week crowd, and for the first time averaged over 50,000 butts in the stands across the entire league. Huge crowds were seen across the league, from 57,000 in Oakland to over 60,000 welcoming the 2018 Champion Houston Gamblers back to the field. Even some teams that have struggled the past few years saw good crowds, including over 50,000 in Tampa Bay, Orlando, Dallas, and Birmingham. The lowest attendance of the week was still a very solid 41,047 in Baltimore, where the Blitz took on St. Louis. That is a very good sign for the league, and a very welcome change of pace from past league openers.

Now, will that last? Well, maybe not. Denver, Chicago, and Ohio have their home openers this week and the forecast is not looking quite as pleasant for any of the three. We could also see rain in Dallas, where the Roughnecks host the Outlaws, and in Portland once again, when the Stags face the defending Western Conference Champion Wranglers. But it is March, so we have to expect some issues. And besides, if anyone is going to be able to handle a bit of wind, cold, or snow, it should be football fans in Denver, Chicago, or Ohio. For now, let’s just revel in the fact that football is back, and that most fans this week got to enjoy it with nothing more than a sweatshirt or light jacket on.

DENVER GOLD 17  DALLAS ROUGHNECKS 21

We mentioned in our Season Preview edition that Dallas was a team that could make some moves, but that in order to do so they would need to get through a pretty tough opening stretch of divisional games. Well, if this week’s comeback victory over Denver is any indication, fans in Dallas could be in for a season to remember. The Roughnecks struggled for 3 quarters in their matchup against Von Miller and the Denver Gold defense, but in the final period they came alive, cashing in on two late drives to turn a 17-6 deficit into a 21-17 victory in their home opener.

The Gold, who got a pretty solid opening game from 2^nd year QB Josh Allen, including TD tosses of 86 and 41 yards, showing off Allen’s cannon of an arm, saw their lead shink away as Josh Freeman mounted the Dallas comeback. Despite putting pressure on Freeman all game, Denver recorded only 2 sacks and in the final period, Freeman was able to complete 11 of 13 passes as the Roughnecks took advantage of some late game wearing down of Denver defenders who were perhaps not yet at full regular season conditioning yet.

The game was very much a contrast of styles. Denver set up to play a run-first offense, using carries from DeMarco Murray and Phillip Lindsay to set up Josh Allen for the occasional deep throw. Allen would only complete 9 passes on the day, but he found enough deep balls, including the long TD tosses to help Denver build up a lead. Dallas, on the other hand, used short passes to keep Von Miller and company off of Freeman. The Roughneck QB would put the ball up 42 times, completing 25 but averaging only 6.2 yards per completion compared to Josh Allen’s 11.6.

Through 3 quarters, Dallas mustered only two field goal drives, and Freeman had completed 14 of 29 passing, but in the 4^th, he found his groove as urgency kicked in for the homestanding Roughnecks. It began early in the quarter after a Josh Allen to Golden Tate TD had increased Denver’s lead to 17-6. On the ensuing drive, Freeman connected twice with Sammy Watkins, once with HB Samaje Perine, and then found Courtland Sutton for the big receiver’s first score of the season to pull Dallas within 3.

When Denver could not get in range for kicker Greg Zeurlein, Dallas took over on their own 17 and once again Josh Freeman set out to win the “Battle of the Joshes” and the game. This time it would be Watkins who would get the scoring toss. After dinking and dunking the ball into Denver territory, using a no huddle to help wear down the Gold defenders, Freeman pumped once to freeze the safety, then found Watkins at the 5. The speedy receiver initially tipped the ball up, but then snatched it out of the air and fell into the endzone for the go-ahead score. Dallas took a 4-point lead with just 1:28 left to play.

Denver mounted a final drive, and at first it looked very promising, with Allen finding tight end T. J. Hockenson for his first catch of the day, a beautiful and very needed 18-yard completion on a 3^rd and 11, but then a holding call and two straight missed throws doomed the desperation drive. On a 4^th and 9, Allen could not connect with Golden Tate and the Roughnecks took over on downs to secure the win and start the year off on a positive note.

OHIO 7  MICHIGAN 34

A rough start for the defending Central Division champs as the Panthers were all over Ohio in this one. The Glory managed only 9 first downs and 1 third down conversion as the Michigan defense was utterly dominant. Dee Ford had a huge game with 6 tackles, 2 fumbles caused and recovered, and a defensive touchdown on a strip sack in the endzone. All in all Ohio had a whopping 6 turnovers, as they simply could not hold onto the ball, giving up 4 fumbles.

POTG: Michigan DE Dee Ford: 6 Tck, 1 Sck, 2 FF, 2 FR, 1 Def TD

NEW JERSEY 17  HOUSTON 34

The Gamblers scored the first 20 points of the game, all in the first quarter as they rolled past the Generals in their home opener. Nearly 60,000 were on hand to welcome home the league champions, and they got to see the Gamblers firing on all cylinders, with Mike Evans racking up his first 100-yard game of the year, and Leodis McKelvin putting the cherry on the sundae with a 100-yard pick-six in the fourth quarter.

POTG: Houston WR Mike Evans; 4 Rec, 109 Yds, 1 TD

WASHINGTON 13  MEMPHIS 16

A really competitive game that went down to the wire before Lewis Ward kicked the game winner for the home team with only 9 seconds on the clock. The Feds lost Anthony Allen to an injury on his first carry of the game and that hampered them all game long, while Memphis struggled to get their run game going, with Todd Gurley only able to average 2.2 yards per carry, but Paxton Lynch led a successful 2-minute drill in the 4^th quarter to get the Showboats in position and the winning kick sends the fans home happy in Memphis.

POTG: Memphis rookie DE Chase Winovich: 3 Tck, 1 Sck

CHICAGO 22  PITTSBURGH 14

Sam Bradford got the start, but it was Trevor Siemian who got the win for Chicago. Down 14-8 in the 4^th, Siemian came in after Bradford took a hard hit from Shaq Reddick and led Chicago on two scoring drive, throwing a TD to Kenny Golladay and leading the Machine down for a Jeremy Hill TD run in the final minutes. Pittsburgh had benefited from a solid passing day, with both Adam Thielen and NFL import Jarvis Landry both going over 100 yards, but they could not muster any points after Chicago took the lead and fell in their home opener.

POTG: Chicago QB Trevor Siemian: 16/23, 132 Yds, 1 TD, 0 Int

PHILADELPHIA 14  BIRMINGHAM 20

Cam Newton threw for 220 and ran for 43 as the Stallions held off the Stars to win their home opener in front of 51,258. The run game was still an issue for the Stallions, whose tailbacks gained only 23 yards on the day, but Newton made up with it with several big runs, including a 9-yard TD run in the 2^nd quarter. Derrick Henry averaged 4.9 per carry but had only 14 touches on the day for Philadelphia, while Travis Kelce caught 5 for 84 to lead all receivers.

POTG: Birmingham QB Cam Newton: 21/33, 220 Yds, 1 TD, 0 Int, 15 Att, 43 Yds, 1 TD

NEW ORLEANS 7  SEATTLE 10

In one of two rain-impacted games in a relatively sunny opening week for the league, Seattle and New Orleans slogged their way through a low-scoring affair. Pat White got the start for New Orleans had little luck putting points on the board as kicker Caleb Sturgis missed two water-logged kicks. Jacoby Brissett went 15 of 26 for only 133 but added a 12-yard TD to Marshall Newhouse and Jeffery Harris connected on a 41-yarder for the winning score as Seattle avoids that dreaded 0-5 start by winning their opener this year.

POTG: Seattle LB Khalil Mack: 8 Tck, 1 Sck

CHARLOTTE 19  ORLANDO 16

A good game in the Southeast, as the Renegades and Monarchs duked it out. Orlando CB Dee Milliner had a huge game, picking off Mitch Trubisky 3 times. With 4 picks in the game, Trubisky was lucky to finish the game at QB, much less to earn the win, but he put Charlotte in position late for a game winning Steven Earl field goal, so he gets credit there. Orlando was led by 74 yards rushing from Rashad Jennings, who split carries with former Invader Knile Davis. Brashad Perriman had himself a day as well, catching 5 for 120 and a touchdown.

POTG: Orlando CB Dee Milliner: 6 Tck, 3 Int

LOS ANGELES 0 OAKLAND 20

Not the day Marvin Lewis and the Express were hoping for as the veteran Oakland defense dominated, holding Kyler Murray and LA to only 8 first downs, 1 converted third down, and 196 total yards of offense. Murray threw 2 picks, and the Express committed 4 turnovers in total as Oakland, a bit slow on offense, won this game with their dominating D.

POTG: Oakland CB Eric Wright: 5 Tck, 2 Int, 1 FF

JACKSONVILLE 42  ATLANTA 27

Teddy Bridgewater lays down a claim on the Bulls’ QB job by going 24 of 28 for 243 and 3 scores, while also rushing the ball for 52 yards and 2 touchdowns in a very Jake Plummer/Cam Newton performance to open the season. Atlanta’s defense looked shellshocked as they gave up 362 yards of offense to the Bulls, aided by 4 turnovers by the Fire offense. Bridgewater connected with 9 different receivers, led the team in rushing, and had no turnovers in a huge road opener for the Bulls.

POTG: Bulls’ QB Teddy Bridgewater: 24/28, 243 Yds, 3 TD, 0 Int, 9 Att, 52 Yds, 2 TD

ST.LOUIS 29  BALTIMORE 27

One of the best games of the week, St. Louis took a 7-3 lead early in the 2^nd and never relinquished it, but Baltimore was right there the whole time. Big Ben threw for 3 scores while the Skyhawks held Josh Jacobs to 52 yards rushing in his first pro game. Eddie Lacy ran for 71, Lamar Jackson threw for 242 and connected with Allen Robinson and rookie Deionte Johnson for scores as the Skyhawks get the narrow win on the road to open their 2019 campaign.

POTG: Skyhawk LB Trey Hendrickson: 7 Tck, 1 Sck, 1 Sfty

LAS VEGAS 23  TAMPA BAY 30

Something of a shootout in Tampa as Matt McGloin and Dak Prescott combined for 629 yards passing and 4 touchdowns. Up only 23-16 midway through the 4^th, Tampa Bay got a huge play when Prescott hit Dez Bryant on a 52-yard completion. On the next play Dalvin Cook went in for the game-winning score as the Bandits get the home win in front of 50,721 at Raymond James.

POTG: Tampa Bay QB Dak Prescott: 19/28, 355 Yds, 2 TD, 1 Int

SAN DIEGO 24  PORTLAND 17

While not quite as rainy as Seattle, fans in Portland had their ponchos on as they watched San Diego get two first quarter pick-sixes to take a 14-0 lead as Marcus Mariota struggled. Mariota would get the offense going later, but it was too little too late as San Diego just kept extending the score every time Portland pulled closer. Christian Ponder threw for only 165 but avoided turning the ball over in the rain, his lone TD a short toss to little-used 3^rd TE Isaac Nauta.

POTG: San Diego CB Justin Gilbert: 7 Tck, 1 Int, 1 Def, TD, 1 FF

ARIZONA 26  OKLAHOMA 23

Oklahoma was game, taking a 23-20 lead into the 4^th quarter, but the Outlaws were shut out in the final 15, while David Carr led the Arizona offense on 2 field goal drives to secure the win. Arizona’s revamped receiving corps looked solid, with Victor Cruz catching 4 for 93 yards. NFL import Isaiah Crowell rushed for 36 and turned a 5-yard swing route into a 65-yard catch and run for the biggest play of the game. Oklahoma was led by WR DeDe Westbrook, who caught a 56-yard TD from Joe Flacco.

POTG: Arizona CB Joe Haden: 5 Tck, 4 PDef, 1 Int, 1 FF, 1 FR

Twelve Newcomers Making Immediate Impacts

Opening week sees a lot of new arrivals across all 28 USFL clubs, and while some watched from the sidelines and others had only minimal snaps with their new teams, there were plenty of players who hit the ground running. We picked 12 of the players who made the most of their debuts with their new clubs. Here is solid dozen immediate impact arrivals.

Jarvis Landry, WR-PIT

The Maulers fell 22-14 to the Machine, but one positive takeaway was the presence of NFL import Jarvis Landry, who lead all receivers in the game with 124 yards on 5 receptions. He also had one of the most exciting plays of the g game, a 58-yard catch and run early in the 4^th to give Pittsburgh a 14-6 lead. The lead would not hold, but Landry certainly impressed us in his first USFL game.

Arik Armstead, DT-CHI

In that same game another NFL import showed he was ready to take on the spring as defensive tackle Arik Armstead started his USFL career by leading Chicago with 5 tackles, including one for a loss. Armstead and the Chicago line also limited the Maulers to a paltry 33 total yards rushing on the day.

Victor Cruz, WR-ARZ

Another receiver who had big shoes to fill was the former Mauler, and now the lead receiver for the Wranglers. Cruz takes over for retired legend Larry Fitzgerald, and in his first game he certainly did his part, catching 4 of 9 targets for 93 yards, a 23.2 YPC average.

Clay Matthews, LB-DAL

We had a feeling that it would not take long for former Express MLB Clay Matthews to make an impression in Dallas. In his first game as a Roughneck, Matthews led all tacklers with 8 combined tackles, including one for a loss as Dallas came back late to defeat the Denver Gold.

Antonio Bryant, WR-MGN

Back to the receivers on new teams as former Wrangler Antonio Bryant had his first action in Michigan’s plum jerseys. The speedburner showed off his hands with three quality catches, one of them a one handed grab that he corralled for a touchdown.

Shaq Barrett, LB-OAK

Let’s go back to the defense to highlight the first game for Shaq Barrett, who joins 2018 DPOTY Bobby Wagner in the Invader LB corps. The Invaders shut out in-state rival Los Angeles and Barrett showed off his skills with 5 tackles, including 1 for a loss.

Isaiah Crowell, HB-ARZ

Arizona had an NFL import of their own, and while Isaiah Crowell split carries with Ka’Deem Carey, he showed he could be an option in the run game and the passing game as well, carrying the ball for 36 yards while also turning a simple swing pass into a 65-yard touchdown for Arizona.

Preston Brown, LB-TBY

The first of two Bandit imports from the NFL we are going to highlight, Brown had himself a very solid game in Tampa’s 30-23 win over the Las Vegas Vipers. Brown finished as the game’s leading tackler with 9 on the day.

Mark Clayton, WR-OKL

We are back to receivers once again, looking at former General, Monarch, and Showboat Mark Clayton looked renewed in Oklahoma, catching 5 of 6 targets, scoring his first touchdown as an Outlaw and rackin gup 58 yards against a tough Arizona defense.

Ryan Nassib, QB-WSH

We cannot go through this list without mentioning at least one of the new QBs across the USFL. Ryan Nassib completed 61.5% of his throws, going 24 of 39 for 244 yards and a touchdown for the Federals, but it was not enough as a late field goal by Memphis got the homestanding Showboats the win.

Devin Funchess, WR-MEM

Our last highlighted receiver, the former NFL wideout got his first taste of USFL football for the Showboats in their Week 1 victory over the Federals. Funchess fit in well with the ‘Boats, catching two passes for 15 yards, with one a 7-yard touchdown for the home team.

Pernell McPhee, DE-TBY

Finally, we return to Tampa Bay, where the second NFL import defender was among the best players on the field. McPhee played only 41 snaps for the Bandits, but in those snaps he racked up 6 tackles, 2 for a loss, and got his first USFL sack in his first spring game.

Devin Bush wins ROTW with Solid Intro to the USFL

There were certainly many other rookies entering their first USFL game with more hype. Heck, there were three on the Express alone, but when Week One was complete, it was Michigan linebacker Devin Bush who walks away with the first Rookie of the Week accolade. Bush got the start on the weak side, and proved he was up to the task, putting together an impressive first outing. Bush finished the day, a triumphant 27-10 win over the Feds, with five tackles, helping the Panthers role in their Week 1 matchup, a 27-point walloping of rival Ohio. Bush was instrumental in reining in Ohio’s Isaiah Pead, and also proved effective in coverage against both TE Jake Sternberger and Pead out of the backfield.

Other rookies who contributed to team wins this week include Jacksonville HB Devin Singletary, who had 9 carries for 37 yards in the Bulls’ big Week 1 victory, and Memphis DE Chase Winovich, who had 3 tackles and a sack against the Feds. Baltimore’s Josh Jacobs could not start his pro career with a win, but contributed 52 yards rushing and another 13 through the air for the Blitz. And what about the triad of LA Express rookies? Well, Kylar Murray struggled somewhat, completing only 11 of 27 passes against the fierce Oakland defense. Nick Bosa had one lone tackle and no sacks, and Hollywood Brown saw action on only 12 plays, and was not targeted in the game.

Mitch Trubisky a Frustrating Topic for Monarch Fans

How much is too much? That is the question Charlotte Monarch fans have to be asking about their starting QB. In a 19-16 victory over Orlando, Trubisky threw 4 picks, with 3 going to the same defender, CB Dee Milliner. The 3^rd year QB managed to get the win, thanks to a late drive that allowed Stephen Earl to kick the game winner with 20 seconds on the clock, but those 4 picks are a huge issue for Trubisky, and for anyone who wants to see the Monarchs do more than go one-and-done in the postseason.

With his season opening 4-pick day, Trubisky has now thrown 42 interceptions in just 32 games. That would likely be a quick ticket to the bench for most quarterbacks, but the kicker is that Trubisky, despite being far too careless with his throws, is still winning games, and when you win games a lot is forgiven. The fact that the Monarchs are 20-12 in those same 32 games means that there is enough happening on the positive side that a QB swap has not seemed necessary. And this week’s game is a perfect example. With 4 picks in the game you would expect the Monarchs to be well out of reach of taking a W for the game, and yet they were tied with the Renegades with time left for a final drive. Trubisky, who should have been rattled after completing more passes to Orlando cornerbacks than to two of his 3 starting receivers, Justin Blackmon or Austin Proehl, but he managed to put together a drive that led to the winning score.

So, is Trubisky bullet proof as long as he can end games with wins, or is the frustration of throwing so many picks going to force a change? It seems unlikely that Coach Mora will move away from Trubisky, now when Tyler Thigpen and T. J. Yates are the two current options behind their interception-prone starter. Thigpen, in his longest run of starts with Atlanta back in 2008, was well underwater with 11 picks to 6 touchdowns, while Yates has yet to get an official start in any USFL game. So it seems that whatever fans may say about Trubisky’s skill as a passer, Coach Mora is committed to using his QB for the long haul, even if it means suffering through another season with the league’s leading source of interceptions at the helm.

Not a good start to the season on the injury front as we already have 2, possibly 3 players who could be placed on IR after only 1 week of action. We also saw 3 back injuries in an opening weekend that had several significant injuries. Orlando WR Jeremy Maclin may have suffered a spinal compression injury after an awkward landing on his head. He is currently listed as out for 12-16 weeks, but could soon be added to the IR. Similarly, Tampa Bay cornerback Trumaine McBride had to be carted off the field in a back brace. The good news is that it appears there was no spinal cord injury and he does have full feeling and some movement in his extremities. The third back injury, Mauler safety Tyvon Branch, proved to be muscular, with no fractures or compression injury to the spinal column, so Branch could be back in action in a month or less.

Of the QBs knocked out of the opening week, only Sam Bradford and Nick Foles are listed in the injury report, with Bradford potentially missing Week 2’s game for Chicago, while Foles is listed as Probable and should get the start. Anthony Allen, who was injured on his first carry for Washington, is listed as doubtful for week 2, meaning more touches for Orleans Darkwa as the Feds take on a very tough Michigan defense.

OUT

DE          Duke Ejiofor                JAX       Broken Foot       12-16 Weeks

WR         Jeremy Maclin               ORL       Back                     12-16 Weeks

CB          Trumaine McBride         TBY        Back                     8-12 Weeks

SS           Tyvon Branch                  PIT         Back                     2-4 Weeks

TE           Gavin Escobar                 JAX         Collarbone        2-4 Weeks

C             A. Q. Shipley                  SEA        Wrist                     2-4 Weeks

CB          Chimdi Chekwa              OHI       Abdomen           2-4 Weeks

G            Michael Dunn                 LV           Foot                      1-2 Weeks

WR         Justin Blackmon             CHA      Hamstring         1-2 Weeks

WR         Brandin Cooks                POR      Hand                    1-2 Weeks

DOUBTFUL

DT          Aaron Donald            PIT         Eye       

HB         Anthony Allen             WSH     Arm

WR         Michael Floyd            CHI        Thigh Bruise

QUESTIONABLE

QB         Sam Bradford                   CHI        Dislocated Finger

OT          Reid Fragel                  OHI       Dislocated Shoulder

WR         Taylor Gabriel                 OAK      Concussion

OG         Quenton Nelson             OAK      Concussion

Votes Are in , but no Announcement Yet on 2020 Expansion

It is now a waiting game for the three remaining expansion hopefuls. Their presentations were made at the league owners’ meeting, the votes have been solicited, and now it is just a matter of when the league reveals the answer. For either the New England Football Group, Hoosier Football Group, and Twin Cities Football Group, as well as pro football fans in all three markets, the delay may seem interminable, but two of the three will be disappointed. There will be only 2 expansion clubs in 2020, the San Antonio Gunslingers and either New England, Indianapolis, or the Twin Cities. That means two very disappointed fan groups, and one very excited one.

The league has not announced when the decision will be made, but it appears clear they are not rushing the announcement. Votes are due in tomorrow, and most, if not all 28 official ballots have likely already been handed in. So now it is just a matter of getting it all legal, setting up the agreements, the expansion fee of $100M to the league, and the official charter for the franchise. We may get a leak ahead of any official announcement, that is the way these things often go, but by all accounts the league should be setting up a press conference to present their 30^th franchise at any point in the next 2 weeks. Soon there will be a 30^th city in the league, a team ready to set up offices, hire staff, and sell tickets. We just don’t know who or where, not yet.

Hansen to be Included in HOF Legacy Dicussion, but Will Electors Give Him Their Votes?

The USFL has made it official that the sanctions against former New Jersey General Phil Hansen have been rescinded, the restrictions on his representation by, and connection to the club have been lifted, and it has been confirmed that the Legacy Committee, the group responsible for adding a 6^th nominee to each year’s Hall of Fame vote, a nominee whose initial 5-year window for consideration has passed, can and will include Hansen in their review this season.

Does that guarantee the league’s 2^nd all-time sack leader, surpassed by Calais Campbell just last year, will be inducted into the Hall this October? No, that cannot be guaranteed. There are certainly plenty who view Hansen’s admission of steroid use to be a dealbreaker, even after the league acknowledged that during the 90’s there was widespread use of both steroids and growth hormones by players. For many, all the stats, all the evidence in favor of Hansen is tainted by the use of performance-enhancing substances. If there are enough on the Legacy Committee to make that case, then we cannot expect Hansen, despite his amazing career, to get the nod this year. What we do know is that he will at least be in the conversation, something the Generals have been pushing for over the past 3 years.

San Antonio Reveals 2020 Uniforms

It was not just opening week for the 2019 USFL season, in San Antonio it was officially the first week of the Gunslingers’ final preparations for 2020. They have an office in downtown San Antonio. The lease for the Alamodome is in place, even if repairs on the stadium are not yet completed, and while season tickets for 2020 will not go on sale until September, the owners are putting the pieces in place. This week on more piece was revealed as the Gunslingers, along with Under Armour, and several league representatives, presented the inaugural 2020 uniforms for the reborn Gunslingers.

As expected, there are a lot of nods to the past in the look, starting with the color scheme, held over not only from the short-lived 1987 Gunslingers, but the full history of USFL football in the city, as the Kelly green, royal blue, and black combination was also used by the Texas Outlaws before they were sold and the team moved to OK city. The team will return to the traditional green helmet with royal blue jersey. They will have a 2-stripe pattern on the sleeves, as they did back in 1987, though there will also be a third stripe, forming the iconic shape of the Alamo into the sleeve pattern. The pants will also feature a 2-stripe pattern, with a small star and a subtle motif of a diamond with two small circles to either side, as seen in the new secondary and tertiary logos, also revealed this week.

The primary uniforms are very much an homage to the long history of USFL football in the city, with blue and white sets and blue and white pants as well. The team also released two alternate uniforms, the first being a throwback to the 1987 Gunslingers who lasted one season before financial concerns forced a merger with the original Oklahoma Outlaws. The uniform will feature the original 1987 Gunslinger logo and the silver pants that were worn only that first season.

The second alternate, called the “Black Powder” alternate, emphasizes black as a team color. With the primary uniforms almost entirely bereft of any black, even using white facemasks on the helmets, this alternate uniform goes full force into the use of the color. The team will wear a black helmet with black facemask, a black jersey with white piping and green, white, and blue striping, featuring green numbers with a white outline. The uniform also features black socks and a black pant set, with the 2-stripe green/blue combo outlined in white.

This early in the planning, there is, of course, no schedule yet for which uniforms will be worn for which games, and since San Antonio will play in a dome, we could see the all black look against nearly anyone, though a little birdie has informed us that the team is very much interested in having them on hand if the Oklahoma Outlaws are on the home schedule for San Antonio in the 2020 season, a bit of oneupmanship as Oklahoma chose black as their dominant color when they relocated from San Antonio.

A lot to look forward to in Week 2 as quite a few teams get their home opener and 5 divisional matchups spice up the schedule of games. We start on Friday with a pair of intriguing games as Washington heads to Michigan, looking to notch their first win but playing a very tough Panther defense. Then it is Oklahoma headed into Dallas as the Roughnecks start the season with back-to-back divisional home games.

On Saturday, we start the early games with a real test for the New Orleans Breakers. Geno Smith is expected to get his first start against an Oakland team that shut out LA in Week 1. At 4pm that LA team will likely not be facing their former QB as Sam Bradford could be held out of Chicago’s home opener after getting dinged up in Week 1. We also have Arizona headed to Portland, where we will see if the Wranglers can handle playing in the rain. Our night games include a Central Division matchup as the Skyhawks and Glory face off in Columbus. The nightcap is a Pacific matchup as the Dragons head to San Diego in a battle of 1-0 clubs.

Sunday kicks off with New Jersey at Baltimore in the national broadcast on ABC, while the two Fox regional games feature Charlotte traveling up to Philadelphia and Tampa Bay visiting Houston. At 4pm it is Atlanta in Las Veggas and Orlando traveling to Denver, where Josh Allen makes his debut at home for the Gold. Finally, the night game is a good one, with the Worlds Greatest Tailgate as Memphis travels to Birmingham for a battle of 1-0 Southern teams. The smokers will have been running since early in the morning, so do not pass up that tailgate BBQ.

Friday @ 7pm ET             Washington (0-1) @ Michigan (1-0)               NBC

Friday @ 9:30pm ET        Oklahoma (0-1) @ Dallas (1-0)                       FOX

Saturday @ 12pm ET    Pittsburgh (0-1) @ Jacksonville (1-0)            ABC

Saturday @ 12pm ET     Oakland (1-0) @ New Orleans (0-1)              FOX

Saturday @ 4pm ET       Los Angeles (0-1) @ Chicago (1-0)                  ABC

Saturday @ 4pm ET       Arizona (1-0) @ Portland (0-1)                         FOX

Saturday @ 7pm ET       St. Louis (1-0) @ Ohio (0-1)                              NBC

Saturday @ 9pm ET     Seattle (1-0) @ San Diego (1-0)                       ESPN/EFN

Sunday @ 12pm ET      New Jersey (0-1) @ Baltimore (0-1)               ABC

Sunday @ 12pm ET      Charlotte (1-0) @ Philadelphia (0-1)                FOX Regional

Sunday @ 12pm ET        Tampa Bay (1-0) @ Houston (1-0)                   FOX Regional

Sunday @ 4pm ET          Atlanta (0-1) @ Las Vegas (0-1)                        ABC

Sunday @ 4pm ET          Orlando (0-1) @ Denver (1-0)                         FOX

Sunday @ 8pm ET       Memphis (1-0) @ Birmingham (1-0)                 ESPN/EFN