The Michigan Panthers won their second USFL Championship on the strength of a 4th quarter surge that pushed them from a 1-point deficit to a 14 point margin of victory. In a truly exciting championship game, both teams played outstanding football. Michigan overcame a shaky start and an unprecedented 3 safeties to surge past the Philadelphia Stars, with the big play Panther offense hitting on two huge plays to overcome the usually patient Stars defense. Trailing 17-14 at the half, and 22-21 at the end of 3, Michigan took control in the 4th.
From the onset, the Philadelphia Stars tried their best to imitate the defensive strategy which had worked to cause the 13-0 Panthers to lose their last 3 regular season game, a strategy of fierce 4-man pass rush paired with shell zone coverage to contain the big play. It was a strategy that Michigan was ready for and found ways to break it down using double moves and crossing patterns to find big plays. To start the game Philly got the ball, but after a 3-and-out on offense the Stars had to punt. All-USFL Punter Sean Landeta corner kicked the Panthers to a rough start on their own 4. After a John Williams run got bottled up at the 2, Bobby Hebert tried to use play action against the Stars, but DE Will Fuller was unphased, having been coached up to play the pass first even on early downs. He ripped past the LT and caught Hebert in the endzone for a safety. Getting the ball back, Philly quickly added to their lead as Chuck Fusina found his top receiver, Tom Donovan on a 35-yard scoring play. Only 7 minutes into the game the Panthers found themselves down 9.
Michigan got a favorable return from Daron Carter and started on their 34. Hebert and the offense were able to move the ball effectively, dinking and dunking against the deep zone, until Hebert found rookie TE Buch Rolle for a 9-yard score. The game was on now, 9-7 Stars. Philly took the next possession and held a 12-play drive, with Fusina using TE Steve Folsom and his backs (Bryant and Hector) to move the chains. After Kelvin Bryant got the ball to the 1 on an 11-yard run that was ruled down before bouncing over the goalline, Fusina faked the pitch to Bryant and found Donovan open on a slant for a second score and the 15-7 lead. In an odd moment, the PAT snap was bobbled by the holder, backup QB Jeff Hostetler, who awkwardly tried to pick it up and run, but was quickly tackled, so the score remained 15-7.
It was then that the first of two mental errors gave Michigan one of their trademark rainbow scoring passes. After a touchback on the kickoff, 1st and 10 from the 25, Michigan ran a crossing pattern that led to a brush-off pick by TE Rolle, the play left WR Derek Holloway open on the far sideline, and Hebert hit him in stride. Safety Scott Woerner was unable to get the angle, and 75 yards later Michigan was right back in it at 15-14.
The next two drives were largely uneventful, both stopped short by untimely penalties. After another possession that went nowhere, Sean Landeta once again proved that special teams matter as, for the second time, he pinned Michigan within their 5 yard line with a perfect coffin corner kick. Two plays later, Hebert was again sacked in the endzone, this time by DT Jumpy Gaethers. Announcers quickly and prematurely began to joke that this may be the first football championship where the MVP would be a punter. And to be honest, had Philly won the game, Landeta may just have walked away with the MVP.
The first half finished with the slim 17-14 Philadelphia lead. Michigan received the first half kick, and it took them only 4 plays to score, with the biggie being another blown coverage leading to a 64-yard gainer by former Michigan Wolverine Anthony Carter. Carter faked a hook pattern and suckered CB Everson Walls into biting, he then spun upfield and Hebert hit him in stride. Only the good angle taken by S Scott Woerner (playing deeper after the Holloway score) saved a TD. Carter was down at the 6 and on the next play, John Williams found paydirt to give Michigan the lead.
Philly countered with another long, time consuming drive, but one that only produced a field goal after 13 plays. Michigan and the Stars both traded short possessions, and then Sean Landeta struck again. This time the ball went out of bounds on the 12, but after a Michigan holding call, the Panthers found themselves on the 6, and once again Hebert got caught up in a blitz and was sacked for the third safety of the game, something that had not happened in any USFL game in 4 years. Philly was back on top 22-21, but that would be as close as they got to taking home the big silver helmet trophy.
After failing to build on their lead with the post-safety possession, Landeta punted and Michigan began at their own 37. After a short gain by Williams, Hebert again found the deep ball, this time on a well-designed flea-flicker, that fooled the safeties and left Holloway again open for a long score. Holloway raced 62 yards for the go-ahead score, and when Williams punched in the 2-point conversion, Michigan had a 29-22 lead.
Philly had chances to get back on top, but their next drive ended with a missed David Trout field goal attempt (a long 54 yarder which had little chance in the swirling winds of the Gator Bowl. Michigan then put all doubts to rest as Hebert led the Panthers down the field and found TE Butch Rolle for a 2 yard score. Is it me or is every Rolle catch a touchdown? Michigan was now up 2 scores with time running out. Philadelphia mounted a fierce drive, but needing a TD, the Stars went for it on 4th and 2 from the Michigan 15 and LB John Corker stood up Kelvin Bryant at the line of scrimmage to get a turnover on downs and essentially end the game.
By all accounts this was an outstanding game by both squads. Both defenses made some huge plays, special teams was a major player, and, by most accounts, the better team won, as Michigan found ways to make the big plays they always seem to make to win out. Bobby Hebert won his second Championship MVP award for his 4 TD, 340-yard day, but we also want to give kudos to Kelvin Bryant for 115 yards rushing, Ronnie Paggett for 2 sacks and 2 more TFL, and, as mentioned, Sean Landeta for an absolute clinic on coffin corner punting.
Michigan, with the win, becomes the first USFL team to garner 2 Championships. Philadelphia, one of only 3 teams (with Tampa and Michigan) to make the playoffs all 4 years of the league, came close, and showed a lot of the grit and class that got them here. It was a clean game, with a minimal number of penalties and no turnovers, and it was a fun game, with big plays from both sides of the ball. And so, another USFL season comes to an end, another champion is crowned, and in a year where the offseason may prove to be as exciting as the season of play, the USFL continues to bring the show to the people.