In a game that had a little of everything, the Washington Federals edged the Arizona Wranglers 16-13 to take home their first league title. Led by QB Don Majkowski and a high pressure defense, the Federals limited the Wranglers to 299 total yards and only one touchdown. Arizona, for their part, played an equally tough defense, forcing Washington to go for field goals instead of touchdowns, but a late Ray Wershing kick would be the difference in a game decided by field position. The MVP trophy was, appropriately, shared by the two bookend defensive edge rushers Dexter Manley and Charles Haley, who combined for 3 sacks and countless pressures on Arizona QB Robbie Bosco during the game.
It was a very evenly matched game from the beginning, as attested to by the final stats for the game. Arizona QB Robbie Bosco finished the day 23 of 36 (63.9%) for 219 yards a TD and an interception. Don Majkowski was 25-38 (65.8%) for 241 a TD and an INT. The two backs for Arizona, Clack and James, split carries and combined for 80 total yards, while Alfred Jackson and Kevin Harmon for Washington also split carries and rushed for a total of 107. Trumaine Johnson had 6 catches for 67 to lead the Wranglers, Washington’s Joey Walters 5 for 65 (and a score). It truly was a game between two very equal opponents.
The game began with both teams feeling each other out, testing what would work and what types of schemes each defense was working. Arizona would get on the board first, scoring on a Mick Luckhurst field goal with 1:17 remaining in the 2nd. Washington would answer back on their very next drive, assisted by two Arizona penalties as they took the ball from their own 24 into Arizona territory, before stalling on the Wrangler 11 yard line, where Ray Wershing equaled the score with a 28-yarder.
The teams traded short drives and punts for most of the 2nd quarter before a final drive by Washington got Wershing into range to kick another short field goal and put Washington up 6-3 at the half. The second half began with Arizona looking to move the ball, an dthey did quite well, down to the Washington 41, but then two consecutive sacks, one each by Haley and then Manley, pushed the Wranglers back and created a 4th and 21. Arizona was forced to punt again. Washington would take the punt, receiving the ball at their own 12, and would have their best drive of the day. Here again Arizona penalties would loom large, as both Dan Saleaumua and Dallas Hickman would get called for violations, an unnecessary roughness on an Alfred Jenkins run and a roughing the passer on a Majkowski pass. After the two penalties, Washington found itself on the Arizona 5, and only needed one play to hit paydirt. Majkowski hit Joey Walters on a well designed rub play that found him open inside the one, and with a dive over the endline, Washington’s lead was now 13-3.
Arizona would respond with a drive of their own, but when Brandon Zavala broke up a 3rd and 11 pass from Bosco to Smith, it forced Arizona to go for 3. The successful field goal by Luckhurst made it a 7-point game. Arizona would have its best moment of the game on the next drive, as Majkowski tried to hit Barry Word on a swing pass. Word bobbled the ball up into the air and Arizona strong safety snagged it and fell to the ground, giving Arizona the ball on the Washington 36. Robbie Bosco wasted no time and found Trumaine Johnson on a slant & go, fooling the corner. Johnson caught Bosco’s pass in stride, and just like that it was all tied up a 13.
For the first half of the fourth quarter the two defenses dominated. Both QB’s were forced out of the pocket, and as neither is a real dual threat, several key 3rd down passes simply did not find their targets. The winning drive would be a short one, only 6 plays after an Alfred Jenkins punt return to the 32. Majkowski got good protection on the key drive and hit on three big passes on consecutive plays. The first was a 10 yarder to TE Travis McNeal, followed by an out route for 13 to Walters and then another TE reception, this time from Mike Jones for 27 before Broderick Thomas could bring him down. Washington was now at the Arizona 17, and looked to be ready to go up by 7, but Jacob McNeal sacked Majkowski on first and 10. With the 2-minute warning break it seems Coach Rutigliano decided that now was not the time to press their luck. The Federals came out of the break with a 3 yard run by the fullback, Barry Word, followed by a screen to Terrance Mathis which was incomplete. On 4th and 12 Ray Wershing connected from 38 yards out and Washington took a late 16-13 lead with 1:31 left on the clock.
Arizona would get the ball on their own 14 after the Vince Buck return was cut short by an errant foot out of bounds. On their first play from scrimmage in the 2-minute drill, Bosco hit Curtis Duncan on a huge 37 yard corner pattern. But, his next three passes would fall incomplete as Manley and Haley harassed and hurried Bosco on each down, with Manley just barely missing a sack on third down as Bosco desperately heaved the ball as he was being wrapped up. Arizona would have to go for it on 4th and 10. With pressure coming from Haley, Bosco was forced to dump the ball off to his outlet, Lionel James. James juked the first man, but LB Brandon Zavala swooped in and caught James on his planted knee, sending James toppling over after a gain of only 4. Washington would take over on their own 48, and after a Kevin Harmon run to force Arizona to burn their final time out, it was two kneel downs and victory was in hand for the Federals.
It was a well-played, tight game between two evenly matched teams, both with standout defensive performances, gutsy calls, and solid line play all around. It was almost a shame that someone had to lose this game, but in the end the once laughable Washington Federals raised high the USFL trophy and were declared Champions. For Arizona a surprising season with many highlights ended with tears as the Wrangler player and their fans had to console themselves with a very good year and a very well-played final. For Federals fans this would be a day to remember. Coach Rutigliano received the congratulatory phone call from President Bush, and a champagne shower from his players. Manley and Haley very deservedly were named Co-MVP’s, and a franchise once thought of as one of the USFL’s weakest had proven the pundits wrong and were now undeniably the best team in the spring league.