1983: A New League is Born
Championship: Tampa Bay Bandits 37 Denver Gold 33
MVP: HB Herschel Walker, New Jersey Generals
Top Stories: A new league is born, with clubs in New Jersey, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Tampa Bay, Birmingham, Chicago, Detroit (Michigan), Oakland, LA, Phoenix (Arizona) and Denver. It is a very successful first year for the fledgling spring football league as both attendance and TV viewership far exceed expectations. Even before the first season was completed a decision was made to expand by 4 franchises for 1984. In the offseason many top NFL draft picks, including several of the famed "Class of 1993" quarterbacks opt to join the spring league for 1984. In an odd move the owners of the Chicago Blitz and Arizona Wranglers opt to swap franchises and rosters for the 1984 season. The New Jersey Generals get a new owner, real estate developer Donald Trump, after only 1 season.
1983 LEAGUE LEADERS
Passing Yards: J. Reaves (TBY) 4,493
Rushing Yards: H. Walker (NJ) 1,767
Receptions: V. James (DEN) 108
Receiving Yards: N. Franz (BOS) 1,636
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Passing TDs:J. Reaves (TBY) 41
Tackles: J. Corker (MGN) 130
Sacks: J. Ah You (CHI) 20
Interceptions: J. Cox (BIR) 6
1984: Expansion & Decision
Championship: Michigan Panthers 33 Birmingham Stallions 27
MVP: QB Bobby Hebert, Michigan Panthers
Top Stories: With new teams added in Pittsburgh, Houston, Memphis and Jacksonville the USFL is growing. The league begins to sign more and more top NFL prospects and lands the 2nd consecutive Heisman Winner with Mike Rozier signing with expansion Pittsgburgh. A group of league owners, led by new Generals' owner Donald Trump, push for a shift to a fall schedule for direct competition with the NFL. The vote to shift to fall is defeated, thanks in large part to the persuasive arguments put forward by Tampa Bay owner John Bassett. Trump would soon sell off the Generals and the league would remain in the Spring.
1984 LEAGUE LEADERS
Passing Yards: D. Williams (JAX) 4,724
Rushing Yards: J. Cribbs (BIR) 1,765
Receptions: G. Clark (JAX) 137
Receiving Yards: T. Johnson (ARZ) 1,654
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Passing TDs: J. Reaves (TBY) 44
Tackles: J. Corker (MGN) 128
Sacks: J. Ah You (CHI) 20
Interceptions: D. Martin (DEN) 7
1985: Building Momentum
Championship: Philadelphia Stars 22 Chicago Blitz 18
MVP: HB Kelvin Bryant, Philadelphia Stars
Top Stories: Retaining the same 16-team lineup for a 2nd year, the USFL continues to build its viewership and attendance. A landmaark anti-trust case against the NFL was a huge win for the USFL, bringing in nearly a half-billion in damages and ensuring that the league would have the capital needed to grow and develop for several more years. Sponsorships and corporate presence also increase as the league demonstrates greater stability, establishing a first-of-its-kind salary cap structure and revenue sharing deal among its 16 franchises. All is not rosey however as two franchises struggling for attendance opt to relocate for 1986. Boston will relocate to New Orleans and the Chicago Blitz, despite appearing in the league's title game, struggle to get solid attendance in Soldier Field. A deal is made to relocate the Blitz to Baltimore, a city desperate for football after the departure of the NFL Colts.
1985 LEAGUE LEADERS
Passing Yards: D. Williams (JAX) 4,726
Rushing Yards: K. Bryant (PHI) 1,524
Receptions: M. Gray (MEM) 121
Receiving Yards: E. Truvillion (TBY) 1,944
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Passing TDs: B. Hebert (MGN) 34
Tackles: D. Rich (LA) 113
Sacks: J. Ah You (CHI) 22
Interceptions: W. Liles (OAK) 8
1986: United by a Common Goal
Championship: Michigan Panthers 36 Philadelphia Stars 22
MVP: QB Brian Sipe, Oakland Invaders
Top Stories: With the relocation of two franchises the 4 divisions of the league are shuffled a bit, with the Blitz now in the East and the Breakers moved to the Central Division. With strong financials across the board the league again votes to expand and will add 4 more clubs for the 1987 season, with original plans calling for franchises in San Diego, Miami, San Antonio, and a return to Chicago. Issues with stadium contracts lead to a change of plans for 2 franchises, with the Miami franchise eventually settling in Orlando, while the San Diego franchise tested out several possible markets but in the end was forced to settle for Tulsa, Oklahoma.
1986 LEAGUE LEADERS
Passing Yards: B. Hebert (MGN) 4,492
Rushing Yards: M. Rozier (PIT) 1,692
Receptions: G. Clark (JAX) 126
Receiving Yards: E. Truvillion (TBY) 1,959
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Passing TDs: B. Sipe (NJ) 37
Tackles: S. Norris (BAL) 125
Sacks: J. Ah You (CHI) 21
Interceptions: R.Cherry (LA) 8
1987: Bigger is not Always Better
Championship: Philadelphia Stars 39 Houston Gamblers 38
MVP: QB Jim Kelly, Houston Gamblers
Top Stories: Philadelphia appears in their third consecutive title game, winning their second title over MVP Jim Kelly and the Houston Gamblers. The league, now with 20 teams, sees a per-game decline in attendance though TV viewership remains strong. Two of the expansion franchises flourish as both Orlando and the new Chicago Machine do well in their first years (despite expansion rosters), but financial issues and inadequate stadium situations cause significant concern about the expansion clubs in San Antonio and Tulsa. It is decided that after only 1 season the two
expansion clubs will be merged with the Oklahoma Outlaws joining with the San Antonio Gunslingers to form one more financially viable club, the Texas Outlaws. An expansion club not selected from the 1986 bidders, Portland, will be granted a team for 1988 to keep the league at 20 franchises.
1987 LEAGUE LEADERS
Passing Yards: J. Kelly (HOU) 4,602
Rushing Yards: A. Whittington (OAK) 1,587
Receptions: M. Gray (MEM) 143
Receiving Yards: R. Sanders (HOU) 1,753
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Passing TDs: J. Kelly (HOU) 36
Tackles: B. Bosworth (OKL) 143
Sacks: R. Paggett (MGN) 21
Interceptions: M. Fox (CHI) 7
1988: Rise of the Expansion Clubs
Championship: Houston Gamblers 17 Memphis Showboats 13
MVP: QB Matt Robinson, New Orleans Breakers
Top Stories: With a more stable club now in San Antonio and the expansion Portland Thunder added, the USFL now has the 20-franchise format that it will hold until the mid 1990's. While the 1987 expansion clubs start to grow into the league, the 1984 expansion clubs have reached full maturity, with two members of the 4-club expansion meeting in the league title game. The league also begins to see growing cooperation rather than competition with the NFL as stadium deals and player transactions begin to take on a more cooperative tone.
1988 LEAGUE LEADERS
Passing Yards: A. Risher (PIT) 3,926
Rushing Yards: H. Walker (NJ) 1,591
Receptions: C. Carson (TEX) 116
Receiving Yards: C. Carson (TEX) 1,775
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Passing TDs: M. Robinson (NOR) 38
Tackles: B. Bosworth (TEX) 129
Sacks: R. White (MEM) 16
Interceptions: N. Mustafaa (TEX) 7
1989: Walker Wins Title
Championship: New Jersey Generals 23 Denver Gold 18
MVP: HB Herschel Walker, New Jersey Generals
Top Stories: With all 20 franchises now established, the league focuses on greater sponsorship deals, expanding its revenue pool and its ability to draw top talent. The league will hold the last of its "Championship Games" as it votes to redub the title game the "Summer Bowl" beginning with 1990's title showdown. On the field the league's first big star, HB Herschel Walker, dominates, winning his second league MVP and taking the Generals, who also have 1984 Heisman Winner Doug Flutie on the squad, win the league title.
1989 LEAGUE LEADERS
Passing Yards: T. Aikman (TBY) 4,331
Rushing Yards: H. Walker (NJ) 1,507
Receptions: M. Gray (MEM) 130
Receiving Yards: C. Carson (TEX) 1,487
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Passing TDs: M. Robinson (NOR) 31
Tackles: E. Kumerow (PIT) 141
Sacks: R. Paggett (MGN) 16
Interceptions: M. Bayless (ARZ) 8
1990: The Summer Bowl Arrives
Championship: Washington Federals 16 Arizona Wranglers 13
MVP: DE Reggie White, Memphis Showboats
Top Stories: The first "Summer Bowl" is held in Orlando and the beginning of a late summer tradition is born. The once pitiful Washington Federals win their first title thanks to a dominating defense. Defense is the theme of the year as defensive end Reggie White becomes the first defensive player to ever win the league's MVP award. All is not well throughout the league as several teams struggle with attendance, with the LA Express becoming a major concern for the league.
1990 LEAGUE LEADERS
Passing Yards: C. Long (CHI) 4,435
Rushing Yards: M. Rozier (PIT) 1,158
Receptions: M. Gray (MEM) 125
Receiving Yards: J. Jefferson (ORL) 1,748
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Passing TDs: R. Collier (ORL) 34
Tackles: B. Bosworth (TEX) 155
Sacks: R. White (MEM) 21
Interceptions: R. Cherry (LA) 9
1991: West Coast Feel
Championship: Oakland Invaders 34 Orlando Renegades 17
MVP: QB Tony Eason, Jacksonville Bulls
Top Stories: Los Angeles is home to the second Summer Bowl, but despite the hype about the big game coming to the city, the Express continue to flounder. The team would be sold off in the offseason and then relocated to St. Louis for the 1992 season. But, despite the issues with the league's 2nd largest market, overall the numbers start to improve once again. Orlando becomes the first of the 1987 expansion clubs to reach the title game, but the champions are the Oakland Invaders, the first club from the Pacific Divsion, often considered the league's weakest, to win a title.
1991 LEAGUE LEADERS
Passing Yards: T. Aikman (TBY) 4,400
Rushing Yards: H. Walker (NJ) 1,590
Receptions: J. Jefferson (ORL) 112
Receiving Yards: C. Carson (TEX) 1,871
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Passing TDs: T. Aikman (TBY) 34
Tackles: M. Patton (DEN) 134
Sacks: P. Hansen (NJ) 23
Interceptions: C. Snyder (PHI) 7
1992: Gamblers a Dynasty?
Championship: Houston Gamblers 34 Pittsburgh Maulers 28
MVP: HB Mike Rozier, Pittsburgh Maulers
Top Stories: The 10th season of the USFL saw the league on solid ground, with more and more interaction between the spring league and the NFL, including the signing of several top flight NFL coaches like Buddy Ryan (MEM), Sam Wyche (NJ), and Ron Erhardt (BIR). The St. Louis Knights become the new franchise, having left LA after a rough run for the Express. On the field the story of the year was the season put together by Birmingham QB Brett Favre in his second year in the league. Favre would set records for passing yards (5,169) and touchdowns (47) in his first full year as Birmingham's starter. Despite their QB's success, Birmingham fell in their first playoff game. The Summer Bowl saw Houston and Pittsburgh clash with Mike Rozier the star for Pittsburgh, while Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas led Houston to their second league title.
1992 LEAGUE LEADERS
Passing Yards: B. Favre (BIR) 5,169
Rushing Yards: M. Rozier (PIT) 1,743
Receptions: J. Jefferson (ORL) 129
Receiving Yards: E. Truvillion (TBY) 1,932
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Passing TDs: B. Favre (BIR) 47
Tackles: E. Kumerow (PIT) 128
Sacks: R. White (MEM) 21
Interceptions: A. Williams (OAK) 7
1993: A Star is Born
Championship: Birmingham Stallions 38 Houston Gamblers 36
MVP: HB Thurman Thomas, Houston Gamblers
Top Stories: While statistically not as dramatic a year as 1992, the 1993 season from QB Brett Favre was the season that solidified him as a bonafide star in the USFL. Favre led his Stallions to their first league title, defeating Houston, the defending champions, in one of the wildest Summer Bowls in league history. Another rising star, DE Dexter Manley, did his part to make life rough for QBs, tying Phil Hansen's league record with 23 sacks. Los Angelinos celebrated as the league announced that there would be a third round of expansion and that one of the clubs to enter the league would be the promised return of the LA Express.
1993 LEAGUE LEADERS
Passing Yards: B. Kosar (CHI) 4,817
Rushing Yards: T. Thomas (HOU) 1,381
Receptions: M. Quick (PHI) 125
Receiving Yards: E. Givens (BIR) 1,702
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Passing TDs: B. Favre (BIR) 42
Tackles: K. Harvey (OAK) 121
Sacks: D. Manley (WSH) 23
Interceptions: C. Dishman (BIR) 8
1994: Philly Gets #3
Championship: Philadelphia Stars 26 Chicago Machine 17
MVP: QB Brett Favre, Birmingham Stallions
Top Stories: The Philadelphia Stars, led by HB Kelvin Bryant, QB Chuck Long, and a strong defensive squad, became the first team to win 3 USFL titles, knocking off the surprising Chicago Machine in a balmy Birmingham Summer Bowl. For Lpng the victory over his former team was sweet redemption after the Machine let him go in the wake of signing NFL star Bernie Kosar. In other league news, the teams being added for 1995 were announced. Joining LA would be franchises in 3 new cities, Atlanta, Seattle, and Columbus, Ohio.
1994 LEAGUE LEADERS
Passing Yards: B. Favre (BIR) 4,968
Rushing Yards: M. Rozier (PIT) 1,310
Receptions: E. Metcalf (TEX) 132
Receiving Yards: E. Metcalf (TEX) 1,626
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Passing TDs: B. Favre (BIR) 46
Tackles: A. Ambrose (HOU) 122
Sacks: R. White (MEM) 17
Interceptions: J. White (NOR) 8
1995: 4 Teams Added in Expansion
Championship: Pittsburgh Maulers 44 Houston Gamblers 37
MVP: QB Jim Kelly, Houston Gamblers
Top Stories: The arrival of four new teams led to something of a talent drain across the league as each franchise lost players to the expansion clubs. Despite the talent shift, the four clubs struggled, with the best record among expansion clubs only 5-11. Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Houston were at the top of their game all season and when the dust settled, it was the Maulers flipping the script from 1992 and landing the upset win over the Houston Gamblers and QB Jim Kelly, the league's MVP. The season also saw the emergence of a new star in Portland halfback Robert Drummond, who would win the first of three consecutive rushing titles this season.
1995 LEAGUE LEADERS
Passing Yards: B. Favre (BIR) 5,169
Rushing Yards: R. Drummond (POR) 1,623
Receptions: M. Pritchard (LA) 135
Receiving Yards: H. Ellard (OAK) 1,498
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Passing TDs: J. Kelly (HOU) 39
Tackles: L. Lathon (NOR) 128
Sacks: P. Hansen (NJ) 20
Interceptions: B. Pickens (DEN) 8
1996: End of an Era for Gamblers
Championship: Houston Gamblers 38 Tampa Bay Bandits 35
MVP: QB Jim Kelly, Houston Gamblers
Top Stories: All good things must come to an end, and that was the case for the Houston Gamblers in 1996. Houston capped off an oustanding season with their 3rd league title, and Jim Kelly would become the first player to be named MVP in consecutive years, but the season also ended with Kelly announcing his retirement from the game after 13 seasons with the Gamblers. Other stories in 1996 were the emergence of Ohio State product Joey Galloway as a real weapon for the expansion Ohio Glory and another sack record set by New Jersey's Phil Hansen.
1996 LEAGUE LEADERS
Passing Yards: J. Kelly (HOU) 5,417
Rushing Yards: R. Drummond (POR) 1,391
Receptions: B. Brooks (BAL) 120
Receiving Yards: J. Galloway (OHI) 1,825
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Passing TDs: J. Kelly (HOU) 47
Tackles: K. Jackson (NJ) 121
Sacks: P. Hansen (NJ) 25
Interceptions: C. Snyder (MGN) 8
1997: Defense Wins Titles
Championship: Washington Federals 27 Portland Thunder 21
MVP: QB Brett Favre, Birmingham Stallions
Top Stories: If ever there was a time to declare the USFL a passing league it was in 1997, when Tampa QB Troy Aikman reset the passing yardage record book with over 5,700 yards in the season, while Brett Favre of Birmingham set a new high with 48 passing touchdowns, breaking his own record by 1 TD. And yet, in the end it was the dominant defense of the Washington Federals that brought a title to the nation's capital. They knocked off a Summer Bowl Cinderella team in the Robert Drummond-led Portland Thunder.
1997 LEAGUE LEADERS
Passing Yards: T. Aikman (TBY) 5,786
Rushing Yards: R. Drummond (POR) 1,710
Receptions: J. Campbell (MGN) 129
Receiving Yards: S. Baker (TBY) 1,600
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Passing TDs: B. Favre (BIR) 48
Tackles: L. Lathon (NOR) 127
Sacks: P. Hansen (NJ) 24
Interceptions: E. Shelley (TEX) 10
1998: Offense Can Also Win Titles
Championship: Tampa Bay Bandits 45 St. Louis Knights 30
MVP: QB Troy Aikman, Tampa Bay Bandits
Top Stories: The offensive explosion hinted at with Troy Aikman's 1997 season came to fruition in 1998, when the Bandit Ball style of vertical passing was a dominant force from Week 1 straight through to a Summer Bowl victory over St. Louis. Aikman would again eclipse 5,500 yards and this season he would add a whopping 54 touchdowns to shatter the league record. Just a few miles down the road in Orlando a new King of Sacks was crowned as Chris Doleman set a new league mark with 25 QB takedowns.
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Passing TDs: T. Aikman (TBY) 54
Tackles: C. Hicks (NJ) 114
Sacks: C. Doleman (ORL) 25
Interceptions: D. Woodson (NOR) 9
1998 LEAGUE LEADERS
Passing Yards: T. Aikman (TBY) 5,675
Rushing Yards: R. Salaam (DEN) 1,221
Receptions: J. Campbell (MGN) 152
Receiving Yards: J. Galloway (OHI) 1,749
1999: Party like it's 1999.
Championship: Memphis Showboats 38 Denver Gold 24
MVP: QB Heath Shuler, Memphis Showboats
Top Stories: Memphis wins their first title, led by the Minister of Defense, Reggie White and gunslinger QB Heath Shuler. But while Memphis rode a wave of energy to the title, the story of the regular season was QB Brett Favre and his 5,000 yard, 45 TD season, huge numbers following the ludicrous totals put together by Troy Aikman the year before. 1999 also saw Orlando DE Chris Doleman set a new league sack record with a painfully good 29 sacks in 16 games. Can 30 really be far off?
1999 LEAGUE LEADERS
Passing Yards: B. Favre (BIR) 5224
Rushing Yards: T. Davis (PIT) 1,234
Receptions: S. Collins (TEX) 140
Receiving Yards: J. Galloway (OHI) 1,715
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Passing TDs: B. Favre (BIR) 45
Tackles: M. Lewis (ATL) 129
Sacks: C. Doleman (ORL) 29
Interceptions: I Reese (STL) 9
2000: Denver Gets it Done
Championship: Denver Gold 27 Philadelphia Stars 20
MVP: QB Jake Plummer, Arizona Wranglers
Top Stories: The Denver Gold, one of the league's most notorious bridesmaids, finally got over the hump, pulling off an upset victory over the resurgent Philadelphia Stars in Summer Bowl '00. Denver had slipped under the radar most of the season as fans focused on Jake Plummer's MVP season and the huge receiving numbers put up by Ohio's Joey Galloway. The other big story of 2000 was the arrival of one of the NFL's most celebrated players to the league. Deion Sanders, "Prime Time", became a member of the Birmingham Stallions and excited the league with his combination of talent and showmanship.
2000 LEAGUE LEADERS
Passing Yards: B. Favre (BIR) 4,640
Rushing Yards: A. Green (STL) 1,558
Receptions: T. Glenn (NJ) 101
Receiving Yards: J. Galloway (OHI) 1,834
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Passing TDs: B. Favre (BIR) 39
Tackles: K. Mitchell (TBY) 138
Sacks: K. Pittman (HOU) 22
Interceptions: F. Weary (MEM) 7
2001: Renegades Reign
Championship: Orlando Renegades 34 Denver Gold 27
MVP: QB Kerry Collins, Ohio Glory
Top Stories: Orlando was no one's preseason favorites to take the title, but they ran their way to a 12-4 record and were at their best in the playoffs, knocking off both Memphis and Philadelphia to make the Summer Bowl, where they dashed Denver's hopes for a repeat title. The other big story was the rise of the Ohio Glory, the first of the four 1995 expansion teams to win their division. Ohio's offense erupted with Kerry Collins at the helm, a development that would come to fruition the next season.
2001 LEAGUE LEADERS
Passing Yards: K. Collins (OHI) 5,466
Rushing Yards: T. Davis (PIT) 1,522
Receptions: E. Metcalf (SEA) 130
Receiving Yards: T. Glenn (NJ) 1,762
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Passing TDs: K. Collins (OHI) 51
Tackles: L. Lathon (NOR) 124
Sacks: P. Hansen (NJ) 28
Interceptions: F. Smoot (ARZ) 8
2002: Glorious Perfection
Championship: Ohio Glory 38 Memphis Showboats 14
MVP: QB Kerry Collins, Ohio Glory
Top Stories: While many were picking Ohio as a real contender for 2002, no one saw an undefeated season coming, but that is exactly what the Glory did, an amazing feat that is about as rare as it gets in pro football. Not since the 1972 Miami Dolphins has it been accomplished. Ohio rampaged through the regular season, averaging over 33 points per game before just obliterating Memphis in the most lopsided Summer Bowl to date. A perfect season and a new powerhouse in the USFL for all other teams to fear.
2002 LEAGUE LEADERS
Passing Yards: K. Collins (OHI) 4,361
Rushing Yards: A. Green (STL) 1,315
Receptions: R. Moore (BAL) 149
Receiving Yards: J. Galloway (OHI) 1,393
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Passing TDs: K. Collins (OHI) 39
Tackles: L. Lathon (NOR) 124
Sacks: P. Hansen (NJ) 20
Interceptions: J. Hitchcock (TEX) 7
2003: Back to Back
Championship: Ohio Glory 28 New Orleans Breakers 23
MVP: QB Kerry Collins, Ohio Glory
Top Stories: Ohio returned for an encore in Summer Bowl '03 and became the first USFL team to ever repeat as champions. Once again it was the dynamic trio of Collins, George, and Galloway leading the way. Ohio would lose 3 games in the regular season, but in the playoffs their form was impeccable, cruising past Jacksonville and the Federals before knocking off upstart New Orleans in Seattle to win their 2nd title. Ahman Green went back to back as the rushing leader, while Galloway got his fifth receiving title in 6 years, clearly casting him as the best in the business.
2003 LEAGUE LEADERS
Passing Yards: K. Collins (OHI) 4,693
Rushing Yards: A. Green (STL) 1,368
Receptions: P. Price (DEN) 140
Receiving Yards: J. Galloway (OHI) 1,563
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Passing TDs: K. Collins (OHI) 52
Tackles: M. Barrow (WSH) 115
Sacks: P. Hansen (NJ) 19
Interceptions: M. Booker (WSH) 5
2004: General Uprising
Championship: New Jersey Generals 21 Arizona Wranglers 18
MVP: QB Drew Bledsoe, Boston Cannons
Top Stories: Tampa Bay made a huge offseason splash by signing former Minnesota Viking QB Daunte Culpepper. Together with Randy Moss, the Bandits quickly earned a position as the favorite for Summer Bowl '04, but Tampa was upset in the Eastern Final and it was New Jersey that went on to win the title over a red hot Wranglers squad. The other big story was the immediate impact that Chad Ochocinco's move from Ohio to Boston had for both clubs. Boston became the top offense, Ochocinco the #1 receiver, and Ohio slid back to just another contender in a tough Central Division.
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2004 LEAGUE LEADERS
Passing Yards: D. Culpepper (TBY) 3,792
Rushing Yards: A. Green (STL) 1,466
Receptions: P. Price (DEN) 113
Receiving Yards: C. Ochocinco (BOS) 1,553
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Passing TDs: D. Bledsoe (BOS) 32
Tackles: M. Vrabel (JAX) 132
Sacks:K. Pittman (HOU) 19
Interceptions: J. Williams (ARZ) 7
2005: Seattle's Fairy Tale Season
Championship: Seattle Dragons 27 Chicago Machine 24
MVP: QB Drew Brees, Michigan Panthers
Top Stories: Without a doubt one of the greatest Cinderella stories in USFL history, perhaps in pro sports history, as the Seattle Dragons, who finished the year 2 games under .500 and who got into the postseason on a final week tiebreaker, proceeded to win 3 straight road games, against the #3, #2, and #1 seeds in the West to make it to Summer Bowl '05. There, they took on the highly favored Chicago Machine, one of the best defenses in football, and they won. They pulled off the most unlikely of title runs we have ever seen. Despite all the hoopla about the defenses in Houston and Chicago, or the firepower of Ohio, Boston, or Tampa Bay, the Dragons, using a true team mentality, made it happen and became the most unlikely of champions.
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2005 LEAGUE LEADERS
Passing Yards: D. Bledsoe (BOS) 4,444
Rushing Yards: F. Gore (NSH) 1,286
Receptions:D. Branch (WSH) 104
Receiving Yards: H. Ward (MGN) 1,585
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Passing TDs: K. Collins (OHI) 39
Tackles: K. Mitchell (TBY) 117
Sacks: A. Weaver (CHI) 24
Interceptions: D. Sanders (NJ) 7
2006: Battle of the Coasts
Championship: New Jersey 31, Los Angeles 29
MVP: QB Jake Plummer, Arizona
Top Stories: Coming soon.
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2006 LEAGUE LEADERS
Passing Yards: J. Plummer (ARZ)
Rushing Yards: T. Barber (BOS)
Receptions: R. Ferguson (MEM)
Receiving Yards: C. Ochocinco (BOS)
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Passing TDs: J. Plummer (ARZ)
Tackles: A. Pierce (WSH)
Sacks: K. Pittman (HOU)
Interceptions: T.Buckley (JAX)
2007: Return of the Gunslinger
Championship: Memphis 45 Chicago 32
MVP: QB Drew Brees, Orlando
2007 LEAGUE LEADERS
Passing Yards: B. Griese (MGN)
Rushing Yards: R. Williams (OAK)
Receptions: T. Jacobs (STL)
Receiving Yards: D. Boston (SEA)
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Passing TDs: B. Griese (MGN)
Tackles: B. Urlacher (CHI)
Sacks: K. Pittman (HOU)
Interceptions: R. Hill (LA)
Top Stories: Coming soon.
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2008: 28 Teams, 1 Champion
Championship: Michigan 27 Memphis 20
MVP: QB Kordell Stewart, Washington
2008 LEAGUE LEADERS
Passing Yards: B. Favre (MEM)
Rushing Yards: D. McCallister (WSH)
Receptions: P. Price (DEN)
Receiving Yards: C. Ochocinco (BOS)
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Passing TDs: B. Favre (MEM)
Tackles: B. Urlacher (CHI)
Sacks: M. Rucker (BIR)
Interceptions: J. Fletcher (DEN)
Top Stories: Coming soon.
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2009: A Record for All Time
Championship: Boston 21, Oakland 20
MVP: DE Calais Campbell, Orlando
2009 LEAGUE LEADERS
Passing Yards: D. Bledsoe (BOS)
Rushing Yards: D. McCallister (WSH)
Receptions: M. Clayton (NJ)
Receiving Yards: C. Johnson (BOS)
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Passing TDs: B. Griese (MGN)
Tackles: B. Urlacher (CHI)
Sacks: C. Campbell (ORL)
Interceptions: P. Buchanon (TBY)
Top Stories: The Boston Cannons had to coax QB Drew Bledsoe back from retirement to play one more year, but they made it worth his while with a magical season that saw Bledsoe lead the league in passing, Chad "85" Johnson lead all receivers, and the Cannons roll their way to the club's first title. The team that began as the 1995 expansion Atlanta Fire, had found glory in BeanTown, thanks to an "imobile, past his prime" quarterback.
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2010: The First to Four
Championship: Houston 22, Philadelphia 19
MVP: QB Matt Hasselbeck (HOU)
2010 LEAGUE LEADERS
Passing Yards: M. Hasselbeck (HOU)
Rushing Yards: T. J. Duckett (TEX)
Receptions: M. Jenkins (ORL)
Receiving Yards: J. Reed (ATL)
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Passing TDs: M. Hasselbeck (HOU)
Tackles: M. Vrabel (JAX)
Sacks: C. Campbell (ORL)
Interceptions: C. Finnegan (ORL)
Top Stories: The 2010 Summer Bowl in Portland saw two of the league's most storied franchises go head to head as 3-time winner Philadelphia matched up against 3-time champion Houston. The winner would become the first club to ever win 4 USFL titles. Led by league MVP Matt Hasselbeck and a dynamic offense, Houston got the W and became the leader of the pack in league titles. ​
2011: Year of the Big Arm
Championship: Tampa Bay 20 Pittsburgh 10
MVP: QB Joe Flacco (TEX)
2011 LEAGUE LEADERS
Passing Yards: J. Flacco (TEX)
Rushing Yards: D. McCallister (WSH)
Receptions: H. Ward (MGN), D. Driver (CHI)
Receiving Yards: M. Colston (TEX)
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Passing TDs: J. Flacco (TEX)
Tackles: B. Urlacher (CHI)
Sacks: C. Campbell (ORL)
Interceptions: T. Jones (MEM)
Top Stories: Coming soon.
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2012: Ka-Kaw is the Law
Championship: St. Louis 33 Charlotte 20
MVP: QB Josh Freeman (STL)
2012 LEAGUE LEADERS
Passing Yards: J. Freeman (STL)
Rushing Yards: A. Smith (STL)
Receptions: R. Meachem NSH)
Receiving Yards: M. Colston (TEX)
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Passing TDs: J. Freeman (STL)
Tackles: J. Farrior (HOU)
Sacks: C. Campbell (ORL)
Interceptions: J. Byrd (PHI), A. Samuel (CHA)
C. Woodson (ATL)
Top Stories: St. Louis became the first of the clubs from the 2006-2008 expansion to win a Summer Bowl. Riding a wave of offensive firepower led by QB Josh Freeman, the Skyhawks took over the Central Division, raced past the other, more established Western rivals, and found themselves in the league's title game, facing another of the expansion clubs, the Charlotte Monarchs. Charlotte had won 3 road games as a 6-seed in the East to upend the Conference elites, largely with backup QB Brandon Wheedon at the helm, but they could not keep pace with a St. Louis offense that had found itself another gear all season long.
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2013: A Defense for the Ages
Championship: Arizona 29, Philadelphia 26
MVP: HB Frank Gore (ARZ)
2013 LEAGUE LEADERS
Passing Yards: E. Manning (MEM)
Rushing Yards: F. Gore (ARZ)
Receptions: S. Smith (OHI)
Receiving Yards: S. Smith (OHI)
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Passing TDs: D. Culpepper (TBY)
Tackles: M. Vrabel (JAX)
Sacks: C. Campbell (ORL)
Interceptions: M. Boulware (TEX)
Top Stories: While the 2013 season had a lot of storylines, none was as compelling as the rise of the Arizona Wranglers and their defense, a rare squad that was among the most dominant defenses the USFL has ever seen. Arizona rode that defense, and the strong legs of Frank Gore, the season's MVP, all the way to their first league title, wrecking the schemes and plans of offensive coordinators along the way.
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2014: Tale of Two Also-Rans
Championship: Baltimore 34 Texas 27
MVP: QB Ben Roethlisberger (BAL)
2014 LEAGUE LEADERS
Passing Yards: B. Roethlisberger (BAL)
Rushing Yards: C. Hyde (HOU)
Receptions: A. Dobson (CHI)
Receiving Yards: M. Colston (TEX)
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Passing TDs: B. Roethlisberger (BAL)
Tackles: C. Crowder (POR)
Sacks: C. Campbell (ORL)
Interceptions: A. Cromartie (BIR)
Top Stories: 2014 was a year for the bridesmaids, two teams with a long history of falling just short of glory. Both the Texas Outlaws and the Baltimore Blitz have had good years, but neither had appeared in a Summer Bowl (The Blitz did in Chicago, but never in Baltimore). That would all change in 2014, when the top seeded Outlaws won the West and the 4th Seed Blitz came out of the East. Baltimore would take their first title on a miracle play with only seconds left. The season also saw the announcement of the sale and relocation of two franchises, with the Thunder moving for a 2nd time, from Las Vegas to San Diego. They would quickly be replaced with the sale of the Nashville Knights, who now take on their 4th city (LA, St. Louis, Nashville and Las Vegas).
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