1985 Arizona Wranglers Season Stats
1985 Arizona Wranglers: A Phoenix Rises from the Ashes
By Javier Morales, Arizona Sports Chronicle
Record: 11-7 (Pacific Division Champions)
Playoffs: Lost 34-27 to Chicago Blitz (USFL Champions)
Turnaround Story of the Year
After a dismal 5-13 campaign in 1984, the Wranglers—under the fiery leadership of head coach Frank Kush—transformed into a physical, run-first juggernaut, clawing their way to an 11-7 record and the Pacific Division crown. The team’s identity was clear: ground-and-pound offense, opportunistic defense, and no-nonsense toughness.
Offensive Revival: The Reggie Brown Show
- RB Reggie Brown emerged as the heart of the offense, bulldozing defenses for 1,206 yards (4.2 avg) and 32 total TDs
- QB Vince Evans provided a dual-threat spark (608 rushing yards, 6.4 avg, 25 TDs), though his passing was erratic (47.6 rating, 25 INTs).
- FB Allen Clark was a Swiss Army knife: 510 rushing yards, 6.5 avg, 27 total TDs, plus 67 catches as a safety valve.
- Big-Play WRs: Bee Lang (15.6 avg, 53-yd TD) and Mike McDade (15.7 avg) stretched defenses when Evans took shots.
Defensive Grit
- The “Kush Attack” defense lived in opponents’ backfields: DL Bret Clark (12 sacks) and Dave Tipton (13 TFL) led a ferocious front.
- LB Bruce Gheesling anchored the unit with 157 tackles, while CB David Martin chipped in 11 sacks off blitzes.
- Ball-hawking secondary: 5 players with INTs, though coverage lapses plagued them in key moments (see: Chicago playoff loss).
Special Teams X-Factor
- KR Lonnie Harris was electric (25.9 avg, 94-yd TD), flipping field position routinely.
- K Luis Zendejas was clutch (22 FGs, 88.9% XP), including a 48-yd long.
Playoff Heartbreak
In the 99-degree heat at Sun Devil Stadium, the Wranglers fell just short against Chicago. Key moments:
Time of possession: Chicago dominated (32:56 to 27:04), wearing down Arizona’s defense.
Early Deficit: Chicago raced to a 14-0 lead with two quick TDs (*Spencer 8-yard run, Boatner 3-yard plunge*).
Evans’ Struggles: 5 sacks, 1 INT, 50.6 passer rating. His lone TD was a 12-yard strike to Clark to cut the deficit to 14-7.
Brown’s Grit: 2 TDs (12-yard and 6-yard runs), but a missed XP kept Arizona playing catch-up.
Defensive Spark: Selwyn Drane’s 66-yard fumble return TD pulled Arizona within 34-27 late, but the offense couldn’t complete the comeback.
Critical Stats:
Chicago’s big plays: 3 passes of 25+ yards, including a 76-yard bomb to Cedric Anderson.
Arizona’s 3rd-down woes: 11-for-19 conversions, but 0-for-1 on 4th down and 5 punts stalled drives.
Looking Ahead to 1986
The Wranglers must:
✅ Reduce turnovers (Evans’ 25 INTs untenable for a title run).
✅ Upgrade pass defense (vulnerable to elite QBs).
✅ Maintain physical identity—Kush’s blueprint works.
Final Word:
From cellar dwellers to division champs, the 1985 Wranglers embodied Kush’s toughness. With a few tweaks, this team could be a title contender in ’86.
1985 Arizona Wranglers Roster
OFFENSE
QB: Vince Evans, Ron Reeves
RB: Reggie Brown, Billy Campfield, Allen Clark, Boyce Green
FB: Allen Clark (also listed as RB/KR)
WR: Bee Lang, Mike McDade, Johnny Mistler, Will Davis, Ricky Nichols, Lonnie Harris
TE: Tim Sherwin, Ron Wheeler, Ron Wetzel
OT: Rich Baldinger, Donnie Hickman, Chuck Page, Joe Levelis
OG: Tom Thayer, Harry Grimminger
C: Gerry Sullivan, Jim Portese, Mike Katolin
DEFENSE
DE: Charles Benson, Junior Ah You, Daryl Wilkerson, Edmund Nelson
DT: Kit Lathrop, Carlyle Hewatt, Motrandy Taylor, Dave Tipton, John Reinhardt
LB: Bruce Gheesling, Jimmie Carter, Fred Small, John Gillen, Dave Simmons, Vic Koenning, Robin Sendlein
CB: Carl Allen, Von Mansfield, Neil Harris, Lance Shields, David Martin
S: Bret Clark, Kelvin Middleton, Anthony Allen, Selwyn Drane, Kim Anderson
SPECIAL TEAMS
K: Luis Zendejas
P: Case DeBruijn
KR/PR: Lonnie Harris, Allen Clark, Boyce Green, David Martin