1985 Birmingham Stallions Stats
1985 Birmingham Stallions Season Recap: “The Agony of Almost”
The 1985 Birmingham Stallions entered the year with championship expectations, armed with a balanced offense, a punishing defense, and the bitter taste of past playoff heartbreaks. Under the steady hand of head coach Rollie Dotsch, they delivered another 13-5 campaign, proving themselves as one of the USFL’s elite—but once again, they fell just short of the ultimate prize.
Regular Season: A Well-Oiled Machine
Offensive Firepower
- Cliff Stoudt solidified himself as one of the league’s most efficient passers, throwing for 3,358 yards, 34 TDs, and a 91.2 QB rating—though his 19 interceptions (4.3%) remained a concern.
- Jim Smith emerged as a true WR1, hauling in 20 TDs and averaging a staggering 15.2 yards per catch, including a league-high 56-yard bomb.
- Joe Cribbs remained the engine of the offense, grinding out 1,047 rushing yards and adding 7 TDs, while also contributing 287 receiving yards.
- Joey Jones (751 yards, 7 TDs) and Darryl Mason (324 yards, 3 TDs) provided reliable secondary options.
Defensive Dominance
- The Stallions’ defense was opportunistic and physical, leading the league in interceptions (44)—anchored by CB David Clanton’s 16 picks, a USFL record.
- The pass rush was relentless: DEs Larry Roe (9 sacks) and Bruce Spencer (7 sacks) led the charge, while LB Herb Spencer (5 INTs, 5 sacks) was a Swiss Army knife.
- LB Mike Haynes (72 tackles, 5 INTs) and DL Dave Pureifory (23 hurries) ensured opponents had no easy plays.
Key Games
- Week 3: Stallions 42, Boston Breakers 28 – A shootout that got Birmingham their first win of the season.
- Week 11: Stallions 59, New Orleans Brass 7 – A blowout win jump starting their end of the season winning streak.
- Week 14: Stallions 20, Tampa Bay Bandits 7 – Another classic in the rivalry and a statement win during the streak.
Playoffs: So Close, Yet So Far
First Round: Stallions 24, Pittsburgh Maulers 17
- A grind-it-out win—Cribbs rushed for only 60 yards, but scored 2 TDs. Stoudt tossed the game winner to Ken Toles with about a minute left.
- The defense held firm, forcing three key turnovers (2 INT and a fumble).
Second Round: Stallions 21, New Jersey Generals 10
- Revenge served cold. After losing to Herschel Walker’s Generals in ’84, Birmingham stifled New Jersey’s offense, holding Flutie to 4-14 passing for 93 yards and 2 interceptions.
- Stoudt’s 2 TDs (both to Smith) and two interceptions by the defense sealed it.
Eastern Conference Championship: Bandits 30, Stallions 27
- A heartbreaking repeat of past failures. Birmingham led big in the 3rd, but Tampa’s roared back and kicked a FG in overtime and ended their season.
- Overtime Imbalance: Both teams got a chance in OT, but the Stallions offense stalled while Tampa’s put together two long drives to dominate the field position battle.
- Stoudt (2TDs, but 3 INTs) and Jones (2 TDs) shined, but the defense couldn’t get the final stop.
Final Assessment
- Strengths:
- Elite secondary (44 INTs)
- Big-play passing (35 TDs, 12.7 YPA)
- Gelled late and got hot at the right time for the 8 game win streak
- Weaknesses:
- Turnovers (Stoudt’s 19 INTs, 20 total fumbles lost)
- Red-zone defense (struggled in key moments)
- Lack of a true home-run RB (Cribbs averaged just 3.9 YPC)
1985 Birmingham Stallions Roster
Offense
QB: Cliff Stoudt, Bob Lane
RB: Joe Cribbs, Joel Coles, Earl Gant
WR: Jim Smith, Joey Jones, Ken Toler, Kevin Harris, Otha Hill, Troy Johnson
TE: Darryl Mason, Robin Earl, Jay Repko
OT: Pat Phenix, Phil McKinnley
OG: Buddy Aydelette, Scott LaFond, Pat Saindon
C: Mark Battaglia, Joe Bock, Mike Turner
Defense
DE: Rodney Harding, Don Reese, Pete Koch, Ron Faurot, Mike Perko
DT: Doug Smith, Jackie Cline
LB: Bill Roe, Herbie Spencer, Ken Kelley, Thomas Boyd, Greg Gerken, Mike Murphy, Dallas Hickman
CB: David Dumars, David Evans, Chuck Clanton
S: Dennis Woodberry, Ted Walton, Robert Gentry, Alvin Hall
Special Teams
K: Dan Miller
P: Bob Parsons
KR/PR: Alvin Hall (KR), Jeff Donaldson (PR), Troy Johnson (KR), Harris (RET)