South division. Along with the stats, can you write it up for me please?
1985 Jacksonville Bulls Season Recap: A Near-Miss in the USFL’s Tough South Division
Record: 11-7 (4th in the South, missed playoffs on tiebreaker)
Head Coach: Lindy Infante
Offensive Style: Balanced Pro-Style with West Coast passing elements
Defensive Identity: Aggressive front seven, secondary vulnerable to big plays
Offensive Firepower, But Inconsistency at QB
The Bulls boasted one of the USFL’s most explosive teams, ranking in the top 10 in offense and defense. thanks to a lethal ground game and a high-volume passing attack. However, turnovers and QB instability held them back.
Key Performers:
- Shawn Jones (RB): Rushed for 1,095 yards (5.2 YPC) and 8 TDs, providing a bell-cow workhorse presence.
- Larry Mason (FB/RB): Dual-threat back with 582 rushing yards, 7 TDs + 61 catches, 545 yards, 4 TDs.
- Perry Kemp (WR): Breakout star with 89 catches, 1,445 yards (16.2 avg), 4 TDs—top-5 in USFL receiving yards.
- Mark Keel (WR): Reliable red-zone target (81 rec, 1,057 yards, 9 TDs).
Quarterback Woes:
- Ed Luther: Threw for 3,843 yards and 24 TDs but led the league in INTs (24), killing drives.
- Buck Belue: Struggled as backup (38.6 passer rating, 8.3 INT%).
Biggest Issue: The Bulls’ offense was 2nd in turnovers (33)—a key reason they lost close games.
Defense: Bend-But-Don’t-Break (Until It Did)
The defense was top 10, relying on pressure and timely stops but struggling in coverage.
Standouts:
- Keith Millard (DE): Anchored the pass rush (sacks not fully tracked, but likely 8+).
- Vaughan Johnson (LB): Tackling machine (99 tackles, 4 sacks).
- Derek Batiste (DB): Ballhawk (led team in INTs).
Fatal Flaw: The secondary allowed too many explosive plays, and injuries
Special Teams: A Bright Spot
- Brian Franco (K): Near-perfect (19/21 FG, 90.5%; 54/54 XP).
- Aubrey Matthews (KR): Electrifying (27.1 avg, 1 TD).
- Punting: Larry Swider boomed 42.7 avg, flipping field position.
Why They Missed the Playoffs
- Turnovers (33): Luther’s INTs and fumbles doomed winnable games.
- Defensive Lapses: Couldn’t stop elite passing attacks (Houston, Birmingham).
- Injuries
Final Thought: The Bulls were one reliable QB away from a deep playoff run. With Infante’s scheme and weapons like Kemp/Jones, 1986 could be their year—if they fix the turnover problem.
1985 Jacksonville Bulls Roster
Offense
QB: Ed Luther, Buck Belue
RB: Larry Mason, Shawn Jones, Bruce King (KR), Dennis Gentry (RET)
FB: (Not listed separately; Mason may fill this role)
WR: Perry Kemp (RET), Alton Alexis, Gary Clark (RET), Reggie Butts (RET), Aubrey Matthews (KR), Chuck McCurley
TE: Mark Keel, Robert Young, Norris Brown (KR)
OL: C: A.V. Richards, Dave Otey, G: Roy Simmons, J.T. Turner, Bob Gruber, Ken Howell (G-T), T: Ed Gantner, George Collins, Gary Anderson
Defense
DE: Keith Millard, Brian Luft, Joe Costello, Bob Clasby, Jeff Scherting, Martin Moss
DT: Paul Hufford, Spencer Nelms, Mansel Carter
LB: Vaughan Johnson, Doug West, Richard Wood, Tom Dinkel, Mike Edwards, Mike Guendling (OLB), Brian Campbell (ILB)
CB: Rod McMillan, Joe Johnson, Adam Hinds, Derek Batiste, David Croudip (DB)
S: Chester Gee, Bobby Johnson, Van Jakes, Donald Dykes, Kevin Gray (KR)
Special Teams
K: Brian Franco
P: Larry Swider