1985 Las Vegas Aces: A Tough Inaugural Season
The 1985 Las Vegas Aces entered the USFL with high hopes but faced immediate struggles in their debut season. Finishing with a 2-15-1 record, the Aces endured a brutal start, losing their first nine games before finally securing their first victory in Week 10 against the New Orleans Brass (21-14). A late-season win over the Boston Breakers (21-20) provided another bright spot in an otherwise difficult year.
Offensive Struggles
Led by quarterback Jerry Golsteyn, the Aces’ passing attack was inconsistent, throwing 38 interceptions against just 29 touchdowns. The ground game fared no better, averaging a mere 3.0 yards per carry, with Ricky Claitt and Curtis Ragsdale splitting backfield duties. The receiving corps, featuring Ray Taylor (885 yards, 9 TDs) and Ted Holler (774 yards, 5 TDs), provided some highlights but couldn’t overcome the team’s overall inefficiency.
Defensive Standouts
Despite the losing record, the defense had its moments. Safety Tim Lewis was a tackling machine (162 stops) and led the team with 6 interceptions. The pass rush, led by Randy Cole (13 sacks) and Joe Rehmann (8 sacks), showed flashes, while linebacker Mike Monger (153 tackles, 4 INTs) was a relentless force. However, the unit often wore down, allowing 30+ points in 10 games.
Special Teams & Miscues
The kicking game was a major weakness—Larry Roach converted just 8 of 23 field goals (34.8%), costing the Aces in close games. Punter Greg Cater was busy, booting 133 punts as the offense frequently stalled. Return man Marcus Bonner provided a spark with a 54-yard kick return as his longest of the year.
A Season to Forget, But a Foundation to Build On
The Aces’ inaugural season was one of the worst in USFL history, but it set the stage for future growth. Though the franchise folded after the USFL’s 1985 contraction, the ’85 Aces remain a fascinating footnote in Las Vegas football lore—a team that battled through adversity but ultimately couldn’t find enough wins.
Offense
Quarterbacks (QB):
- Jerry Golsteyn
- Randall Cunningham
Running Backs (RB):
- Byron Brown
- Ragsdale
- Marcus Bonner
- Rickey Claitt
Wide Receivers (WR):
- James Carver
- Ray Taylor
- Jeff Smith
- Ted Hollern
- Tom Wheeler
- Mitchell Brookins
Tight Ends (TE):
- Joe Rose
- James McDonald
- Chris Dressel
Offensive Line (OL):
- Anthony Thomas (G)
- Jerry Doerger (G/T)
- Miller (T)
- Jeff Toews (C/G)
- Blake Moore (C/G)
- Randy Rasmussen (C/G)
- Joe Shearin (G)
- Sid Abramowitz (T)
- Bill Contz (T)
Defense
Defensive Line (DL):
- Greg Rehmann (DE)
- Greg Fields (DE)
- Edgar Pickett (DE)
- Hughes (DL)
- Todd Maragas (DL)
- Dave Puzzouli (DT)
- Emmanuel Cole (DT)
Linebackers (LB):
- Matt Monger (OLB)
- Kelvin Atkins (LB)
- Pete Cronan (LB)
- Lamonte Hunley (LB)
- Tony Caldwell (LB)
- Gregg Carr (LB)
Defensive Backs (DB):
- Paul Pallante (CB)
- Tim Lewis (CB)
- Lee Wilson (CB)
- Dennis Thurman (S)
- Herb Welch (DB)
- Liffort Hobley (DB)
- Chris Rockins (S)
- Larry Flowers (DB)
- Daryll Jones (S)
- Rick Dukovich (S)
Special Teams
Kickers:
- Larry Roach (K)
- Greg Cater (P)
Return Specialists (KR/PR):
- Byron Brown (KR)
- Marcus Bonner (KR/RET)
- Tim Lewis (KR)
- Ted Hollern (RET)
- Mitchell Brookins (KR)