Randall Cunningham: The Ace Up Our Sleeve!
Vital Info
Founded: 1985
Stadium: Sam Boyd Stadium
Coach: Harvey Hyde
Division: Pacific
Home Uniform
1986 Season
Record: 0-2
Previous Game MVP: Randall Cunningham, QB, 18-26, 223 yards, 1 TD, 2 Int, 7 rushes for 60 yards
Trend: Cunningham has been a bright spot in another slow start to the season. The defense also looks improved.
Key Highlights
Defense held first two opponents to 44 total points.
Cunningham leads the offense in both passing and rushing.
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.