The 1985 Memphis Showboats delivered a thrilling and rollercoaster campaign in your USFL replay league, finishing with a 12–8 record after a playoff run that ended one game shy of the championship. The season began with a torrid six-game win streak, highlighted by explosive offensive outings like a 54–14 demolition of the Pittsburgh Maulers and a narrow 38–37 escape against division rival Tampa Bay. Quarterback Walter Lewis was electric throughout the year, throwing for 3,622 yards and 31 touchdowns while adding 703 yards and 5 scores on the ground, solidifying his role as the heart of the Showboats’ attack.
Memphis hit a midseason wall after their second clash with the Houston Gamblers—a 31–13 revenge win—but stumbled through a 2–4 stretch down the stretch, suffering close losses to Washington, New Jersey, and New Orleans. Despite those setbacks, the team still showed flashes of brilliance. Running back Tim Spencer emerged as a workhorse, rushing for 1,372 yards and 7 touchdowns, while wideout Derek Crawford dominated secondaries with 1,268 yards and 16 TDs on 76 catches, often serving as Lewis’s favorite deep threat.
On the defensive side, linebacker Leonard Coleman and safety Roosevelt Brown were turnover machines, combining for 15 interceptions. The pass rush, led by Richard Brewington (6 sacks, 145 tackles), was relentless, and Memphis forced an impressive 20 fumbles on the season. Alan Duncan added consistency to the kicking game with 140 total points, while the return units—though lacking a touchdown—provided solid field position throughout.
In the postseason, Memphis exacted revenge on the Washington Federals with a dominant 45–21 performance in the first round. However, the magic ran dry in the conference championship, where the Tampa Bay Bandits’ stout defense held them to just two field goals in a 17–6 loss. Though the season ended short of a title, the Showboats’ high-powered offense and opportunistic defense made them one of 1985’s most entertaining and dangerous teams—a foundation they’ll look to build on heading into 1986.
1985 Memphis Showboats Roster
Quarterbacks
- Walter Lewis – QB
- Frank Reich – QB
Running Backs
- Tim Spencer – RB
- Harry Sydney – RB/KR
- Leonard Williams – RB/KR
- Anthony Parker – RB/KR
Wide Receivers
- Derek Crawford – WR/RET
- Buster Rhymes – WR/RET
- Greg Moser – WR
- Bill Rogers – WR
- Brad Calip – WR/KR
- Gerald Bradley – WR
Tight Ends
- Gary Shirk – TE
- Mark Raugh – TE
- Scott Ford – TE
Offensive Line
- Rubens – C
- Norfleet – G
- Kuehn – G
- Huffman – G
- Turnure, Tom – C-G
- McGriff, Tyrone – C-G
- Bolinger, Russ – T
- Sharpe, Luis – T
- Smith, Ken – T
Defensive Line
- Reggie White – DE
- Scott Strasburger – DE
- Terry Cole – DE
- Steve Bearden – DL
- Jay Hayes – DL
- Calvin Clark – DL
- Rob Stuckey – DT
- Holle, Eric – DL
- Virkus, Scott – DL
Linebackers
- Mike Brewington – LB
- Sanders Shiver – LB
- Mike Grant – LB
- Carlton Rose – LB
- Steve Hammond – LB
- Ricky Hunley – OLB
- Joe Kohlbrand – LB
Defensive Backs
- Leonard Coleman – CB
- Rod Brown – CB
- Mossy Cade – CB
- Tory Nixon – CB
- Ray Odums – DB
- George Radachowsky – DB
- Don Bessilieu – S
- Ron Osborne – S
- Mike Fox – S
- Barney Bussey – S
Special Teams
- Alan Duncan – K
- Jim Miller – P