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Box Scores and Recaps, Stats

Chicago Blitz 14, Oakland Invaders 6

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1983 USFL Championship Game

Chicago defeated Oakland in the first ever USFL Championship game Sunday night in Denver. They rushed out to a 14-0 first half lead on two touchdown passes by quarterback Greg Landry. Then, they leaned on a defense that showed up in a big way in the playoffs. Only a week after sacking Michigan quarterback Bobby Hebert 11 times, they put the Oakland quarterback down on the ground 11 times.

Oakland managed only two field goals for the entire game. Chicago kept their potent offense off kilter for much of the game. They gained less than 200 net yards of offense and turned the ball over 4 times. MVP Jim Fahnhorst led the defense with 8 tackles and 3 sacks. Many contend that he could contend for a spot on a roster in the NFL and he certainly played that way this year. They look to have him on the roster for next year, but after that all bets might be off. See him while you have the chance, USFL fans!

Special Teams

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Playoff Preview

1983 USFL Championship Game Preview

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Chicago Blitz vs. Oakland Invaders

at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado

It’s strength against strength in the inaugural USFL Championship game. Chicago brings a defense that allowed the fewest points in the league. They also sacked Michigan quarterback 11 times in their playoff matchup to hand Michigan their only defeat of the season.

Meanwhile, Oakland boasts a potent offense led by quarterback Fred Besana. He passed for just under 4000 yards and spread the ball around evenly. Oakland comes into the game with 3 receivers who gained over 800 yards. Running back Arthur Whittington gives them a balanced attack with 1200 plus rushing yards.

On the opposite sides of the ball for the two contenders, Chicago’s offense features a running back tandem who each rushed for over 1000 yards and 14 touchdowns combined. Oakland’s defense came in third in points allowed at 270, or roughly 14 points per game.

The old adage states that offense wins games but defense wins championships. If so, look for Chicago to ride their defense to a win in this game and the title of first ever USFL champion. though, honestly, in such a tightly contested game, special teams might end up being the difference.

Prediction: Chicago 16, Oakland 14.

Box Scores and Recaps, Stats

Chicago Blitz 21, Michigan Panthers 17

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1983 USFL Playoffs, Round 1

Chicago and Michigan played another exciting playoff game on Sunday evening. Chicago finally beat their division rival, a team that went 18-0 in the regular season and looked destined to finish the job. Chicago rode their defense in the game, sacking quarterback Bobby Hebert 11 times. Their patented two back offense proved enough with both running backs scoring a touchdown in the game.

For their part, Michigan’s defense and special teams kept them in the game. They sacked Chicago QB Greg Landry 9 times, and intercepted him twice. Robert Penny well returned one for a touchdown. Michigan scored their other touchdown on a blocked punt return. But Landry tossed a touchdown with 4 and a half minutes left in the game to pull ahead. Michigan got 3 more chances to take the lead, but Chicago never let them beyond their own 38 yard line. The win matches the Blitz up with the Invaders in next week’s championship in Denver.

Team Stats

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Box Scores and Recaps, Stats

Oakland Invaders 22, Boston Breakers 16

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1983 USFL Playoffs, Round 1

Oakland and Boston got the USFL playoffs off to an exciting start on Saturday evening. Oakland rushed out to a 13-0 lead before Boston pulled within a touchdown. Oakland extended the lead to 10 points before Boston came roaring back to tie it with less than a minute left in the game.

Oakland quarterback, Fred Besana marched the team down the field 6 minutes into the overtime period to throw the game winning touchdown. In spite of 6 sacks, he outplayed his Boston counterpart and proved to be the difference in the game. Oakland now waits the outcome of the Chicago-Michigan game to see who they face next week in the championship in Denver.

Team Stats

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Expansion

Introducing Oklahoma Outlaws

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by: Dean Avalon, The Oklahoma

(Editor’s Note: We meant to run this earlier in the week, but the scheduling got mixed up.)

By now, we all know about the ambitious expansion planned by the USFL next year. They plan to add 6 teams to the league. Last, but certainly not least, I get to introduce you all to your Oklahoma Outlaws. Like Jacksonville and Memphis, Oklahoma boasts a rich tradition in college football with the OU Sooners and State Cowboys.

Until now, some of us claimed the Cowboys as our NFL team. They are America’s team after all. But, with this announcement, we now have a professional team that we can truly call our own. The USFL has proven that they want to do things differently and make professional football fun again. Here’s hoping that the Outlaws bring a lot of that fun.

Playoff Preview

1983 USFL Playoffs Round 1 Preview

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Saturday – Oakland Invaders at Boston Breakers

While Boston boasts the better record in the match up, Oakland comes in as one of the hottest teams in the league. They won 9 in a row including a win over the Breakers in the second to last game of the season. That win came as revenge for a 29-9 loss against the Breakers in week 6.

The game promises offensive fireworks. Both quarterbacks threw for close to 4000 yards, with Boston passer Jonny Walton surpassing the total. Both teams boast 1000 yard rushers and Boston has a reciever with over 1000 yards. To counter, Oakland brings three receivers with over 800 yards for a slightly more balanced attack.

Prediction: Boston Breakers 24, Oakland Invaders 18

Sunday – Chicago Blitz at Michigan Panthers

The two best teams in the league record wise and stats wise collide again on Sunday in the other playoff game. Michigan finished the regular season undefeated, including two close wins over Chicago. Quarterback Bobby Hebert and running back Ken Lacy led the Michigan offense. Defensive MVP candidate John Corker terrorized quarterbacks to the tune of 27 sacks, likely a record that will stand for some time.

On the other sideline, quarterback Greg Landry managed the offense enough to allow two of the Blitz running backs to gain over 1000 yards rushing on the season. They added 18 touchdowns to the mix. And, the Chicago defense played well, too, holding teams to a league low 235 points. This game promises to be one of the most exciting of the year.

Prediction: Michigan Panthers 16, Chicago Blitz 13.

Weekly Wrap Ups

Week 18 Wrap Up

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Tampa Bay started the week in the only Saturday game by thrashing Birmingham. The win did little to soothe the wounds of a disappointing season, but it’s still better to end on an up rather than a down. In the Sunday games with no playoff implications, Philadelphia lost to Washington and Denver lost to Los Angeles.

Boston beat New Jersey and Oakland lost to Chicago. That gave Boston the number two seed and Oakland the number three seed. The Invaders travel to Boston on Saturday to open the playoffs. The win did nothing for Chicago’s playoff seeding as Michigan closed out a perfect regular season and will host Chicago on Sunday in the other playoff game this coming weekend. Look for the playoff preview a little later this week.

1983 Regular Season USFL Stat Leaders

Week 18 Games

Saturday

Tampa Bay Bandits 37, Birmingham Stallions 7

Sunday

Arizona Wranglers 7, Michigan Panthers 22

Denver Gold 23, Los Angeles Express 28

New Jersey Generals 20, Boston Breakers 32

Oakland Invaders 13, Chicago Blitz 29

Philadelphia Stars 15, Washington Federals 30

Final Regular Season Standings

Players of the Week

Offense: Jimmy Jordan, QB, Tampa Bay Bandits. Jordan led the Bandits to a win over division rival Birmingham in the last week of the season. He threw for over 300 yards and 4 touchdowns in the win.

Defense: Eddie Walker, CB, Arizona Wranglers. In spite of the loss, Walker played well for his team, recording 7 tackles and one interception.

Special Teams: Frank Corral, K, Chicago Blitz. Corral wen 5-7 on field goals with a long of 49 and 2-2 on extra points to score 17 of Chicago’s 29 points this week.

Expansion

Introducing Pittsburgh Maulers

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by: Shawn M. Lucas, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

After only 3/4 of their inaugural season, the USFL announced a massive expansion for next year. They are adding 6 new teams to the league. Already confirmed are the Memphis Showboats, Houston Gamblers, San Antonio Gunslingers, and Jacksonville Bulls. This week, they granted me the great honor of introducing the 5th team scheduled to start next year.

The city of Pittsburgh has a great tradition of football going back to 1933 when the Pirates started play in the NFL. Over the years, teams from Philadelphia and Chicago merged with the Pittsburgh teams to get through lean years due to war and other financial hardship. Our very own Steelers coined the term “dynasty” with their 4 Super Bowl victories in the 1970s

And, now the Pittsburgh Maulers of the USFL will join that illustrious history next year. The USFL has already proven successful in football crazy cities with an NFL team and they hope that success continues here in Pittsburgh.

Weekly Wrap Ups

Week 17 Wrap Up

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New Jersey opened the week with a win over the hapless Arizona Wranglers. Herschel Walker all but guaranteed his MVP award with another stellar performance. Oakland won over Boston in the other Saturday game to bring them even in the playoff race with the Breakers. Birmingham and Washington both got wins on Sunday afternoon.

In the game of the week for week 17, Michigan edged Chicago in overtime. They remain unbeated on the regular season with only one game to go. Chicago looks to get revenge in the playoffs in a couple of weeks. Finally, Tampa Bay ended the week with a shutout win over Denver. The Bandits end a disappointing season, but have reason to be hopeful next year.

USFL Stat Leaders After Week 17

Week 17 Games

Saturday

Arizona Wranglers 10, New Jersey Generals 37

Boston Breakers 9, Oakland Invaders 20

Sunday

Birmingham Stallions 13, Philadelphia Stars 9

Los Angeles Express 6, Washington Federals 22

Michigan Panthers 26, Chicago Blitz 23

Monday

Denver Gold 0, Tampa Bay Bandits 17

Standings After Week 17

Players of the Week

Offense – Herschel Walker, RB, New Jersey Generals. Walker continued his late season push for league MVP. He gained over 200 yards of total offense and scored three touchdowns in the Generals win over Arizona. New Jersey needs to capitalize on his talents fast!

Defense – Doug Greene, S, Washington Federals. Greene played a huge role on defense to guarantee Washington’s win over Los Angeles this week. He picked off two passes and added another 9 tackles in the game.

Special Teams – Frank Corral, P, Chicago Blitz. Corral kept the Blitz in the game against the Panthers. He punted 8 times for 345 yards and a 43.1 average. He also booted an 80 yard long!

Expansion

Introducing Memphis Showboats

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by: Elsa Cameron, The Commercial Appeal

The USFL announced an ambitious expansion for their second year, adding 6 teams to the league. The league chose to give one lucky reporter from each expansion city a chance to write about their new team each week to end the season. You already know about the Bulls, Gamblers, and Gunslingers.

I have the opportunity and privledge to introduce your Memphis Showboats. Like Jacksonville, the first city to announce their team, Tennessee comes to the league with a fervent college football history and fandom. We love our Vols in this state.

So, Tennessee, show up for the Showboats with that same excitement and energy. The USFL proved so far this year that they bring professional football with a more fun attitude than the NFL. We need to match that energy and fun.