New Jersey Generals

New Jersey Generals – Flutie’s Flight, Walker’s Might, Victory in Sight!

Vital Info

Founded: 1983
Stadium: The Meadowlands
Head Coach: Walt Michaels
Division: Atlantic

1986 Season

Record: 0 – 0
Next game: at Jacksonville Bulls (1986 Kickoff Weekend)
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Key Stats (Coming Soon)

Roster Highlights

Franchise History

New Jersey Generals Franchise History: The Rise of a USFL Powerhouse

1983: The Rocky Beginning (5-13)

  • Coach: Chuck Fairbanks
  • Key Players: Herschel Walker (RB), Brian Sipe (QB)
  • Season Summary:
    The Generals entered the USFL with high hopes, signing Heisman winner Herschel Walker and veteran NFL QB Bobby Scott. But the team struggled with chemistry, and Fairbanks’ pro-style offense failed to mesh. Walker still dazzled (1,839 rushing yards, 9 TDs, 889 receiving yards, 9 TDs), but Scott never got a hold of the offense, and the defense struggled. A 5-13 record left fans frustrated.
  • Offseason Shock: Generals make another splash with Brian Sipe at QB.

1984: The Cardiac Kids (10-8, Championship Heartbreak)

  • Coach: Walt Michaels (former Jets HC)
  • Key Additions: Brian Sipe (veteran QB), Maurice Carthon (FB)
  • Season Summary:
    With Sipe’s steadiness (22 TDs and 12 INTs) and the dual thread of Walker (1679 rushing yards and 9 TDs, 729 receiving yards, 4 TDs) and Carthon (1370 yards and 16 TDs). The Generals thrilled in the playoffs, taking the “Cardiac Kids” moniker for their comebacks, but the magic ran out against the powerful Houston Gamblers with a 42-39 loss in the USFL Championship
  • Legacy: The loss stung, but the Carthon-Walker era had arrived.

1985: Dominance & Playoff Letdown (11-6-1, 2nd Round Exit)

Coach: Walt Michaels

Key Stat: Walker rushed for 2,540 yards (5.4 YPC), Flutie threw 22 TDs

Season Summary:
The Generals were elite, winning the Atlantic Division and securing a first-round bye. Flutie’s deep ball to Barry Hanna (992 yards, 7 TDs) and Walker’s historic season made them favorites. But in the divisional round, Birmingham’s defense stifled Walker (held to only one touchdown), and Flutie was harassed into mistakes. A 21-10 loss left New Jersey wondering: Will they be able to get over the hump in 1986?

Season Schedule

Follow the dropdown menu above for current and past schedules.

Fan Interaction

Will the Generals break through and win the championship this year?
Will Walker again rush for a league record in yardage?