Vital Info<\/strong> 1986 Season<\/strong> 1983: Rocky Beginnings Under Red Miller (8-10)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Denver Gold\u2019s inaugural 1983 season under head coach Red Miller<\/strong>\u2014best known for leading the Broncos to Super Bowl XII\u2014was a turbulent start. The team showed flashes of potential, particularly on defense with Putt Choate (183 tackles, 4 sacks)<\/strong> and Greg Gerken (7 sacks, 6 forced fumbles)<\/strong> leading a hard-hitting unit. However, inconsistency at quarterback (a carousel of Ken Johnson<\/strong>, Fred Mortensen<\/strong>, and Craig Penrose<\/strong>) and a lack of offensive identity left them at 8-10<\/strong>, missing the playoffs. The lone bright spot was RB Harry Sydney (1,453 total yards, 10 TDs)<\/strong>, who gave fans hope for the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1984: A Step Back with Craig Morton (6-12)<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Former Cowboys star Craig Morton<\/strong> took over as coach in 1984, but the Gold regressed to 6-12<\/strong>. The defense remained physical (John Bungartz, 125 tackles; Calvin Turner, 3 sacks<\/strong>), but the offense sputtered. Fred Mortensen<\/strong> provided efficient passing (10.2 TD%, 117.2 rating in limited action), but Penrose and Hobart<\/strong> struggled with turnovers (26 INTs combined). RB Harry Sydney<\/strong> again carried the load (931 rushing yards, 12 TDs), but the lack of a true passing game doomed Denver to another losing season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1985: Mouse Davis & the Run to Glory (9-8-1, Western Finalists)<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The 1985 hiring of “Mouse” Davis<\/strong>\u2014architect of the modern Run & Shoot offense\u2014changed everything. QB Bob Gagliano (5,940 yards, 42 TDs)<\/strong> thrived in the system, feeding WRs Leonard Harris (1,364 yards, 15 TDs)<\/strong> and Marc Lewis (1,348 yards)<\/strong> while RB Bill Johns (1,988 total yards, 16 TDs)<\/strong> balanced the attack. The defense, led by John Nevens (131 tackles, 5 forced fumbles)<\/strong> and Calvin Turner (13 sacks)<\/strong>, became opportunistic (27 INTs, 51 sacks).<\/p>\n\n\n\n After a 4-8-1 start<\/strong>, Denver caught fire, winning five straight<\/strong> to clinch a playoff berth. They stunned the league by routing Oakland (49-17)<\/strong> and upsetting Houston (35-32)<\/strong> before falling to the eventual champion Chicago Blitz (52-35)<\/strong> in the Western Final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Future: Golden Opportunity<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n With Gagliano in his prime, a dynamic offense, and an aggressive defense, the 1986 Gold aren\u2019t just digging for success\u2014they\u2019re ready to strike gold<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Denver Gold – Striking Championship Ore Vital Info Founded: 1983Coach: Mouse DavisStadium: Mile High StadiumDivision: Pacific 1986 Season Current Record: 6-5Next Game: at Los Angeles ExpressKey Stat from Previous Game: Denver went 9-13 on third down against Washington.Previous Game MVP: Bob Gagliano, QB, 27-34, 342 yards, 5 TDs, no inteceptions and no sacks.Trends: Denver has … Continue reading Denver Gold<\/span>
Founded: 1983
Coach: Mouse Davis
Stadium: Mile High Stadium
Division: Pacific<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Current Record: 6-5
Next Game: at Los Angeles Express<\/a>
Key Stat from Previous Game: Denver went 9-13 on third down against Washington.
Previous Game MVP: Bob Gagliano, QB, 27-34, 342 yards, 5 TDs, no inteceptions and no sacks.
Trends: Denver has lost 3 out of their last four games by one score or less. If they can figure that out, they’ll make it far into the playoffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDenver Gold History – Rocky Road to Redemption<\/h4>\n\n\n\n