1983 Conference Championship Games

The USFL/WFL's 10th season has come down to the Final Four. Will the Houston Gamblers be able to defend their World Bowl title? Or, will the New Jersey Generals make it two championships in three years? Will the Jacksonville Bulls or Denver Gold make their first-ever apperance in the championship game?

Houston Gamblers at Denver Gold

Ronald Tatman, Denver Gold

New head coach OffensiveTaco has the Gamblers on the verge of a return trip to the World Bowl. Houston, the defending league champion, held off the Detroit Wheels, 20-19, in the divisional round. Daniel McCormack's 41-yard field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter concluded the scoring, but the Wheels had their chances. They were close to field goal distance before an incomplete pass and a 2-yard loss killed that drive. Interceptions by WLB Jonathan Fenn and CB Lloyd McCoy kept Detroit at bay. The second pickoff was thrown by Detroit backup QB Steve Voll, who is a combined 6-for-56 passing during his two seasons with the Wheels.

The Gold are on the verge of appearing in the World Bowl for the first time after ousting the Los Angeles Express, 20-6. Denver QB Dustin Nichols fired three TD passes and TE/FB/RB/C/LG/RG/LT/RT Ronald Tatman caught eight passes for 108 yards. Tatman is Denver's No. 1 TE on the depth chart, but is rated 50 or higher at every position.

Denver leads the regular-season series, 3-2. The teams did not meet this season, but Houston won, 21-10, in 1982.

Jacksonville Bulls at New Jersey Generals

Tony Morrison, Jacksonville

The Generals are seeking their third consecutive appearance in the league championship game. having won World Bowl VIII and lost to Houston in World Bowl IX. New Jersey also appeared in World Bowl VI, falling to Memphis. The Bulls have never appeared in the title game.

New Jersey came into the playoffs on a two-game losing streak, including a 31-20 defeat at the hands of the New Orleans VooDoo. The Generals avenged that loss with a 20-17 decision over the VooDoo in the divisional round. After New Jersey kicked a field goal to claim a seemingly safe 20-10 lead with 1:52 to play, VooDoo WR and league MVP candidate James Sheckler caught a 75-yard TD pass to cut the lead to 3 points.

Chad Ochocinco recovered the onside kickoff attempt and New Jersey ran down the clock before punting to the New Orleans 6. Two plays later, the game was over.

The Bulls rolled past the Pittsburgh Maulers, 34-9, in the first round before edging the Birmingham Stallions, 16-13, in OT. Birmingham was lined up for the game-winning field goal at the end of regulation time, but a false start penalty took them out of range. In overtime, the Bulls drove from their 10 to the Stallions 31 before Tommie Prather's 48-yard field goal ended the game.

The teams squared off in Week 9, with Jacksonville prevailing, 38-24. The Bulls shot out to a 24-7 lead after the first quarter of that game, including Tony Morrison's 31-yard interception return for a TD. Morrison intercepted two passes that day, two of New Jersey's four turnovers. The Generals lead the regular-season series, 3-2 and are a 7-point favorite this time, according to MFN.

Record Book

A look at league records set during the 1983 USFL/WFL season:

Game

• Most passes dropped: Billy Baldwin, RB, Memphis, 6
• Longest kickoff return: Richard Brown, RB, Georgia, 110 yards (tied record)
• Most field goals, 50+ yards: Daniel McCormack, Houston, and Gary Spence, Cleveland (tied)
• Most punts: Julius Horowitz, Michigan, 17 vs. Memphis (tied record)
• Most punts inside 20: Julius Horowitz, Michigan, 11 vs. Memphis
• Interceptions: Troy Irwin, MLB, Los Angeles vs. Honolulu, 4 (tied record)

Season

• Receptions by a TE: Carmen Nelson, New York Stars, 120'
• Punts inside 20: Julius Horowitz, Michigan, 69
• Tackles: Jim Grisby, SLB, Tampa Bay, 141
• Missed Tackles: Joseph Abernathy, CB, Charlotte, 36
• Interceptions: Douglas Oneal, MLB, Honolulu, 14
• Interception Returns for TD: Gordon Wong, CB, Jacksonville, 2 (tied record)

Career

• Passing Yards: William Hill, Shreveport, 51,662
• Passing TDs: William Hill, Shreveport, 206
• Rushing TDs: John Murray, Pittsburgh, 77
• Pass Receptions: Michael Hunter, Honolulu, 892
• Pass Reception Yardage: Dusty Heckman, Portland, 13,471
• Pass Reception TDs: Dusty Heckman, Portland, 97
• Field Goals: James Hooper, Shreveport, 329
• Field Goals 40+: Daniel McCormack, Houston, 166
• Field Goals 50+: Daniel McCormack, Houston, 82
• Extra Points: Thomas Hummel, Tampa Bay, 892
• Punts: Bruce Kester, NY Stars, 1,154
• Punts Inside 20: William Anders, Honolulu, 323
• Tackles: Travis Curcio, MLB, Washington, 967
• Sacks: James Lockette, DT, New Jersey, 132
• Hurries: James Lockette, DT, New Jersey, 397
• Missed Tackles: Robert Mason, CB, Charlotte, 188
• Passes Knocked Down: Larry Ackman, CB, New Orleans, 197
• Catches Allowed: Roy Wiley, CB, Denver, 567
• Interceptions: David Peralta, CB, Houston, 61
• Interception Returns for TDs: Shelby Kemp, CB, Florida, 3
• Plays From Scrimmage: Larry Ackman, CB, New Orleans, 13,200
• Fumbles: Joe Richardson, QB, Washington, 84
• Pass Blocks: David Sawyer, LT, Michigan, 8,526
• Run Blocks: Andre Adkins, C, Pittsburgh, 5,389
• Tackles Allowed: Jeffrey Sharp, C, Honolulu, 410
• Penalties: Adam Bolding, RG, Memphis, 66 for 527 yards
• Total TDs: Cory Robinzine, WR, Arizona, 108