Welcome to 1986, the 13th season of USFL/WFL football. We've had 7 different champions in our 12 previous seasons and Houston's victory in World Bowl XII makes them the first franchise with 3 titles, breaking a tie with the Detroit Wheels, Memphis Showboats and New Jersey Generals. Our other 3 championships were won by the Florida Blazers (WBI), Oakland Invaders (WBII), and Los Angeles Express (WBV).
Will we have a new champion in 1986, or will one of our usual suspects take home the trophy again? We're a long way from finding out but the journey begins with Week 1.
Gamblers 48 Bandits 17
If there were doubts about the Gambler's work ethic/preparation after a second consecutive offseason of partying, endorsements and media requests, they were quashed today. Reigning League and World Bowl MVP Tony Dean started 1986 where he left off in 1985. Dean threw for 426 yards and 5 TD's, including this 58 yard TD to RB Albert Buckland.
Houston had the ball 40 minutes, had 574 yards of offense while giving up just 268, and literally beat the Bandits up. Tampa Bay ended the game with one doubtful player and 4 questionable.
Stallions 10 Force 6
Many were wondering what the mind set of the Stallions would be after being ever so close to a championship in World Bowl XII while Georgia Owner/GM Lucky is making his USFL/WFL debut. This was a defensive struggle as the combined yardage for both teams was 491 yards, or 83 less than Houston.
Georgia won the yardage battle, the turnover battle, and the time of possession battle but Birmingham got the TD and the victory.
Federals 54 SaberCats 3
Washington starts 1986 fast as they lit up the scoreboard with 54 points. Joe Richardson threw 3 TD passes, 2 to his favorite target Luther Ellis. WR Allan Boyer joined in the fun with this 91 yard catch and run TD. San Jose threw the ball a whopping 71 times, having 6 of those intercepted, the last of which was returned 81 yards for a TD by FS Francis Vanhoose.
Showboats 41 Wheels 17
Detroit actually led at the half 17-14 but Memphis shutout the Wheels in the second half 27-0 for the lopsided victory. It seems the big time players making big time plays theme continued in this game. Memphis WR Willie Howland caught 7 passes for 142 yards and 3 TD's.
VooDoo 48 Breakers 10
New Orleans was one of the hottest teams in the second half of 1985 once Smirt took over, and he's starting 1986 the same way. It's not often one team triples the yardage of their opponent but the VooDoo did that today 638-195. New Orleans spread the ball around too, Joe Daniels caught 10 passes for 148 yards but 5 other receivers caught 1 TD each and 7 different runners took handoffs. QB James Perry threw those 5 TD passes, the longest of which to Ricky Hash for 75 yards.
Gold 15 Bell 7
Denver scored 15 4th quarter points after being shutout for 3 quarters for an uninspiring 15-7 victory in their home opener. Neither team topped 300 yards.
Steamer 10 Blitz 6
Shreveport scored the first 10 points then held on for a 10-6 victory in yet another game neither team tops 300 yards.
Blazers 34 Bulls 3
Jacksonville's first 4 drives were lost fumble, lost fumble returned for a TD, 3 and out, 3 and out. Florida led 17-0 after 1 quarter en route to an easy victory over division rival Jacksonville.
Stars 38 Hawaiians 12
Baltimore QB Jon Snow found WR Brian Darden for a TD on Baltimore's first drive, then in the 3rd qtr for an 85 yard TD to help lead Baltimore to the victory.
Express 24 Hornets 0
Los Angeles held Charlotte under 200 yards of offense and kept them out of the red zone en route to the shutout win.
Storm 17 Invaders 12
This game was decided in the red zone as both teams were there twice but Oakland's 1 FG wasn't enough to overcome Portland's 2 TD's as the Storm win in Setherick's Portland debut.
Sun 10 Thunderbolts 6
Yet another low offense, low point game but they all count the same in the standings.
Outlaws 13 Panthers 9
Michigan almost won despite losing the turnover battle 5-1. The teams combined for less than 500 yards.
Gunslingers 17 Renegades 10
San Antonio's 14 4th qtr points catapulted them to the comeback victory in yet another ugly offensive game.
(NY) Stars 19 Wranglers 3
New York had 380 yards of offense but could only muster 1 TD. Four 4th qtr FG's propel the Stars to the 19-3 victory over Arizona.
Generals 13 Maulers 12
Midway through the 3rd qtr, Pittsburgh's 4th FG gave them a 12-0 lead but New Jersey scored the final 13 points for the come from behind win.
