Heading into Week 14, the Midwest Division saw all 4 teams separated by just 1 game, and as fate would have it, Weeks 14 and 15 are basically a round robin of division games. We also have ties in the Pacific and Southeast, and once again the schedule makers gift us with those teams facing each other in Week 15. Next week is an exciting, important week for the league with so many games having playoff implications.
Wheels 22 Thunderbolts 3
In the early days of the USFL, Detroit was one of the best teams in the league, as they won World Bowls III and IV and qualified for the playoffs in 10 of the league's first 11 seasons. Eyeballl left the organization following the 1983 season, and in 1984 an AI led team made the playoffs. Fhunt3 took over a team with an AI caused cap mess, and the Wheels struggled through the last half of the 80's. The Wheels improve to 8-6 with this victory today, their best record since 1984.
Wheels QB Gabriel Flanagan was 26/37, 226 yards and a TD to Thomas Mazzeo, who had exactly 100 combined yards to lead Detroit to victory. The Wheels held Cleveland to 196 offensive yards. Next week, Detroit plays @ Michigan while Cleveland hosts Chicago.
Blitz 24 Panthers 13
Michigan rookie Walter Simmons had been on fire the last few weeks but the Chicago defense held down his output today, as they defeat Michigan and hurt the Panthers playoff chances (MFN says they're already out). Chicago RB Jay Kinder rushed for 92 yards and 2 TDs to lead the Blitz offense. Michigan had cut the lead in the 3rd qtr with a FG, making the score 17-13, but Michigan's offense went literally nowhere after that, and Kinder finally put the game away with his 2nd rushing TD at the 2 minute warning.
Storm 24 Gold 7
Portland won the game today, thanks to their defense, but the Storm offense clearly missed Timothy Roquemore. QB Oscar Willis struggled, throwing for 206 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, and while their RBBC was productive, it's just not the same without #10. Denver QB Andrew Brewer was sacked just once, but he failed to crack 180 yards while throwing 3 INTs of his own.
Portland plays Memphis next week for home field advantage, while MFN says the Denver Gold are eliminated. I think the Gold may still be alive if Oakland and one of San Jose/Honolulu finish 0-2, while Denver wins both.
Showboats 38 Gunslingers 8
The beat rolls on for Memphis, as David Allen tossed 4 more TD passes to help the Showboats break open the game in the second half and win. San Antonio was held to 166 total yards and a frustrating 0-12 on 3rd down. The Gunslingers defense "held" Memphis to 477 yards, which is nearly 100 below their average, and they forced an INT and had a sack for a safety in the first half. The Gunslingers only trailed 17-8 in the 2nd qtr before Memphis scored 21 unanswered points. The Showboats were led by Mark Lambert (85 rushing yards, 62 receiving) and Numbers Zielinski (51 rushing yards and a TD, 96 receiving yards and a TD).
Gamblers 31 Outlaws 3
Houston keeps lurking in the Memphis shadow, as they wait for an opportunity to possibly steal the Southwest from the Showboats. Gamblers QB Tony Dean had an efficient game today, completing 24/30 for 327 yards, 4 TDs and 0 INT. Hugh Chance caught 2 of those TD passes as part of his huge game (7-156-2) and Wesley Hull hauled in the other 2. Ryan Dearing didn't score, but he contributed 64 rushing yards, adding 7 receptions for 71 yards. Houston's defense held Oklahoma to 170 total yards.
Hawaiians 43 Hornets 24
Honolulu got out to a 20-0 lead, eventually extending it to 33-7 at halftime, en route to a victory to set up a huge Week 15 game against San Jose. Hawaiians QB Derek Henry threw for 373 yards with 4 TD and 2 INT, while WR Michael Argueta caught 6 for 121 yards and 3 TDs. RB Scott Stillings ran for 100 yards and a score while also catching 4 passes for 78 yards. Honolulu forced Charlotte QB Robert Ament into 3 INTs, as MFN says this loss eliminates the Hornets.
SaberCats 36 Sun 17
San Jose won a turnover filled game to set up a Pacific Division showdown against Honolulu next week. Both QBs threw 4 INTs, but San Jose QB Jake Plummer also threw 3 TDs and the SaberCats out gained the Sun 410-214. Curt Boren caught 2 of Plummer's TD passes among his 8 for 112 yards while William Smalling ran for 122.
VooDoo 17 Bandits 10
New Orleans went back to their passing game this week and Bruno Wilson did not disappoint. Wilson was 27/48, 365 yards and 2 TDs with no interceptions and the New Orleans defense forced Tampa Bay's Melvin Driggers into 5 INTs, 4 in the second half. Despite all of that, after 3 quarters of play, Tampa Bay held a 10-0 lead. New Orleans gained 225 offensive yards in the 4th quarter, scoring 17 unanswered points in the process to steal the win. Nicholas Dorey got back on track today with a TD catch and 154 receiving yards.
Renegades 20 Maulers 17
League owned Pittsburgh gave Orlando all they had, and if it weren't for 2 missed FGs, they might have pulled the upset. Maulers QB Will Allison tossed 2 TD passes to William Cox, who caught 10 overall for 90 yards, but 2 costly interceptions set up short Orlando scoring drives. Pittsburgh also had missed FG tries on their first and last drives, the second one would have tied the game very late. The Maulers defense shut down most of the Renegades offense, but they had no answer for RB Ben Dehaven today. Dehaven rushed for 156 yards and 2 TDs, helping Orlando get back into a first place tie in the Southeast with Tampa Bay.
Invaders 23 Wranglers 3
The Oakland defense held Arizona to 191 total yards, forcing 4 turnovers in defeating the Wranglers and staying one game behind Honolulu/San Jose for the #6 seed. Invaders QB Andrew Moreno threw for 270 yards, including a 66 yard TD to Nelson Martinez on their opening drive, before Marty Ball stepped in. For you young ones and memory challenged, Marty Ball refers to Marty Schottenheimer and his conservative game plans that often hurt his teams in big games. If you prefer college references, think Tressel Ball (The Ohio State). Whatever you want to call it, the plan worked as Oakland won comfortably.
Force 16 Steamer 13
Georgia upsets Shreveport, damaging their chances at the playoffs in the process. The Steamer have relied on their defense all season, so it's a surprise that the Force were able to put up 353 total yards on the Steamer today. Georgia even lost the turnover battle 3-1, yet still won. Shreveport QB Edgar Jones was 30/36, 262 yards and a TD, while Orville Barker ran for 89 but K William Neal missed 2 FGs. Georgia got 106 rushing yards from Richard Donofrio and a TD run from John Huynh, plus 3/3 FGs from Javier Gill. It was a 52 yard Gill FG at the final gun that gave Georgia the win.
Stars 24 Express 10
Baltimore QB Jon Snow was 30/46, 294 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT to help the Stars break open a 7-7 game in the 4th quarter and win home field advantage. Los Angeles fought hard, but Knob Creek, Mark Numbers, and Jeffrey Zimmer were just too much to keep down for 60 minutes. Zimmer caught 5 for 93 and a TD, Knob Creek had a combined 117 yards (45 rushing, 72 receiving) and Mark Numbers caught 6 passes for 63 yards and a TD, adding 38 rushing for 101 total.
Federals 43 Bulls 0
The Baltimore win shuts the door on a division title for Washington, but they secured the top wildcard in shutting out Jacksonville today. The Federals defense held the Bulls to 196 yards and forced 4 turnovers, 3 of those interceptions. Jacksonville never even reached the red zone today. Washington QB Scott Bieber threw for 338 yards and 3 TDs, one to Robert Sullivan who had a combined 188 yards. Sullivan caught 8 for 132, adding 56 rushing yards, while teammate James Dunn ran for 76 and a TD, adding 4 catches, 35 yards and a TD reception. All Pro K John Bazile booted 5 FGs, and leads the league with 40 made FGs this season.
Bell 27 Generals 26
New Jersey lost any realistic chance at a BYE today as Philadelphia outscored the Generals in the 4th qtr 17-7, turning a 19-10 deficit into a 27-26 win. Bell QB Robert Hernandez was 29/36, 259 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT. Both TD passes went to Andres Freeman, who caught 7 for 115 overall. New Jersey won the turnover battle 3-1, but Ric Flair couldn't get much going through the air as the Generals tried way too many FGs.
Breakers 13 Blazers 10 (OT)
Boston got a 75 yard Edward Swafford to Alfred Gale TD inside the 2 minute warning to tie the game at 10 and K Donald Dosch nailed a 49 yard FG in OT to win the game for the Breakers. Boston got the ball first in OT, and their FG drive took 6:18 off the clock, forcing Florida to sort of hurry to get in FG range. David Jackson intercepted Sidney Maggard for the walk off interception.
(NY) Stars 23 Stallions 6
Birmingham scored first and last, but New York did all of the scoring in between to continue the Stallions' miserable 1990. RB Cam Dalton had 149 combined yards and the Stars defense held Birmingham to 225 total yards. QB Willie Bust finished 20/27, 224 yards and a TD pass to Joseph Clark.
