It's been a busy week at USFL HQ so I'll combine 2 weeks worth of games and do a team by team recap, one conference at a time. We know the 6 playoff teams from the American Conference, and we know 3 division winners, but that's about all we know.
San Jose SaberCats (10-4) In Week 13, San Jose scored 13 first half points, then went scoreless the rest of the game. Fortunately for them, their defense pitched a first half shutout and allowed only 3 second half field goals to defeat Birmingham 13-9. Week 14 saw the SaberCats travel to Detroit, where they shut out the Wheels 24-0. Rodney Richardson ran for 134 yards and a TD to help San Jose improve to 10-4, good enough to be the 1991 Pacific Division Champs and the current #4 seed.
Los Angeles Express (6-7-1) Tristan Arnold threw 2 TD passes in Week 13 as the Express built a 20-3 4th qtr lead before Shreveport made things interesting with 15 points in the final 3 minutes. The rally fell short when the onside kick failed and Los Angeles drained the clock for the 20-18 win. Week 14 was a short road trip to Anaheim to face the Sun. The Express held Southern California out of the end zone while scoring 2 TDs of their own, but 14 points isn't enough to beat 5 field goals.
Southern California Sun (5-9) If you're reading from the top of the page, you just read about Southern California's 5 FG game in Week 14, besting L.A.'s 2 TDs. In Week 13, the Sun had a road game in Arizona and the Wranglers started Zachary Kinkead, he of the very low completion %. The Sun defense did what they were supposed to do as Kinkead struggled again. Wilmer Kimble didn't struggle as he tossed 2 TDs in the 27-6 victory.
Honolulu Hawaiians (4-10) Week 13 saw Georgia visit the island paradise but both QBs were tossing picks like they were at the airport giving away leis. Derek Henry tossed 2 TD and 3 INT and the defense couldn't keep Thomas Sanchez out of the end zone as his 3 rushing TDs saw the Force take a 24-7 lead. Honolulu had a 4th qtr rally to get within 7 but couldn't get any closer than that. Week 14 saw Derek Henry tie a league record by attempting 72 passes against Shreveport. In contrast, the Steamer threw just 15 passes as they ran the ball down the Hawaiians throat. Most teams do that as their run defense is ranked 32nd, which helps explain how a team with a top 10 offense (#9 currently) has a 4-10 record.
