Week 14 Roundup: Here Come the Generals

James Lockette, DT, New Jersey

After being shut out by the New York Stars in Week 7, the New Jersey Generals were 2-5 and looked to be dead in the water. But, as we all know, looks can be deceiving.

New Jersey LDE James Lockette had 4 sacks, 11 hurries, and 4 tackles as the Generals extended their win steak to seven games by outlasting the Honolulu Hawaiians, 18-14. New Jersey is now 9-5, tied with the Birmingham Stallions (9-5) for the two National Conference wild card playoff spots.

The Generals and Stallions are one game ahead of the Baltimore Stars (8-6) and Georgia Force (8-6), which sets up a very, very interesting final two weeks.

New Jersey finishes with games against Baltimore and Orlando (7-7). Birmingham finishes with games against Georgia and the Oklahoma Outlaws (10-4). Baltimore finishes with games against New Jersey and the Pittsburgh Maulers (9-4-1). Georgia finishes with games against Birmingham and the New Orleans VooDoo (1-13).

So, anything could happen. And, throwing an even bigger monkey wrench into things is the fact three of the four divisions have not been clinched. The division-leading Maulers, Stars, and Shreveport Steamer could all fall by the wayside over the final two weeks.

Baltimore could have done itself a big favor in Week 14, but the Stars fell to Pittsburgh, 23-7. So, for now, it looks like the Maulers are on their way to a fourth consecutive Atlantic Division title. Pittsburgh outscored Baltimore, 16-0, in a fourth quarter that included a sack for a safety by Nathaniel Miles with less than 2 minutes to play.

Honolulu LDE Lloyd Pursell recorded seven sacks against New Jersey, one shy of the league record, in addition to 11 hurries and nine tackles.

In other Week 14 games:

• Memphis Showboats RB Gregory Shea continues to add to his record-breaking season. Shea had his second 109-yard kickoff return of the season, and sixth return for a TD, as Memphis nipped the Houston Gamblers, 24-23. Shea now holds the USFL/WFL record for kickoff return TDs in a game (3), season (6) and career (11). Gamblers FB August Madrid caught six passes for 151 yards and three TDs.
• The Arizona Wranglers clinched their first-ever playoff berth with a 34-10 win over the Jacksonville Bulls. Backup QB Ralph Trowbridge, pressed into action due to a season-ending injury to starter Jerry Montalvo, had one of the best days of his forgettable career. Trowbridge was 21-for-31 passing for 306 yards with three TDs and one interception.
• The Oklahoma Outlaws are also in the playoffs for the first time. Oklahoma routed the San Antonio Gunslingers, 33-14, as five different Outlaws intercepted passes and LDE Joe Braatz had two sacks.
• Detroit QB Mario Valencia threw four TD passes as the Wheels improved to 14-0 with a 39-10 romp past the Washington Federals. Washington was actually ahead for 9 minutes of the first quarter, thanks to Roger Saddler's 97-yard return of the opening kickoff. Valencia has 42 TD passes this season, one fewer than Gene Nowlin of the Los Angeles Express.
• Shreveport (10-4) won its sixth in a row after a 4-4 start by shutting down the Georgia Force, 30-7. Shreveport scored 27 points in the first half, including a 101-yard kickoff return by Gerry Tucker.
• The San Jose SaberCats outscored the Portland Storm, 37-31, meaning Portland (8-6) will sit out the playoffs for the first time in four seasons.

Week 15 Preview

The National Conference playoff race will get a little closer to being settled Saturday. The biggest single game is in Baltimore, where the Stars (8-6) host the New Jersey Generals (9-5). The Birmingham Stallions (9-5) are at the Georgia Force (8-6) in a big South Division game.

Record Book

Washington Federals MLB Travis Curcio and Southern California Sun MLB James Kelley are tied for the league's career lead in tackles at 436 apiece. Denver Gold CB Donald Lopez is the career leader in missed tackles (101, 23 more than second place).

Week 13 Roundup: Good News, Bad News

Jerry Montalvo, QB, Arizona

The Arizona Wranglers moved a step closer to their first-ever postseason berth Tuesday by throttling the Portland Storm, 33-10, but the victory came at a steep price.

Jerry Montalvo, Arizona's star QB, suffered a 10-week knee injury in the fourth quarter. With his knee's health rating currently at 2, it is doubtful Montalvo would be ready for the playoffs. He has thrown for 4,177 yards and 35 TDs so far this season.

Montalvo was on target all day against Portland, completing 26 of 34 passes for 351 yards and two TDs and Ralph Trowbridge, Montalvo's much-maligned backup, fired his first TD pass of the season.

Trowbridge started for the Wranglers for two seasons. He threw 58 TDs and 56 interceptions, with QBRs of 74.78 and 63.19. His surrounding cast will be much better this time around, however.

Perhaps Arizona (10-3) can still fend off the Oakland Invaders (9-4) and Portland (8-5). The Wranglers finish with games against Jacksonville (4-9), Memphis (3-10) and Oakland.

In other Week 13 games:

• The Birmingham Stallions (9-4) and Shreveport Steamer (9-4) both won to stay tied atop the South Division, one game ahead of Georgia (8-5).
• The Cleveland Thunderbolts topped the Oakland Invaders, 26-16. Both teams are 9-4, one game ahead of Portland for the final American Conference wild card spot. Cleveland's 20-point second quarter included a pair of Brandon Robertson TD passes. Oakland's Christopher Curtis returned a kickoff 100 yards for a score, his third return TD of the season.
• Although the platoon QB system will be in trouble when V4.3 comes out, it is working pretty well right now for some coaches. New Jersey QBs Stephen Labelle and Doug Fluty combined for 22 completions in 31 attempts, 514 passing yards, and six TDs as the Generals totally eclipsed the Southern California Sun, 54-0. New Jersey (8-5) has won six in a row and is tied with Baltimore for the final National Conference playoff berth.
• The Detroit Wheels, still seeking the USFL/WFL's first undefeated regular season, limited Michigan to 152 total yards in a 46-3 win over the Panthers. Detroit LDE Josh Daughtry was credited with four sacks.
• Oklahoma DT Andrew Wu came up big at the end of the Outlaws' 26-21 victory over the Memphis Showboats. Wu stuffed Memphis RB Gregory Shea on third-and-2, forcing the Showboats to settle for a field goal. Wu's third-down sack with just over 2 minutes to play sealed the win.
• Denver Gold CB Donald Lopez intercepted three passes, giving him 25 for his career, during a 16-10 loss to the Orlando Renegades. Denver LDE George Turner had 11 tackles, 2 sacks and an interception.
• Houston Gamblers RDE Paul Walker had 13 hurries, 2 sacks, 4 tackles, and a fumble recovery during his team's 34-9 loss to Georgia.

Week 14 Preview

The Atlantic Division lead will be up for grabs when the Pittsburgh Maulers (8-4-1) host the Baltimore Stars (8-5). The South Division could be back in a three-way tie if the Georgia Force (8-5) beats the Shreveport Steamer (9-4) and the Orlando Renegades (6-7) knock off the Birmingham Stallions (9-4). Division leaders meet when the New York Stars (10-3) host the Tampa Bay Bandits (12-1).

Record Book

Denver Gold CB Donald Lopez picked off three passes vs. Orlando on Tuesday, giving him 25 interceptions for his career. Lopez ranks third on the USFL/WFL career list behind Georgia's Richard Glasgow (28), Detroit's David Peralta (28), and San Antonio's Leon Crisman (27).

Coach's Profile

tribewriter (right)

tribewriter, New York Stars

Playing MFN Since: November, 2016

Hometown (town, state): Ennis, MT

Current residence (town, state): Dayton, OH

Day job: Marketing writer/editor

Favorite teams (all sports): Cleveland Indians, Ohio State Buckeyes, Wright State Raiders

A real-life sports experience: During my sports writer days, the only time I ever asked for an autograph was after interviewing Hank Aaron. I still have that notebook stored among my most prized possessions.

A fantasy sports experience: My first fantasy experience was playing Strat-O-Matic basketball while in college. My favorite team was the Seattle SuperSonics. I coached Seattle to Game 7 of the league championship against my roommate. Lonnie Shelton missed two free throws at the end of the game and Seattle lost. My roommate reminds of this every time we talk.

Coach's Corner: (tip for a new MFN coach): If you haven't started writing rules, do so now! You can start off with just a few for special situations, then expand. It takes time, but you are so much more in control of the outcome than with trusting your coach's gameplan.

Week 12 Roundup: Could Wheels go 16-0?

Mario Valencia, QB, Detroit Wheels

The Detroit Wheels have their sights set on the first undefeated regular season in league history.

Bradley Mondragon intercepted two passes and Mario Valencia fired three TD passes as the Wheels trampled the Atlantic Division-leading Baltimore Stars, 31-3. Mondragon's last pick was his seventh of the season, two shot of his career high and three shy of the league's single-season record.

Detroit, last season's World Bowl winner, will be a big favorite in all four of its remaining games vs. the Michigan Panthers (4-7-1), Washington Federals (1-11), Charlotte Hornets (5-7), and Chicago Blitz (6-6).

The 1976 Tampa Bay Bandits, 1975 Chicago Blitz and Georgia Force, and 1974 Florida Blazers were all 15-1 during the regular season.

In other Week 12 games:

• Arizona's Curtis Scott had 63 yards rushing, 154 yards receiving, 57 return yards, 15 run blocks, and scored a pair of TDs during his team's 23-13 win over the Orlando Renegades. The win kept the Wranglers (9-3) tied with Oakland for first place in the West Division.
• The Invaders knocked Portland out of what had been a three-way tie for first by outlasting the Storm, 29-20. Shawn Arzona recorded his fifth interception of the season for Oakland. Arzola, the No 1 pick in the league's allocation draft in 1974, came into the season with zero pickoffs.
• Los Angeles trailed New York, 28-17, with 2:50 to play. The Express then scored a TD, recovered an onside kick, scored another TD, and intercepted a pass in the end zone to escape with a 31-28 victory.
• The Georgia Force bounced back from last week's embarrassing defeat to Birmingham in a big way, knocking off Southwest Division leader Oklahoma, 21-13. Georgia WLB Michael Monday and MLB Jeffrey Cloyd combined for 18 tackles and five sacks.

Week 13 Preview

We could go right back to another three-way tie in the West Division if the Portland Storm (8-4) beat the Arizona Wranglers (9-3) and the Oakland Invaders (9-3) fall to the Cleveland Thunderbolts (8-4). The Baltimore Stars (8-4) and New York Stars (9-3) meet in a battle of division leaders.

Record Book

David Peralta and Bradley Mondragon of the Detroit Wheels have nine and seven interceptions respectively this season. The league's single-season record is 10, shared by San Antonio's Leon Crisman (1974), Chicago's Robert Gonzales (1975), and Oakland's Edward Alston (1974).

Week 11 Roundup: Crook Sets League Record

Agustin Crook, QB, Birmingham

A few seasons may have passed since Agustin Crook was the USFL/WFL offensive co-MVP, but he's still got it.

The Birmingham QB set league records with 709 yards passing and 10 TDs as the Stallions overwhelmed the Georgia Force, 76-24. Crook, a 13th-year pro, broke the records of 682 yards, set last season by Orlando's David Judkins, and nine TDs, jointly held by Oakland's Les Lacy, Cleveland's Brandon Robertson, and New Orleans' Vincent Goode.

The win knocked Georgia (6-5) out of a three-way tie for first place in the South Division and kept Birmingham (7-4) tied atop the division with the Shreveport Steamer.

The Stallions had 14 drives. Ten resulted in TDs, two in field goals, one in a punt, and the game ended with Birmingham getting ready to score again after an 11-play drive. Lee Rice, last season's Rookie of the Year, caught seven passes for 322 yards and three TDs.

In other Week 11 games:

• Portland DT Andre Lumley recorded seven sacks, one shy of the league record, during.the Storm's 30-16 victory over the Arizona Wranglers. Lumley dominated the entire game, finishing with 10 tackles and 15 hurries as well. Portland's win put the Storm back into a three-way tie in the West Division with Arizona and Oakland, all at 8-3.
• Houston Gamblers LDE Rolando Moulton had 15 hurries and two sacks in his team's 21-13 triumph over the San Antonio Gunslingers.
• Baltimore Stars RB Jordan Devers rushed for 83 yards and caught five passes for 145 more during a 35-12 win over the Washington Federals.
• The Memphis Showboas scored what appeared to be the tying touchdown with 29 seconds left against Michigan, but missed the PAT as the Panthers escaped with a 31-30 win.
• New Philadelphia Bell coach Redtailhawk picked up his first victory, a 12-6 decision over the Southern California Sun. Philadelphia FS Jason Hubbard iced the win with an interception at the 35 with 1:53 to play.
• The New Jersey Generals have won four in a row after beating the New York Stars, 23-10. Mike Williams' interception was a highlight for New Jersey, which limited New York to 209 net yards.

Week 12 Preview

The Detroit Wheels (11-0) host the Baltimore Stars (8-3) in a battle of division leaders. Another battle of division leaders sees the New York Stars (9-2)  hosting the Los Angeles Express (8-3). The Portland Storm (8-3) and Oakland Invaders (8-3) will break one-third of the three-way tie atop the West Division.

Record Book

Birmingham QB Agustin Crook, in his 13th pro season, is on pace to set his career high for QBR at 111.54. His QBR in 1975 was 109.10, one season after being traded to the Stallions by the Denver Gold.

Coach's Profile

jabillups85, Cleveland Thunderbolts

jabillups85, Cleveland Thunderbolts
Playing MFN Since: 3/22/16 (Wow, I didn't realize it had been almost two years!)
Hometown (town, state): Laurelville, OH
Current residence (town, state): Tipp City, OH
Day job: PE teacher
Favorite teams (all sports): The Ohio State Buckeyes
A real-life sports experience: January 1st, 2015, Ezekiel Elliott goes "85 yards through the heart of the south" to clinch the game vs. Alabama. Buckeyes then go on to win the National Championship.
A fantasy sports experience: Won the 2017 MFN Fantasy Football league with a 12-1 record.
Coach's Corner: (tip for a new MFN coach): Ask questions of the owners who win!

Week 10 Roundup: The Fat Lady is Warming Up

Santiago Smith, WR, LAX

Now is the time of the season when teams begin ordering the champagne.

The Los Angeles Express, Oklahoma Outlaws, Tampa Bay Bandits, Detroit Wheels, and New York Stars all lead their divisions by four games with six to play.

Los Angeles WR Santiago Smith caught seven passes for 267 yards and three TDs during a 37-20 win over the San Jose SaberCats. Oklahoma LDE Joe Braatz had 5 tackles, 3 sacks, and 13 hurries as the Outlaws shut down San Antonio, 28-10, all but ending the Gunslingers' three-year reign atop the Southwest Division.

The Cleveland Thunderbolts had two late opportunities to topple unbeaten Detroit, but both went by the wayside during the Wheels' 16-10 victory. Cleveland was at the Detroit 18 with 2:40 to play, but a sack by RDE Israel Rogers killed that drive. After Detroit QB Mario Valencia threw his third interception of the day, Cleveland moved to a first down at the 9. The Thunderbolts decided to run on the last two plays of the game, and netted only a yard before time expired.

In other Week 10 games:

• The South Division remains in a three-way tie after the Georgia Force, Shreveport Steamer, and Birmingham Stallions all notched Week 10 victories.
• Chicago WR Chester Landes caught 10 passes for 246 yards and three TDs and also threw 16 run blocks as the Blitz (5-5) stayed in the playoff chase via a 23-18 win over the Memphis Showboats. Chris Farrel kicked a 48-yard field goal with 1:08 to play, giving Memphis an 18-17 lead. But, two plays later, Daniel McKee found Landes behind the Showboats secondary for the 55-yard game-winning touchdown.
• The Portland Storm, who gave up 70 points to Tampa Bay last week, rebounded with a solid defensive performance during a 20-13 win over the Orlando Renegades. Portland MLB William Bennett recorded three sacks, forced a fumble and recovered it for Portland, which shut out Orlando in the second half. Portland CB Timothy McLaughlin had 12 tackles.
• The Honolulu Hawaiians knocked Oakland a game behind West Division leader Arizona by beating the Invaders, 13-10. FS Brent Sylvain intercepted an Oakland pass in the end zone, then WR Dustin Smith outran the Oakland secondary for an 80-yard TD pass on the next play to tie the score, 10-10. Samuel Hoye's 25-yard field goal with 2:32 remaining was the game-winner for the Hawaiians.
• The shocker of the day came in Charlotte, where the Hornets knocked off Atlantic Division leader Baltimore, 20-6. Charlotte DT Derek Mattison had 8 tackles, 4 hurries, a sack, and an interception.
• SoCal QB James Perry threw for 426 yards and four TDs, but the Boston Breakers edged the Sun, 38-29, behind four TD passes from Michael Temples.
• The Washington Federals picked up their first victory, edging the Michigan Panthers, 23-21. Richard Brazier had one of Washington's three interceptions.

Week 11 Preview

Three teams fighting for the top of the West Division face significant tests. The Oakland Invaders (7-3) host the Pacific Division-leading Los Angeles Express (8-2) while the division leader Arizona Wranglers (8-2) are at home against the Portland Storm (7-3).

Record Book

The fewest points given up in a season is 168 (10.5 per game), by the 1974 Florida Blazers. Last season's Detroit Wheels gave up 169. Both teams won the World Bowl championships in those seasons. The most points scored in a season is 636 (39.75 per game), by the 1975 Oakland Invaders, who also won the World Bowl. The Tampa Bay Bandits are on pace to break Oakland's record, with 435 points (43.5 per game) through 10 weeks.

Coach's Profile

SunBlaze22, San Jose Sabercats

Playing MFN: For almost three years now (with breaks in-between).

Hometown: Brighton, CO

SunBlaze22, San Jose SaberCats

Current Residence: Lakewood, CO

Day Job: Forensic science technician

Favorite Sports Teams: Oakland Raiders, Miami Dolphins, Boston Red Sox

A Real-Life Sports Experience: Growing up, I always loved playing and watching football. My friends and I would play it in the back yard all the time. In high school, I played on the football team. I originally played as a WR for the first fews years. My final year of high school I left the team to work on my academics and other hobbies. I loved playing; I just wasn’t very good at it. But it was a very good experience for me.

A Fantasy Sports Experience: Not much else except for playing on here. I’ve helped a few people out with fantasy leagues, but never actually played myself.

Coach’s Corner: Don’t be afraid to change things up if they aren’t working for you. Change around players, formations, and plays till you find what works best for you and your team. Also, a lot of players look better on the field than they do on paper. Keep the guys that you can rely on during the game. Just because a player has high ratings doesn’t mean they’ll play great.

Week 9 Roundup

Look who's in first place in the Atlantic Division. And it's not Pittsburgh.

Hector Morris, Baltimore Stars

The Baltimore Stars scored the last 23 points of the game to outscore the Boston Breakers, 39-20. Baltimore's five-game winning streak put the Stars at 7-2, a half-game ahead of the Maulers (6-2-1). Pittsburgh, seeking its fourth consecutive division title, fought the Michigan Panthers to a 10-10 tie.

Hector Morris caught five passes for 186 yards and three TDs for Baltimore. Les Lynch recorded his league-high 14th sack of the season.

Pittsburgh fumbled the ball away with 19 seconds left in regulation time, but Michigan wasn't able to move into field goal position. Neither team threatened to score in overtime.

In other Week 9 games:

• New York Stars WR Allen Howard caught 11 passes for 370 yards, third-highest in league history, and three TDs in a 36-3 win over the Bell in Philadelphia.
• Orlando's 35-13 win over the Georgia Force and Shreveport's 30-24 victory over Birmingham resulted in a three-way tie in the South Division at 5-4.
• Tampa Bay WR Edward Conner accumulated 277 yards on eight receptions, five for TDs, as the Bandits stunned the Portland Storm, 70-33. Tampa Bay had 746 net yards, averaging 14 yards per play.
• Anthony Schaefer's 27-yard field goal as time expired lifted the Arizona Wranglers to a 22-20 victory over the Honolulu Hawaiians. Arizona got the ball back on its 24 with 5:15 to play and drove all the way to the Hawaiians' 8 before Schaefer kicked the game-winner.
• Doug Fluty's 20-yard pass to Damon Rosato with 1:53 to play gave the New Jersey Generals a 20-16 win over the San Jose SaberCats.
• The Charlotte Hornets defense held Washington to 204 total yards in a 31-6 decision over the Federals. MLB Eduardo Sorensen intercepted a pass for Charlotte.
• The Oklahoma Outlaws were without injured star QB Dale Brown, but Shawn Whitmire and Robert Brockett split the duties and performed well (358 yards passing, two TDs) during a 44-13 stomping of the Memphis Showboats. Just when it appeared the Southwest Division race was going to get interesting, the Outlaws are 6-3 and everyone else is 3-6.
• The New Orleans VooDoo picked up their first win of the season, edging the Houston Gamblers, 30-23, on James Nantz's 3-yard TD run with just over a minute to play.

Week 10 Preview

The Portland Storm (6-3) host the Orlando Renegades (5-4) in a game likely to have postseason implications for both. The San Antonio Gunslingers (3-6) face a must-win situation at Oklahoma (6-3). The Cleveland Thunderbolts (6-3) will try to hand division foe Detroit (9-0) its first loss.

Record Book

Allen Howard's 370-yard receiving game against Philadelphia in Week 9 was only the third-highest single-game receiving total in league history. Oklahoma's Dusty Heckman had 394 yards on just eight receptions (49.25 per catch) against the Chicago Blitz earlier this season. Thomas Canale of the New Orleans VooDoo had 384 vs. Orlando in 1974, which stood as the record until this season.

Coach's Profile

Mcarovil, Tampa Bay

Mcarovil, Tampa Bay Bandits
Playing MFN Since:2016
Hometown (town, state): Marlboro, NJ
Current residence (town, state): Boca Raton, FL but moving to Ottawa, CA, in 3 months
Day job: DEA agent
Favorite teams (all sports): Browns, Cavs, NY Rangers
A real-life sports experience: My mom got hit on by David Concepion, SS for the Cincinnati Reds, during a NY Mets game. I wanted an autograph. He gave his number to my mom, ha ha.
A fantasy sports experience: King of Fantasy Football
Coach's Corner: (tip for a new MFN coach): Speed is a great attribute. Rules that incorporate man and zone defenses enough to offset overuse penalties are key against veteran owners looking to get an advantage with 3 WR sets. :

Week 8 Roundup

Gregory Shea, RB, Memphis

The second half of the USFL/WFL season looks like it's going to offer some craziness to fans of the Southwest Division teams.

RB Gregory Shea set a USFL/WFL record with kickoff returns of 109 yards, 105 yards, and 99 yards during a 41-27 loss to the Detroit Wheels. Shea's 405 return yards were also a single-game record. His five TD returns this season are a league record. His 10 career kick return TDs are also a league record.

Shea was the 21st player taken in the 1974 allocation draft. His ratings include 92 speed, 92 acceleration, 85 break tackle, 85 ball carrying, and 92 kick catching.

The Showboats are still alive in the playoff hunt despite having lost three in a row to fall to 3-5. Detroit QB Mario Valencia threw five TD passes.

Oklahoma currently holds the lead at 5-3, but QB Dale Brown suffered what may be a season-ending knee surgery during his team's 38-29 Week 8 win over the Shreveport Steamer. Outlaws coach beltmann has only two games under his belt, so nobody knows what direction Oklahoma will go.

Brown managed to play on his bum knee the rest of the game, even throwing a clinching TD pass with 2 minutes to play. His 26 TD tosses this season rank one behind Valencia and Arizona's Jerry Montalvo.

San Antonio, seeking its fourth consecutive division title, continues to falter. The Gunslingers lost to the Portland Storm, 20-14. Portland CB Timothy McLaughlin intercepted three passes against San Antonio.

And the Houston Gamblers are still alive after an 0-5 start. Houston has won three in a row for the first time in franchise history, rolling to a 55-24 win over the Michigan Panthers.

Houston outscored Michigan, 38-0, over the middle two quarters. The Gamblers set a franchise record for points in a game while compiling 669 yards of total offense. WR David Nelson caught 11 passes for 192 yards and TDs of 21 and 55 yards from QB James Lightfoot. Houston, 0-3 in its previous meetings with the Panthers, has averaged 46 points per game during its current streak.

In other Week 8 games:

• The Georgia Force and Birmingham Stallions are once again tied atop the South Division at 5-3 after the Stallions trampled the Philadelphia Bell, 51-6, and the Force fell to the Tampa Bay Bandits, 33-16.
• The Oakland Invaders gave a victory to outgoing coach Wolveraider, beating the Orlando Renegades, 26-14, behind 135 yards rushing and a TD from RB Jason Brooks. Wolveraider announced his resignation after the game, handing over the reins to wayne110. Orlando DT Bryan Johnson had nine tackles and nine hurries.
• The Los Angeles Express took a two-game lead over San Jose in the Pacific Division by defeating the SaberCats, 47-16. LAX running backs Seth Wynn and Robert Sanders combined for 312 yards rushing.
• The Southern California Sun had been 0-7 all-time against Honolulu before stunning the Hawaiians, 33-17. Leonard Arredondo rushed for 212 yards and two TDs.
• The Baltimore Stars managed only 155 net yards, but somehow managed to edge the Cleveland Thunderbolts, 16-15. An 8-yard TD pass from QB John Peters to RB Jeremy Cooper midway through the fourth quarter gave Baltimore the lead. Cleveland moved to the Stars' 44 in the final minute, but that final drive was snuffed out via a sack by Baltimore DT Felix Long. The Stars are tied with Pittsburgh atop the Atlantic Division at 6-2.
• Chicago QB Daniel McKee threw five TD passes as the Blitz edged the Washington Federals, 48-41. McKee found TE George Allen for TDs of 73 and 78 yards in the first 3 minutes of the game. Chicago evened its record at 4-4 with its third consecutive win.

Week 9 Preview

We could see a three-way tie in the South Division if the Shreveport Steamer (4-4) defeat the Birmingham Stallions (5-3) and the Georgia Force (5-3) lose to the Orlando Renegades (4-4). We already have a three-way tie in the West Division, but the Portland Storm (6-2) have a tough task this week in the Tampa Bay Bandits (7-1). The Houston Gamblers (3-5) will try to extend their franchise-record three-game win streak with a victory against the New Orleans VooDoo (0-8).

Record Book

Oklahoma WR Dusty Heckman is on pace to break his own USFL/WFL single-season receiving yardage record. Heckman has 1,317 yards so far in 1977. He accumulated 2,548 receiving yards last season and is already the league's all-time leader with exactly 6,500 yards.

Coach's Profile

mwd65, Los Angeles Express

Playing MFN Since: December 2016

mwd65, Express

Hometown (town, state): Cicero, N.Y.

Current residence (town, state): North Syracuse, N.Y.

Day job: Sixth-grade teacher

Favorite teams (all sports): New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Buccaneers

A real-life sports experience: Meeting Jerome Bettis and thinking "I could tackle him"... until we shook hands ... this ended my football aspirations.

A fantasy sports experience: Playing in four fantasy football leagues and making it to the Super Bowl every time.

Coach's Corner: (tip for a new MFN coach): Don't be quick to "blow up" a team you just took over. Go slow, set small goals, and learn from mistakes.

Week 7: Wranglers Win a Wild One

The Detroit Wheels are now the only unbeaten team in the USFL/WFL after Week 7. The Arizona Wranglers won a crazy 54-51 overtime decision over Tampa Bay, handing the Bandits their first loss.

The teams battled to a 41-41 tie at the 2-minute warning. Then came the insanity — 20 points in the final 2 minutes.

Jerry Montalvo, QB, Arizona

Thomas Hummell's 37-yard field goal with 1:46 to go gave the Bandits a brief 44-41 lead. Arizona QB Jerry Montalvo needed only two plays to get the go-ahead touchdown, firing passes of 31 yards to RB Quincy White and 44 yards to WR Cory Robinzine, as the Wranglers led, 48-44, with 1:33 to play.

Tampa Bay's Luis Gero directed a 75-yard drive in six plays that ended with a 7-yard TD pass to WR Edward Conner. There were only 46 seconds to go when Arizona got the ball back, trailing, 51-48. But Montalvo completed three more passes, setting up Anthony Schaefer's tying 54-yard field goal on the final play of regulation time.

The Bandits punted into the end zone on their first possession in overtime. Montalvo's 44-yard pass to TE Joshua Wright and White's 9-yard run on third down set up Schaefer's 46-yard game-winning field goal.

Only 4 yards of total offense separated the teams (660-656). Tampa Bay's Conner caught 10 passes for 271 yards and four TDs. White and Curtis Scott combined for 147 yards rushing for Arizona. Robinzine caught 11 passes for 157 yards and two scores. Montalvo threw for 511 passing yards and six TDs.

Amazingly, this was not the highest-scoring totals for two teams in USFL/WFL history. In Week 15 of the 1974 season, the Oakland Invaders topped the San Antonio Gunslingers, 57-52, in regulation time.

In other Week 7 games:

• The Pittsburgh Maulers will have some competition as they seek their fourth consecutive Atlantic Division title. Pittsburgh fell to the Chicago Blitz, 22-13, while the Baltimore Stars pulled into a first-place tie via their 27-24 win over the Orlando Renegades. Baltimore CB Earl Buneo's interception forced overtime and CB Mark Murphy's interception set up Bernard Twiggs' 45-yard game-winner.
• The Georgia Force took over first place in the South Division with a 26-12 win over the Shreveport Steamer. Herman Wiltse's 67-yard TD run on a defensive overuse penalty with 1:25 to play clinched the win for Georgia.
• New Oklahoma coach beltmann picked up a victory just hours after being named head coach, the Outlaws fending off the Cleveland Thunderbolts, 10-7. Cleveland LDE George Simmons had 3 sacks, 3 tackles, and 12 hurries, but kicker Dustin Henry missed a 29-yard field goal attempt with 1:16 remaining.
• The New York Stars recorded the first shutout in franchise history, blanking the New Jersey Generals, 19-0. New Jersey got no closer to the New York goal line than the 38 until its final drive of the game.
• Ronald Hensley's 43-yard field goal in overtime lifted the San Antonio Gunslingers past the New Orleans VooDoo, 20-17. New Orleans kicker John Langdon had missed a 24-yard attempt earlier in OT.

Week 8 Preview

The Cleveland Thunderbolts (5-2) are at the Baltimore Stars (5-2) in the MFN Game of the Week. The Tampa Bay Bandits (6-1) will try to snap their one-game losing streak with a win at the Georgia Force (5-2). The San Jose SaberCats (4-3) will try to pull into a first-place tie in the Pacific Division by beating the Los Angeles Express (5-2).

Record Book

Oklahoma QB Dale Brown threw seven interceptions in a loss to Houston earlier this season. The single-game record is eight, set by Gene Nowlin of the Los Angeles Express in a 1975 loss to the Georgia Force. Nowlin was picked off 24 times that season — but only 19 in his other three seasons combined. He also has 102 career TD passes.

Coach's Profile

AlexanDragon, Denver Gold

AlexanDragon, Denver Gold

Alexandre, 23, had a "skyrim" phase 11 months ago. Came out as AlexanDragon. I’m a big rocket league player. I was an athlete; now a lazy gamer. I LOOOOOVE animals. I also love old cars. My dream is to have a sanctuary for animals in need and a big garage to build my own rat rod from scrap. The highlight of my life right now is my relationship with my girlfriend of 6 years soon (I had to say this because she's watching me right now and I want to sleep in the bed tonight, not on the couch) and buying back my parents’ house for them to get their dream retirement house!

Playing MFN Since: 11months and addicted

Hometown (town, state): Laval, Quebec (Montréal suburb)

Current residence (town, state): Same as hometown

Day job: High-rise window washer (summer); operations team for the Montréal Impact soccer team (winter).

Favorite teams (all sports): Canadiens de Montréal, unfortunately

A real-life sports experience: Beating the Granby team that hosted a tournament and decided to play against us because we were the worst-ranked team in the tournament … and shutting them out in front of 8,000 local supporters! My favorite hockey memory.

A fantasy sports experience: Never did any fantasy pool of any kind.

Coach's Corner: (tip for a new MFN coach): Read community forums. Some are ridiculously helpful.

Week 6: Zeros to Heros

Bradley Sharp, WR, Houston Gamblers

 Two teams earned their first victories of the season during the USFL/WFL's Week 6.


The Houston Gamblers got off the schneid by knocking off the division-leading Oklahoma Outlaws, 40-34. Oklahoma led, 27-17, but James Lightfoot's 12-yard TD pass to Bradley Sharp early in the fourth quarter gave Houston a 37-34 advantage. The Outlaws' chances in the fourth quarter were snuffed out via a missed field goal, two interceptions, and a turnover on downs. Lightfoot completed 23 of 36 passes for 443 yards and five TDs (to five different receivers).

The Southern California Sun scored 20 points in the fourth quarter to defeat the Michigan Panthers, 37-31. Leonard Arredando rushed for 102 yards and two TDs and James Perry passed for 451 yards and two more TDs. CB Galen Cummins sealed the victory by intercepting a pass at the 9-yard line with 1:36 to go.

In other Week 6 games:

• Tampa Bay Bandits RB Ralph Allen ran for 48 yards and caught six passes for 305 yards and four TDs. Tampa Bay broke away to defeat the Invaders, 48-20, by scoring 24 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. All four of Allen's TDs were on hot reads by QB Tyrone Harvell for TDs of 70, 63, 75, and 83 yards.
• Chester Dougherty threw a 50-yard TD pass to Jim Aguirre in overtime, giving the Cleveland Thunderbolts a 19-13 win over the Honolulu Hawaiians.
•  Karl Moore's 5-yard TD pass to Lee Rice with less than 9 minutes to play helped the Birmingham Stallions to a 20-16 win over New Orleans, keeping the VooDoo winless.
•  New Jersey Generals RDE Tom Woodland was credited with 19 hurries and two sacks during a 29-9 win over the Charlotte Hornets. Woodland fell two hurries short of the league record shared by Honolulu Hawaiians teammates James Tolentino and Stanley Thompson.
• Orlando Renegades CB John Borkowski intercepted two passes and recorded 10 tackles as his team beat the Jacksonville Bulls, 23-6.
• Baltimore Stars QB John Peters threw for 533 yards and five TDs during a 51-16 win over the Philadelphia Bell. Baltimore (4-2) stayed a game behind Pittsburgh in the Atlantic Division.
• The Pittsburgh Maulers, seeking their fourth consecutive division title, routed the Boston Breakers, 37-10. The Maulers defense limited Boston to minus-6 yards rushing.

Week 7 Preview

The Shreveport Steamer (4-2) and Georgia Force (4-2) square off for first place in the South Division. The Southern California Sun (1-5) and Houston Gamblers (1-5), both coming off their first victories of the season, meet in the Astrodome.

Coach's Profile

pdoug20

pdoug20, Boston Breakers
Playing MFN Since: Christmas Day 2015
Hometown (town, state): Hartford, CT
Current residence (town, state): Bristol, CT
Day job: Fifth-grade teacher/assistant college volleyball coach
Favorite teams (all sports): Chiefs (NFL), Braves (MLB), Stars (NHL), Florida State Seminoles and UConn Huskies (NCAA)
A real-life sports experience: First, meeting Gordie Howe when I was 10; Second, seeing the Tuck Rule Game in person in Foxboro in 2002 (for the record, it WAS a fumble!).
A fantasy sports experience: I've been playing fantasy sports since I was in high school, so I don't really have one experience that stands out over another.
Coach's Corner: (tip for a new MFN coach): Lean on your veteran owners as much as you can, and don't be afraid to ask for help. Also, be patient- consistency works much better in the long run!

Week 5 Roundup: The Unbreakable David Schmitt

David Schmitt, QB, San Jose SaberCats

The San Jose SaberCats are back in the thick of the playoff race, thanks to David Schmitt.

The San Jose quarterback threw five TD passes Thursday as the SaberCats nipped the Boston Breakers, 38-34. The win improved the SaberCats to 3-2, putting them a game behind the Los Angeles Express in the Pacific Division race. San Jose was 12-4 in the league's inaugural season, then dropped off the face of the earth for two seasons.

Schmitt was taken by San Jose with the ninth pick of the first round of the 1975 draft. His QBR has improved from 60.20 as a rookie to 82.00 in 1976 and 99.69 so far this season.

He directed an 81-yard march Thursday that culminated in a game-winning 23-yard TD pass to WR William Kendrick with 29 seconds to play. Schmitt was a perfet 6-for-6 passing on the final drive (one completion was called back due to a holding penalty).

In other Week 5 games:

• Detroit QB Mario Valencia fired a pair of TD passes in the final 8 minutes and the Wheels rallied to beat the Portland Storm, 31-23. The win kept Detroit in first place in its division and knocked Portland out of first place in its division. The Storm drove from their 25 to the Wheels' 15 with 47 seconds to go, but two incomplete passes were followed by DT Daniel Hawes' interception.
• Oakland (4-1) took over sole possession of first place in the West Division when the Invaders defeated the Denver Gold, 44-19, and the other three teams all lost. QB Les Lacy fired four TD passes for Oakland.
• Tampa Bay WR Edward Conner caught a pair of TD passes as the Bandits held off the Orlando Renegades, 38-23, in a key Southeast Division battle. Tampa Bay led, 31-10, with just under 11 minutes to play before Orlando rallied to make it close.
• Michigan FS David Oxford recorded 10 tackles and DT Ronald Shull had a pair of sacks as the Panthers kept Chicago in the Midwest Division cellar by beating the Blitz, 24-17. CB Stanley Thomas iced the victory when he intercepted a Daniel McKee pass with 1:06 to play.
• The Florida Blazers picked up their first win, and knocked Shreveport out of first place in the South Division, by beating the Steamer, 17-13. Florida's Barry Litchford intercepted two passes and MLB Jamie Seymour was credited with 11 tackles.
• The Baltimore Stars (3-2) are over .500 after five games for the first time in franchise history. The Stars beat the Washington Federals, 27-15, as Hector Morris caught a pair of TD passes and Les Lynch recorded his league-leading 10th sack of the season.
• James Tolentino of Honolulu also has 10 sacks after recording two during a 33-3 drubbing of the Southern California Sun.
• The Memphis Showboats improved to 7-0 all-time against Houston by outscoring the Gamblers, 34-24. Houston turned the ball over five times and Memphis RB Gregory Shea ran for 135 yards, giving him a league-high 603 rushing yards this season.
• Jacksonville Bulls CBs Ian Rosenbaum and Justin Armstrong picked off two passes apiece in a 13-7 win over the Birmingham Stallions
• Oklahoma QB Dale Brown also threw five TD passes in a 42-3 win over the New Orleans VooDoo, giving him a league-high 19 for the season.

Week 6 Preview

Division leaders clash when the Los Angeles Express (4-1) travels to Detroit to meet the unbeaten Wheels (5-0). Two of the league's best teams meet in Oakland when the Invaders (4-1) host the unbeaten Tampa Bay Bandits (5-0). The Arizona Wranglers (3-2) are at the San Jose SaberCats (3-2) in a game important to both teams' playoff aspirations.

Coach's Profile

Pacman327

Pacman327, Florida Blazers
Playing MFN Since: What feels like 1 minute ago (January 2018)
Hometown (town, state): Westchester County, NY
Current residence (town, state): Hudson County, NJ
Day job: Financial analyst
Favorite teams (all sports): Yankees, NY Football Giants, Knicks
A real-life sports experience: Yankees, 2012 ALDS, Raul Ibanez game-tying HR in 9th and walkoff in 12th!
A fantasy sports experience: Won a fantasy baseball auction league in my first year
Coach's Corner: (tip for a new MFN coach): Who knows  (lol)? I'm still trying to figure it out!

Week 4 Roundup

There's a new sheriff in town out West.

Dustin Nichols, QB, Denver

Denver limited Portland to 214 net yards Tuesday as the Gold stunned the previously unbeaten Storm, 23-7, to force a four-way tie in the West Division. Denver, Portland, Arizona, and Oakland are all 3-1.

The Storm scored first, but did not score again for the final 55 minutes. Gold QB Dustin Nichols threw a pair of TD passes and Robert Allison kicked three field goals. Portland went three-and-out on its first four drives of the second half and never got closer than the Denver 41. The Gold ran off more than 6 minutes on their final drive before Allison's 33-yard field goal with 1:05 remaining concluded the scoring and gave Denver just its second victory in seven all-time games against Portland.

Denver is off to the first 3-1 start in franchise history, but its next four games are against Oakland (twice), Portland (again) and Arizona.

In other Week 4 games:

• Curtis Scott, converted from RB to WR last season by Arizona, returned to his old position and had a huge day during a 41-17 defeat of the Southern California Sun. Scott ran for 147 yards and three TDs on just seven carries, caught four passes for 33 yards and another score, and ran back two kickoffs for 61 yards.
• Eric Pierce's 53-yard pass to William Delatorre with 5:37 to play gave Boston a 24-17 lead, and the Breakers held on to edge the New Jersey Generals, 24-23. New Jersey drove inside the Boston 30 twice in the fourth quarter, but had to settle for field goals on both occasions.
• The Los Angeles Express regained the Pacific Division lead with a 34-6 win over the Honolulu Hawaiians. Seth Wynn ran for 165 yards on 18 carries (9.17 per carry) and WR Robert Herrera caught a pair of TD passes from Gene Nowlin for LAX (3-1).
• Birmingham QB Agustin Crook passed for 530 yards and four TDs, but the Stallions fell, 44-41 in overtime, to the Memphis Showboats. Memphis led, 41-27, with 1 minute to play. Crook found Lee Rice for a 58-yard TD to make the score 41-34. Then, after Birmingham recovered an onside kick, Crook hit Rice with a 54-yard score with 4 seconds to play, forcing overtime. Late in overtime, Donald John of the Showboats recovered Stallions TE David Albrecht's fumble, setting up Chris Farrel's game-winning 37-yard field goal.
• Shreveport (3-1) took over the South Division lead, rallying in the fourth quarter to edge the Houston Gamblers, 19-13, 
• Charlotte CB Joseph Abernathy had two pickoffs in a 33-27 win over the Florida Blazers. The Hornets (2-2) are off to the best four-game start in franchise history.

Week 5 Preview

The logjam atop the West Division may get sorted out a little after the Portland Storm (3-1) host the Detroit Wheels (4-0), the Arizona Wranglers (3-1) travel to the Los Angeles Express (3-1) and the Oakland Invaders (3-1) face the Denver Gold (3-1) on Oakland's home turf. The Tampa Bay Bandits (4-0) are at the Orlando Renegades (3-1) in a Southeast Division showdown.

Record Book

Among players with 52 or more career kickoff returns, three players are averaging exactly 34 yards per kickoff return for their career—Memphis RB Gregory Shea, retired Boston RB Nicholas Wingfield, and Georgia WR Dean Williamson. Orlando RB Matthew Mitchell has averaged 35.0 yards per return on 51 returns. Birmingham WR Bruno Fredericks has averaged 9.2 yards per punt return, San Antonio WR Donnie Baker 8.0.

Week 3 Roundup

Another good sign of competitive balance in the USFL/WFL – we are only three weeks into the season, yet only three unbeaten teams remain.

William Hill, QB, Portland

The Portland Storm, Detroit Wheels, and Tampa Bay Bandits all improved to 3-0 with Week 3 victories. There are 16 teams at 2-1.

Portland edged the Los Angeles Express, 34-27, on Ivory Villanueva's 100-yard kickoff return with 9:28 remaining. Los Angeles got as close as the Storm 34-yard line in the final 2 minutes before turning the ball over on downs. Portland QB William Hill completed 27 of 35 passes, 10 of those completions going to WR Michael Black for 112 yards and a TD.

Jacksonville MLB Joseph Carter intercepted three passes, but his team fell to Tampa Bay, 35-7, as WR Michael Popa caught 12 passes for 229 yards and a pair of TDs.

The Wheels held off the Cleveland Thunderbolts, 19-9, in a battle for the Midwest Division lead. The Wheels picked off Cleveland QB Chester Dougherty three times, two by David Peralta and anther by Bradley Mondragon.

In other Week 3 games:

• Richard Lamar's 24-yard field goal with 1:11 to play lifted the Michigan Panthers to a 34-31 win over the Baltimore Stars. Michigan gained 37 yards on a defensive overuse penalty during its final drive.
• Birmingham Stallions LDE Timothy Pemberton had 14 hurries in a 23-9 win over the Shreveport Steamer.
• San Antonio QB Tony Smith threw for 417 yards and four TDs as the Gunslingers picked up their first win, 41-20, over the Memphis Showboats.
• Georgia LDE Matthew Robledo recovered a fumble by New Orleans RB Alex Flores on the 6-yard line with 11 seconds to play as the Force edged the VooDoo, 10-9.
• Denver scored the last 12 points of the game to edge the Houston Gamblers, 22-16. CB Roy Wiley's pickoff with less than 2 minutes to play sealed the Gold victory.

Week 4 Preview

The Detroit Wheels (3-0) host the Oklahoma Outlaws (2-1) in a battle of division leaders. Who will battle Detroit for first place in the Midwest? We may find out when the Michigan Panthers (2-1) host the Cleveland Thunderbolts (2-1). The three-way logjam atop the Pacific Division will be broken when LAX (2-1) hosts Honolulu (2-1) and San Jose (2-1) is at the Oakland Invaders (2-1). If the Denver Gold (2-1) can knock off the Portland Storm (3-0), there may be a four-way tie for first in the West Division when we wake up Tuesday morning.

Record Book

Jacksonville MLB Joseph Carter tied a USFL/WFL record during his team's Week 3 loss to Tampa Bay by intercepting three passes in the same game. Ten other players have recorded three pickoffs in the same game: David Asuncion (Memphis), David Bronson (Charlotte), James Jones (Memphis), Leon Crisman (San Antonio), Robert Newton (New Orleans), Timothy McLaughlin (Portland), Mike Williams (New Jersey), Bradley Mondragon (Detroit), Rick Edwards (Orlando), and Albert Welsh (Arizona, vs. Florida last week).

Week 2 Roundup

Week 2 was a big week for The New Guys. All four first-year owners saw their teams win, some of them surprising rugged opponents.

Les Lynch, DT, Baltimore (96)

Baltimore  DT Les Lynch set a USFL/WFL record with eight sacks as the Stars improved to 2-0 for rookie coach Duval by whipping the Georgia Force, 31-3. Lynch also had seven tackles and four hurries. The former record of six sacks in a game was shared by nine players.

Lynch was Baltimore's first-round draft pick (No. 21 overall) in 1975. He fell that far in the first round primarily because of 84 volatility, but his future ratings have jumped from 78.86 on draft day to its current 86.13.

His speed is not bad (64), nor is his strength (80), but Lynch also has ratings of 100 for pass rush, 95 for run defense and 94 for tackle ability.

In other games Thursday:

• The Jacksonville Bulls pulled off a stunner for new coach MasonBronos, surprising the Oakland Invaders, 16-7. RDE Nathan Sherrard and DT Raphael Alvarez combined for five sacks for Jacksonville. Remember Shawn Arzola? He had an interception for Oakland. Arzola was taken by Tampa Bay with the very first pick of the 1974 allocation draft. He is now a 10th-year pro with a 20-percent chance of retiring.
• The Birmingham Stallions and new coach Kababmaster outscored the San Antonio Gunslingers, 47-30. Birmingham rolled up 626 yards total offense as QB Agustin Crook fired four TD passes.
• Honolulu DT Richard Worthen and LDE James Tolentino combined for 36 hurries as the Hawaiians terrorized the Denver Gold, 30-2. CB Robert Gutierrez intercepted a pair of passes for Honolulu.
• New Memphis Showboats coach PrivateSnowflake directed his team to a 36-24 victory over New Orleans. RB Gregory Shea piled up 152 yards rushing for Memphis. The VooDoo, World Bowl entrants last season, fell to 0-2.
•  Arizona Wranglers CB Robert Welsh picked off three passes in a 40-9 win over the Florida Blazers.
• Washington QB Joe Richardson threw for 631 yards and five TDs, but the Federals lost to Boston, 51-46, because Breakers QB Eric Pierce threw for 473 yards and five TDs. Richardson's big day ranked No. 5 all-time. Orlando Renegades QB David Judkins holds the single-game passing record with 682 yards.
• In a battle of 1976 playoff teams, the Tampa Bay Bandits mauled Pittsburgh, 48-7, with a 24-point second quarter that included Ralph Allen's 70-yard TD run.
• Oklahoma QB Dale Brown accumulated 572 yards passing and five TDs as the Outlaws seized the Southwest Division lead with a 47-32 victory over the Chicago Blitz.
• Detroit Wheels QB Mario Valencia, who fired a league-record 55 TD passes last season, has eight so far this season after throwing six during a 58-24 win over the Houston Gamblers.

Week 3 Preview

The Portland Storm (2-0) is at the Los Angeles Express (2-0) in a battle of division leaders. Southwest Division leader Oklahoma (2-0) travels to Oakland to face the Invaders (1-1). The Cleveland Thunderbolts (2-0) are at Detroit to face the Wheels (2-0) in a significant Midwest Division game.

Record Book

Detroit Wheels RDE Juan Frigo is the USFL/WFL's career sacks leader with 60. Shreveport Steamer RDE Oscar Rodriguez is second with 53.

Coach's Profile

Two seasons ago, we tried to post coach's profiles as a regular feature on the blog. I always enjoyed that feature, and we have had some turnover, so there are new people to get to know. If I send you a PM for this purpose, please fill out the form and return it.