The Shreveport Steamer (6-3) fell to the Cleveland Thunderbolts, 24-16, allowing the Birmingham Stallions (5-4) and New Orleans VooDoo (5-4) to pull within one game of first place. Birmingham defeated the Boston Breakers, 24-9, and New Orleans outlasted the Florida Blazers, 23-20, in overtime.
Shreveport appeared to be on its way to another win Saturday, but Cleveland jumped ahead on a 75-yard TD pass with 1:41 to play when the Steamer was assessed a defensive overuse penalty.
Florida was assessed two defensive overuse penalties on the VooDoo's game-winning drive in overtime that ended on John Langdon's 37-yard field goal.
The Stallions had lost 4 of 5 before recovering against Boston. Roger Boyer threw a pair of long TD passes for Birmingham.
In other Week 9 games:
- Washington Federals QB Joe Richardson threw for 500 yards and seven TDs in a 48-20 win over the Southern California Sun. Only 10 QBs in league history have passed for more than seven TDs in a game. Washington CB Elmer Bunting forced a fumble and intercepted a pass in addition to his five tackles.
- Houston QB James Lightfoot found fullback August Madrid for a TD with 7 seconds to play, giving the Gamblers a 32-31 win over the Jacksonville Bulls. Six of Houston's nine games this season have been decided by 4 points or fewer.
- Timothy McLaughlin's interception in the end zone with 1:49 remaining preserved Portland's third consecutive win, a 34-29 Storm victory over the Denver Gold.
Week 10 Preview
The Oakland Invaders (9-0) one of just two unbeaten teams in the USFL/WFL, host the Detroit Wheels (7-2), who have won the last two World Bowls. The Arizona Wranglers (7-2) are at Oklahoma (7-2) in a game likely to impact the postseason picture. Shreveport (6-3) puts its South Division lead on the line when it travels to New Orleans (5-4).
