 |
| John Broussard, RDE, Federals |
The Washington Federals stunned six-time division champion Pittsburgh, 26-3, to highlight Week 5 action in the USFL/WFL. Washington had been 0-12 all-time against the Maulers and Pittsburgh was 34-3 vs. all division foes before this stunner.
The Washington defense was the star of the game, limiting Pittsburgh to 186 total yards.
RDE John Broussard, last season's Rookie of the Year, was credited with six tackles and five sacks, one of which resulted in a safety that closed the scoring. Veteran LDE Roy Stewart had four sacks. Stewart has 10 sacks this season, one fewer than in his five years with Honolulu. The Federals had 11 sacks in all. WLB Craig Edson led Washington with seven tackles. Nine of Pittsburgh's last 12 drives were three-and-out (or less-than-three-and-out).
Federals QB Joe Richardson fired three TD passes. All three went to Matt Ellis, one for 78 yards. Ellis finished the day with six catches for 182 yards.
In other Week 5 games:
- The previously undefeated Portland Storm made short work of previously undefeated Oakland, scoring 45 points in the third quarter of a 58-16 rout of the Invaders. Portland RDE Ernest Huggins had a fine all-around game with 9 hurries, 5 tackles, 2 sacks, and an interception. TE Ivory Villanueva caught eight passes for 148 yards and three TDs. QB William Hill passed for 515 yards and six TDs.
- Chad Ochocinco of the New Jersey Generals returned a punt 68 yards for a touchdown during a 38-7 win over the Boston Breakers. That was just the second punt return for a score in league history, matching Bruno Fredericks of the N.Y. Stars against Baltimore in 1974.
- Lucio Grant's 45-yard field goal with 1:51 remaining lifted the unbeaten Denver Gold to a 27-25 win over the Los Angeles Express.
- The Memphis Showboats took over first place in the Southwest Division with a 24-19 victory over the Oklahoma Outlaws behind three TD catches from TE Ernest McNeill.
- Anthony Schaefer's 47-yard field goal with 11 seconds to play lifted the Arizona Wranglers past the New Orleans VooDoo, 20-17.
- San Antonio CB Jim Jansen made 12 tackles and intercepted three passes, but the unbeaten Detroit Wheels still managed a 40-21 win over the Gunslingers to stay atop the Midwest Division.
- Charlotte QB Stanley Snyder threw four TD passes as the Hornets blitzed the Baltimore Stars, 42-10.
- The Georgia Force (5-0) have already won more games than they did all last season (4-12), beating the Jacksonville Bulls, 33-13, as three Georgia RBs combined for 228 yards rushing.
Week 6 Preview
The surprising Washington Federals (4-1) go on the road to face the New Jersey Generals (3-2). It should be a good game out West when the Portland Storm (4-1) hosts the Los Angeles Express (3-2). The Oakland Invaders (4-1) will try to bounce back from their lopsided loss to Portland when they travel to Denver to meet the Gold (5-0). Division leaders square off when the Honolulu Hawaiians (4-1) host the Memphis Showboats (4-1).History Lesson
It occurs to me that many of our coaches may not be old enough to remember the real USFL and WFL. I thought a little history of each team might be entertaining to some.
The Southern California Sun was one of the World Football League's founding franchises. In September of the 1974 season, their owner was indicted on federal bank fraud charges. Players did not receive their final paychecks of the season and the front office was not paid for the final month of the season. The team was 13-7 during the regular season and lost to the Hawaiians in the playoffs. The team signed former USC stars Pat Haden and Anthony Davis before the 1975 season. Haden left the team in September to pursue his Rhodes scholarship at Oxford. Former Oakland Raiders QB Daryle Lamonica retired in September. Davis was in line to become league MVP when the WFL folded in October.
The Southern California Sun was one of the World Football League's founding franchises. In September of the 1974 season, their owner was indicted on federal bank fraud charges. Players did not receive their final paychecks of the season and the front office was not paid for the final month of the season. The team was 13-7 during the regular season and lost to the Hawaiians in the playoffs. The team signed former USC stars Pat Haden and Anthony Davis before the 1975 season. Haden left the team in September to pursue his Rhodes scholarship at Oxford. Former Oakland Raiders QB Daryle Lamonica retired in September. Davis was in line to become league MVP when the WFL folded in October.
