 |
| Dustin Nichols, QB, Denver |
Denver apparently isn't going to put itself into that position again. The unbeaten Gold (6-0) scored twice in the final 5:27 to rally past the Oakland Invaders, 29-21, and take over sole possession of first place in the West Division.
This is the fastest start in franchise history. The 1974 team, the last to make the playoffs, started off 3-4 before going on an eight-game win streak.
Gold DT Clyde Raines sacked Oakland QB Les Lacy at the 5-yard line, then picked up Lacy's fumble and powered into the end zone to give Denver a 23-21 lead. Invaders backup QB Jimmy Barahona fumbled on the next series, and Raines fell on this one as well. Five plays later, Denver QB Dustin Nichols found Michael Sonnenberg for a 32-yard TD with 3:06 to play that accounted for the final score.
Nichols passed for 358 yards and three TDs and Raines had 5 tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 fumble recoveries.
In other Week 6 games:
- Memphis RB Gregory Shea ran for three TDs in the first 21 minutes and the Showboats were never threatened while putting away Pacific Division leader Honolulu, 41-13.
- Georgia RDE Donald Schultz had 11 hurries, 8 tackles, and 5 sacks as the Force edged the Charlotte Hornets, 19-17, to remain unbeaten. Charlotte DBs Fernando Stone and Brian Queen both intercepted passes in the end zone.
- Houston CB Philip King intercepted three passes, but the Gamblers fell to the Arizona Wranglers, 31-21, in new coach setherick's debut.
- San Antonio QB Tony Smith connected with TE Harold Erdmann nine times for 231 yards and two TDs in a 66-27 win over the Southern California Sun.
- New Jersey WR Damon Rosato caught seven passes for 191 yards and two TDs as the Generals held off the Washington Federals, 34-31.The loss dropped Washington (4-2) back into a tie with the Pittsburgh Maulers atop the Atlantic Division.
Week 7 Preview
The Oklahoma Outlaws (4-2) trail Memphis (5-1) by a game in the Southwest Division standings entering this week's showdown. The Showboats beat the Outlaws, 24-19, two weeks ago. The Los Angeles Express (3-3) REALLY needs a win at home against the Cleveland Thunderbolts (5-1). The Georgia Force (6-0) will have a hard time staying unbeaten when their next game is at Oakland (4-2). Detroit (6-0), also unbeaten, hosts division foe Chicago Blitz (2-4).Record Book
San Antonio Gunslingers WR Lee Williams has returned three kickoffs for TDs during the team's first six games. Gregory Shea of the Memphis Showboats set the single-season record with six TD returns in 1977.New Jersey LDE James Lockette has become the league's all-time leader in hurries (363), is second in sacks (92),
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 Honolulu Hawaiians were 9-11 and 4-7-1 in their two seasons in the World Football League. Former Dallas Cowboys running back Calvin Hill was their most notable player. The Hawaiians were one of only three WFL teams to make payroll every week. They played most home games on Sundays, while the rest of the league played primarily on Wednesdays. This was to prevent an NFL team from signing a stadium lease in Hawaii.
