1982 Week 9 Roundup: No More Unbeatens

The league's final undefeated team, the Houston Gamblers, are undefeated no longer.

Timothy Hall, WLB, Oklahoma

The Oklahoma defense shut out Houston for the first 54 minutes, limiting them to 218 yards and forcing five turnovers in a 23-7 Outlaws victory.

Houston QB Mario Valencia had perhaps the worst day of his storied career. He finished with a QBR of 20.45, being picked off four times and completing just 17 of 44 pass attempts. Oklahoma WLB Timothy Hall had two of those interceptions and DT Andrew Wu recorded three sacks. Outlaws RB Patrick Hiebert had a rushing TD and a receiving TD. Three of Oklahoma's five scoring drives began inside the Houston 40.

The Gamblers (8-1) were looking to tie last year's franchise record for victories in a season. Oklahoma (3-6), after a 1-6 start, has back-to-back wins over playoff contenders Houston and the Chicago Blitz.

In other Week 9 games:

• The Southern California Sun trailed Charlotte, 20-10, with 5:34 to play, but rallied to beat the Hornets, 27-20, and earn their first victory of the season. Two interceptions by the SoCal defense led to the last 10 points. The Sun were the league's last winless team.
• The Honolulu Hawaiians took a two-game lead in the Pacific Division by edging Los Angeles, 16-15, the fourth consecutive loss for the Express. Los Angeles drove from its 18 to the Honolulu 41 with 1:23 to play, but a fourth-down pass was knocked down by Honolulu's Eugene Holland and the Hawaiians ran out the clock.
• The Michigan Panthers have a two-game lead in the Midwest Division after Cleveland and Chicago both lost. The Panthers took care of business with a 10-7 win over the Georgia Force on John Bibler's 26-yard field goal with 2:45 to play.
• Shreveport RB Nolan Ring had 56 yards rushing and 132 receiving and James Hooper kicked a 55-yard field goal on the game's final play as the Steamer edged the Chicago Blitz, 16-13. Shreveport had lost five of its previous six.
• Tampa Bay rookie SS Clifford Swank was credited with 11 tackles during a 21-12 win over the Florida Blazers that vaulted the Bandits over .500 at 5-4.
• The Birmingham Stallions scored 17 unanswered points in the final 7 minutes to pull away from the Pittsburgh Maulers, 34-17. QB Nolan Loos tossed four TD passes. Birmingham rookie TE Mario Burton has 46 receptions and five TDs on the season
• Baltimore SS David Dangerfield made 13 tackles and intercepted two passes during a 13-7 win over the San Jose SaberCats.
• Memphis and Portland combined for 35 points in the fourth quarter before the Storm finally prevailed, 27-24. The teams combined for nine interceptions, two by veteran Storm CB John Borkowski. Memphis WR Jerome Betancourt had four catches for 154 yards (38.5 per catch), including TDs of 63 and 69 yards, and is averaging 23.4 yards on his 37 receptions this season.

Week 10 Preview

The Washington Federals (7-2) will try to defend their Atlantic Division lead over the second-place Pittsburgh Maulers (6-3). The Michigan Panthers (7-2) host the Chicago Blitz (5-4) in a big Midwest Division game. The Cleveland Thunderbolts (5-4) at the Birmingham Stallions (5-4) looks interesting and may have postseason implications for both.

Record Book

• Baltimore QB Fred Murphy, who completed 71 percent of his passes last year and had a 98.44 QBR, has completed 47 percent this season for a 41.93 QBR. Murphy, Oklahoma's Gene Nowlin and Portland's Oscar Willis are tied for the league lead in interceptions (19).
• Birmingham CB Kelly Acosta has intercepted 10 passes this season. The USFL/WFL single-season record is 13, set by Pittsburgh's Bradley Martinez in 1978.
• Memphis RB Douglas Donald tied a league record with four rushing TDs against Oklahoma earlier this season. Six players have scored four rushing TDs in a game (Pittsburgh's John Murray twice).

1982 Week 8 Roundup: Then There Was One

 It came like a Thunderbolt out of the blue.

The Cleveland Thunderbolts scored in ways both conventional and unconventional to hand the New Orleans VooDoo their first loss, 19-7, as the season reached the halfway point.

Cleveland CB Brady Kizer returned a fumble 33 yards for a TD and WR Jose Beamon returned a kickoff 96 yards for a TD. The Cleveland defense limited the VooDoo to 13 yards rushing as WLB Richard Randall made 13 tackles.

The New Orleans loss left Houston (8-0) as the only unbeaten team in the USFL/WFL. The Gamblers rolled past the Florida Blazers, 38-9. Cleveland (5-3) pulled into a second-place tie with the Chicago Blitz in the Midwest Division, one game behind the Michigan Panthers. The Thunderbolts were coming off a 13-10 loss to the San Jose SaberCats.

In other Week 8 games:

• Oakland RB Stephen Demmer had his second 110-yard kickoff return of the season as the Invaders surprised the Portland Storm, 17-7. No other player in USFL/WFL history has returned two kickoffs for 110 yards each. Portland (6-2) still holds a two-game lead in the West Division.
• Michigan CB Robert Kimball intercepted two passes and the Panthers forced 12 Birmingham turnovers in beating the Stallions, 26-14. The win enabled Michigan to take sole possession of first place in the Midwest Division.
• Washington RB Cory Martin ran for 239 yards and two TDs and caught a TD pass as the Federals whipped the Southern California Sun, 47-6. Martin's performance was No. 8 on the league's all-time single game rushing list.
• Jacksonville QB Charles Evans was 37-for-51 passing for 430 yards and four TDs as the Bulls outlasted the Memphis Showboats, 37-28. Memphis WR Jerome Betancourt caught five passes for 190 yards (38 yards per catch).
• The Denver Gold scored twice in the last 4 minutes, but New Jersey held on for a 30-25 victory that improved the Generals to 7-1. Stephan Labelle fired three TD passes and the New Jersey defense intercepted Denver QB Dustin Nichols four times.

Week 9 Preview

The Honolulu Hawaiians (5-3) carry a one-game lead in the Pacific Division into their game at Los Angeles (4-4). Division leaders meet when the New Orleans VooDoo (7-1) hosts the Washington Federals (6-2). The Oakland Invaders (4-4) are at the Denver Gold (4-4) in what may turn out to be a vital game in the West Division.

1982 Week 7 Roundup: Boston Makes 'Em Pay

Highlights have often been difficult to come by for the Boston franchise, but Friday will be a day Breakers fans remember for a while.

Boston's defense came up big time and again in the fourth quarter as the Breakers (2-5) stunned the Atlantic Division-leading Pittsburgh Maulers, 20-9.

William Putnam, K, Boston

The Maulers (5-2) piled up nearly twice the net yardage (362 to 188), and ran 84 plays to Boston' 53, but couldn't get the yards they needed late in the game. They gave the ball up on downs on four consecutive fourth-quarter drives.

Pittsburgh, trailing 10-9, decided to go for it on fourth-and-6 from its own 23 with 8:10 to play. Boston DT David Brooks sacked Maulers QB Ryan Tate as he tried to scramble out of the pocket, ending that drive and setting up James Lightfoot's 16-yard TD pass to veteran WR William Ramsey that widened the gap to 17-9.

The Maulers went for it again on fourth-and-6, this time from their own 29 with 6:07 to play, and Eric Metcalf dropped Tate's pass. Four plays later, William Putnam kicked a 42-yard field goal that made it 20-9.

Reserve QB Scott Deal's fourth-and-1 pass from the Maulers 33 was knocked down by MLB David Burt with 2:43 to go. Pittsburgh's final drive moved as close as the Boston 14, but four consecutive passes ended that possession.

Breakers CB Charles Bowles and SS Earl Little combined for 21 tackles.

Boston had been 0-3 all-time against Pittsburgh, losing 37-13 (1980), 37-10 (1977), and 61-21 (1975).

In other Week 7 games:

• Los Angeles kicker Roger Ruzich missed two field goal attempts in the game's final 1:04 as the Honolulu Hawaiians escaped with a 13-10 victory and pulled into a first-place tie with the Express atop the Pacific Division. Ruzich, who had been 15-for-17 this season, misfired from 53 yards away with 1:04 to go and from 52 yards out on the game's final play. The Hawaiians had tried to give the game away by continuing the pass the ball with 58 seconds to play and a 3-point lead, and an interception by the Express set up Ruzich's failed final attempt.
• The Portland Storm seized a two-game lead in the West Division by shutting down the Denver Gold, 27-3. The Portland defense limited Denver QB Dustin Nichols to 184 yards passing and intercepted him twice.
• Mario Valencia threw for 409 yards and six TDs as the undefeated Houston Gamblers destroyed the San Antonio Gunslingers, 52-3. Gamblers WR James Connelly had 116 yards rushing and 146 receiving and rookie WR Gabriel Aherens caught three TD passes. Houston MLB Roderick Carver made eight tackles, intercepted a pass, forced a fumble, and recovered a fumble
• Oakland CB James Fraga was credited with 15 tackles, second-most in a single game by a player this season, but Philadelphia QB Roy Rhyne threw a 64-yard TD pass to WR Jim Nicholls and Robert Albertson kicked four field goals during the Bell's 19-7 victory.
• New Jersey rookie RB Magic Johnson ran for 114 yards and a TD during a 33-5 win over the Arizona Wranglers.

Week 8 Preview

The Memphis Southmen (5-2) at the Jacksonville Bulls (4-2-1) looks like an interesting matchup, as does the Denver Gold (4-3) at the New Jersey Generals (6-1) and the Birmingham Stallions (4-3) at the Michigan Panthers (5-2).

Record Book

• Ruzich may have been the goat Friday, but he kicked seven field goals against Pittsburgh earlier this season. That is one short of the league's single-game record of eight, shared by New Jersey's Dustin Henry and Shreveport's James Hooper, both in 1980.
• Houston's James Connelly had 334 total yards against San Antonio in Week 7, highest this season. and the most since Detroit's John Risinger had 449 against Jacksonville in 1979.
• Oakland Invaders RB Stephen Demmer returned a kickoff 110 yards for a TD against Houston earlier this season, tying the league record. There have been 16 110-yard returns in league history.

1982 Week 6 Roundup: Return of the Maulers

The Pittsburgh Maulers' long hibernation is apparently over.

QB Ryan Tate threw TD passes of 59 and 56 yards and Cliff Thomas rushed for 80 of his 145 yards on one carry as the Maulers improved to 5-1 by pulling away from the Southern California Sun, 24-3, in Anaheim.

Cliff Thomas, RB, Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh won the first six Atlantic Division titles and appeared in World Bowl II, then missed the playoffs the last two seasons.

Thomas and John Murray have been stars from the day they were taken with the 10th and 18th round picks in the 1974 allocation draft. They have already combined for nearly 700 yards rushing and 350 yards receiving in six games. The Maulers rank sixth in the league in total yards allowed per game (248) as LDE Eric Read has five sacks, tied for fourth in the league.

SoCal rookie WLB Roderick Vanbrunt was credited with 11 tackles and intercepted a pass, but the Sun remained the league's only winless team.

In other Week 6 games:

• The New Orleans VooDoo (6-0) are one of the league's two unbeaten teams after shutting down the Birmingham Stallions, 17-2. The Stallions were limited to 117 total yards and avoided being shut out only due to a safety with just over 2 minutes to play. New Orleans RDE Jeffrey Alfaro had two sacks, WLB Paul Rivera made seven tackles and forced a fumble and CB Larry Ackman also had seven tackles. 
• Houston is also 6-0 following a 21-10 win over the Denver Gold. The Gamblers scored back-to-back fourth-quarter TDs on 88- and 81-yard drives.
• New Jersey CB Kerry Justin intercepted three passes, returning one for a TD, during the Generals' 30-9 dismantling of the Jacksonville Bulls. Justin has five pickoffs this season, tied for second in the league with Houston's Roderick Carver behind Birmingham's Kelly Acosta (7).
• Washington WR Allan Boyer caught nine passes for 224 yards and two TDs as the Federals stayed within a game of the Pittsburgh Maulers in the Atlantic Division with a 19-10 win over the Baltimore Stars.
• Charlotte RB Jerry Roux had 69 rushing yards and 84 receiving yards and a TD during the Hornets' 24-10 victory over the Georgia Force.
• Daniel Hall's 25-yard field goal with 9 seconds to play capped a 16-play drive and gave the Detroit Wheels a 12-10 win over the Los Angeles Express. Detroit rookie WR Billy Brink had 80 rushing yards and 30 receiving yards.

Week 7 Preview

The Denver Gold (4-2) will try to win at Portland (5-1) and force a tie atop the West Division. The Honolulu Hawaiians (3-3) would like to do the same with a victory over the Los Angeles Express (4-2). The Birmingham Stallions (4-2) are at Washington (4-2) in a battle of teams currently in second place in their divisions. The Philadelphia Bell (3-3) host the Oakland Invaders (3-3), two teams trying to stay above .500 and in the playoff race.

Coach's Profile

Cdog13157, Oakland Invaders

Cdog13157

Playing MFN Since: February 7, 2018
Hometown (town, state): St. Paul, MN
Current residence (town, state): Same
Day job: Student
Favorite teams (all sports): Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Bucks, OKC Thunder
A real-life sports experience: Not much, other than flag football.
A fantasy sports experience: MFN/fantasy football
Coach's Corner: (tip for a new MFN coach): If ur lazy like me, join more Rosters Only leagues than leagues with game plans.

1982 Week 5 Roundup: Time to Gallop

Nolan Loos, Birmingham

The Birmingham Stallions have broken out of the gate nicely.

Four seasons ago, head coach Wolveraider took over a team that was a bit of a mess in terms of age and salary cap. He resigned himself to taking his lumps for a while, traded away some veterans and expensive stars, and waited for his time to come. After a combined 13-35 record over the first three seasons of that process, Birmingham's time has apparently arrived.

The Stallions improved to 4-1 by outscoring the Detroit Wheels, 36-20, behind three TD passes from 11th-year pro QB Nolan Loos.

Birmingham's four victories have come at the expensive of three 1981 playoff teams. The other came against the Georgia Force, who missed last season's playoffs by one game.

Loos, who has a 100.08 QBR after five games, has been an interesting find off the free agent scrap heap.

Loos was taken by Philadelphia in the 34th round of the 1974 allocation draft, then released before the season began. He was a backup for three seasons with the Southern California Sun, then signed with (but never played for) Philadelphia again, New Jersey, Houston, and SoCal again before the Stallions stunned Loos (and his agent) with a four-year, $20.8-million offer in Day 2 of 1982 free agency.

CB Kelly Acosta, a first-round bust for Houston in 1980, has intercepted seven passes. SS Duane Dupree leads the team with 37 tackles. MLB Corey Dodson intercepted two passes against Detroit.

In other Week 5 games:

• John Bibler's 35-yard field goal as time expired lifted the Michigan Panthers to a 10-9 win over the San Antonio Gunslingers. The Panthers drove from their own 4 to the San Antonio 16 during an amazing 14-play drive that included nine pass completions by QB Jerry Ruiz, one on fourth down.
• A touchdown pass and a safety in the final 1:31 gave the New Orleans VooDoo a 23-20 triumph over the Chicago Blitz in a battle of division leaders.
• Chester Dougherty's 9-yard TD pass to Christopher Henderson with 1:57 to play lifted the Cleveland Thunderbolts past the Shreveport Steamer, 17-13, and into a three-way tie with Chicago and Michigan for the Midwest Division lead.
• Baltimore rookie WR Knob Creek caught eight passes for 162 yards and two TDs as the Stars earned their first victory, 29-21, over the Georgia Force. WR Jonathan Carlyle of the Force returned two kickoffs for TDs, covering 100 and 96 yards, and also caught a 75-yard TD pass.
• The Boston Breakers picked up their first victory of the 1982 season by edging the New York Stars, 10-3, on Shawn Whitmire's 41-yard TD pass to Joseph Clark with 37 seconds to play. Boston had snapped its 29-game losing streak with a victory over Orlando in last season's Week 16.
• Honolulu QB David McBroom was 26-for-33 passing for 493 yards and six TDs during a 59-3 rout of the Southern California Sun. WR Mark Moody averaged 34.8 yards on his five receptions, including TD receptions of 12 and 75 yards.
• Memphis CB Albert Arsenault made nine tackles, intercepted a pass, forced a fumble, and recovered a fumble during the Showboats' 40-16 triumph over the Oklahoma Outlaws. Oklahoma QB Gene Nowlin was picked off three times and now leads the league with 16 intercepted passes.
• The Pittsburgh Maulers (4-1) maintained their Atlantic Division lead with a 24-0 shutout of the Florida Blazers that included Brandon Elam's interception return for a TD. Florida MLB Lyle Maldanodo made nine tackles, intercepted a pass, and forced a fumble.
• Denver WR Corey True had 138 yards rushing, 108 yards receiving, and a TD from both positions as the Gold (4-1) remained tied with Portland (4-1) atop the West Division with a 36-14 triumph over the Arizona Wranglers.

Week 6 Preview

The Denver Gold (4-1) will try to hand the Houston Gamblers (5-0) their first loss. The Jacksonville Bulls (4-1) are at New Jersey (4-1) in a battle of division leaders. The Birmingham Stallions (4-1) will try to earn a share of the South Division lead with a win at New Orleans (5-0).

Coach's Profile

Chandyo, New York Stars

Playing MFN Since: August 2016

Hometown (town, state): Fort Smith, Arkansas

Chandyo

Current residence (town, state): Same

Day job: Level 2 IT tech 

Favorite teams (all sports): Arkansas Razorbacks (football) and Baltimore Ravens. I only really watch football, but if I had to pick on the others, they would be Atlanta Braves (MLB), Memphis Grizzlies (NBA) and Columbus Crew (MLS). 

A real-life sports experience: I was able to finally attend a Baltimore Ravens game, a couple of years ago. It was the final game of the season, but, sadly, had to go to Cincinnati to watch it. Ihave attended several Arkansas Razorback football games. 

A fantasy sports experience: I've been playing fantasy football for about 8-10 years. Currently own/run two fantasy football leagues, One is a re-draft and the other is a dynasty. 

Coach's Corner: (tip for a new MFN coach): Don't be afraid to ask questions and speed is supreme.

1982 Week 4 Roundup: Getting That Mojo Back

They seem to be getting their old mojo back down in The Big Easy.

Paul Rivera, WLB, New Orleans

The New Orleans VooDoo struggled through an odd season in 1981. They went through four coaches and finished 5-11, the second-worst record in franchise history. Head coach greyghost1225 came out of semi-retirement in the offseason to right the ship and suddenly the VooDoo are back in their accustomed spot at or near the top of the South Division.

A fumble recovery for a TD early in the fourth quarter put the VooDoo ahead for good as they improved to 4-0 by rallying past the Michigan Panthers, 21-16, at the Superdome.

New Orleans LDE Thomas Mandell stripped Michigan QB Jerry Ruiz and RDE Paul Walker returned the fumble 23 yards for the TD, followed by a 2-point conversion, that turned a 9-7 deficit into a 15-9 lead. Ruiz was intercepted by WLB Paul Rivera on Michigan's next offensive play, setting up a field goal that made it 18-9.

In other Week 4 games:

• The Houston Gamblers improved to 4-0 by scoring the last 21 points to pull away from the Arizona Wranglers, 42-27. MLB Roderick Carver intercepted three passes, returning one for a TD, and made eight tackles. QB Mario Valencia passed for 299 yards and four TDs and WR John Risinger caught five passes for 111 yards and two scores.
• It appears the West Division is going to be as tight this year as most years. Arizona's loss, coupled with wins by Portland, Denver, and Oakland left three teams at 3-1 and the Invaders only a game back at 2-2. Steven Demmer's 58-yard TD run was the highlight for the Invaders in their 22-0 shutout of the Boston Breakers.
• Jacksonville MLB Philip Williamson made 10 tackles and picked off a pass during the Bulls' 23-20 win over the Florida Blazers. Williamson leads the USFL/WFL with 43 tackles.
• The Memphis Showboats scored the last 24 points to outdo the San Antonio Gunslingers, 27-9. Memphis RB Timothy Corral ran for a pair of TDs. San Antonio CB Jim Morrison was credited with 10 tackles and intercepted two passes.
• Chicago RB Max Howard ran for 149 yards and a TD on 19 carries (7.84 per carry) and caught five passes for 108 yards (21.6 per reception) as the Blitz (3-1) maintained first place in the Midwest Division with a 23-10 win over the Detroit Wheels.
• Charlotte RB Jerry Roux rushed for 70 yards and caught for passes for 76 more as the Hornets nipped the Tampa Bay Bandits, 18-16. Tampa Bay's Thomas Hummel was wide right on a 50-yard field goal attempt with 1:24 to play.
• The Georgia Force managed only 149 net yards, but claimed an oddball 5-3 win over the Philadelphia Bell via a second-quarter safety. Philadelphia K Robert Albertson missed a 48-yard field goal attempt on the game's final play.

Week 5 Preview

The Orlando Renegades (2-2) could force a first-place tie atop the Southeast Division with a win over the Jacksonville Bulls (3-1). The Portland Storm (3-1) host the Philadelphia Bell (3-1) in a battle of division co-leaders. The Arizona Wranglers (3-1) and Denver Gold (3-1) will both try to maintain their share of the West Division lead. Division leaders meet when the New Orleans VooDoo (4-0) travel to Chicago to face the Blitz (3-1).

Record Book

• Pittsburgh Maulers QB Ryan Tate tied a league record when he was intercepted eight times against Los Angeles earlier this season. Former Los Angeles QB Gene Nowlin was intercepted by the Georgia Force eight times during a 1975 game.
• Former Portland Storm QB William Hill, now with Shreveport, ranks 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 on the list for most pass completions in a game (55, 53, 50, 47, 45). He was 55-for-64 against Tampa Bay last season.
• The highest average per carry for 10 or more rushing attempts is 20.1 (11 carries, 221 yards) by Pittsburgh's Cliff Thomas against the Washington Federals in 1976.
• Denver's Michael Sonnenberg and Florida's Arthur Strickland have both returned punts for TDs this season. No player in USFL/WFL history has ever managed two punt return TDs in the same game and there were five consecutive seasons (1975-79) in which there were no punt return TDs.

1982 Week 3 Roundup: The Upside-Down Division

Somebody has turned the Southwest Division upside-down this season.

Roderick Carver, Houston

The Houston Gamblers scored 18 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to pull away from the Oklahoma Outlaws, 32-15, and take over sole possession of the division lead. Veteran QB Mario Valencia was 24-for-36 passing for 225 yards and three TDs, MLB Roderick Carver was credited with 12 tackles, and RDE August Peterson recorded three sacks.

Time for some perspective.

Houston (3-0) was 9-7 last season, the first winning record in franchise history. Head coach setherick took over a disaster during the 1980 season and created financial stability and a winning team. The Gamblers had finished last in the Southwest every season until 1980.

Oklahoma (0-3), meanwhile, is scuffling after having gone a combined 39-9 the last three seasons and  having won the division three times in the last five years. Veteran QB Gene Nowlin, brought in to replace the retired Dale Brown, has a 47.25 QBR so far (4 TDs, 12 INT) and has been sacked 12 times.

In other Week 3 games:

• Washington WR Allan Boyer caught TD passes of 93, 56, and 65 yards to help the Federals outlast the Charlotte Hornets, 34-31, in overtime. Boyer caught nine passes on the day for 324 yards, but it was John Broussard's strip sack of Hornets QB Stanley Snyder that set up the game-winning field goal in OT. Snyder has lost 60 fumbles in his three-plus seasons as Charlotte's QB.
• Michigan QB Jerry Ruiz completed 25 of 34 passes for 296 yards and five TDs as the Panthers dominated the San Jose SaberCats, 48-3. San Jose is still looking for its first touchdown after three games.
• Jacksonville MLB Philip Williamson made 12 tackles, forced a fumble, recovered a fumble, and intercepted a pass at the 1-yard line late in the game as the Bulls claimed sole possession of first place in the Southeast Division with a 16-10 win over the Tampa Bay Bandits.
• Birmingham QB Nolan Loos completed 23 of 31 passes for 400 yards and four TDs as the Stallions romped past the Georgia Force, 44-7.
• The New Jersey Generals beat the Baltimore Stars in the playoffs last season on their way to a league championship. The teams met again Wednesday and New Jersey prevailed again, 10-6. Stars QB Fred Murphy was intercepted three times and ended the day with a 18.46 QBR. 
• James Perry fired a 69-yard TD pass to Jerome Betancourt on a defensive overuse penalty in OT, giving the Memphis Showboats a 12-6 win over the Cleveland Thunderbolts.
• Matthew Eno's 44-yard field goal with 1:46 to play lifted the Chicago Blitz over the Honolulu Hawaiians, 9-7.

Week 4 Preview

A pair of undefeated teams meet when the Houston Gamblers (3-0) host the Arizona Wranglers (3-0). The New Orleans VooDoo (3-0) hosts the Michigan Panthers (2-1) in a battle of division leaders. Playoff entrants from last season square off as the Honolulu Hawaiians (2-1) travel to meet the Denver Gold (2-1). The Pacific Division-leading Los Angeles Express (3-0) host the Cleveland Thunderbolts (1-2). All three of Cleveland's games have been decided by 6 points or fewer.

Coach's Profile

cyclonelomax, Orlando Renegades

cyclonelomax

Playing MFN Since: I joined MFN in 2015, but only recently started getting really into it.

Hometown (town, state): Northern Virginia, just outside of D.C.

Current residence (town, state): Shenandoah Valley, Virginia

Day job: Mail carrier, U.S. Post Office

Favorite teams (all sports): D.C. teams and University of Virginia

A real-life sports experience: I have coached high school basketball at a private Christian school for several years.

Coach's Corner: (tip for a new MFN coach): Don't take yourself too seriously. Have fun.

1982 Week 2 Roundup: Throwing to the Wong Team

Gordon Wong, Jacksonville Bulls (28)

Jacksonville CB Gordon Wong set a USFL/WFL single-game record by intercepting four passes as the Bulls stomped the Oklahoma Outlaws, 29-9, the highlight of Week 2 of the league's 1982 season.

Many players had intercepted three passes in a game before Wong's big day.

Wong's first INT, at his team's 49-yard line, set up Jacksonville's first TD. Another Wong pickoff was nullified by a penalty, but the Outlaws went for it on fourth-and-22 and turned the ball over on downs. Wong's second INT came in the end zone on an offensive overuse penalty against Oklahoma. His third came at the Oklahoma 29, setting up a field goal. His record-setting fourth came with 1:43 remaining.

Wong was the team's first-round draft pick last season, the ninth overall pick out of Bethune-Cookman. He recorded 67 tackles and intercepted two passes as a rookie.

Oklahoma veteran QB Gene Nowlin, one of the league's most accurate passers during his days with the Los Angeles Express, was picked off six times in all and ended the day with a 41.75 QBR.

In other Week 2 games:

• New Jersey K Luico Grant booted the game-tying field goal on the final play of regulation time, then capped off a 12-play drive with another on the final play of overtime as the Generals nipped the New York Stars, 16-13.
• Houston CB David Peralta made eight tackles, knocked down four passes, and intercepted two as the Gamblers took over first place in the Southwest Division with a 24-3 win over the Memphis Showboats.
• Daniel Hall kicked two field goals in the final 4 minutes for Detroit, one with 2 seconds to play, as the Wheels topped the Michigan Panthers, 19-18, to force a four-way tie in the Midwest Division.
• The Baltimore Stars (0-2) have lost as many games as they did all last season (14-2) after being shut out by the Birmingham Stallions, 29-0. Birmingham forced five turnovers and scored 26 points in the fourth quarter.
• Tampa Bay RB Jimmy Clark rushed for 173 yards and two TDs and caught five passes for 45 more as the Bandits edged the Orlando Renegades, 17-14.
• Arizona WR Quincy White, last season's league offensive MVP, had 138 rushing yards and a TD and 48 receiving yards and another TD during a 21-13 defeat of the Oakland Invaders.
• SoCal rookie WLB Roderick Vanbrunt had a nice day in his second pro game. He made seven tackles along with an interception, a forced fumble, a recovered fumble, a sack, and a knockdown during his team's 34-17 loss to the Portland Storm.

Week 3 Preview

The Arizona Wranglers (2-0) host the Denver Gold (2-0) to break a first-place tie atop the West Division. The Honolulu Hawaiians (2-0) are at the Chicago Blitz (1-1) in a game of 1981 playoff teams. Another battle of last year's playoff entrants comes when the Baltimore Stars (0-2) host the New Jersey Generals (1-1).

Coach's Profile

hectorg93, Jacksonville Bulls

hectorg, Jacksonville

Playing MFN Since: June 28, 2018
Hometown (town, state): Imperial, CA
Current residence (town, state): Same
Day job: Bank teller
Favorite teams (all sports): Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bulls, and (sadly) the Miami Marlins
A real-life sports experience: I actually got to see the Cowboys and Rams when they played in the divisional round of the playoffs this year.
A fantasy sports experience: My fantasy is to finally see the Cowboys win a Super Bowl, haha.
Coach's Corner: (tip for a new MFN coach): Don't miss any part of the draft ever and don't be afraid to take some risk.

1982 Week 1 Roundup: The New Normal

SS Herbert Lynn, Philadelphia Bell (48)

When a new game version is introduced, crazy things happen. So, when a team that is expected to win does not, is it really an upset?

Six of last year's 12 playoff teams, including the defending World Bowl champion New Jersey Generals, fell during the first week of the 1982 season.

The Philadelphia Bell limited New Jersey to 145 yards passing in its 14-10 win. Generals QB Doug Fluty finished the day with a 63.02 QBR. New Jersey effectively ran out the clock on itself with an 11-play drive that began with 5:11 to go and ended with 58 seconds to play — and those 11 plays only got the Generals from their 18 to their 35.

Philadelphia QB Roy Rhyne (75.86 QBR) fared a little bit better than Fluty, throwing TD passes of 59 yards to WR Jim Nicholls and 4 yards to WR Chris Nease. SS Herbert Lynn, CB Victor Benedict, and WLB Michael Abrosino all recorded eight tackles for the Bell.

In other Week 1 games:

• Detroit, which lost to New Jersey in World Bowl VIII, also started off its season in forgettable fashion. The Wheels missed a field goal, punted eight times, turned the ball over on downs twice, once on an incomplete fourth-down pass from the 2-yard line, during a 6-2 loss to the Georgia Force. FS Harold Lindsay and WLB Chris Elmore combined for 21 tackles for Georgia.
• Charlotte WR Robert Anderson accumulated 173 yards on two receptions, TDs of 98 and 75 yards, as the Hornets surprised the Shreveport Steamer, 17-15. Anderson's 98-yard reception from QB Stanley Snyder was not the longest in USFL/WFL history. In fact, there have been three 100-yard receptions and four 99-yard catches.
• Baltimore only lost twice last season, but the Stars already have one loss this season after being held to 187 total yards in a 17-3 defeat at New Orleans. Rookie RB Socrates Rogers wisely followed his blockers on a 6-yard TD run for the VooDoo.
• New York CB Rodney Preston made nine tackles and had two of his team's six interceptions as the Stars edged Tampa Bay, 15-10. New York won despite being outgained, 445-184. Bandits rookie SS Clifford Swank made 12 tackles in his pro debut.
• Bradley Martinez and Ralph Johnson both returned interceptions for TDs as the Pittsburgh Maulers shut out the San Jose SaberCats, 26-0. Pittsburgh RB John Murray ran for 140 yards and caught three passes for 45 more.
• The new code didn't seem to bother Honolulu QB David McBroom too much. He completed 34 of 52 passes for 345 yards and four TDs, three to WR Mark Moody, in a 31-17 triumph over the Southern California Sun.
• Denver WR/RB Corey True ran for 84 yards and caught an 83-yard TD pass as the Gold pulled away from the Portland Storm, 28-9.
• The San Antonio Gunslingers knocked off defending Southwest Division champion Oklahoma Outlaws, 13-11. 10th-year LB Jonathan Neal recorded 10 tackles for the Gunslingers and 11th-year kicker Jose Fouche booted a 52-yard field goal with 5:29 remaining to put his team ahead for good.

Week 2 Preview

The New Jersey Generals (0-1) will try to bounce back against the crosstown rival New York Stars (1-0). The Midwest Division gets serious when the Chicago Blitz (1-0) visit the Cleveland Thunderbolts (0-1) and the Detroit Wheels (0-1) host the Michigan Panthers (1-0). A couple of playoff teams from last year meet when the Oklahoma Outlaws (0-1) travel to Jacksonville to meet the Bulls (0-1).

Shea, Herrera elected to USFL/WFL Hall of Fame

Gregory Shea

The USFL/WFL leader in all-around yardage and one of its elite defensive backs over the league's first eight seasons were both elected to the USFL/WFL Hall of Fame by a vote of the league's coaches.

Gregory Shea of the Memphis Showboats was All-Pro twice, as a kick returner (1977) and running back (1978). Shea is the league's all-time leader in kickoff return TDs (17), including a record three in one game vs. the Detroit Wheels in 1977. He averaged 48 yards on his 25 kickoff returns that season. Shea averaged 36 yards per kickoff return and 6.7 yards per punt return for his eight-year career and also rushed for 8.674 yards and 34 TDs and caught 316 passes for 3,249 yards and 24 more TDs.

Allen Herrera

Allen Herrera was Oklahoma's first-round pick in the 1974 allocation draft, and he certainly did not disappoint. When he retired after eight seasons, Herrera was the club's all-time leader in tackles (756) and interceptions (37) and allowed only 43 percent of passes against him to be completed. The 1974 All-Pro also had standout seasons in 1977 (8 INT), 1979 (8 INT) and 1981 (7 INT).

Shea and Herrera both were named on 24 of 31 ballots cast (77 percent). Three other players were named by 61 percent of the voters and will return to the ballot next year: Boston offensive lineman Charles Bukowski, Southern California linebacker James Kelley, and Los Angeles Express wide receiver Santiago Smith.

Only four players failed to receive the 25 percent of votes necessary to return to the 1983 ballot.

Here are the final vote totals (click to enlarge):

1982 Season Preview

Edgar Jones, QB, Shreveport Steamer

When a league's champion is decided by a safety in sudden-death overtime, it can't get much weirder than that. Or, can it?

The USFL/WFL moves into its ninth season having adopted V 0.4.5 to replace the oddball 4.4. That might mean some records will never be broken. For instance, Honolulu Hawaiians rookie RB Ronald Boatman catching 139 passes. Or Shreveport Steamer QB Edgar Jones completing 84.2 percent of his 474 throws. Or 100-year-old Chicago Blitz QB Daniel McKee finishing the season with a 137.60 quarterback rating.

The changes version 4.5 promises are not likely to result in a complete revamping of the league's power structure. The defending World Bowl champion New Jersey Generals, the runnerup Detroit Wheels, and traditional powers Oklahoma and Shreveport are likely to be back in the race. The new kids on the block (Honolulu, Denver, Baltimore) probably aren't going anywhere soon as well.

Pacific Division

Dusty Heckman, WR, SJS

The Hawaiians (14-2) won the division by eight games and will certainly be the favorite, even if RB Ronald Boatman isn't quite as dominant. The Los Angeles Express (6-10) missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season after winning four straight division titles and now must go through life without longtime QB Gene Nowlin. Southern California (4-12) earned its first-ever victory over LAX and both the Sun and the San Jose SaberCats (4-12) knocked off the playoff-bound New York Stars. The SaberCats will give future Hall of Fame WR Dusty Heckman a shot at his 100th career TD catch after signing the former Oklahoma Outlaws star to a free-agent contract. He has 93.

West Division

Christopher Curtis, WR, OAK

The Denver Gold (11-4-1) earned their first-ever division title and made the playoffs for the first time since 1974. They are roughly $48 million under the salary cap, giving coach AlexanDragon the flexibility to add pieces for a run at the World Bowl. The Arizona Wranglers (9-7) returned to the postseason after a three-year absence and have All-Pro QB Jerry Montalvo back in the fold after first allowing him to test the free-agent waters. The Portland Storm (8-8) signed a few superstars to make one more run at the title. Of Portland's 54 players in camp, 30 will have 10 or more seasons of pro experience come 1983. The Oakland Invaders (7-9) could jump right back into contention behind new coach Cdog13157 and former league MVPs Les Lacy and Christopher Curtis.

Midwest Division

Max Howard, RB, CHI

The Chicago Blitz (12-4) won the division in 1981 and returned to the playoffs after a five-year absence. One has to wonder how many bullets QB Daniel McKee has remaining in his revolver, but he can always just hand off to All-Pro RB Max Howard. The Detroit Wheels (10-6) had to win four in a row at the end of the season to claim an American Conference wild card spot, but Detroit came within that oddball overtime safety of earning its third league championship. A boatload of key veterans have departed, including QB Mario Valencia (Gamblers), WR John Risinger (Gamblers), CB David Peralta (Gamblers), CB Bradley Mondragon (Showboats), RT Thomas Watson (Bulls), RB Robert Costello (retired), WR Rigoberto Gonzales (retired), and CB Chuck Johnson (retired). The Cleveland Thunderbolts (7-8-1) saw their string of five consecutive playoff appearances snapped, but all-world LDE Jim Zarate bounced back from an injury-plagued 1980 season to record 25 sacks. Everyone keeps waiting for the Michigan Panthers (7-9) to make their move after a few seasons of building a talented young roster. Maybe this is the year.

Southwest Division

Tony Smith, QB, STO

The Oklahoma Outlaws (14-2) are 39-9 in three seasons under coach RoyceR, but will need to make some adjustments to qualify for the World Bowl for the first time after the departures of star-caliber players QB Dale Brown, WR Dusty Heckman, DB Allen Herrera, and LB Victor Lincoln.  The Houston Gamblers (9-7) forged the first winning season in franchise history and head coach setherick now has this previously endangered franchise nearly $58 million under the salary cap as well. The Memphis Showboats (9-7) sat out the playoffs after having won back-to-back World Bowls but will rebuild on the fly and another postseason berth would not shock anyone. The San Antonio Gunslingers (6-10) knocked Georgia out of the playoffs with a Week 15 upset and QB Tony Smith will add to his more than 43,000 career passing yards and is likely to throw his 300th TD pass.

South Division

James Sheckler, WR, NOV

The Shreveport Steamer (8-8) have been in the playoffs six of the last seven seasons, but have never won more than one playoff game. That could change this season if QB Edgar Jones completes 84 percent of his passes again and the team wins nine of its last 11 games again. Georgia (8-8) lost in Weeks 15 and 16 to miss the playoffs, but Force fans are excited to have a new coach in amalric7, who certainly will be an improvement over the old coach. The Birmingham Stallions (6-10) gained some momentum in their rebuilding program, with four of their six victories coming against playoff contenders. New Orleans (5-11) welcomed back old/new coach greyghost1225 with open arms after a tumultuous season during which four different coaches led the VooDoo. The old/new guy coached the team to a pair of World Bowl appearances during his previous stint.

Southeast Division

Edward Fields, RB, JAX

New coach hectorg became an instant hero in Jacksonville when the Bulls (8-8) pulled off their first-ever division championship. Edward Fields joined the ranks of the league's elite RBs in his ninth pro season. He ran for 1,244 yards and nine TDs and caught 34 passes for 371 yards and three more scores. Jacksonville added some pieces via free agency, pieces they will need to hold off the Tampa Bay Bandits (8-8), who had won the previous five division titles. Tampa Bay coach Mcarovil is not used to losing and will likely to bring an angry team out of the tunnel this season. The Orlando Renegades (4-12) swept both games from the Florida Blazers (3-13) to avoid the division basement. Those two crosstown rivals may have the most young talent in the league between them, including Florida WR Arthur Strickland, the 1979 Rookie of the Year.

Atlantic Division

James Alonzo, MLB, BLT

The Baltimore Stars (14-2) completed the biggest one-season turnaround in league history, recovering from a 2-14 nightmare in 1980 to claim their first Atlantic Division crown in 1981. Head coach Duval was named Coach of the Year by his peers. Now what can he do for an encore? Washington coach CrazyRazor was Coach of the Year in 1980, but the Federals fell to 7-9 in his second season. Oklahoma's BigPoppa left the league after winning the award three seasons ago. We are beginning to wonder if there is a Coach of the Year curse. The Charlotte Hornets (7-9) fell by the wayside after a 6-2 start, but still earned the most victories in a single season in franchise history. The Pittsburgh Maulers (6-10) suffered their first losing campaign under head coach Otterpop, but will carry a three-game win streak into 1982.

East Division

Ernest Lynch, RB, NYS

The New Jersey Generals (13-3) are the defending league champions and lost only one significant contributor from that team (leading receiver WR Damon Rosato, now with Memphis). So, it's safe to characterize the Generals as the odds-on favorite to repeat. It seems like forever ago that the Philadelphia Bell (9-7) were 1-15. In four seasons, head coach Jaybo911 has taken Philadelphia to back-to-back winning records and the team's first-ever playoff spot. The New York Stars (8-8) are coming off a playoff berth and have a new head coach in Chandyo and one of the league's best RB in second-year pro Ernest Lynch. The Boston Breakers (1-15) will look to avoid earning the No. 1 overall draft pick for a fourth consecutive season.