1978 Divisional Round Roundup, Conference Championship Preview

Luis Gero, QB, Tampa Bay

Defense? We don't need no stinkin' defense.

The Tampa Bay Bandits and Pittsburgh Maulers put on the biggest offensive show in USFL/WFL playoff history, combining for 118 points and 1,385 net yards before Tampa Bay finally prevailed, 66-52.

The Bandits rolled up 158 yards rushing and 711 passing. Luis Gero was 24-for-39 passing for 605 yards and six touchdowns, five covering 50 or more yards and four going to WR Edward Conner.

Pittsburgh, which never led, scored 31 points in the third quarter and was within 59-52 until just after the 2-minute warning. Ralph Allen's 20-yard TD run clinched the victory for the Bandits.

The previous record for combined playoff points was 88, set by the Bandits (61) and New York Stars (27) last season.

In other divisional round games:

• Los Angeles 34, Memphis 32: Express RDE Keith Diaz stuffed Showboats RB Gregory Shea on a 2-point conversion run attempt with 1:15 to play, preserving the win for LAX. The Showboats led, 26-17, in the final minute of the third quarter. Los Angeles QB Gene Nowlin was 20-for-29 passing and four TDs.
• Oakland 31, Cleveland 26: The Thunderbolts scored twice late in the game to cut into what had been a 31-13 Invaders lead. Oakland WLB David Monroe had nine tackles and three sacks. Cleveland WR Christopher Henderson caught TD passes of 58, 2, and 72 yards.
• Orlando 27, New Jersey 23: David Judkins' 31-yard TD pass to Steven Hale with 1:43 remaining avenged the Renegades' loss to the Generals two weeks ago. New Jersey moved to the Orlando 37 in the final minute before turning the ball over on downs.

Conference Championships

Oakland at Los Angeles: Oakland leads the series, 2-0 and won World Bowl II. The Express are seeking their first World Bowl appearance. The Invaders will be without center Frank Eddins (concussion) and the Express enter the game with all three of their defensive tackles injured.

Orlando at Tampa Bay: The Bandits lead the series, 8-2. Tampa Bay won, 37-28, in Week 3 and Orlando won, 30-25, in Week 15 (under new head coach DemonMaster). Tampa Bay fell to Detroit in World Bowl IV, while the Renegades are seeking their first-ever World Bowl appearance. Orlando star WR Robert Zapata (leg, 38 percent) is questionable. Tampa Bay DT Julian Kimmel (neck) is doubtful.

1978 Wild Card Roundup, Divisional Round preview

There will be a new champion in the USFL/WFL this season.

Antonio Wilson, QB, Memphis

Memphis WLB Douglas Banda intercepted a Detroit pass on the second play from scrimmage in overtime, setting up James Ewing's 34-yard game-winning field goal, as the Showboats knocked off the Wheels, 15-12.

Detroit had won the last two World Bowls. The only defending champion still alive among the eight remaining teams is the Oakland Invaders. Memphis won its first-ever postseason game—a game in which neither side scored a touchdown.

Ewing redeemed himself in OT after having missed a 44-yard attempt on the final play of regulation time. Detroit's Jose Fouche had earlier kicked a 49-yarder with 1:07 to play to tie the score.

The Wheels went into the game minus star QB Mario Valencia. His replacement, Henry Prieto, was sacked five times and intercepted once. Running the ball didn't work for Detroit, either, as Memphis outrushed the Wheels, 148-45. Showboats DT John Biggs recorded four sacks and QB Antonio Wilson was 23-for-34 passing. FS Robbie Hammock had 10 tackles for Detroit.

In other wild-card games:

• Cleveland 17, Oklahoma 12: The Thunderbolts won despite managing only five first downs. Chester Dougherty threw a pair of TD passes and the Cleveland defense manhandled Outlaws QB Dale Brown—six sacks, three interceptions, zero TDs. DT Kevin Hudson had three of those sacks.
• Pittsburgh 38, Shreveport 13: Cliff Thomas ran for 150 yards and a TD and Michael White was 21-for-25 passing as the Maulers advanced to the second round. After Shreveport opened the scoring with a field goal, Pittsburgh ran off the next 28 points.
• Orlando 24, Birmingham 10: After Birmingham opened the scoring, Orlando scored the next 24 points. Orlando's first three possessions all resulted in long drives for TDs—8 plays, 75 yards; 11 plays, 87 yards; and 13 plays, 88 yards. David Albrecht caught 11 passes for 48 yards for the Stallions.

Divisional Round Preview

Memphis at Los Angeles: Can Memphis keep the momentum after knocking off Detroit? The Express leads the series 2-0, including a 32-26 win in Week 6 this season. In that game, Los Angeles WR Robert Herrera caught  TD passes of 68 and 63 yards from Gene Nowlin.
Cleveland at Oakland: Oakland leads the series 2-1, including a 24-17 win in Week 12 this season. In that game, the Thunderbolts failed three times to get 1 yard and keep their final drive alive.
Orlando at New Jersey: Orlando leads the series 3-1. The teams met in the final game of the regular season, New Jersey prevailing, 21-10. The Renegades threw five interceptions and lost a fumble in that game. The Generals have won 11 in a row since losing to Oakland in Week 5. The loss to New Jersey snapped Orlando's eight-game win streak.
Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay: The Bandits lead the series, 2-1. including a 38-10 drubbing of the Maulers in Week 6, a game in which they sacked Pittsburgh QB Michael White eight times and led 35-0 late in the third quarter. Tampa Bay also won the 1977 regular-season meeting, 48-7.

1978 Regular Season Wrapup/Wild Card Preview

Bryan Johnson, DT, Orlando Renegades (79)

The USFL/WFL enters its fifth season of postseason action, and perhaps no playoff field has been as wide-open as this one.

The Detroit Wheels have won the last two World Bowls, but have shown some vulnerabilities this season. The Tampa Bay Bandits have crushed regular-season foes for the third consecutive season, but have yet to walk away with a ring. The New Jersey Generals are 23-2 in their last 25 regular-season games. LAX (14-2) has fallen to Detroit in each of their last two postseason meetings. The Orlando Renegades (12-4) won eight in a row under new coach DemonMaster, including a win over Tampa Bay, before falling to New Jersey in Week 16. Oakland (14-2) had an undefeated season in its crosshairs before dropping its last two.

And, you can certainly make a case for Cleveland, Memphis, Oklahoma, Birmingham, Shreveport, and Pittsburgh.

First things first, however. The wild card round commences Thursday.

Oklahoma at Cleveland: Oklahoma has won 2 of 3 regular-season games vs. the Thunderbolts and beat Cleveland, 20-5, in last year's playoffs. Can new coach Big Poppa get the Outlaws over the top in their second postseason appearance? Thunderbolts superstar LDE Jim Zarate is nursing a bum ankle, one of 11 injured 'Bolts, but is probable for Thursday.

Detroit at Memphis: The Showboats make their postseason debut against the Wheels, who have won all three regular-season meetings. Memphis star RB Gregory Shea has a leg injury, but is probable. Detroit QB Mario Valencia is very questionable (39 percent) with a hand injury. His backup, Henry Prieto, attempted a pass in only two games this season, but was pretty good in a start vs. Arizona (115.99 QBR).

Shreveport at Pittsburgh: The Maulers have won both regular-season games against the Steamer, including a 52-7 romp in Week 15. That was the only win for Pittsburgh in its last four games. Shreveport was 3-6 after a hot start and RB Joseph Ring is very questionable.

Orlando at Birmingham: Orlando, also making its postseason debut, is 3-1 all-time against the Stallions, including a 42-3 stomping in Week 11. The Renegades outgained the Stallions, 527-150, in that game. Birmingham QB Roger Boyer (foot) is probable.

Record Book

Notable individual records set or tied during the 1978 season included:

• Most rushing TDs, one game: Robert Ensley, Pittsburgh vs. Charlotte (4, tied for first)
• Most receptions, one game: Robert Zapata, Orlando vs. Baltimore (16, tied)
• Longest kickoff return: Kenneth Boyd, New Orleans vs. Florida (110 yards, tied)
• Longest punt: George Hill, Washington vs. Philadelphia (71 yards, tied)
• Most tackles, one season: Travis Curcio, MLB, Washington, 140
• Most sacks, one season: William Lewis, LDE, Tampa Bay, 31 (tied)
• Most hurries, one season: Jim Zarate, LDE, Cleveland, 145
• Most interceptions, one season: Bradley Martinez, CB, Pittsburgh 13
• Most interception returns for TDs, one game/one season: Monte Cherry, CB, Cleveland, vs. Florida, 2
• Most pass attempts, one season: William Hill, Portland 820
• Most pass receptions, one season: Robert Zapata, Orlando, 135
• Longest field goal: Gary Spence, Cleveland, 59 yards (tied)

Inside the Standings

• The Oklahoma Outlaws had the best regular-season record in franchise history (11-5), but finished second in their division because the Memphis Showboats had the best record in franchise history (12-4).
• Other teams to post the best record in franchise history were the Houston Gamblers (7-9), Michigan Panthers (8-8), Orlando Renegades (12-4), and New Jersey Generals (15-1). The Philadelphia Bell (6-10) and Cleveland Thunderbolts (13-3) tied their best-ever marks.
• The Honolulu Hawaiians finished the season with six consecutive wins. The previous franchise best win streak was four.
• The addition of Orlando and Memphis to the playoff field means 28 of the USFL/WFL's 32 franchises have made at least one playoff appearance in the league's first five years.

Who's Beating Who (Whom?)

The chart listing each team's all-time record against all opponents has been updated. Here are some interesting tidbits:

• The Memphis Showboats were 0-8 against San Antonio before beating the Gunslingers twice this season.
• The Washington Federals were 0-8 against Baltimore before beating the Stars twice this season.
• There are six division matchups in which one team has never beaten the other: Memphis is 10-0 vs. Houston, Detroit 10-0 vs. Michigan, Los Angeles 10-0 vs. Southern California, Pittsburgh 10-0 vs. Charlotte, Pittsburgh 10-0 vs. Washington, and New Jersey 10-0 vs. Philadelphia.
• There are three instances in which non-division foes have met every year. They are Michigan 4-1 vs. Houston; New Jersey 4-1 vs. Georgia; and Washington 3-2 vs. Philadelphia.

1978 Week 15 Roundup

Michael London, QB, Michigan

Week 15 of the 1978 USFL/WFL season saw four division leaders fall and the Oakland Invader' bid for an undefeated season come to an end.

The Michigan Panthers scored twice in the fourth quarter, including Michael London's 50-yard TD pass to Julio Prince, to stun the Invaders, 24-17. Oakland was attempting to finish off what would have been only the second 16-0 regular season in league history.

The Invaders almost pulled the game out, but Michigan FS David Oxford pulled down Oakland RB Jason Brooks one yard shy of the goal line as time expired.

Second-year WR Gerald Miller caught six passes for 159 yards and two TDs for the Panthers and SS Christopher Chen had nine tackles. Michigan (8-7) is going to finish the season at least at .500 for the first time in franchise history.

In other Week 15 games:

• The Detroit Wheels outlasted Pacific Division leader Los Angeles, 37-31, in overtime. Mario Valencia threw a 30-yard TD to Paul Lee with 1:29 remaining to force OT, then hit Zachary Powell with the 56-yard game-winner.
• The Orlando Renegades (12-3) won their eighth in a row, dropping Tampa Bay, 30-25, with two field goals in the final 3 minutes. The Bandits came up 3 yards shy of the winning TD on the game's final play.
• The New Orleans VooDoo stayed within one game of a playoff berth by knocking off South Division leader Birmingham, 37-25. New Orleans RB Kenneth Boyd ran for 119 yards and a TD.
• James Lightfoot threw for 458 yards and fourTDs as the Houston Gamblers surprised the Oklahoma Outlaws, 30-28. Houston's sixth win of the season is a franchise high.
• The Honolulu Hawaiians won their fifth in a row, dismantling the San Antonio Gunslingers, 39-14 behind 13 catches,199 yards and a TD from WR Michael Hunter.

Week 16 Preview

The Shreveport Steamer (8-7) and New Orleans VooDoo (8-7) enter Week 16 tied for the last National Conference playoff spot. Shreveport owns the tie-breakers, having beaten New Orleans twice this season and has the better division record. Shreveport will be a big favorite over the Boston Breakers (4-11), as will New Orleans against the Georgia Force (1-14). Other potentially entertaining games include Oklahoma (10-5) at Memphis (12-3), Birmingham (9-6) at Cleveland (12-3), Orlando (12-3) at New Jersey (14-1) and Pittsburgh (11-4) at Los Angeles (13-2).

Record Book

• Portland QB William Hill needs 23 yards passing in the season finale to become the first QB in league history to pass for 6,000 yards in a season twice. Hill has already done it once, as has Oklahoma QB Dale Brown and former Birmingham QB Agustin Crook.
• Charlotte RT Harold White has allowed far and away more sacks (110) of any player in league history. Arizona C Mark Trask is second at 72.
• Memphis LDE Nathan Branch has 87 career sacks eight more than Honolulu DT Richard Worthen.

1978 Week 14 Roundup: Rising Again in the South

With two weeks remaining, the only question marks remaining in the USFL/WFL are the identity of the South Division winner and the National Conference wild card teams.

Shaun Sanders, DT, Birmingham (76)

The Birmingham Stallions (9-5) surged into first place in the South with their second win over the Shreveport Steamer in three weeks, this time by a 15-10 score. The Stallions did it with defense, as one of DT Shaun Sanders' two sacks resulted in a safety. Birmingham QB Roger Boyer ended the game with a 41.05 QBR, but backup QB Karl Moore fired a 22-yard TD pass to David Albrecht on the possession after the safety.

Shreveport (8-6) has lost five of its last seven, but clings to the wild card spot with games remaining at Pittsburgh (10-4) and at Boston (4-10). Birmingham, which has won five of its last six, finishes with games against New Orleans (7-7) and at Cleveland (11-3).

New Orleans (7-7) is technically still alive, but must win out against Birmingham and the Georgia Force (1-13) and hope for some help.

In other Week 14 games:

• Oklahoma QB Dale Brown heaved a 66-yard TD pass to WR James Rosenzweig on the final play of the game to give the Outlaws a 30-26 win over the Southwest Division-leading Memphis Showboats. Oklahoma had trailed, 23-10, entering the fourth quarter. The teams meet again in the final week of the regular season.
• The Orlando Renegades won their seventh in a row, six under new coach DemonMaster, by pounding the Pittsburgh Maulers, 26-14. LDE Chris McDuffie had a pair of sacks for Orlando, which scored the last 9 points after the Maulers had closed within 17-14 late in the third quarter.
• Baltimore DT Les Lynch had 6 tackles, 4 sacks, 12 hurries, and forced a fumble during the Stars' 20-3 win over the Charlotte Hornets. Baltimore WLB Gordon Shive intercepted two passes. Charlotte MLB Eduardo Sorenson had 9 tackles, 4 hurries, 2 sacks, and an interception as the Hornets lost despite allowing only 210 total yards.
• The Philadelphia Bell tied a franchise record with their sixth win of the season, a 38-19 triumph over the Georgia Force in which QB Roy Rhyne threw all four of his TD passes in the first quarter.
• The Denver Gold recorded their second surprise win in three weeks, knocking Arizona out of the playoff race with a 27-26 victory over the Wranglers. A sack by Denver DT Felipe Crowell and an interception by CB Donald Lopez snuffed out Arizona's final two drives as the Wranglers lost for the fifth consecutive week.
• The Los Angeles Express fell to the San Jose Sabercats in Week 2 and haven't lost since. LAX extended its win streak to 12 games with a 34-10 rout of the Southern California Sun behind three TD passes from QB Gene Nowlin.
• The New York Stars won to avoid becoming the first team in USFL/WFL history to go 0-16. Six teams in league history have finished 1-15. The NY Stars or Georgia Force could become Nos. 7 and 8 with two losses to end the regular season.

Week 15 Preview

The three-way battle for two playoff spots from the South Division will move a step closer to completion when the New Orleans VooDoo (7-7) faces division leader Birmingham (9-5). The Shreveport Steamer (8-6), trying to keep pace, travels to Pittsburgh to face the Maulers (10-4). The Detroit Wheels (10-4) and Los Angeles Express (13-1) meet in a potential playoff preview, as do the Orlando Renegades (11-3) and Tampa Bay Bandits (13-1). The Georgia Force (1-13) and New York Stars (1-13) meet in the Toilet Bowl Classic.

Record Book

• Tampa Bay Bandits QBs Tyrone Harvell (117.95) and Luis Gero (108.05) are 1-2 in career QBR among all qualifying USFL/WFL quarterbacks. Chicago's Daniel McKee (105.21) is third.
• San Antonio Gunslingers QB Tony Smith is the league's all-time leader in both TD passes (187) and interceptions (133).
• Arizona's Curtis Scott has the highest average per rush (6.5) of any RB in league history with 500 or more carries.
• Oklahoma LDE Joe Braatz is the league's career leader in hurries with 314.

1978 Week 12 Roundup: Spoiler Alert

Donald John, CB, Denver Gold (27)

Teams that fit this description are called "spoilers." These teams are nowhere near the playoff race, yet manage to defeat teams that are fighting for their playoff lives.

The Denver Gold and Chicago Blitz both played the role of "spoilers" in Week 12. Denver beat the Detroit Wheels, 32-14, and Chicago knocked off the Arizona Wranglers, 25-16.

Those results leave the Wranglers (7-5) still one game behind the two-time league champion Wheels (8-4) in the American Conference wild card race. The Michigan Panthers (6-6) and Portland Storm (6-6) are two games back.

Denver outscored Detroit, 20-0, in the key third quarter. Detroit QB Mario Valencia had perhaps his worst day ever -- 3 intereceptions, 3 sacks, and a 42.39 QBR. Denver WR Michael Sonnenberg caught six passes for 115 yards and a TD and CB Donald John picked off a pair of passes.

Chicago sacked Arizona QB Jerry Montalvo eight times. RDE Cesar Collins had three of those sacks, DT Dustin Hoy two.

In other Week 12 games:

• New Jersey LDE James Lockette had 15 hurries, 6 sacks, 5 tackles, and forced two fumbles in a 28-14 win over the Portland Storm. New Jersey (11-1) is 19-2 over its last 21 regular-season games.
• Michigan QB Michael London threw for 544 yards and five TDs during a 57-19 rout of the Georgia Force. Michigan is two games back in the American Conference playoff race with four games to play.
• Pittsburgh QB Michael White was 19-for-23 passing for 383 yards and three TDs as the Maulers clinched a fifth consecutive Atlantic Division crown with a 55-17 defeat of the Charlotte Hornets.
• San Jose backup QB Luke Figueiredo threw two TD passes in the final 9 minutes as the SaberCats rallied to beat the Baltimore Stars, 35-32.
• The South Division is now in a three-way tie at 7-5 after Birmingham defeated Shreveport and New Orleans kicked a field goal on the last play of the game to beat the cursed New York Stars.

Week 13 Preview

The Arizona Wranglers (7-5) now have no room for error, and they must host the unbeaten Oakland Invaders (12-0). The Los Angeles Express (11-1) are at Oklahoma (9-3) in a preview of a potential postseason matchup. The Detroit Wheels (8-4) are at the New Orleans VooDoo (7-5) in a renewal of their World Bowl matchup from two seasons ago.

Record Book

• Michigan LDE Dwayne Walker and Tampa Bay LDE William Lewis both had seven sacks in a game this season, one shy of the league record of 8 set by Baltimore's Les Lynch last season.
• Cleveland LDE Jim Zarate has already set a league single-season record for hurries with 113 and has four more games remaining to add to that total. Zarate's 21 hurries vs. Portland this season are tied for the league single-game record.

1978 Week 11: Showboats Steal One from Bandits

James Ewing, K, Memphis

The USFL/WFL now has just one unbeaten team.

Memphis kicker James Ewing booted a 56-yard field goal with 45 seconds remaining, giving the Showboats a 30-28 win over the previously undefeated Tampa Bay Bandits.

Memphis (9-2) moved into sole possession of first place in the Southwest Division. The Showboats were 5-11 last year. Tampa Bay (10-1) saw its 19-game regular-season win streak come to an end. The Bandits are 40-3 in regular-season games over the last three seasons.

There were three lead changes in the first half and four in the second. Tampa Bay had gone ahead, 28-27, on Luis Gero's 44-yard TD pass to Edward Conner midway through the fourth quarter. The Bandits committed a fatal error with 2:39 remaining when James Haigh fumbled a punt and Memphis LT Rafael McGill recovered at the Tampa Bay 46. Ewing kicked his game-winner four plays later.

Memphis RB Gregory Shea ran for 124 yards and a TD and WR Fred Stevenson caught 10 passes for 133 yards. WLB Douglas Banda intercepted a pass and forced a fumble and SLB Allen Mullins recorded three sacks. DT Daniel Middleton had four sacks for the Bandits.

In other Week 4 games:

• Orlando has won three in a row under new coach DemonMaster, outscoring those foes 105-16. The latest Renegades victory was 42-3 over Birmingham as Douglas Donald rushed for 207 yards. Orlando now holds a two-game lead in the National Conference wild card race.
• Cleveland's Jim Zarate set a USFL/WFL single-season record with his 103rd hurry as the Thunderbolts beat the Denver Gold, 31-16. Portland's Norman Paulk had 102 hurries in 1976.
• Oakland RB Jason Brooks ran for 52 yards and caught five passes for 108 yards and two TDs in a 41-24 win over Portland that snapped the Storm's four-game win streak.
• Pittsburgh QB Michael White threw for 524 yards and five TDs as the Maulers moved closer to a fifth consecutive Atlantic Division title with a 54-17 thrashing of the Jacksonville Bulls.
• The San Antonio Gunslingers knocked Oklahoma out of a share of the Southwest Division lead, beating the Outlaws, 27-24, on Tony Smith's 54-yard TD pass to Freddie Mercury with 1:45 remaining.
• The New Orleans VooDoo pulled within a game of Shreveport in the South Division after edging Washington, 23-19, on Ryan Tate's 24-yard hot read TD pass to RB James Nantz with 1:30 to play.
• Honolulu RDE Keith Smith had six sacks and forced a fumble during a 25-2 win over the Baltimore Stars.
• The Detroit Wheels allowed just 141 net yards in a 19-0 shutout of Michigan. The Panthers are 0-4 vs. their Midwest Division foes this season, 5-2 vs. everyone else. CB David Peralta had six tackles for the Wheels.

Week 12 Preview

The Birmingham Stallions (6-5) will try to pull into a first-place tie with Shreveport (7-4) atop the South Division when they host the Steamer. The New Orleans VooDoo (6-5) will try to make that a three-way tie with a victory at home against the awful New York Stars (0-11). The Oakland Invaders (11-0) are at Cleveland (9-2) in a preview of a potential postseason matchup.

Record Book

• William Lewis of Tampa Bay (28) and Cleveland's Jim Zarate (23) could both break the single-season record for sacks — 31, set by Ryan Moore of the Georgia Force in 1974.
• Zarate's Thunderbolts teammate, Monte Cherry, has returned two interceptions for TDs this season, the only player in league history to do so twice in a single season.
• San Antonio Gunslingers QB Tony Smith, who set a league record by throwing 39 interceptions last season, has been picked off only 20 times in 1978.
• Oklahoma Outlaws RB Patrick Hiebert has 1,408 rushing yards this season, and needs to average 130 yards per game over his last five games to break the single-season record of 2,056 set by Chicago's Bruce Fine in 1974.
• Houston's James Connelly has averaged 41.0 yards on his 22 kickoff returns this season, which ties him for second place all-time among players who qualify (20 or more returns). Gregory Shea of Memphis averaged 48 yards on his 25 returns last season. The NFL record by the way, has stood since 1967 and is held by Green Bay's Travis Williams (41.06).