'87 USFL: Running Late

Event Date: July 6th, 1987

Event Description: Football News

Source: Associated Press

'87 USFL: Spring Fling

Event Date: July 5th, 1987

Event Description: Fox Eyes New League

Source: Daily News

'87 USFL: Requiem

 

'87 USFL: Comeback Kid?

Event Date: July 5th, 1987

Event Description: Dupree Update

Source: Tampa Bay Times

'87 USFL: Freefall

Event Date: July 1st, 1987*

Event Description: USFL Players Released

Source: Sheboygan Press

'87 USFL: Transactions

Event Date: July 1st, 1987

Event Description: Football Transactions

Source: Orlando Sentinel

'87 USFL: Open Door Policy

Event Date: June 28th, 1987

Event Description: Alouettes Fold

Source: The Province

'87 USFL: Diamond Dupree

Event Date: June 21st, 1987

Event Description: Kings Eye Dupree

Source: Sunday News

'87 USFL: Expansion Hopefuls

Event Date: June 10th, 1987

Event Description: Payton Eyes Ownership

Source: Arizona Republic

'87 USFL: Copper Kings

Event Date: June 3rd, 1987

Event Description: Kings Eye Dupree

Source: The Columbian

'87 USFL: Catch & Release

Event Date: May 27th, 1987

Event Description: Stamps Camp

Source: Calgary Herald

'87 USFL: Money Ball

Event Date: May 12th, 1987

Event Description: Boz Enters Draft

Source: Battle Creek Enquirer

'87 USFL: Transactions

Event Date: May 12th, 1987

Event Description: Football Transactions

Source: Associated Press

'87 USFL: Foote in the Door

Event Date: May 8th, 1987

Event Description: Giants Deal Foote

Source: Newsday

'87 USFL: Lions Den

 Event Date: May 6th, 1987

Event Description: Lions Eye E.T.

Source: Tampa Tribune

'87 USFL: Rookie in Disguise

Event Date: May 4th, 1987

Event Description: Bengals Camp

Source: Cincinnati Enquirer

'87 USFL: May Day

Event Date: May 3rd, 1987

Event Description: USFL v. NFL

Source: Billings Gazette

'87 USFL: Steel Town Signings

Event Date: May 1st, 1987

Event Description: Steelers Sign Five

Source: Pittsburgh Post Gazette

'87 USFL: Football Transactions

Event Date: April 30th, 1987

Event Description: Football Transactions

Source: Associated Press

'87 USFL: Transactions

Event Date: April 20th, 1987

Event Description: Football Transactions

Source: Associated Press

'87 USFL: NFL Stars?

 Event Date: April 16th, 1987

Event Description: Baltimore Expansion Groups

Source: Portville Progressive

'87 USFL: Ram Tough

Event Date: April 16th, 1987

Event Description: Rams Sign Byrne

Source: La Crosse Tribune

'87 USFL: Transactions

Event Date: April 16th, 1987

Event Description: Football Transactiions

Source: U.P.I.

'87 USFL: Transactions

Event Date: April 13th, 1987

Event Description: Football Transactions

Source: Associated Press

'87 USFL: Transactions

Event Date: April 8th, 1987

Event Description: Football Transactions

Source: Associated Press

'87 USFL: Free Agency Begins

Event Date: April 7th, 1987

Event Description: Football Transactions

Source: Associated Press

'87 USFL: Exit Strategy

Event Date: April 1987*

Event Description: Tathams Eye NFL

Source: U.P.I.

'87 USFL: Appropriate Steps

Event Date: April '87*

Event Description: Outlaws Out?

Source: Daily Sun

'87 USFL: Yes or No?

 

 

'87 USFL: Windy City

Event Date: April 7th, 1987

Event Description: Evans Sues Einhorn

Source: News and Record

'87 USFL: April Fools

Event Date: April 1st, 1987

Event Description: New Grid Leagues

Source: Los Angeles Times

'87 USFL: MVP Award

Event Date: April 1st, 1987

Event Description: Lewis Named MVP

Source: League Office

New York—Walter Lewis of the Memphis Showboats was the Most Valuable Player by the Pro Football Writers of America on Tuesday.

Lewis, in his third pro season, edged out New Jersey Generals quarterback Jim Kelly for the award. Lewis finished with 4,136 passing yards to go along with 30 touchdown passes and 512 rushing yards.

The previous winners of the Schick Trophy as the USFL MVP were Kelvin Bryant, Jim Kelly and Herschel Walker.

Along with Lewis, Kiki DeAyala was named Defensive MVP and Pepper Rodgers was named Coach of the Year.

'87 USFL: All-USFL

Event Date: March 31st, 1986

Event Description: League Awards

Source: League Office

'87 USFL: Sailing Away

Event Date: March 29th, 1987

Event Description: ‘Boats Sink Outlaws

Source: League Office

Walter Lewis engineered two key touchdown drives, and Roger Ruzek connected on a record six field goals as the Memphis Showboats dominated Arizona in the USFL championship game by a score of 39-13.

The Showboats were clearly the superior team as they dominated the Arizona offense led by Doug Williams. Williams was intercepted three times, sacked three times and had a fumble returned for a touchdown early in the second quarter.

Memphis controlled the game early with three Ruzek field goals and a Bill Roe 42-yard fumble return for a touchdown as the ‘Boats took a an early16-0 lead.

The Outlaws cut the lead to 16-7 after an eight-play 82-yard drive culminated with a Williams to Eric Truvillion 15-yard touchdown pass.

Memphis responded with a four play, 80-yard drive of its own, finishing with a 52-yard strike from Lewis to Sam Bowers and a fourth Roger Ruzek field goal just before the half. 

The teams exchanged field goals in the second half with the only touchdown coming at the five minute mark of the final frame. Lewis found Derrick Crawford in the end zone for a 15-yard score as the Showboats sealed the victory, their 18th of the season.

Notes-Sam Bowers was named the Most Valuable Player of the game finishing with five receptions for 117 yards and one touchdown….Barney Bussey led the Memphis defense with eight tackles, a forced fumble and one interception.

'87 USFL: Championship Preview

Event Date: March 28th, 1987

Event Description: USFL Championship Preview

Source: Football News

The 1986, and possibly last, USFL Championship game will be played tonight in Jacksonville. Here is a preview of the matchup:

QUARTERBACKS-Veteran Doug Williams had a solid season with over 4,000 passing yards and 34 touchdowns. He is cool under pressure and still boasts a cannon for an arm.

League MVP Walter Lewis has been stellar this season with 4,136 yards and 30 touchdowns despite missing a series of games due to injury.

EDGE: Memphis

RECEIVERS-With three 1,000 yard receivers, the Showboats have the best group of receivers in the league bar none. Greg Moser led the team with over 1,600 yards and 14 touchdowns, with Derrick Crawford adding 1,500 yards and ten scores respectively. Perry Kemp was brought in during the off-season and had a solid year of his own with 1,270 yards and eight touchdowns. Veteran Sam Bowers is both a solid blocker and efficient pass catcher.

Arizona wideout Eric Truvillion has been on fire as of late, his 1300 plus yards and 15 touchdowns led the team. Unfortunately for Arizona this will be his last game with the team as he signed a futures contract with the Detroit Lions. The other receivers are solid if unspectacular with Al Williams, Derek Holloway, and Greg Anderson sharing the duties alongside Truvillion. Tight end Mark Keel was also productive piling up 826 yards and four scores.

EDGE: Memphis

RUNNING BACKS-Stopping Reggie Brown will be a top priority for the Memphis defense this Saturday. Brown led the team with 1,376 yards with 11 scores and is the key to the Arizona ground game. Mel Gray and Mack Boatner are change of pace backs who will help to spell Brown.

Harry Sydney and Anthony Parker head the Memphis ground attack, but are often used to compliment the Showboats passing game. Walter Lewis is also a threat to run as he piled up 512 rushing yards of his own.

EDGE: Arizona

OFFENSIVE LINE-The Showboats have an underrated line that is anchored by Ken Smith and Bob Gruber. Veterans Tyrone McGriff and Dale Markham are solid.

The Outlaws line struggled at times due to injuries and inconsistent play. Donnie Hickman and Alvin Powell have been solid as of late.

EDGE: Memphis

DEFENSIVE LINE-Defensive end Kenny Neil and tackle Mortrandy Taylor had all-star seasons for the Outlaws. Veterans Kit Lathrop and Monte Bennett are solid with Kenny Neil adding additional support.

Calvin Clark, Jay Hayes and Jearld Baylis all received regular season accolades and nose guard Ron Simmons was a solid anchor in the middle.

EDGE: Even

LINEBACKERS-Kiki DeAyala was named league Defensive MVP as he led the team with 147 tackles, added 14 stuffs, six sacks, six fumble recoveries and 10 interceptions. DeAyala is also surrounded by a solid corps of vets led by Bruce Gheesling and Howard Carson.

Bill Roe is the captain of the Mephis defense as he led the unit with 12 sacks with 127 tackles and four picks. Ray Bentley and Will Cokeley also help to solidify this group.

EDGE: Arizona

SECONDARY-The Showboats feature a dominate secondary with Barney Bussey (143 tackles), Vito McKeever (10 interceptions) and Doran Major.

Derrick Martin (8 interceptions/23 deflections) and Jesse Armstead (11 interceptions) are solid, but they will have their hands full with the Showboats receivers.

EDGE: Memphis

SPECIAL TEAMS-Memphis kicker Roger Ruzek was perfect on PATs (67/67) while racking up 166 points. The return game is solid with Leonard and Gizmo Williams handling those duties.

Luis Zendejas handled both the kicking and punt duties with varied success this year. Shawn Faulkner is one of the best return men in the league.

EDGE: Memphis

COACHING-Pepper Rodgers was named Coach of the Year with Frank Kush finishing second.

Pepper would prefer an old-school shoot-out, while Kush would like a low-scoring defensive contest.

EDGE: Even

Prediction: Memphis survived an epic contest last week against New Jersey, whilst Arizona drubbed Jacksonville. Look for the Outlaws to try and slow the Memphis offense with a series of blitzes and new looks to try and shake Walter Lewis off of his game. In the end however, the Showboats have been the best team all season and they should again show that to the nation tonight.

'87 USFL: Week #20 Point Spreads

Event Date: March 25th, 1987

Event Description: USFL Odds

Source: Danny Sheridan

'87 USFL: Domination

 

Arizona dominated Jacksonville in the USFL playoffs this weekend.

TEMPE-Doug Williams and the Arizona Outlaws crushed Doug Flutie and the Jacksonville Bulls on Saturday by a score of 37-7 to round out the USFL Semi-Final playoffs.

Williams tossed a 21-yard touchdown pass to Greg Anderson and ran for a 15-yarder and the Arizona defense intercepted Flutie five times while sacking him six times in the win. 

Two of the interceptions were returned for touchdowns and the Bulls were held to just 83 rushing yards despite having league rushing king Todd Gerhart.

Reggie Brown rushed for 124 yards for Arizona who will now take on league leading Memphis in next weeks title tilt.

'87 USFL: Riverboat Gamblers

Walter Lewis eludes a defender late in the Showboats 49-46 victory over New Jersey

MEMPHIS-Walter Lewis's 55-yard touchdown pass to Derek Crawford early in the final frame turned out to be the difference and gave the Memphis Showboats a 49-46 victory over the New Jersey Generals in a United States Football League playoff game Saturday afternoon.

The Showboats took the early lead via a six-yard touchdown run from Anthony Parker, which was quickly followed by a 101-yard kickoff return by Clarence Verdin tying things at 7-7.

After a Russell Erxleben 21-yard field goal to start the second quarter, Parker scored again on a nine-yard scamper giving Memphis a 14-10 lead. Jim Kelly found Richard Johnson in the corner of the endzone for a 10-yard score and a 17-10 lad for the visitors.

Memphis then closed out the first half with a pair of Walter Lewis touchdown passes, the first a six-yarder to Anthony Parker and the second a 59-yard strike to Greg Moser as time was expiring just before intermission pushing the Showboats lead to 28-17.

Jim Kelly opened the second half with a 65-yard bomb to Sam Harrell as the Generals clawed back to within four points down 28-24. A Harry Sydney six-yard run at the 9:00 minute mark pushed the Memphis lead back to eleven at 35-24.

The Generals quickly responded with a Jim Kelly to Scott McGhee 23-yard score before Lewis found Moser streaking down the sideline for a 71-yard dart and a 42-31 lead.

The final frame saw Kelly throw two more touchdown passes a one-yarder to Herschel Walker and a 46-yarder to Gerald "the Ice Cube" McNeil.

The Showboats will now move on the USFL Championship game in Jacksonville next week to take on the Arizona Outlaws.

'87 USFL: Week #19 Point Spreads

Event Date: March 18th, 1987

Event Description: USFL Odds

Source: Danny Sheridan

'87 USFL: Long Haul

Event Date: March 17th, 1987

Event Description: Kush Complains

Source: Associated Press

'87 USFL: Season Concludes

Event Date: March 16th, 1987

Event Description: USFL Summary

Source: Football News

'87 USFL: Dixon Returns

Event Date: March 15th, 1987

Event Description: The Money Game

Source: NY Daily News