1984 USFL Championship Game

The Philadelphia Stars capped a remarkable season that saw them win 16 of 18 regular season games with a blowout 23-3 victory over Arizona Wranglers the in the second USFL Championship game on July 15, 1984.

At a glance... GAME FACTS Date July 15, 1984 Located Tampa, Florida TV ABC in U.S. Ratings (Unknown) Tickets (Unknown) Winnings Winners: (Unknown) Losers: (Unknown) Attendance 52,662 MVP QB Chuck Fusina, Philadelphia STADIUM Tampa Stadium

It was another disappointing postseason loss for coach George Allen, who has never coached a team to a losing record but has never won a championship either. "We didn't play as well as I thought we would and that's why we lost," he said. "I'm proud of this team because they played hard. They just didn't play well enough to win."

The Wranglers' pair of 1000 yard running backs, Kevin Long and Tim Spencer, were collectively held to 62 yards by a smothering defense that also held Allen's offense to just 9 yards in the first quarter and 119 for the game. "We've been doing this all year and its great to finally get credit for our (defense)", said Sam Mills, a 5'9" linebacker judged too small by the Cleveland Browns (but who later starred in the NFL).

The Stars, by contrast, had 256 yards rushing on 59 attempts and only needed 12 of 17 for 158 yards from quarterback and game MVP Chuck Fusina. Said Stars coach Jim Mora, "Our goal after losing to Michigan last year was not just to get to Tampa, but to win this game tonight."

The score might have been a little more one-side had the Stars not committed three turnovers inside the Wranglers 17 yard line and kicker David Trout not missed on both an extra point and a 27 yard field goal.

"We never got started. We made a few mistakes and Philadelphia just controlled the game," said Arizona quarterback Greg Landry, who was just 6 of 20 for 54 yards.

1983 USFL Championship Game Statistics 1983 USFL Championship Game Statistics Philadelphia 13 0 0 10 23 Arizona 0 3 0 0 3 SCORING Stars: Thomas 4 yard run (Trout kick) Stars: Fusina 1 yard run (kick failed) Wranglers: FG Frank Corral 37 yards Stars: Bryant 4 yard run (Trout kick) Stars: FG Trout 39 yards   1984 USFL CHAMPIONSHIP     STARS   WRANGLERS 23 First Downs 7 59-256 Rushes Yards 16-72 158 Passing Yards 54 56 Return Yards 37 12-17-1 Passes 6-20-0 3-2 Fumbles/Lost 1-1 3-20 Penalties/Yards 5-35 INDIVIDUAL LEADERS Bryant 29-115 Rushing Spencer 8-33, Long 7- 29 Fusina 12-17-1, 158 yards Passing Landry 6-20-0, 54 yards Donovan 3-43, Fitzkee 2-32 Receiving Willis 1-16, T. Johnson 1-15                                             1984 USFL CHAMPIONSHIP

USFL Bibliography
Books:
The $1 League: The Rise and Fall of the USFL by Jim Byrne
The Sporting News Official USFL Guide and Register, 1984
The Sporting News Official USFL Guide and Register, 1985
USFL Media Guides (each team published one each year)

Magazines:
Kickoff Magazine (published by league; 9 issues per year + playoffs; sold at games)
The Sporting News (regular coverage + special "preview" inserts)

These and many other USFL items can be found at eBay - check our links on the far right of this page!