1985 USFL season
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The 1985 USFL season was the third and final season of the
United States Football League The United States Football League (USFL) was a professional American football league that played for three seasons, 1983 through 1985. The league played a spring/summer schedule in each of its active seasons. The 1986 season was scheduled to be ...
(USFL), and the last by a league using that name until the 2022 USFL season.


Rule changes

Adopted instant replay for the 1985 season. Under the instant-replay rule, a team may have one appeal per half in three situations: *A fumble or no-fumble situation. *Whether a pass is complete, incomplete or intercepted. *Whether the ball has penetrated the goal line. The team asking for the replay would lose a time out if they were wrong. The replay was available only in games televised by
ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster ** Disney–ABC Television ...
.


Franchise changes

*Pittsburgh Maulers fold. *Chicago Blitz suspend operations. *Michigan Panthers merge with the Oakland Invaders. *Arizona Wranglers and the Oklahoma Outlaws merge and create the Arizona Outlaws. *New Orleans Breakers relocate to Portland, Oregon as the Portland Breakers. *Philadelphia Stars move games to College Park, Maryland, with plans to move to Baltimore in 1986, team is renamed the Baltimore Stars. *Washington Federals are sold and relocate to Orlando, Florida, as the Orlando Renegades.


General news

August 22, 1984, the owners voted to move to a fall schedule starting in 1986.
Harry Usher Harry Lester Usher (March 6, 1939 – June 22, 2000) was an American attorney who was the second and last commissioner of the United States Football League (USFL). He was also the executive vice president and general manager of the Los Ang ...
became the new commissioner of the USFL in January 1985. The USFL and the United States Football League Players Association (USFLPA) agreed on a four-year agreement in March 1985. On April 29, 1985, the league's owners voted 13–2 to reaffirm their decision to begin playing a fall season in 1986.


Regular season

''W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PCT= Winning Percentage, PF= Points For, PA = Points Against'' '' = Division Champion, = Wild Card'' ''New Jersey finished ahead of Memphis based on a head-to-head tiebreaker advantage (2-0-0).''


Playoffs

''Home team in CAPITALS'' Quarterfinals June 29–30 and July 1 *BIRMINGHAM 22, Houston 20 *MEMPHIS 48, Denver 7 *OAKLAND 30, Tampa Bay 27 *Baltimore 20, NEW JERSEY 17 Semifinals July 6–7 *Baltimore 28, BIRMINGHAM 14 *Oakland 28, MEMPHIS 19 USFL Championship game July 14 (at East Rutherford, New Jersey) *Baltimore 28, OAKLAND 24


Statistics


1985 regular season stat leaders


1985 USFL regular season sortable offensive team statistics


1985 USFL regular season sortable defensive team statistics


Awards

*WR
Richard Johnson Richard or Dick Johnson may refer to: Academics * Dick Johnson (academic) (1929–2019), Australian academic * Richard C. Johnson (1930–2003), professor of electrical engineering * Richard A. Johnson, artist and professor at the University of ...
, HOU *WR Jim Smith, BIRM *TE Marvin Harvey, TB *T
Irv Eatman Irvin Humphrey "Irv" Eatman (born January 1, 1961) is a former American football offensive tackle, who played professionally for 3 seasons in the United States Football League (USFL) and 11 seasons with the National Football League (NFL). Playi ...
,
BAL Bal may refer to: * Bal (surname), a Dutch, Indian, and Turkish surname * Bal, Iran (disambiguation) * Bal, Zira, a village in Punjab, India * ''Bal'' (film), a 2010 Turkish film * Bäl, a settlement on the Swedish island of Gotland * 8678 Bä ...
*T Ray Pinney, OAKL *G
Buddy Aydelette William Leslie "Buddy" Aydelette (born August 19, 1956) is a former American football guard. He began his career with the Green Bay Packers of the NFL. He was drafted by the Packers in the 7th round (169th overall) of the 1980 NFL Draft. He w ...
, BIRM *G Pat Saindon, BIRM *C
Kent Hull James Kent Hull (January 13, 1961 – October 18, 2011) was an American football offensive lineman in the National Football League and United States Football League, more precisely a center for the New Jersey Generals of the USFL and Buffalo Bi ...
, NJ *QB
Jim Kelly James Edward Kelly (born February 14, 1960) is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons with the Buffalo Bills. He also spent two seasons with the Houston Gamblers of the United Stat ...
, HOU *HB Herschel Walker, NJ *HB Gary Anderson, TB *DE James Lockette, NJ *DE
Bruce Thornton Bruce S. Thornton (born August 2, 1953) is an American classicist at California State University, Fresno, and research fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution. Biography Thornton received a Bachelor of Arts in Latin from the Univers ...
, DENV *DT
Reggie White Reginald Howard White (December 19, 1961 – December 26, 2004) was an American professional football player who played defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons during the 1980s and 1990s. He played college football for ...
, MEM *DT
Dave Tipton David Lance Tipton (born April 23, 1949) is a former professional American football player who played in six National Football League (NFL) seasons from 1971 to 1976 for the New York Giants, the San Diego Chargers and the Seattle Seahawks. Tip ...
, AZ *LB
Sam Mills Samuel Davis Mills Jr. (June 3, 1959 – April 18, 2005) was an American football linebacker who played twelve seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers. He also played for three seasons for ...
,
BAL Bal may refer to: * Bal (surname), a Dutch, Indian, and Turkish surname * Bal, Iran (disambiguation) * Bal, Zira, a village in Punjab, India * ''Bal'' (film), a 2010 Turkish film * Bäl, a settlement on the Swedish island of Gotland * 8678 Bä ...
*LB Kiki DeAyala, HOU *CB Kerry Justin, NJ *CB David Martin, DENV/ AZ *S
Chuck Clanton Chuck Clanton is a former defensive back in the National Football League. Biography Clanton was born Cleveland Edward Clanton III on July 15, 1962 in Richmond, Virginia. Career After playing with the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Foo ...
, BIRM *S
Mike Lush Mike Lush (born April 18, 1958) is a former American football defensive back. He played for the Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars from 1983 to 1985, the Indianapolis Colts and Minnesota Vikings The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American f ...
,
BAL Bal may refer to: * Bal (surname), a Dutch, Indian, and Turkish surname * Bal, Iran (disambiguation) * Bal, Zira, a village in Punjab, India * ''Bal'' (film), a 2010 Turkish film * Bäl, a settlement on the Swedish island of Gotland * 8678 Bä ...
*K Brian Franco,
JACK Jack may refer to: Places * Jack, Alabama, US, an unincorporated community * Jack, Missouri, US, an unincorporated community * Jack County, Texas, a county in Texas, USA People and fictional characters * Jack (given name), a male given name, ...
*KR
Clarence Verdin Clarence Verdin (born June 14, 1963) is a former American football wide receiver and kick returner in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins, Indianapolis Colts and Atlanta Falcons. He also was a member of the Houston G ...
, HOU *P
Stan Talley Stan Talley (born September 5, 1958) is a former American football punter. He played for the Oakland Invaders The Oakland Invaders were a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League (USFL) from 1983 thr ...
, OAKL *PR
Gerald McNeil Gerald Lynn McNeil (born March 27, 1962) is a former American football wide receiver and return specialist who played in the National Football League (NFL) for five seasons with the Cleveland Browns and Houston Oilers. He also played in the Unite ...
, HOU *MVP – HB Herschel Walker, NJ *Coach of the year –
Rollie Dotsch Roland Daniel Dotsch (February 14, 1933 – March 16, 1988) was an American football coach who served primarily in an assistant capacity before becoming the first coach of the United States Football League's Birmingham Stallions on September 2, 1 ...
, BIRM *Special Teams Player of the year – WR
Clarence Verdin Clarence Verdin (born June 14, 1963) is a former American football wide receiver and kick returner in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins, Indianapolis Colts and Atlanta Falcons. He also was a member of the Houston G ...
, HOU *WR
Richard Johnson Richard or Dick Johnson may refer to: Academics * Dick Johnson (academic) (1929–2019), Australian academic * Richard C. Johnson (1930–2003), professor of electrical engineering * Richard A. Johnson, artist and professor at the University of ...
, HOU *WR Jim Smith, BIRM *WR Anthony Carter, OAKL *TE Gordon Hudson, LA *T
Irv Eatman Irvin Humphrey "Irv" Eatman (born January 1, 1961) is a former American football offensive tackle, who played professionally for 3 seasons in the United States Football League (USFL) and 11 seasons with the National Football League (NFL). Playi ...
BAL Bal may refer to: * Bal (surname), a Dutch, Indian, and Turkish surname * Bal, Iran (disambiguation) * Bal, Zira, a village in Punjab, India * ''Bal'' (film), a 2010 Turkish film * Bäl, a settlement on the Swedish island of Gotland * 8678 Bä ...
*T
Gary Zimmerman Gary Wayne Zimmerman (born December 13, 1961) is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). Zimmerman played for the Minnesota Vikings from 1986 to 1992 and for the Denver ...
, LA *G
Buddy Aydelette William Leslie "Buddy" Aydelette (born August 19, 1956) is a former American football guard. He began his career with the Green Bay Packers of the NFL. He was drafted by the Packers in the 7th round (169th overall) of the 1980 NFL Draft. He w ...
, BIRM *G Pat Saindon, BIRM *C
Kent Hull James Kent Hull (January 13, 1961 – October 18, 2011) was an American football offensive lineman in the National Football League and United States Football League, more precisely a center for the New Jersey Generals of the USFL and Buffalo Bi ...
, NJ *QB
Jim Kelly James Edward Kelly (born February 14, 1960) is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons with the Buffalo Bills. He also spent two seasons with the Houston Gamblers of the United Stat ...
, HOU *HB Herschel Walker, NJ *HB Gary Anderson, TB *DE
Reggie White Reginald Howard White (December 19, 1961 – December 26, 2004) was an American professional football player who played defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons during the 1980s and 1990s. He played college football for ...
, MEM *DE William Fuller,
BAL Bal may refer to: * Bal (surname), a Dutch, Indian, and Turkish surname * Bal, Iran (disambiguation) * Bal, Zira, a village in Punjab, India * ''Bal'' (film), a 2010 Turkish film * Bäl, a settlement on the Swedish island of Gotland * 8678 Bä ...
*DT
Jearld Baylis Jearld Baylis (born August 12, 1962) is a former star defensive lineman in the Canadian Football League. Baylis played college football at University of Southern Mississippi., where he was known as the Space Ghost. He had a 10-year career fro ...
,
PORT A port is a maritime facility comprising one or more wharves or loading areas, where ships load and discharge cargo and passengers. Although usually situated on a sea coast or estuary, ports can also be found far inland, such as Ham ...
*DT Doug Smith, BIRM *OLB Herb Spencer, BIRM *OLB
Andy Hawkins Melton Andrew Hawkins (born January 21, 1960) is an American former professional baseball pitcher and coach. Hawkins spent most of his Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the San Diego Padres, and also played for the New York Yankees and bri ...
, HOU *ILB
Sam Mills Samuel Davis Mills Jr. (June 3, 1959 – April 18, 2005) was an American football linebacker who played twelve seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers. He also played for three seasons for ...
,
BAL Bal may refer to: * Bal (surname), a Dutch, Indian, and Turkish surname * Bal, Iran (disambiguation) * Bal, Zira, a village in Punjab, India * ''Bal'' (film), a 2010 Turkish film * Bäl, a settlement on the Swedish island of Gotland * 8678 Bä ...
*ILB John Nevens, DENV *ILB Howard Carson, LA *CB
Jerry Holmes Jerry Lee Holmes (born December 22, 1957) is an American football coach and former cornerback. He played ten seasons in the National Football League (NFL), mainly for New York Jets but also with the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers. He also ...
, NJ *CB David Martin, DENV/ AZ *S
Barney Bussey Barney Bussey (born May 20, 1962) is a former American football safety. Bussey was born in Lincolnton, Georgia. He attended high school at Lincoln County High School in Lincolnton where he was a major reason behind Lincoln County's defensive su ...
, MEM *S
Chuck Clanton Chuck Clanton is a former defensive back in the National Football League. Biography Clanton was born Cleveland Edward Clanton III on July 15, 1962 in Richmond, Virginia. Career After playing with the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Foo ...
, BIRM *K
Tony Zendejas Tony Zendejas (born May 15, 1960) is a Mexican-American former NFL placekicker. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Los Angeles Express of the United States Football League (USFL). After the USFL folded, he was selected in the first ...
, LA *KR
Clarence Verdin Clarence Verdin (born June 14, 1963) is a former American football wide receiver and kick returner in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins, Indianapolis Colts and Atlanta Falcons. He also was a member of the Houston G ...
, HOU *P
Stan Talley Stan Talley (born September 5, 1958) is a former American football punter. He played for the Oakland Invaders The Oakland Invaders were a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League (USFL) from 1983 thr ...
, OAKL *PR
Gerald McNeil Gerald Lynn McNeil (born March 27, 1962) is a former American football wide receiver and return specialist who played in the National Football League (NFL) for five seasons with the Cleveland Browns and Houston Oilers. He also played in the Unite ...
, HOU *Player of the year—HB Herschel Walker, NJ *Coach of the year --
Rollie Dotsch Roland Daniel Dotsch (February 14, 1933 – March 16, 1988) was an American football coach who served primarily in an assistant capacity before becoming the first coach of the United States Football League's Birmingham Stallions on September 2, 1 ...
, BIRM *Executive of the year -- Jerry Sklar, BIRM


See also

*
1985 NFL season The 1985 NFL season was the 66th regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XX when the Chicago Bears defeated the New England Patriots 46–10 at the Louisiana Superdome. The Bears became the second team ...


References

{{USFL
United States Football League The United States Football League (USFL) was a professional American football league that played for three seasons, 1983 through 1985. The league played a spring/summer schedule in each of its active seasons. The 1986 season was scheduled to be ...
1985