Week 9 - 1985: Tampa Bay Bandits vs Birmingham Stallions

Week 9 - Sunday, April 21, 1985
Attendance: 28,900,
TV: ESPN

[Note: If you want to skip the pregame analysis, forward the video to the 4:24 minute mark where the kick off begins]

Cliff Stoudt and Joe Cribbs did their part and then said it is up to others to keep the Birmingham Stallions alive in the USFL.

"As long as we keep our end of the bargain on the field, somebody will come along and help out on our financial problems," said Stoudt, after passing for 168 yards and two touchdowns in Birmingham's 30-3 victory over Tampa Bay Sunday.

Birmingham has been seeking money in the recent weeks to finish the season since losing its major investor.

"We're the No.1 team in the league and I don't see how the No.l team would fold," said Cribbs, who scored on a pass and a run and had his best game of the year as Birmingham increased its record to 7-2, tops in the USFL.

The teams entered the game tied for the Eastern Conference lead, but the Bandits fell to 6-3.

James Harrell, Bandit linebacker, said Stoudt "can read defensive coverages very well and did a great job against us.

"It was pretty hot and we wanted to hold Birmingham so that our offense could be on the field to score some points."

Instead, Birmingham had possession of the ball for 40:07 of the 60 minutes, gambling successfully three times on fourth down on its first scoring drive.

Source: http://www.oursportscentral.com/usfl