Week 2 - Monday, March 4, 1985
Attendance: 40,112,
TV: ESPN
Memphis Showboats quarterback Walter Lewis, who was neutralized in the first half, turned his team around after intermission, passing for one touchdown and running for two more to spark a 24-14 victory over the Jacksonville Bulls.
In the first 30 minutes of the United States Football League game Monday night, Lewis was 1 of 5 for 8 yards passing, although he scrambled six times for 52 yards. He finished the game with nine completions on 18 attempts for 117 yards, and added 76 yards on 11 rushes.
The Showboats trailed 7-0 at halftime, but Lewis wasted no time evening the score after intermission.
The Showboats took the second half kickoff and used five plays to move 81 yards — scoring on a 22-yard touchdown pass from Lewis to wide receiver Greg Moser The quick drive was highlighted by a 37-yard gallop by running back Leonard Williams.
The Showboats capitalized on two Jacksonville fumbles in the third quarter to set up their second and third scores.
Nose tackle Paul Hanna grabbed a fumble by Bulls quarterback Buck Belue on the Jacksonville 4-yard line, and Lewis scored on the next play with a run around left end.
On the ensuing kickoff, a fumble by return specialist Reggie Butts was pounced on by Showboats defensive back Doran Major at the 25. Five plays later, Lewis scored on a 1-yard plunge.
Belue, getting his first professional start because Brian Sipe is injured and Robbie Mahouz is ill, put together a six-play, 46-yard drive in the second quarter Heisman Trophy winner Mike Rozier capped the march by breaking 11 yards up the middle to score.
Early in the final period, Belue tossed a 2-yard touchdown pass to split end Aubrey Matthews to close the gap to 21-14.
The victory gives Memphis a 2-0 season record, which pleased Showboats' coach Pepper Rodgers.
The Bulls dropped to 1-1.
Source: http://www.oursportscentral.com/usfl/index.php
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