Week 5 - 1985: San Antonio Gunslingers at Denver Gold

Monday, March 25, 1985

San Antonio Gunslingers (1-3) at Denver Gold (2-2)

Attendance: 13,901

TV: ESPN

NOTE: We sped up the audio in our software system at the beginning of the game bc it sounded like it was dragging for the first six minutes of the game. Thankfully it worked and the play by play with the ESPN announcers now sound normal. As for the game itself, its only 54 minutes due to edited huddles in between plays.

DENVER (UPI) -- Denver Gold coach Mouse Davis gained notoriety last season as an offensive innovator with his run-and-shoot offense. He may gain more attention this year with a black-and-blue defense.

The Gold defense forced six fumbles and quarterback Vince Evans turned two of them into touchdowns Monday night, powering Denver to a 16-2 victory over the San Antonio Gunslingers.

Davis, as offensive coordiantor of the Houston Gamblers, installed the run-and-shoot, making a star out of quarterback Jim Kelly. He has brought the same alignment to Denver and Evans has handled it well.

Evans converted Gunslinger turnovers into a 5-yard touchdown run and a 1-yard scoring pass to Leonard Harris. Brian Speelman kicked a 47-yard field goal after another San Antonio fumble.

San Antonio starting quarterback Whit Taylor completed only seven passes for 53 yards before being relieved in the fourth quarter by Fred Mortensen, who quickly threw an interception. A bad snap on a Denver punt with 1:55 left to play gave San Antonio a safety to avoid a shutout.

Denver improved to 3-2 while San Antonio dropped to 1-4.

The first half was dominated by defense. The Gunslingers limited the Gold to 60 yards in offense, sacked Evans four times for 30 yards in losses and forced a fumble.

The Gold defense held San Antonio to 59 yards in offense, sacked Taylor three times for 14 yards in losses, and forced two fumbles. The second fumble at the Gunalingers' 20 set up the lone score of the first half. Evans scrambled into the end zone from the 5, but San Antonio defensive end Greg Fields blocked the point after attempt leaving it at 6-0.

After a scoreless third quarter, the Gold capitalized on another San Antonio fumble, as Denvver safety Darryl Hemphill recovered at the Gunslingers' 29. Three plays later, Speelman kicked his 47-yard field goal to give the Gold a 9-0 lead.

Gold defensive tackle Mike Talifero recovered yet another Gunslingers' fumble, this time at the San Antonio 27. Six plays later, Evans hooked up with Harris for the touchdown.

Evans was 22-of-38 for 204 yards passing.

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

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