Week 10 - 1983: Boston Breakers vs Los Angeles Express

Описание: 1983 Week 10 - Saturday, May 7, 1983
Attendance: 16,307,
TV: ESPN

The game between Boston and LA took place on Sat. May. 7, 1983 at the LA Memorial Coliseum with attendance around 16,307 but you couldn't tell by watching video of the game.

Week 10 of the inaugural season of the USFL saw the LA Express win that day by a close margin due to a game winning field goal by kicker Vince Abbott.

The Los Angeles Express, 5-5, held onto a one game lead in the Pacific Division by tipping the Boston Breakers 23-20.

Mike Rae, who replaced starter Tom Ramsey after he left the game with a bruise of the achilles tendon, connected with Kris Haines for a 6-yard touchdown with 18 seconds remaining to seal the Los Angeles victory. Rae hit on nine of 12 passes for 104 yards and Haines caught six passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns.

Boston/New Orleans/Portland Breakers:

Years of existence: 1983-1985
Owner: George Matthews, Randy Vataha (1983), Joseph Canizaro (1984-84)
Stadium: Nickerson Field (20,535) 1983, Superdome (69,658) 1984, Civic Stadium (32,500) 1985

Colors: Ocean blue, Breaker blue, silver and white
Overall Regular Season Record: 25-29 (.463)
Overall Playoff Record: 0-0

Yearly Standings and Average Home Attendances:

1983: 11-7 (12,817)
1984: 8-10 (30,557)
1985: 6-12 (19,919)

Former New England Patriot wide receiver Randy Vataha partnered with George Matthews to bring the USFL to Boston for 1983. The pair had previously been partners in a chain of local racquetball centers, selling them in order to finance the Breakers inaugural season. Almost immediately though, forces beyond their control would push the Breakers out of Boston, most notable among them the inability to successfully negotiate a lease agreement for either Foxboro (then Sullivan) Stadium nor Harvard Stadium. This inability forced the Breakers to call Nickerson Field home. Located on the campus of Boston University, it was the USFL's smallest venue, with a seating capacity of less than 25,000. On the field the Breakers exceeded all expectations in their inaugural season, going 11-7-0 and missing a playoff berth by just one win.

After continued efforts to secure either Foxboro or Harvard Stadiums for 1984 failed, Matthews and Vataha decided to sell the franchise to Louisiana real estate developer Joseph Canizaro, who would move the club to his hometown, New Orleans.

Los Angeles Express:

Years of existence: 1983-1985
Owner: Bill Daniels, Alan Harmon (1983), J. William Oldenburg (1984)
Stadium: Los Angeles Coliseum (92,516)
Colors: Express blue, silver, white and burgundy (burgundy and white 1985)
Overall Regular Season Record: 21-33 (.389)
Overall Playoff Record: 1-1

Yearly Standings and Average Home Attendances:

1983: 8-10 (19,002)
1984: 10-8 (15,361)
1985: 3-15 (8,415)

The Los Angeles Express was a team in the United States Football League based in Los Angeles, California. Playing at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Express competed in all three of the USFL seasons played, 1983-1985.

The Express made a serious run at Eric Dickerson, and actually matched the Los Angeles Rams' offer for him. However, Dickerson signed with the Rams, apparently because family members were skeptical about the USFL. They also drafted Dan Marino, who made some appearances on behalf of the Express before signing with the Miami Dolphins.

Despite losing two defensive backs to knee injuries, the Express finished fifth in the league in total defense. However, a patchwork offensive line limited the team's offensive firepower; they finished last in rushing (Herschel Walker rushed for 72 more yards than the entire Express team). They finished one game out of the playoffs.

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