1983 - USFL Divisional Playoffs: Chicago Blitz vs Philadelphia Stars

Gridiron America USFL Radio

1983 Divisional Playoffs - Saturday, July 9, 1983. Attendance: 15,686, TV: ABC.

The Philadelphia Stars had come from behind before, but never quite so dramatically. And the victory never felt quite so good. Quarterback Chuck Fusina, who overcame four first-half turnovers with three touchdown passes in the last nine minutes as the Stars tied the Chicago Blitz 38-38, then went on to win 44-38 in overtime to advance to the championship of the United States Football League. "It will go down as one of the best games in history." said Chicago Coach George Allen, who saw a 21-point lead evaporate in the fourth quarter. Kelvin Bryant rushed for 142 yards and two touchdowns, including the game winner on a one-yard run seven minutes, two seconds into the overtime. The Stars took a 16-3 record into the first USFL championship game in Denver.

The Blitz took a 21-7 halftime lead after intercepting Fusina three times and recovering his fumble in the second quarter. They led 38-17 with 12:04 left in the game. The Stars started their comeback with Fusina's 17-yard scoring pass to Scott Fitzkee five minutes into the fourth quarter. Fusina passed two yards to Jeff Rodenberger for another touchdown with five minutes left in the game, and connected with Tom Donovan from 11 yards with 50 seconds left to tie it up. He finished with 22 of 33 passes for 254 yards, scrambled for 66 more yards and also caught a 12-yard pass from Allen Harvin for another touchdown.

A crowd of 15,684 - less than a fourth of the capacity of the 66,000-seat Veterans Stadium watched the game in sunny, 84-degree weather.