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Washington 12 at Denver 24


1983 Week 14 - Friday, June 3, 1983
Washington Federals(1-12) at Denver Gold(5-8)(-6.5)
Attendance: 40,671

DENVER (AP) - Fullback Larry Canada powered up the middle for two fourth-quarter touchdowns, gaining 115 yards in leading the Denver Gold past the hapless Washington Federals 24-12 Friday night in the United States Football League.

The victory raised Denver's record to 6-8 and drew the Gold within one-half game of first place in the Pacific Division. Washington suffered its 10th straight loss and fell to 1-13.

A crowd of 40, 761, slightly below Denver's season average, saw the Gold convert two Federal turnovers into 10 points en route to a 17-6 advantage midway through the fourth quarter.

The second turnover came with 8:31 remaining as Washington wide receiver Jeff Postell was stripped of the ball by Denver linebacker Greg Gerken and safety Maurice Tyler rovered at the Federal 16-yard line. Canada carried three times for the remaining yardage, bulling five yards for the TD with 7:40 left.

Washington pulled within 17-12 after blocking a punt. Leroy Robinson deflected Steve Gortz's punt and Mike Matocha recovered the loose ball in the end zone, but the Federals failed on the two-point conversion.

Washington then tried an onside kick, but Denver recovered near mid-field, and Canada capped the victory with 41 seconds left to help raise new head coach Craig Morton's record to 2-0.

Washington's first crucial turnover came on the game's first play from scrimmage. Rookie running back Craig James fumbled and Gerken recovered at the Federal 39, setting up Brian Speelman's 24-yard field goal.

Highlights




Friday, June 3, 1983 at Mile High Stadium
Attendance:� 40,671


1Q
2Q
3Q
4Q
Final
Washington
0
3
3
6
12
DENVER 3
7
0
14
24
DEN Speelman 24 yd FG
WAS Vitiello 24 yd FG
DEN Sydney 3 yd run (Speelman kick)
WAS Vitiello 21 yd FG
DEN Canada 5 yd run (Speelman kick)
WAS Matocha recoved blocked punt in endzone (pass failed)
DEN Canada 24 yd run (Speelman kick)


TEAM STATISTICS
WAS
DEN
First Downs............................................
24
16
Total Net Yards...................................... 416 266
Total Yds Rushing...................................
183
183
Total Yds Passing...................................
233
83
Pass Att - Comp - Int.............................
39 - 26 - 0
28 - 9 - 0
Off Plays - Avg.......................................
77 - 5.4
63 - 4.2
Punts - Avg.............................................
6 - 42.8
8 - 40.5
Returns - Yds..........................................
8 - 97
6 - 77
Fumbles - Lost........................................
4 - 2
2 - 1
Time of Possession..................................
32:14
27:46

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing WAS James 21-90; Taylor 10-63; Hohensee 4-11; Bledsoe 1-4; McQuilken 1-7
DEN Canada 16-115; Sydney 9-23; Matthews 7-36; Penrose 1-9; V. White 1-0
Passing WAS Hohensee 11-4-0-77; McQuilken 28-22-0-156
DEN Mortensen 19-8-0-78; Sydney 1-0-0-0; Penrose 8-1-0-14
Receiving WAS Taylor 10-71; M. Harris 6-100; Postell 3-23; James 5-19; Walters 1-11
DEN Niziolek 2-7; Sydney 2-19; Matthews 1-21; Dirden 1-15; Matheney 1-14; Jones 1-7; V. James 1-9

Archived news report

Supplemental information courtesy of Chris Blackburn


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