In Week 8 of the 1985 USFL season, the Oklahoma Outlaws pulled off a crucial 24-12 win against the Oakland Invaders, led by an outstanding performance from quarterback Doug Williams. Williams threw for 190 yards and three touchdowns, finding Brian Hiemer twice in the end zone, including a 12-yard strike to open the scoring in the first quarter. Oklahoma jumped out to a 14-0 lead early, and despite Oakland’s attempts to rally, they never managed to close the gap.
Oakland’s offense struggled to find consistency, as turnovers proved costly throughout the game. Craig Sundberg threw two interceptions, and the Invaders couldn’t capitalize on their drives, settling for two field goals in the second quarter. Despite controlling possession for most of the game, they failed to convert critical opportunities into touchdowns, managing only one score late in the fourth quarter on a 10-yard pass from Sundberg to Brian Williams.
The Outlaws’ defense played a pivotal role in preserving their lead, forcing three turnovers and consistently pressuring Sundberg, sacking him three times. Oklahoma’s ground game, powered by Mel Gray’s 67 rushing yards, helped control the tempo. With this victory, the Outlaws improve to 3-6 on the season, while Oakland falls to 4-5, leaving them at a crossroads in their playoff pursuit.
