The Houston Gamblers continued their dominant run with a 49-24 victory over the winless Las Vegas Ace at the Astrodome. Jim Kelly, the league MVP frontrunner, delivered another sensational performance, completing 28 of 38 passes for 385 yards and five touchdowns. Houston opened the game with a 69-yard drive capped by Kelly’s 5-yard touchdown pass to Richard Johnson, and the Gamblers never looked back. Johnson and Ricky Sanders combined for 23 receptions, 335 yards, and five touchdowns, overwhelming the Ace defense.
Las Vegas showed signs of life in the second quarter, scoring 17 points, including a 20-yard touchdown pass from Jerry Golsteyn to Ray Taylor and a 4-yard rushing score by Rickey Claitt. However, Houston responded quickly, with Kelly connecting on a 43-yard bomb to Sanders just before halftime to make it 28-17. In the second half, Kelly threw two more touchdown passes, and Ron Anderson sealed the game with an 18-yard interception return for a score early in the fourth quarter.
Despite flashes of solid play, Las Vegas’ struggles on offense continued. Golsteyn threw for 305 yards but was plagued by two costly interceptions, including one that led directly to a Houston touchdown. The Ace rushing attack was virtually non-existent, managing just 16 yards on 13 carries. Houston’s defense, led by Glenn Lewis and Rick Mitchell, was relentless, holding Las Vegas to just 1.2 yards per rush and forcing two turnovers. The win keeps Houston at the top of the standings with an 8-1 record, while Las Vegas falls to 0-9.
