The New Jersey Generals edged out the Memphis Showboats 21-18 in a close, defensive battle on Saturday. New Jersey took early control, with quarterback Doug Flutie leading two quick scoring drives in the first quarter. Flutie ran for a five-yard touchdown and then connected with Clarence Collins for a 36-yard strike, giving the Generals a 14-0 lead. Memphis responded in the second quarter, as quarterback Frank Reich found Derek Crawford for a 9-yard touchdown, followed by three field goals from Alan Duncan to take a 16-14 halftime lead.
The third quarter saw Memphis add to their lead with a safety, extending the margin to 18-14. However, Herschel Walker powered the Generals’ comeback, capping a 30-yard drive with a four-yard touchdown run late in the quarter to put New Jersey ahead for good. The Showboats had multiple chances in the fourth quarter, but their drives stalled, with turnovers proving costly down the stretch.
Memphis dominated the time of possession, controlling the ball for nearly 37 minutes and outgaining the Generals in total yardage 340 to 308. However, both teams struggled with turnovers, each giving the ball away four times. Walker’s performance, along with Flutie’s early contributions, proved to be the difference in a tight, physical contest that saw New Jersey improve to 7-2-1, while Memphis fell to 7-3.
