Bandits Breeze Past Bulls in Tampa Blowout

The Tampa Bay Bandits solidified their dominance in Week 15 with a commanding 38-7 victory over the Jacksonville Bulls at Tampa Stadium. Tampa quarterback John Reaves led the charge, throwing for 325 yards and four touchdowns, two of which were hauled in by wideout Larry Brodsky. The Bandits’ defense also played a pivotal role, stifling the Bulls’ offense and scoring on a 27-yard fumble recovery by linebacker Alonzo Johnson, helping Tampa Bay clinch their 12th win of the season.

Tampa Bay took control early, with Reaves connecting on a 23-yard touchdown pass to Brodsky in the first quarter. A balanced offensive attack extended the lead in the second, with Reaves finding Brodsky again for a nine-yard score, followed shortly by Johnson’s electrifying fumble-return touchdown. Zenon Andrusyshyn added a 27-yard field goal, giving the Bandits a commanding 24-0 halftime advantage. The Bandits’ relentless pressure forced six turnovers, and Tampa’s opportunistic offense capitalized, scoring 14 points in the third quarter, including Reaves’ third and fourth touchdown passes.

Jacksonville struggled to find their footing, managing just 196 total yards. Backup quarterback Buck Belue connected with Aubrey Matthews for an 18-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter to avoid the shutout. Despite their struggles, running back Larry Mason provided a bright spot for the Bulls, rushing for 58 yards on just eight carries. Meanwhile, Bruce Vaughan’s standout punt return performance, including a 45-yard return, earned him game MVP honors, reflecting the Bandits’ superiority in all phases of the game.