Denver Gold Falls to Memphis Showboats in Season Opener

The Denver Gold faced a tough start to the 1985 season, falling to the Memphis Showboats 37-21 in a hard-fought game at Mile High Stadium. Despite a valiant effort from quarterback Bob Gagliano, who threw for 297 yards and three touchdowns, the Gold couldn’t overcome Memphis’ explosive offense and their own critical mistakes. Walter Lewis, the Showboats’ dynamic quarterback, led his team with a stellar performance, completing 17 of 22 passes for 308 yards and three touchdowns, earning MVP honors for his efforts.

The game began with Memphis quickly establishing their dominance, scoring ten unanswered points in the first quarter. Denver responded with a touchdown late in the first quarter, but Memphis’ offensive onslaught continued in the second quarter with Lewis connecting on a 79-yard touchdown pass to Derek Crawford. Despite Denver’s attempts to keep pace, including a 16-yard touchdown pass from Gagliano to Lonnie Turner, the Gold trailed 24-14 at halftime. Memphis extended their lead in the third quarter, and though Denver managed to narrow the gap to 31-21, Memphis’ relentless offense and a couple of key turnovers sealed the Gold’s fate.

Denver’s defense struggled to contain Memphis’ balanced attack, allowing 200 rushing yards and significant passing gains. The Gold’s offense showed flashes of brilliance but was hampered by turnovers and missed opportunities. Injuries to key players, including Nate Harris and Galloway, further compounded Denver’s challenges. As the Gold look to regroup and address their shortcomings, the season opener highlighted the areas needing improvement if they hope to compete for the championship.