The 1983 USFL season was the inaugural season of the United States Football League.
Rules differences from NFL Optional 2 point conversion after touchdown (the NFL would add this rule in 1994). Optional 1 inch kicking tee for extra points and field goal attempts. Clock stop on first downs within the last 2 minutes of the 2nd and 4th quarters. Intentional and unintentional pass interference. Six member officiating crew (no side judge). The USFL game ball was inch (1 cm) shorter than the NFL game ball (both made by Wilson). There were no preseason games.
Expansion cities for 1984 During the 1983 season, the USFL announced expansion cities for the 1984 season. Pittsburgh April 28 San Diego May 16; moved to Tulsa July 7 Houston May 19 Jacksonville June 14 San Antonio July 11 Memphis July 17
Regular season
Michigan won the tiebreaker with Chicago based on season series 2–0
Playoffs Away team Score Home team Date Divisional playoffs Chicago Blitz 38–44 (OT) Philadelphia Stars July 9, 1983 Oakland Invaders 21–37 Michigan Panthers July 10, 1983 USFL Championship Game Michigan Panthers 24–22 Philadelphia Stars July 17, 1983
Statistics
1983 regular season stat leaders 1983 Passing Leaders (over 100 attempts)Name, TeamAttComp%yardsYDs/AttTDTD %LongINTINT %RatingBobby Hebert, MICH45125757.035687.91276.0t81173.886.8Fred Besana, OAK55034562.739807.24213.8t80162.985.1Greg Landry, CHIC33418856.323837.13164.85292.783.5Jimmy Jordan, TB23814560.918317.69145.949145.980.0Chuck Fusina, PHIL42123856.527186.46153.652102.478.1Alan Risher, ARIZ42423655.726726.30204.7t98163.874.7Johnnie Walton, BOS58933056.037726.40203.4t86183.174.0Mike Rae, LA31917554.919646.16113.4t61103.171.9Mike Hohensee, WASH1909248.412976.8394.7t8073.771.3Bobby Scott, NJ/CHIC37421056.128137.52112.9t65195.168.9Tom Ramsey, LA30716052.119756.43134.2t82144.667.4Mike Kelley, TB1668148.810036.0442.44353.063.4Bob Lane, BIRM34617550.622646.54144.053185.263.3Kim McQuilken, WASH33418856.319125.7272.155144.262.4John Reaves, TB25913953.717266.6693.551166.260.4Ken Johnson, DENV24812148.811154.5062.4t56124.849.4Joe Gilliam, WASH1024039.26736.6054.9t521211.839.0Reggie Collier, BIRM1084743.56045.5910.9t4676.537.7Dan Manucci, ARIZ1195243.75774.8521.7t4886.736.3Jeff Knapple, DENV/NJ21310549.311915.5931.441198.934.0
1983 Rushing leadersPOS Name, TeamAttYdsAvg.LongTDsHB Herschel Walker, NJ41218124.4t8317HB Kelvin Bryant, PHIL31814424.54516HB Ken Lacy, MI23211805.1596HB Tim Spencer, CHIC30011573.9256HB Arthur Whittington, OAK28210433.7246HB Kevin Long, CHIC26210223.93312HB Richard Crump, BOS1909905.2628HB Ken Talton, BIRM2289074.0285HB Craig James, WASH2028234.1244HB Harry Sydney, DENV1768014.6459HB Billy Taylor, WASH1717574.4345HB Calvin Murray, ARIZ1796993.9344HB Greg Boone, TB1746944.0215HB Allen Harvin, PHIL1396814.9497HB Larry Canada, DENV1426314.4t243
1983 Receiving LeadersPOS Name, TeamRecYdsAvg.LongTDsWR Trumaine Johnson, CHIC81132216.35610WR Danny Buggs, TB76114615.1515WR Ricky Ellis, LA6971610.4366TE Raymond Chester, OAK6895114.0575WR Eric Truvillion, TB66108016.44615HB Arthur Whittington, OAK665848.83.72TE Mark Keel, ARIZ6580212.3272HB Billy Taylor, WASH645238.2552WR Joey Walters, WASH6395915.2426WR Jackie Flowers, ARIZ6386913.8t9811WR Neil Balholm, ARIZ6370311.2275WR Nolan Franz, BOS6284813.7504WR Gordon Banks, OAK6185514.0412TE Michael Cobb, MICH6174612.2315WR Anthony Carter, MICH60118119.7t819WR Scott Fitzkee, PHIL5573113.3443WR Charles Smith, BOS54100918.7t585WR Wyatt Henderson, OAK5480114.8t539HB Herschel Walker, NJ534899.2t651HB Kelvin Bryant, PHIL534107.7501
Awards Offense PositionPlayer(s)Quarterback Bobby Hebert, Michigan PanthersRunning back Herschel Walker, New Jersey Generals Kelvin Bryant, Philadelphia StarsWide receiver Trumaine Johnson, Chicago Blitz Eric Truvillion, Tampa Bay BanditsTight end Raymond Chester, Oakland InvadersOffensive tackle Irv Eatman, Philadelphia Stars Ray Pinney, Michigan PanthersGuard Buddy Aydelette, Birmingham Stallions Thom Dornbrook, Michigan PanthersCenter Bob Van Duyne, Tampa Bay Bandits
Defense PositionPlayer(s)Defensive end Mike Raines, Birmingham Stallions Kit Lathrop, Chicago BlitzDefensive tackle Fred Nordgren, Tampa Bay BanditsLinebacker John Corker, Michigan Panthers Stan White, Chicago Blitz Sam Mills, Philadelphia Stars Marcus Marek, Boston BreakersCornerback Jeff George, Tampa Bay Bandits David Martin, Denver GoldSafety Luther Bradley, Chicago Blitz Scott Woerner, Philadelphia Stars
Special teams PositionPlayer(s)Kicker Tim Mazzetti, Boston BreakersPunter Stan Talley, Oakland InvadersKickoff returner Eric Robinson, Washington FederalsPunt returner David Martin, Denver Gold
Season awards Award Winner Position Team USFL Most Valuable Player Kelvin Bryant RB Philadelphia Stars USFL Most Valuable Player (AP) Kelvin Bryant RB Philadelphia Stars USFL Player of the Year (TSN) Bobby Hebert QB Michigan Panthers USFL Man of the Year Raymond Chester WR Oakland Invaders USFL Coach of the Year Dick Coury Head coach Boston Breakers USFL Coach of the Year (TSN) Dick Coury Head coach Boston Breakers USFL Outstanding Running Back Herschel Walker RB New Jersey Generals USFL Outstanding Quarterback Bobby Hebert QB Michigan Panthers USFL Leading Scorer Award David Trout K Philadelphia Stars USFL Leading Receiver Trumaine Johnson WR Chicago Blitz USFL Defensive Player of the Year John Corker LB Michigan Panthers USFL Outstanding Lineman Kit Lathrop DL Chicago Blitz Special Teams Player of the Year Stan Talley P Oakland Invaders USFL Executive of the Year (TSN) Carl Peterson General manager Philadelphia Stars
References
See also 1983 NFL season