Sipe Leads Jacksonville Past the Express, 21-7

Quarterback Brian Sipe ran for one touchdown and passed for two others, leading the Jacksonville Bulls to a 21-7 victory over the Express Saturday in a United States Football League game before a crowd of 51,003.

The Bulls capitalized on early Express mistakes for two first-quarter touchdowns.

Bulls’ fullback Marvin Lewis fell on the ball at the Los Angeles 12 after Express wide receiver Duane Gunn fumbled a fair catch of a punt.

On the next play, Sipe, in his second start since suffering a shoulder separation on Feb. 24, hit wide receiver Alton Alexis in the back of the end zone for the touchdown with 9:21 remaining in the first quarter.

On L.A.’s next possession, Express running back Mel Gray fumbled and defender Bob Clasby recovered on the Express 48.

Six plays later, Sipe crashed in from the two-yard-line for the touchdown and suffered a mild concussion on the play. Sipe was out for the entire second quarter, but returned in the second half.

On the Bulls’ first possession in the third quarter, Sipe hit split end Aubrey Matthews down the middle for a five-yard touchdown pass play.

Sipe completed 11 straight attempts before throwing his first incomplete pass early in the fourth quarter. He was 11 of 13 for 135 yards.

Los Angeles scored early in the second quarter when running back Kirby Warren ran in from the 10. An Express drive in the fourth quarter stalled when Los Angeles quarterback Steve Young tossed an interception to right cornerback Donald Dykes, his second interception in the game.

The win gave the Bulls an 8-6 record; the Express dropped to 3-11.