Express Finishes on Wrong Track, 17-10 : Season-Ending Defeat at Orlando Leaves Team With 3-15 Record

Two touchdown passes by Reggie Collier and three interceptions by the Orlando defense sparked the Renegades to a 17-10 season-ending victory over the Los Angeles Express Friday night in a battle of last-place USFL teams.

A crowd of 22,865 saw Orlando finish with a 5-13 record in the United States Football League’s Eastern Division. The Express, which lost its final eight games, was last in the Pacific Division at 3-15, equaling the league mark for the worst seasonal record.

The Renegades still finished with the best record in the franchise’s history. Before this year, the team was based in Washington.

Express quarterback Steve Young didn’t play in the second half and was replaced by backup Frank Seurer.

“Frank has a good chance to get a deal (with another professional team),” said Express Coach John Hadl, whose team is on shaky ground and is seeking new backing. Hadl already has been told that even if the Express is around for another season, he won’t be its coach.

The Renegades scored the game-winning touchdown late in the third period following an interception by Jeff George, his second of the night. George picked the ball off at the Orlando 27 and returned it 17 yards before lateraling to Victor Jackson, who ran another 11 yards before being brought down at the Express 35.

A two-yard pass to Joey Walters and a roughness penalty put the ball at the 19. Collier hit Walters again from there for the deciding touchdown.

Orlando opened the scoring, going 80 yards in 12 plays on its first possession. Collier’s 10th pass of the drive went to Jeff Smith for a 20-yard touchdown.

The lead lasted fewer than six minutes as the Express moved 79 yards in 13 plays for a touchdown. Tony Boddie, the Express’ leading rusher with 70 yards, scored from four yards out.

The Express took the lead late in the second quarter when Tony Zendejas kicked a 33-yard field goal.

Orlando struck back in less than two minutes as Collier completed four of eight passes to move the Renegades to the 16, and Jeff Brockhaus kicked a 33-yard field goal on the last play of the first half.

The Express drove to the Orlando 15 in the fourth period, but Jackson intercepted a Seurer pass at the three-yard line to kill the threat.