Super Bowl XVIII
L.A. Raiders 38, Washington 9
MVP: RB Marcus Allen, Los Angeles

January 22, 1984
Tampa Bay, Florida; Tampa Stadium
Attendance: 72,920

Super Bowl XVIII
Photograph by: Manny Millan
Allen destroyed the Redskins and obliterated Riggins's record.

Say what you will about Al Davis, but on this occasion at least, his team fulfilled his commandment to "Just Win, Baby" in grand style. The Raiders completely dismantled the defending champion Redskins. Allen, who picked up 191 yards and two touchdowns on only 20 carries, shattered the rushing record set by John Riggins the previous year. Los Angeles secured an early lead when Derrick Jensen blocked a Washington punt and recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown. The Raiders defense sacked Washington's Joe Theismann six times and limited the Redskins to only 90 yards rushing.

Super Bowl XVIII Drive Charts and Play-by-Play

Los Angeles won the coin toss and elected to receive.

First Quarter
Los Angeles (15:00) J. Hayes kick into end zone, touchback.
LA 20	1–10	Allen 5 run off left tackle (A. Washington).
LA 25	2–5	Plunkett 6 pass to Allen right flat (Coffey).
LA 31	1–10	Allen 2 run off left tackle (Butz).
LA 33	2–8	Plunkett pass to Christensen broken up (Coffey), incomplete.
LA 33	3–8	Plunkett 1 pass to King right flat (Green).
LA 34	4–7	Guy 47 punt, Giaquinto fair catch.
Washington (12:02)
W 19	1–10	Riggins 3 run middle (Long, Kinlaw).
W 22	2–7	Riggins 6 run off right tackle (M. Davis).
W 28	3–1	Riggins 2 run off right tackle (Nelson).
W 30	1–10	Theismann pass to Monk broken up (Haynes), incomplete.
W 30	2–10	Theismann pass to Monk left overthrown, incomplete.
W 30	3–10	Theismann pass to Monk left overthrown, incomplete.
W 30	4–10	J. Hayes punt blocked (Jensen), ball rolled into end zone, recovered by Jensen, touchdown (10:08). Bahr kicked extra point.
	Los Angeles 7, Washington 0
Washington (10:08) Bahr kick to W 10, Garrett 11 return (Willis).
W 21	1–10	Riggins 4 run off left tackle (Millen).
W 25	2–6	Theismann pass to Brown right incomplete.
W 25	3–6	Theismann 5 run right (J. Davis).
W 30	4–1	Hayes 28 punt, touched by Watts, G. Williams recovered for Washington at LA 42.
LA 42	1–10	Theismann pass to Didier overthrown, incomplete.
LA 42	2–10	Theismann 8 pass to Didier right (McKinney).
LA 34	3–2	Riggins 3 run off left tackle (Long).
LA 31	1–10	Riggins 2 run middle (Millen).
LA 29	2–8	J. Washington 2 sweep right (McElroy).
LA 27	3–6	Theismann pass to Giaquinto incomplete.
LA 27	4–6	Moseley’s 44–yard field–goal attempt was wide left.
Los Angeles (6:16) (Yard–line change because of change of possession).
LA 28	1–10	King 10 sweep right (Murphy).
LA 38	1–10	Plunkett 7 pass to King left flat (Olkewicz).
LA 45	2–3	Allen 2 run middle (Milot).
LA 47	3–1	Plunkett 9 pass to Christensen (Liebenstein).
W 44	1–10	Plunkett pass to King, loss of 1. Play nullified and Los Angeles penalized 10 for holding (B. Davis).
LA 46	1–20	Allen sweep right, loss of 4 (Coleman), fumbled, Hannah recovered for Los Angeles at LA 42.
LA 42	2–24	Plunkett pass to Christensen incomplete. Washington–first time out (2:48).
LA 42	3–24	Plunkett pass to Hawkins overthrown, incomplete.
LA 42	4–24	Guy 42 punt, Giaquinto 11 return (J. Davis). Washington penalized 9 (half the distance from spot of foul) for holding (Cronan). Giaquinto credited with 1 return.
Washington (3:31)
W 8	1–10	Riggins 2 sweep right (Nelson).
W 10	2–8	Theismann 10 pass to J. Washington middle (Nelson).
W 20	1–10	Theismann pass to Didier right overthrown, incomplete.
W 20	2–10	Riggins sweep left, loss of 3 (Martin).
W 17	3–13	Los Angeles penalized 5 for offsides (Alzado).
W 22	3–8	Theismann pass to Brown broken up (McElroy), incomplete.
W 22	4–8	J. Hayes 48 punt, Pruitt 8 return (Wonsley).
Los Angeles (:36)
LA 38	1–10	Allen 17 run off left tackle (Green).
W 45	1–10	Allen 3 run off left tackle (Butz, Milot).
	END OF FIRST QUARTER: Los Angeles 7, Washington 0
Second Quarter
W 42	2–7	Plunkett 3 pass to Christensen left (Coffey).
W 39	3–4	Allen run middle, loss of 3 (Brooks).
W 42	4–7	Guy leaping one–handed catch of errant snap, 42 punt into end zone, touchback.
Washington (13:34)
W 20	1–10	Riggins 1 sweep left (Martin).
W 21	2–9	Riggins 4 run off left tackle (Kinlaw).
W 25	3–5	Theismann 5 pass to J. Washington left (Martin).
W 30	1–10	Riggins 1 run middle (Kinlaw).
W 31	2–9	Theismann sacked on rollout, loss of 7 (Millen).
W 24	3–16	Theismann pass to Brown overthrown, incomplete.
W 24	4–16	J. Hayes 41 punt, Pruitt fair catch.
Los Angeles (10:48)
LA 35	1–10	Plunkett 50 pass to Branch deep middle (A. Washington).
W 15	1–10	Allen 3 run off right tackle (Olkewicz).
W 12	2–7	Plunkett 12 pass to Branch middle end zone, touchdown (9:14). Bahr kicked extra point.
	Los Angeles scoring drive: 65 yards, 3 plays, 1:34. Los Angeles 14, Washington 0
Washington (9:14) Bahr kick to W 6, Garrett 14 return (Barnes).
W 20	1–10	Theismann sacked, loss of 7 (Martin).
W 13	2–17	Theismann pass to Monk right overthrown, incomplete.
W 13	3–17	Theismann 17 pass to Garrett right (L. Hayes).
W 30	1–10	Theismann 12 pass to Didier. Play nullified and Washington penalized 10 for holding (Starke).
W 20	1–20	Theismann 18 screen pass to Didier (M. Davis).
W 38	2–2	Riggins 1 run right (Kinlaw).
W 39	3–1	Riggins 2 run off tackle (Kinlaw).
W 41	1–10	Riggins 3 sweep left (M. Davis).
W 44	2–7	Riggins 2 run middle. Play nullified and Los Angeles penalized 5 for offsides (Long).
W 49	2–2	Riggins 4 sweep right (Nelson).
LA 47	1–10	Theismann pass incomplete. Play nullified and Los Angeles penalized 13 for pass interference (L. Hayes).
LA 34	1–10	Theismann 20 pass to Didier left (M. Davis).
LA 14	1–10	Theismann 5 run evading pass rush (M. Davis).
LA 9	2–5	Riggins 2 run off left tackle (Long). Washington–second time out (3:14).
LA 7	3–3	Theismann pass to J. Washington middle broken up (Martin), incomplete.
LA 7	4–3	Moseley, 24–yard field goal (3:05).
	Washington scoring drive: 73 yards, 12 plays, 6:09. Los Angeles 14, Washington 3
Los Angeles (3:05) J. Hayes kick into end zone, touchback.
LA 20	1–10	Allen 11 sweep right (Olkewicz).
LA 31	1–10	Plunkett sacked, loss of 10 (Grant). Two–Minute Warning.
LA 21	2–20	Allen 7 draw left (Murphy).
LA 28	3–13	Plunkett 14 pass to Hawkins right (A. Washington). Los Angeles–first time out (1:06).
LA 42	1–10	Plunkett 14 pass to Christensen middle (Coleman).
W 44	1–10	Plunkett 7 pass to Branch left (A. Washington).
W 37	2–3	Plunkett pass to Allen incomplete. Play nullified and Los Angeles penalized 10 for holding (Marvin).
W 47	2–13	Allen 8 run right. Los Angeles–second time out (:29).
W 39	3–5	Plunkett pass to Christensen deep incomplete.
W 39	4–5	Guy 27 punt downed at W 12.
Washington (:12)
W 12	1–10	Theismann screen pass left to J. Washington intercepted by Los Angeles, Squirek 5 return, touchdown (:07). Bahr kicked extra point.
	Los Angeles 21, Washington 3
Washington (:05) Bahr kick to W 23, Grant 32 return (McKinney).
	END OF SECOND QUARTER: Los Angeles 21, Washington 3
Third Quarter
Washington (15:00) Bahr kick to 5 yards into end zone, Garrett 35 return (Hill).
W 30	1–10	Theismann 23 pass to Brown (Haynes).
LA 47	1–10	Riggins 5 run off right tackle (Nelson).
LA 42	2–5	Riggins 2 run middle (Millen).
LA 40	3–3	Theismann 14 pass to Giaquinto (McKinney).
LA 26	1–10	Theismann rollout left, 13 pass to Didier.
LA 13	1–10	Riggins 8 sweep right (McElroy).
LA 5	2–2	Riggins 3 run off left tackle (Millen).
LA 2	1–goal	Riggins 1 run off right tackle (Pickel).
LA 1	2–goal	Riggins 1 run over right tackle, touchdown (10:52). Moseley’s extra-point attempt was blocked by Hasselback.
	Washington scoring drive: 70 yards, 9 plays, 4:08. Los Angeles 21, Washington 9
Los Angeles (10:52) J. Hayes kick to LA 13, Pruitt 17 return (Mann).
LA 30	1–10	Allen 2 run middle (Olkewicz).
LA 32	2–8	Plunkett pass to Barnwell deep incomplete. Play nullified and Washington penalized 38 for pass interference (Green).
W 30	1–10	Plunkett 7 pass to Branch left (A. Washington).
W 23	2–3	Plunkett 6 pass to Christensen middle (Murphy).
W 17	1–10	Plunkett pass to Branch in end zone incomplete.
W 17	2–10	Allen 6 run middle (Milot).
W 11	3–4	Plunkett 6 pass to Hawkins left (Green).
W 5	1–goal	Plunkett pass to Christensen right incomplete.
W 5	2–goal	Allen 5 cutback run middle, touchdown (7:06). Bahr kicked extra point.
	Los Angeles scoring drive: 70 yards, 8 plays, 3:46. Los Angeles 28, Washington 9
Washington (7:06) Bahr kick to goal line, Garrett 30 return (Byrd).
W 30	1–10	Theismann 1 pass to Riggins (Martin).
W 31	2–9	Theismann pass to Brown right incomplete.
W 31	3–9	Theismann pass to Monk incomplete. Los Angeles declined holding against Washington (Starke).
W 31	4–9	J. Hayes 41 punt, Pruitt fair catch.
Los Angeles (6:32)
LA 28	1–10	Allen 4 run middle (Olkewicz).
LA 32	2–6	Plunkett rollout right, 12 pass to Allen.
LA 44	1–10	Plunkett pass to Barnwell deep overthrown, incomplete.
LA 44	2–10	Plunkett pass to Christensen deep incomplete.
LA 44	3–10	Plunkett sacked, loss of 8 (Coleman).
LA 36	4–18	Guy 44 punt, Green 34 return (Guy, Christensen).
Washington (4:56)
LA 46	1–10	Riggins 4 sweep right (Nelson).
LA 42	2–6	Riggins 1 run off right tackle (Kinlaw).
LA 41	3–5	Theismann sacked, loss of 5 (Pickel). Los Angeles declined illegal motion against Washington.
LA 46	4–10	J. Hayes 33 punt downed at LA 13.
Los Angeles (3:18)
LA 13	1–10	King run left, no gain (Grant, Milot).
LA 13	2–10	Plunkett 9 pass to Branch left (A. Washington).
LA 22	3–1	Allen 4 leap over left tackle (Olkewicz).
LA 26	1–10	Plunkett 9 pass to Branch left (A. Washington), fumbled, A. Washington recovered for Washington at LA 35.
Washington (1:47)
LA 35	1–10	Theismann 6 pass to Didier right (M. Davis).
LA 29	2–4	Riggins 2 run off right tackle (Millen).
LA 27	3–2	J. Washington 1 run middle (Squirek).
LA 26	4–1	Riggins run off left tackle, no gain (Martin).
Los Angeles (:12)
LA 26	1–10	Allen run left, cutback middle, 74 run middle and down left sideline, touchdown (:00). Bahr kicked extra point.
	Los Angeles scoring drive: 74 yards, 1 play, :12. Los Angeles 35, Washington 9
	END OF THIRD QUARTER: Los Angeles 35, Washington 9
Fourth Quarter
Washington (15:00) Bahr kick to W 14, Garrett 10 return (Muhammad).
W 24	1–10	Theismann 26 pass to Monk right (McElroy).
50	1–10	Theismann pass to Monk left incomplete.
50	2–10	Theismann sacked, loss of 9 (Barnes).
W 41	3–19	Theismann pass to J. Washington left incomplete.
W 41	4–19	J. Hayes 28 punt out of bounds.
Los Angeles (13:18)
LA 31	1–10	Allen 2 run off left tackle (Grant, Manley).
LA 33	2–8	Allen 4 run middle (Liebenstein).
LA 37	3–4	Hawkins 3 run left (A. Washington).
LA 40	4–1	Guy 44 punt, Giaquinto fair catch.
Washington (10:55)
W 16	1–10	Theismann 8 run evading pass rush (Barnes).
W 24	2–2	J. Washington 5 run right (McKinney).
W 29	1–10	Theismann 60 pass to Brown left (McElroy).
LA 11	1–10	Theismann pass to Monk broken up (McElroy), incomplete.
LA 11	2–10	Washington penalized 5 for false start (May).
LA 16	2–15	Theismann pass to Didier incomplete. Play nullified and Los Angeles penalized 8 (half the distance) for roughing the passer (Stalls). Automatic first down.
LA 8	1–goal	Theismann sacked, loss of 12 (M. Davis), fumbled, Martin recovered for Los Angeles at LA 31.
Los Angeles (8:51)
LA 31	1–10	King 2 run left (Grant).
LA 33	2–8	Plunkett 7 pass to Branch. Play nullified and Los Angeles penalized 5 for illegal motion (Christensen).
LA 28	2–13	Pruitt 2 run middle (Manley).
LA 30	3–11	Plunkett pass batted down at line (Manley), incomplete.
LA 30	4–11	Guy 53 punt out of bounds.
Washington (7:14)
W 17	1–10	Theismann 10 pass to Brown right (stepped out).
W 27	1–10	Theismann 5 pass to J. Washington (Townsend).
W 32	2–5	Theismann pass to Monk left intercepted at LA 42, Haynes no return (Monk).
Los Angeles (6:19)
LA 42	1–10	Allen run right, cutback left, 39 run (A. Washington).
W 19	1–10	Pruitt 4 run middle (Coffey).
W 15	2–6	Hawkins 3 run middle (Grant).
W 12	3–3	Pruitt 11 sweep right (Olkewicz).
W 1	1–goal	Pruitt run middle, no gain (Coleman).
W 1	2–goal	Plunkett run on busted play, loss of 2.
W 3	3–goal	Pruitt run middle, no gain (Olkewicz).
W 3	4–goal	Bahr, 21–yard field goal (2:24).
	Los Angeles scoring drive: 55 yards, 7 plays, 3:55. Los Angeles 38, Washington 9
Washington (2:24) Bahr kick to W 28, Kimball no return.
W 28	1–10	Theismann sacked, loss of 10 (Townsend). Two–Minute Warning.
W 18	2–20	Theismann 7 screen pass to Giaquinto left (Squirek).
W 25	3–13	Theismann pass to Monk incomplete.
W 25	4–13	J. Hayes 40 punt, Pruitt fair catch.
Los Angeles (1:10)
LA 35	1–10	Willis 7 run right (Coffey, Grant).
LA 42	2–3	Hawkins sweep right, no gain (C. Jordan).
	FINAL SCORE: Los Angeles 38, Washington 9
	FINAL RECORDS: Los Angeles 15–4, Washington 16–3

Super Bowl XVIII Boxscore

                           SCORING
Washington                                  0  3  6  0 --  9
L.A. Raiders                                7 14 14  3 -- 38

RAI- Jensen 0 blocked punt return  (Bahr kick),  4:52 1st

RAI- Branch 12 pass from Plunkett (Bahr kick),  5:46 2nd
WAS- FG Moseley 24, 11:55 2nd
RAI- Squirek 5 interception return  (Bahr kick), 14:53 2nd

WAS- Riggins 1 run  (kick blocked), 4:08 3rd
RAI- Allen 5 run  (Bahr kick),  7:54 3rd
RAI- Allen 74 run  (Bahr kick), 15:00 3rd

RAI- FG Bahr 21, 12:36 4th


TEAM STATISTICS                          Wash.          Rai.
Total First Downs                          19             18
  Rushing                                   7              8
  Passing                                  10              9
  Penalty                                   2              1
Total Net Yardage                         283            385
Total Offensive Plays                      73             60
  Average Gain per Offensive Play           3.9            6.4
Rushes                                     32             33
  Yards Gained Rushing (Net)               90            231
  Average Yards per Rush                    2.8            7.0
Passes Attempted                           35             25
  Passes Completed                         16             16
  Had Intercepted                           2              0
  Tackled Attempting to Pass                6              2
  Yards Lost Attempting to Pass            50             18
  Yards Gained Passing (Net)              193            154
Punts                                       8              7
  Average Distance                         32.4           42.7
Punt Returns                                2              2
  Punt Return Yardage                      35              8
Kickoff Returns                             7              1
  Kickoff Return Yardage                  132             17
Interception Return Yardage                 0              5
Fumbles                                     1              3
  Own Fumbles Recovered                     0              1
  Opponent Fumbles Recovered                2              1
Penalties                                   4              7
  Yards Penalized                          62             56
Total Points Scored                         9             38
Touchdowns                                  1              5
  Rushing                                   1              2
  Passing                                   0              1
  Returns                                   0              1
Extra Points                                0              5
Field Goals                                 1              1
  Field Goals Attempted                     2              1
Safeties                                    0              0
Third-Down Efficiency                    6/17           5/13
Fourth-Down Efficiency                    0/1            0/0
Time of Possession                      31:38          28:22

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
Washington                        No.      Yds.     LG    TD
Riggins                           26        64       8     1
Theismann                          3        18       8     0
J. Washington                      3         8       5     0
L.A. Raiders                      No.      Yds.     LG    TD
Allen                             20       191      74t    2
Pruitt                             5        17      11     0
King                               3        12      10     0
Willis                             1         7       7     0
Hawkins                            3         6       3     0
Plunkett                           1        -2       2     0

Passing
Washington                   Att.   Comp.    Yds.   TD   Int.
Theismann                     35      16     243     0     2
L.A. Raiders                 Att.   Comp.    Yds.   TD   Int.
Plunkett                      25      16     172     1     0

Receiving
Washington                        No.      Yds.     LG    TD
Didier                             5        65      20     0
Brown                              3        93      60     0
J. Washington                      3        20      10     0
Giaquinto                          2        21      14     0
Monk                               1        26      26     0
Garrett                            1        17      17     0
Riggins                            1         1       1     0
L.A. Raiders                      No.      Yds.     LG    TD
Branch                             6        94      50     1
Christensen                        4        32      14     0
Hawkins                            2        20      14     0
Allen                              2        18      12     0
King                               2         8       7     0

Interceptions
Washington                        No.      Yds.     LG    TD
None                              --        --      --    --
L.A. Raiders                      No.      Yds.     LG    TD
Squirek                            1         5       5t    1
Haynes                             1         0       0     0

Punting
Washington                        No.      Avg.     LG   Blk.
Hayes                              7        37.0    48     1
L.A. Raiders                      No.      Avg.     LG   Blk.
Guy                                7        42.7    53     0

Punt Returns
Washington                       No.   FC     Yds.   LG   TD
Green                             1     0      34    34    0
Giaquinto                         1     2       1     1    0
L.A. Raiders                     No.   FC     Yds.   LG   TD
Pruitt                            1     3       8     8    0
Watts                             1     0       0     0    0

Kickoff Returns
Washington                        No.      Yds.     LG    TD
Garrett                            5       100      35     0
Grant                              1        32      32     0
Kimball                            1         0       0     0
L.A. Raiders                      No.      Yds.     LG    TD
Pruitt                             1        17      17     0


   Washington Redskins         Los Angeles Raiders
  
                   ==  Offense  ==                     
Bostic, Jeff            C    Dalby, Dave             C 
Grimm, Russ             G    Hannah, Charley         G 
May, Mark               G    Marvin, Mickey          G 
Jacoby, Joe             T    Davis, Bruce            T 
Starke, George          T    Lawrence, Henry         T 
Walker, Rick            TE   Christensen, Todd       TE
Warren, Don             TE   Barnwell, Malcolm       WR
Brown, Charlie          WR   Branch, Cliff           WR
Monk, Art               WR   Allen, Marcus           RB
Riggins, John           RB   King, Kenny             RB
Theismann, Joe          QB   Plunkett, Jim           QB

                   ==  Defense  ==                      
Butz, Dave              DT   Kinlaw, Reggie          NT 
Grant, Darryl           DT   Alzado, Lyle            DE 
Liebenstein, Todd       DE   Long, Howie             DE 
Manley, Dexter          DE   Hendricks, Ted          OLB
Kaufman, Mel            OLB  Martin, Rod             OLB
Milot, Rich             OLB  Millen, Matt            ILB
Olkewicz, Neal          MLB  Nelson, Bob L.          ILB
Green, Darrell          CB   Hayes, Lester           CB 
Washington, Anthony     CB   Haynes, Mike            CB 
Murphy, Mark H.         FS   McElroy, Vann           FS 
Coffey, Ken             SS   Davis, Mike             SS 

                  ==  Substitute  ==                    
Anderson, Stuart             Bahr, Chris                
Brooks, Perry                Barnes, Jeff               
Carpenter, Brian             Byrd, Darryl               
Coleman, Monte               Caldwell, Tony             
Cronan, Pete                 Davis, James               
Dean, Vernon                 Guy, Ray                   
Didier, Clint                Hasselbeck, Don            
Evans, Reggie                Hawkins, Frank             
Garrett, Alvin               Hill, Kenny                
Giaquinto, Nick              Humm, David                
Hayes, Jeff                  Jensen, Derrick            
Huff, Ken                    Jordan, Shelby             
Jordan, Curtis               McKinney, Odis             
Kimball, Bruce               Montgomery, Cleotha        
Kubin, Larry                 Mosebar, Don               
Mann, Charles                Muhammad, Calvin           
McGee, Tony                  Pickel, Bill               
Moseley, Mark                Pruitt, Greg               
Simmons, Roy                 Robinson, Johnny D.        
Washington, Joe              Squirek, Jack              
Williams, Greg               Stalls, Dave               
Williams, Michael            Sylvester, Steve           
Wonsley, Otis                Townsend, Greg
                             Watts, Ted
                             Williams, Dokie
                             Willis, Chester
                             Wilson, Marc               


   

                  ==  Did Not Play  ==
Holly, Bob                 
Laufenberg, Babe           
McGrath, Mark              
Seay, Virgil

Super Bowl XVIII Recap

Marcus Allen rushed for a Super Bowl-record 191 yards on 20 carries and scored two touchdowns as the Raiders trounced the Redskins, 38-9.

Derrick Jensen

Derrick Jensen's touchdown on a blocked punt ignited a Los Angeles onslaught. (AP)

This was the most lopsided Super Bowl ever, surpassing the Green Bay Packers' 35-10 over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl I. The Raiders took a 7-0 lead 4:52 into the game when Derrick Jensen blocked a Jeff Hayes punt and recovered it in the endzone for a touchdown.

JIM PLUNKETT HOOKED UP WITH CLIFF BRANCH for a 12-yard TD pass with 9:14 remaining in the first half, giving the Raiders a 14-0 lead. Washington cut the margin to 14-3 on a 24-yard field goal by Mark Moseley, but with seven seconds left in the half, Raider lineback Jack Squirek intercepted an screen pass by Joe Theismann and romped five yards into the endzone to give Los Angeles a commanding 21-3 halftime advantage.

Allen in the second half scored on runs of five and 74 yards (the latter a Super Bowl record) to put the Raiders ahead 35-9.

Allen was voted the game's most valuable player. The 38 points scored by the Raiders was the highest point total by a Super Bowl team.

Marcus Allen's 74 Yard Touchdown Run

Photographs: Tony Tomsic, John Iacono, Manny Milan, Richard Mackson, Heinz Kluetmeier

Marcus Allen began his collegiate career at USC as a fullback for three reasons: 1) the man playing the marquee role of halfback, Ricky Bell, would win the Heisman Trophy that year; 2) Allen was too talented to keep on the bench, and 3) coaches wondered about his foot speed. Even though Allen would later be moved to halfback and collect his own Heisman before graduating, questions about his jets dogged him into the pros.

In the early weeks of his second season with the Los Angeles Raiders, Allen had the temerity to approach the President of the General Partner, Al Davis, saying, "I'd sure like to run more."

Davis's curt reply: "Take a few laps after practice."

Conversation ended.

Four months later the Raiders met the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVIII and the running back in everyone's pregame story was Allen's counterpart, John Riggins. The Redskin rusher had been the MVP of the previous year's Super Bowl, in which Washington had defeated the Miami Dolphins.

Los Angeles led 28-9 late in the third quarter when it took over the ball on downs on its own 26-yard line. No one in silver-and-black wore a look of comfort, however: In October these same two teams had met, and the Skins had pasted 17 unanswered points on da Raidas in a come-from-behind victory. But Washington would not catch up to Oakland today because Washington could not catch up to Marcus Allen.

"I really did screw up that play," Allen would later say of 17 Bob Trail, the off-tackle sweep that he would ad-lib into a 74-yard touchdown. "The tight end and tackle double-team the linebacker, and the guard pulls. [Guard] Mickey Marvin did a good job on the block, and I should have gone inside him. But I pulled back, reversed field, and there was an alley."

Allen started left and then, spotting strong safety Ken Coffey, reversed his direction. But instead of continuing toward the right sideline for a modest gain Allen cut up inside, a daring thrust between the hash marks. By rights someone in maroon-and-white should have shellacked him.

Instead Allen zoomed past linebackers Monte Coleman and Rich Minot, left nothing but a vapor trail for middle linebacker Neal Olkewicz to grab and simply ran away from cornerback Anthony Washington. From the near end zone it looked as if Allen was being pursued by the cavalry. In a footrace that included Redskins cornerback Darrell Green--the officially recognized "NFL's Fastest Man"--Marcus Allen was never touched.

"It was the best run I've had in the NFL," the game's MVP said of what was at the time the longest run from scrimmage in Super Bowl history. "I didn't think of what to do. I just let instinct take over."

Super Bowl XVIII Photos

Photograph by: Sports Illustrated
Super Bowl XVIII MVP, Oakland Raiders running back Marcus Allen.