1992 Birmingham Fire

The 1992 Birmingham Fire played their second season at Legion Field under second-year head coach Chan Gailey. The team's record was 7-3-1 with an average of ___ points per game scored and ___ points per game allowed. The Fire's five home games were played before an average crowd of __.

Roster

• Barry Johnson, wide receiver
• Shawn Moore, quarterback
• Greg Jones, quarterback
• Steve Avery, running back
• Joe Valerio, guard
• Kyle Freeman, linebacker
• Terry Gray, guard
• Stephon Weatherspoon, linebacker
• Kirk Maggio, punter
• John Brantley, linebacker
• Barry Johnson, wide receiver
• Philip Doyle, place kicker
• Mike Norseth, quarterback
• Willie Bouyer, wide receiver
• Simmie Carter, cornerback
• Antonio Gibson, safety
• Tracy Sanders, cornerback

Coaching staff

• Ghan Gailey, head coach
• Joe D'Alessandris
• Peter Hurt
• Stanley King
• Gene Smith
• Michael O'Toole
• Steve Marks

Record (7-3-1)

Pre-season (0-1-0)

• March 14: Lost 14-13 vs. London Monarchs. In a professional sports first, preseason victories were utilized as the number 2 tiebreaker for the final 1992 standings, behind results in head-to-head competition. As a result, Birmingham's 14-13 loss meant more than just a meaningless, pre-season defeat. The Fire would build a 13-0 lead on a pair of 32 yard field goals by Philip Doyle and on a 29-yard touchdown pass from Mike Norseth to Willie Bouyer. A furious comeback by the visiting Monarchs in the final six minutes stunned the crown of 10,150 at Legion Field.

Regular season (7-2-1)

• March 21: Lost 20-6 at Sacramento Surge. The Fire would open the 1992 season just as in 1991, with a loss. This time it came at the hands of Sacramento by a final score of 20-6. Birmingham's only points came on a pair of Philip Doyle field goals, a 50 yarder on the opening drive and a 47 yarder in the third.
• March 29: Won 17-10 vs. San Antonio Riders. The stingy Fire defense secured victory as a result of a pair of turnovers in the 1992 home opener. Eugene Roswell would score the first points on a 7 yard touchdown run in the second. Philip Doyle would hit a 47 yard field goal to give the home team a 10-3 halftime lead. In the third, Arthur Hunter would score a touchdown on a 32 yard interception return.
• April 5: Won 17-7 at Frankfurt Galaxy. On the road before 33,857 fans at Frankfurt's Wald Stadium, the Fire upset the Galaxy 17-7. Elroy Harris would score the Fire's two touchdowns: one on a pass from Mike Norseth and on a one yard run in the second quarter. The only second half scoring came on a 30 yard Phillip Doyle field goal.
• April 11: Tied 17-17 at London Monarchs. A 42 yard Philip Doyle field goal as time expired resulted in the only WLAF game to have ever ended in a tie before 20,370 fans in London's Wembley Stadium. Mike Norseth would score Birmingham’s first points on a two yard run early in the game. Elroy Harris would score the Fire's other touchdown in the fourth on a 1 yard run. For the game, Norseth would complete 25 of 40 passes for 251 yards.
• April 18: Won 28-14 vs. Sacramento Surge.
• April 25: Lost 17-14 at San Antonio Riders.
• May 2: Won 19-17 vs. Barcelona Dragons.
• May 10: Won 23-16 vs. Montreal Machine.
• May 17: Won 24-23 vs. Orlando Thunder.
• May 24: Won 27-24 at Ohio Glory.

Playoffs (0-1)

• May 30: Lost 45-7 at Orlando Thunder.

Reference

• LexisNexis database, 1992 various editions, online search via LexisNexis database. Accessed November 5, 2006.