Sports stats

USFL Pittsburgh Maulers

A Brief History of the Pittsburgh Maulers

by Paul Reeths
December 9, 2021 - United States Football League (USFL)
Pittsburgh Maulers


Original Pittsburgh Maulers logo
Original Pittsburgh Maulers logo
(Pittsburgh Maulers)

On November 22, the FOX television network unveiled the teams which will comprise the new United States Football League when the circuit hits the field in 2022. Though FOX's USFL is a completely new entity, all its team names were initially used in the original USFL which played from 1983 to 1985.

Below is a brief history of the first Pittsburgh Maulers franchise.

---

The Pittsburgh Maulers entered the USFL as an expansion team in the league's second season. Team owner Edward DeBartolo's family also owned the National Hockey League's Pittsburgh Penguins and more importantly the National Football League's San Francisco 49ers. NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle hated having an NFL team owner's family involved in the new competitor and forced the 49ers Eddie DeBartolo, Jr. to leave the room whenever NFL owners discussed the USFL.

Under Coach Joe Pendry, the Maulers struggled through their only year in the league with a 3-15 record. Pendry didn't even make it through the entire 1984 season as Ellis Rainsberger took the helm midway through the slate. Heisman Trophy winning running back Mike Rozier had been signed to headline the offense, but an ankle injury in the Orange Bowl, just the month before the USFL season started, limited his effectiveness all year. Pittsburgh only managed victories over the Oakland Invaders and the Washington Federals (twice).

Many of their problems could be blamed on a defense that gave up a league-leading 492 points. Cornerback Jerry Holmes and defensive end Sam Clancy (16 sacks), both NFL veterans, were two bright spots. On the offensive end, former Cowboy backup Glenn Carano struggled at QB, throwing 19 interceptions to just 13 touchdowns. Wide receiver Greg Anderson caught 63 passes for 994 yards and six TDs.

Despite their poor performance, the Maulers managed a respectable showing at the gate and even sold out their first home game against the Birmingham Stallions. Many of the fans came to boo and throw things at Stallions and former Steeler QB Cliff Stoudt, but a sell out is a sell out.

The league's announced move to the fall caused DeBartolo to pull the plug on the franchise after just one season as he had no intention of battling the entrenched Steelers head-to-head.

Their Finest Hour: The Maulers earned their first win in the fourth week of the season with a 16-7 victory over the hapless Washington Federals. With the game knotted at 7-7 with less than two minutes remaining, an 18-yard field goal gave Pittsburgh a rare lead. Half a minute later, safety Jeff Delaney slammed the door on the Feds when he picked off a Reggie Collier pass and returned it 50 yards for the clinching score. Mike Rozier ran for 77 yards and added 87 yards receiving on the day.

Years of existence: 1984
Owner: Edward J. DeBartolo
Stadium: Three Rivers Stadium (60,043)
Colors: Purple, orange, gray and white
Overall Regular Season Record: 3-15
Overall Playoff Record: 0-0

Yearly Standings and Average Home Attendances
1984: 3-15 (22,858)

Adapted from USFLsite.com.

Interested in learning more about the United States Football League? Buy The United States Football League, 1982-1986.

Check out the Pittsburgh Maulers Statistics




Images from this story

Original Pittsburgh Maulers logo
Original Pittsburgh Maulers logo
   



United States Football League Stories from December 9, 2021


The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Pittsburgh Maulers Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central