Around the USFL
by Fran Stuchbury
Published on May 25, 2022 under United States Football League (USFL)
Several United States Football League teams used this past week to earn some separation in the playoff race.
Chief among them was the Philadelphia Stars, who held on for a big 35-28 victory over the Tampa Bay Bandits. With both the Michigan Panthers and Pittsburgh Maulers losing, Philadelphia sits two games ahead of both teams in second place in the North Division.
Philadelphia had struggled to run the football all year heading into the game, averaging less than 70 yards per game on the ground, last in the USFL. In a complete reversal of form, they churned out 197 rushing yards against Tampa Bay with Matt Colburn II leading the way with 140 yards.
As for the Tampa Bay Bandits, they fall to 3-3 and are now in third place, one game behind the New Orleans Breakers for second in the South Division. Three of their next four games are against teams with winning records: New Jersey this week, Birmingham in week 9 and New Orleans to close the season. Making it to the postseason could be a challenge for the Bandits.
The Birmingham Stallions next-man-up mentality served the team again as backup running back Bo Scarbrough, in for the injured C.J. Marable, ran for 120 total yards and one touchdown in their 33-17 victory over the Michigan Panthers to remain a perfect 6-0. It would be a surprise if the Stallions have a difficult time against the 1-5 Pittsburgh Maulers this week.
The USFL expanded rosters from 38 to 40 players this week and Michigan Panthers head coach Jeff Fisher finally decided to have both a kicker and a punter on the active roster. Kicker Cole Murphy joined the Panthers in week five, and Kyle Kramer punted this week. It didn't matter as Birmingham pulled away late.
The Birmingham-Michigan game on NBC Saturday evening experienced a lightning delay, ensuring it would run past its broadcast window. The dilemma NBC faced was similar to the one it battled in 2001 when airing the XFL, which caused an uproar when it disrupted the start of Saturday Night Live. NBC chose to cut Saturday's USFL game off at the top of the hour and move the final minutes to cable's CNBC.
Running the football as much as possible appears to be a common strategy in the league. In addition to Philadelphia's big game on the ground, the New Orleans Breakers ran often in their 26-16 victory over the Pittsburgh Maulers. The Breakers piled up 173 rushing yards compared to only 101 passing yards. On a 10-play, 50-yard touchdown drive, they ran every play. Until USFL defenses stop the run, teams won't be tempted to throw.
This most exciting game of the week was the New Jersey Generals' 26-25 victory over the Houston Gamblers. Luis Perez scored on a one-yard quarterback sneak on the final play of the game for New Jersey. Perez passed for 159 yards and one touchdown after the Generals lost De'Andre Johnson to an injury.
The Houston Gamblers have held a halftime lead in all six games and only have a 1-5 record to show for it. The past two weeks they lost games on the final play, and their inability to finish games has hurt Houston all season long.
Top 10 Plays from USFL's Week 6:
Every Touchdown From Week 6:
Ratings
Saturday 1 pm est. on NBC - Tampa Bay Bandits vs. Philadelphia Stars game - 785,000 viewers
Saturday 7:30 pm est. on NBC - Birmingham Stallions vs. Michigan Panthers - 1,196,000 viewers
Sunday noon est. on FS1 - Pittsburgh Maulers vs. New Orleans Breakers - 281,000 viewers
Sunday 4 pm est. on FOX - New Jersey Generals vs. Houston Gamblers game - 665,000 viewers
WEEK SEVEN SCHEDULE
Saturday noon est. on USA - New Jersey Generals vs. Tampa Bay Bandits
Saturday 9 pm est. on FS1 - New Orleans Breakers vs. Michigan Panthers
Sunday 2 pm est. on FOX - Birmingham Stallions vs. Pittsburgh Maulers
Sunday 6 pm est. on Peacock - Philadelphia Stars vs. Houston Gamblers
United States Football League Stories from May 25, 2022
- QBs Shea Patterson, Kyle Lauletta Join New USFL Teams - USFL
- USFL Teams Begin Stretch Run to the Playoffs - USFL
- Around the USFL - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
- Around the USFL - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
- Around the USFL - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
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.
