Around the USFL
by Fran Stuchbury
April 19, 2023 - United States Football League (USFL)
The United States Football League kicked off its second season this past weekend with three games on network television. Two aired on FOX, one on NBC and one on FoxSports 1.
The USFL has transitioned from playing all its games in Birmingham, Ala., in the 2022 season to now staging games in four cities: Birmingham; Memphis, Tenn.; Detroit and Canton, Ohio, this season.
Two of those markets were on display this past weekend. First up was Memphis, where the Memphis Showboats replaced the Tampa Bay Bandits in the league lineup.
The Philadelphia Stars defeated the Showboats 27-23 in the opener Saturday. Stars quarterback Case Cookus picked up where he left off, completing 20 of 29 passes for 212 yards and three touchdowns. He spread the football all over the field with eight different Stars players collecting at least one reception. Cookus appeared to be just as good as he was before being injured in the USFL Championship game against Birmingham last season.
Even more impressively, the Stars were able to convert nine of 13 third down conversions to keep drives alive.
On defense for Philadelphia, Channing Stribling, who led the USFL with seven interceptions last season, grabbed another one.
The Showboats defense kept the pressure on with five sacks but could not rattle the Stars enough to force a turnover. On the offensive side, Brady White only passed for 182 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
The crowd in Memphis appeared solid and provided a lot of energy throughout the game.
Later Saturday, a good crowd in Birmingham welcomed the defending champs in their commanding 27-10 victory over the New Jersey Generals.
J'Mar Smith passed for 160 yards, one touchdown and one interception before leaving the game with a hand injury. Off the bench Alex McGough filled in admirably with 68 yards passing and one touchdown along with 51 yards rushing and another score.
Meanwhile, the Generals committed two critical turnovers and failed to convert important fourth down attempts. The lone bright spot for New Jersey was 2022 USFL Offensive Player of the Year Darius Victor who carried eight times for 89 yards.
Sunday's games drew much lighter crowds as New Orleans plays its home games in Birmingham, and Memphis hosts the Houston Gamblers.
The Michigan Panthers scored a dominant 29-13 victory over the Gamblers in Mike Nolan's USFL head coaching debut for Michigan. Returnee Josh Love connected on 18 of 20 passes for 215 yards and three touchdowns. The Panthers defense created four turnovers and generated four sacks, three of them from defensive end Breeland Speaks.
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson attended the game to see his son, Houston Gamblers tight end Josh Pederson, play in person.
"I've been impressed with it," Pederson said of the USFL. "This is a great opportunity for all these players to showcase their talent and get on tape. That's one thing I've encouraged my son to do, is just get on tape. Get meaningful reps. That's what all these guys are doing, because one day they're trying to get back to the NFL if they can."
Pederson is no stranger to developmental leagues, having played for the World League of American Football's New York/New Jersey Knights during the 1992 season which led to his signing with the Miami Dolphins and a career as a journeyman backup quarterback in the NFL.
The New Orleans Breakers edged the Pittsburgh Maulers 22-15 in the final game of the weekend Sunday night. John DeFillipo won his first USFL game as New Orleans head coach.
Veteran quarterback McCleod Bethel-Thompson made his Breakers debut, overcoming a slow start to throw for 302 yards and one touchdown.
Kicker Matthew Coghlin connected on five-of-five field goals attempst from 34, 51, 21, 27 and 28 yards out to provide most of the scoring
Curiously, the Maulers used quarterback Troy Williams on their final drive over starting quarterback James Morgan, but Head Coach Ray Horton claimed that was part of the rotation. Both quarterbacks combined for just 10 completions in 27 pass attempts for a paltry 81 yards.
Former NFL linebacker Reuben Foster made an impressive USFL debut for the Maulers with 12 total tackles and one forced fumble.
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Saturday's Philadelphia Stars - Memphis Showboats debut on FOX drew viewersip of 837,000 serving as a lead-in for the New Jersey Generals - Birmingham Stallions broadcats also on FOX which bumped to 864,000 viewers. Sunday's Michigan Panthers - Houston Gamblers game on NBC topped the weekend with 974,000 viewers, while the Sunday night showing on FS1 between the New Orleans Breakers and Pittsburgh Maulers managed 483,000 viewers.
This weekend again features a pair of games in Birmingham as the Houston Gamblers take on the New Orleans Breakers and the Memphis Showboats face the Birmingham Stallions on Saturday.
Sunday sees the first regular season USFL action in Canton, Ohio, host of last year's postseason, with the New Jersey Generals battling the Pittsburgh Maulers and Michigan Panthers squaring off against the Philadelphia Stars.
United States Football League Stories from April 19, 2023
- 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.
