Around the USFL
by Fran Stuchbury
Published on April 26, 2023 under United States Football League (USFL)
Week two of the United States Football League season showcased the dominance of the defending champion Birmingham Stallions, off to a 2-0 start after a 42-2 blowout victory over the visiting Memphis Showboats.
The Stallions faced some uncertainty heading into the game after losing quarterback J'Mar Smith for the season due to a hand injury, wide receiver Marlon Williams for the year with a torn ACL and starting running back Bo Scarbrourgh to a right knee injury.
To provide depth behind center, Birmingham signed Kyle Sloter who made the All-USFL team last season with the New Orleans Breakers. Sloter played with the XFL's Arlington Renegades before being released by the team on March 27th.
As it turned out, the Stallions kept Sloter in the stable as Alex McGough got the start and completed 21 of 28 passes for 301 yards and four touchdowns while adding 32 yards rushing. Tight ends were a huge part of the offense as McGough's training-camp roommate Jace Sternberger caught five of those throws for 127 yards and one score.
Another tight end, Thaddeus Moss, grabbed a seven-yard touchdown reception as well. Moss is the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss.
The Stallions defense controlled the game with three sacks, one fumble and an interception.
The Showboats finished with just 139 yards passing and 69 yards rushing. Brady White struggled in his second start before being briefly replaced by Ryan Willis.
It took the Memphis defense to spoil the shutout on a safety by sacking McGough in the end zone in the third quarter.
With 1:57 left in the game McGough threw a touchdown pass to Myron Mitchell on third down from the two to finish the scoring for the Stallions. After the game Memphis coach Todd Haley voiced his displeasure with Birmingham running up the score.
In other USFL action, the Michigan Panthers, a team which won only two games the entire 2022 season, are off to a 2-0 start after a 24-10 victory over the Philadelphia Stars in the cold at Canton, Ohio.
After tearing up week one, Panthers quarterback Josh Love took a step back, throwing for 174 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, but running back Reggie Corbin filled the void with 131 rushing yards and two scores. Corbin placed fourth in the USFL with 518 rushing yards last season.
The Panthers have received stellar play from the defense in their 2-0 start, rolling up eight sacks and eight turnovers amidst constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
With two starters out injured, the Stars shaky offensive line, which has given up nine sacks so far this season, cost them. a harassed Case Cookus passed for 283 yards but threw two interceptions, and a pair of fumbles hurt the team, too. Philadelphia ran for just 45 yards.
The New Orleans Breakers have bolted to a 2-0 start after a 38-31 victory over the Houston Gamblers in the most competitive game of the weekend. The Breakers, who only managed 62 rushing yards in last week's victory over the Pittsburgh Maulers, more than doubled that number with 127 yards thanks to a huge performance by Wes Hills who rambled for 110 yards and three touchdowns.
Tight end Sage Surratt contributed a breakout performance with 11 receptions for 121 yards and one score. He matched the 11 total receptions he recorded playing with the Birmingham Stallions last season. Surratt was a wide receiver in college at Wake Forest, a Biletnikoff Award finalist and First-Team All-ACC during his 2019 campaign. He later transitioned to playing tight end.
The Houston Gamblers passing attack showed signs of life with Kenji Bahar throwing for 266 yards and three touchdowns. Last week he only threw for 109 yards without a score. But Bahar's three interceptions killed Houston's chances. He now has thrown five picks in two weeks.
In the first regular season game at the new hub in Canton, Ohio, the New Jersey Generals evened their record at 1-1 thanks to the performance of their defense in a 20-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Maulers.
The Generals utilized a goal line stand to hold the Maulers from the one-yard line in the second quarter. For the game New Jersey rang up five sacks, two fumble recoveries and one interception.
The Generals have many newcomers on the offensive side including four new receivers and quarterback Dakota Prukop who Mike Riley continues to rotate with returning QB DeAndre Johnson. They combined for just 136 passing yards.
After two games the Maulers have yet to score an offensive touchdown. "Three points in any league, unless you are playing soccer or baseball doesn't cut it," said Pittsburgh head coach Ray Horton. The Maulers stumbled again with 124 yards through the air and 70 yards rushing.
Despite a new coach and new team colors, Pittsburgh looks a whole lot like it did last year, displaying the same offensive ineptitude which cost them when they finished 1-9. They hope one of their quarterbacks, James Morgan or Troy Williams, can improve their play and earn the starting job.
Every touchdown in Week 2:
USFL's Top 10 Plays From Week 2:
Saturday's New Orleans Breakers - Houston Gamblers telecast on USA dipped to 133,000 viewers. Saturday night's Memphis Showboats - Birmingham Stallions broadcast on FOX rebounded to 798,000 viewers. Sunday's New Jersey Generals - Pittsburgh Maulers game on NBC had 725,000 viewers. The Michigan Panthers - Philadelphia Stars contest on FoxSports 1 closed the slate with 211,000 viewers.
This weekend again features a game in Birmingham with a battle of the undefeated as New Orleans Breakers tackles the Birmingham Stallions at 12:30 pm est. on USA. In Memphis two winless teams square off with the Memphis Showboats vs. the Houston Gamblers at 7 pm est. on FOX.
Sunday brings the first games in Detroit with the Pittsburgh Maulers vs. the Philadelphia Stars at 12 pm est. on NBC, and the New Jersey Generals taking on the Michigan Panthers at 4 pm est. on FOX.
United States Football League Stories from April 26, 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.
