Around the USFL
by Fran Stuchbury
May 10, 2023 - United States Football League (USFL)
The South Division exerted its dominance over the North Division, going a perfect 4-0 in matchups, in week four of the United States Football League season.
The biggest surprise of the weekend saw the Memphis Showboats shocking the Michigan Panthers at Detroit, 29-10.
The Showboats defense went into the contest surrendering an average of 33 points per game but was able to hold the Panthers to only 10 points, thanks to a pair of timely interceptions and two fumble recoveries, one returned 34 yards for a touchdown by defensive end Jeff McCulloch.
"As I said to the guys in the locker room, things were not looking good," said Memphis Showboats head coach Todd Haley. "We had a couple of tough losses, a really bad loss. Now we had to get on an airplane and play at Detroit. The guys did not stop playing hard. When you get a win like this as a team, it's really good for everyone involved.
"It would be one thing if guys were dragging their tails between their legs and not working. This group has continued to work really hard despite those outcomes. To come on the road and get a win was a big thing for us."
On offense the Showboats did not turn the ball over, and quarterback Cole Kelley passed for 151 yards and added 27 rushing yards with two touchdowns.
Kicker Alex Kessman, who was benched last week, redeemed himself by going three-for-three on field goal attempts with the two longest kicks of the USFL season, 54 and 53 yards, plus one from 37. Kessman hails from Michigan and had around 100 family members and friends cheering him on.
Michigan's record dropped to 2-2 after their second straight loss.
Earlier Saturday at Detroit, the Houston Gamblers blew out the Philadelphia Stars, 41-16.
Running back Mark Thompson again provided a spark for Houston. He has amassed 215 yards rushing and five rushing touchdowns in just two games after missing a pair due to injury.
"It was great to be back on the field, be out there with the team, the energy they have," Thompson said. "I try to bring my part, too. I am one of eleven; being patient, letting everything open up, those big guys up front doing their thing and hitting the holes I had to hit."
The running attack allowed the Gamblers to sustain drives, going an impressive nine-of-12 on third down conversions.
Philadelphia's offensive line continued to have problems with Case Cookus sacked six times, upping his total to 18 for the season. The running game managed just 44 rushing yards.
"That was awful," summarized Stars Head Coach Bart Andrus, "A really good job by Houston. We did not play up to our potential at all. We have a lot of work to do in a lot of areas. We plan to make some changes. We're going to look at every position on the football team this week."
In Canton on Sunday, the New Orleans Breakers improved to a perfect 4-0 by holding off the tough New Jersey Generals.
"We knew all week this was going be a tough game for us," said Breakers head coach John DeFilippo. "I told (Generals Head Coach) Mike Riley we fought a 14-round heavyweight fight. Those were two good football teams out there. somebody had to come out on top. I am glad it was us."
Once again running back Wes Hills powered his way to the forefront of the Breakers offense, gaining 88 yards on the ground with two touchdowns. He added another dimension by catching seven passes for 71 yards.
McLeod Bethel-Thompson finished with 279 passing yards and one interception.
While their defense kept them in the game, Generals quarterback DeAndre Johnson struggled, completing seven of 14 passes for 131 yards. New Jersey converted just one of eight third downs.
"The game was in the balance until the fourth quarter, and they made the one drive to win the game," Riley said. "We had two opportunities; we had our chance so we didn't capitalize."
The Birmingham Stallions survived the Pittsburgh Maulers, 24-20, thanks to a game-winning, 91-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Deon Cain with 6:37 left in the fourth quarter.
Last Week Cain opened the game with an 82-yard return for a score against the New Orleans Breakers.
Stallions quarterback Alex McGough tossed two early interceptions but bounced back with 48 rushing yards and one touchdown and another score through the air.
Maulers quarterback Troy Williams passed for 217 yards and led the team with 63 rushing yards and one touchdown.
With the offense bogging down in the red zone, Pittsburgh settled for four field goals by Chris Blewitt from 20, 22, 27 and 46 yards out.
"Today the Maulers beat the Maulers," said Pittsburgh head coach Ray Horton. "We gave a up a touchdown on special teams, and we were zero-of-three in the red zone. There are no moral victories; there are only victories on the scoreboard, but we are headed in the right direction. I love the character and heart of the team."
Saturday's Philadelphia Stars - Houston Gamblers game on FOX had 521,000 viewers, followed by the Memphis Showboats - Michigan Panthers on NBC drawing 2.063 million viewers, utilizing the Kentucky Derby (14.4 million viewers) as a lead in. Sunday's New Orleans Breakers - New Jersey Generals broadcast on NBC captured 828,000 viewers. The Sunday evening game between the Birmingham Stallions and Pittsburgh Maulers on FS1 finished the weekend with 545,000 viewers.
Every touchdown in Week 4:
USFL's Top 10 Plays From Week 4:
This week the Pittsburgh Maulers travel to Detroit Saturday to take on the Michigan Panthers at 12:30 pm est. on USA. Then at Birmingham the Houston Gamblers will attempt to run their winning streak to three games against the Stallions at 4 pm est. on FOX.
On Sunday the Philadelphia Stars look to end their three-game skid against the New Jersey Generals at 12 pm est. at Detroit on NBC. Back at Birmingham, the New Orleans Breakers seek to remain undefeated against the rebounding Memphis Showboats at 3 pm est. on FOX.
United States Football League Stories from May 10, 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.
