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Around the USFL

by Fran Stuchbury
Published on June 22, 2023 under United States Football League (USFL)


The United States Football League's second regular season ended last weekend with three more teams punching their playoff tickets. After week 10 wins, the New Orleans Breakers, Pittsburgh Maulers and Michigan Panthers will join the Birmingham Stallions in the postseason.

In the North Division playoff at Canton, Ohio, 4-6 Michigan will take on 4-6 Pittsburgh at 8 pm est. on NBC. The Maulers won both previous matchups this year, 23-7 in week five and 19-7 in week nine.

The Maulers clinched their berth with a 26-6 victory over the New Jersey Generals, a win that improved their record by three games after posting a league-worst 1-9 mark last season.

The Maulers defense played lights out, creating three turnovers, two interceptions and one fumble while holding the Generals to only 137 passing yards.

Pittsburgh utilizes a conservative offense with mobile quarterback Troy Williams who has passed for 1,414 yards and a team-leading 341 yards on the ground. His favorite target is wide receiver Isiah Hennie who finished with 46 receptions for 474 yards and three touchdowns.

Reliable place kicker Chris Blewitt has connected on 21 of 25 field goal attempts with a long of 54 yards.

The Maulers defense led the USFL in takeaways with 20, 13 interceptions and 7 fumble recoveries, and placed second in the league by giving up 17.2 points per game. Cornerback Mark Gilbert paced the league with four interceptions.

Pittsburgh will face the resurgent Michigan Panthers who earned their shot by defeating the Philadelphia Stars 23-20. The Panthers went 2-8 in 2022.

Against Philadelphia, Michigan overcame a 14-point second half deficit largely with special teams play. A.J Richardson returned a blocked punt for a touchdown by in the third quarter, sparking the comeback.

In his first USFL start E.J Perry completed 12 of 23 passes for 121 yards and added 48 rushing yards on 10 carries. He didn't turn the ball over, a marked change from the previous week when the Panthers lost to to the Maulers as Josh Love threw four interceptions.

Running back Reggie Corbin topped the squad with 437 rushing yards and Stevie Scott add 295 yards. Joe Walker led the team with 40 receptions for 508 yards and three touchdowns.

On defense, linebacker Frank Ginda led the USFL with 104 tackles and also grabbed a team-best three interceptions.

The Maulers allowed a total of 14 points in two wins over Michigan. The Pittsburgh defense may be the best in the USFL and will face a quarterback making just his second start.

The South Division matchup in Birmingham will be a repeat of last season as 7-3 New Orleans rematches with the 8-2 Birmingham Stallions at 7 pm est. on FOX.

The teams split their two previous matchups this year. New Orleans defeated Birmingham 45-31 in week three before the Stallions avenged the loss, 24-20, in week seven.

Birmingham is the league's hottest team, riding a five-game winning streak.

For the second year in a row the Stallions won the South Division. They are led by quarterback Alex McGough who has passed for 2,104 yards and a league-leading 20 touchdown. His mobility is a big part of his game as he placed second on the team with 403 rushing yards and three scores.

C.J. Marable contributed 524 rushing yards and three touchdowns as Birmingham led the USFL in total offense with 333 yards per game.

McGough frequently looks for a pair of favorite targets in WR Davion Davis, who collected 39 receptions for 575 yards and three touchdowns, and tight end Jace Sternberger, who caught 33 passes for 517 yards and a league-leading seven touchdowns.

Defensive lineman Willie Yarbary led the Stallions with four sacks, while Nate Brooks added two interceptions.

The New Orleans Breakers made it to the post season defeating the Houston Gamblers 17-10. After stumbling badly midseason, they ended the regular season on a three-game winning streak.

Veteran quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson led the USFL with 2,433 passing yards and 14 touchdowns. Tight end Sage Surratt proved a reliable target with 50 receptions, 552 yards and one touchdown. Jonathan Adams added 41 receptions for 511 yards and two touchdowns.

Wes Hills led the USFL with 678 yards rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.

The Breakers' physical defense surrendered just 17 points per game, best in the USFL, and led the league with 28 sacks as defensive linemen Keonte Shad recorded 7.5 of his own. New Orleans corralled 12 interceptions, tied for second in the league.

Birmingham looks to be the team still improving, showing flashes of dominance, while New Orleans squeezed into the playoffs, still appearing to be a team trying to regain its legs. Hills ran for just 102 yards the last three weeks. In the Breakers' week three win over the Stallions, Hills rushed for 191 yards and three touchdowns.

Saturday's Pittsburgh Maulers - New Jersey Generals game drew 240,000 viewers, followed by the Birmingham Stallions - Memphis Showboats telecast on FOX with 635,000 viewers. Sunday's New Orleans Breakers - Houston Gamblers matchup on FS1 managed 167,000 viewers, and the Philadelphia Stars - Michigan Panthers contest on FOX topped the weekend with 720,000 viewers.

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