USFL Inside the Drive: How Maulers Edged Panthers in OT Playoff Thriller
June 28, 2023 - United States Football League (USFL) News Release
The Maulers and Panthers staged a thrilling finish in the North Division Championship, and we take you behind the scenes to re-live the key plays.
It took an epic battle for the Pittsburgh Maulers to get past the Michigan Panthers, 31-27, in overtime this past weekend, earning a bid to this weekend's USFL Championship Game in the process.
In a contest that was a defensive struggle into the third quarter, the teams eventually opened things up late, combining to score 17 total points in the final 2:30 of regulation. Michigan quarterback E.J. Perry kicked off the scoring flurry with a pretty floating pass to Trey Quinn for a 55-yard score.
Down four points with less than two minutes to play, Pittsburgh responded with a tough TD of its own.
Troy Williams fired a precise pass to Garrett Groshek over the middle, who made a number of defenders miss en route to a 25-yard gain. Williams then spread the wealth to two other receivers, Ishmael Hyman and Isiah Hennie, for good gains. Williams capped the drive by hooking up with Hyman on a laser in the back of the end zone to put Pittsburgh up 27-24.
Was Michigan finished, though? Not by a long shot.
Perry flashed his clutch gene, completing a pair of quick passes before hooking up with Kaden Davis on the right side of the field for a 16-yard gain. The play brought Michigan into field goal range, and Cole Murphy tied things up with a 47-yard field goal with four seconds left.
In overtime, the Maulers pulled off a nifty play-fake to come up successful on their first two-point attempt, before the team's defense made what could be the play of the year at the goal line to force a Michigan fumble.
On the Maulers' second two-point attempt, Williams took matters into his own hands, willing his way into the end zone on a QB keep, before a batted ball at the line of scrimmage sealed the deal for Pittsburgh in the victory.
United States Football League Stories from June 28, 2023
- USFL Inside the Drive: How Maulers Edged Panthers in OT Playoff Thriller - USFL
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