Jesse Dyess 
CANTON, OHIO - JUNE 24: Troy Williams #11 of the Pittsburgh Maulers is splash with a gatorade bucket from his teammates Sedevyn Gray #29 and Tre Walker #89 after defeating the Michigan Panthers following the fourth quarter of the USFL North Division Championship at Tom Benson Hall Of Fame Stadium on June 24, 2023 in Canton, Ohio. The Pittsburgh Maulers won in overtime, 31-27. (Photo by Jason Miller/USFL/Getty Images for USFL)
The north division championship game between the Pittsburg Maulers and the Michigan Panthers in Canton, Ohio is everything that fans hope for in a title game unless you are Panther fans. The 31-27 overtime thriller, where the Maulers clinched their spot in the championship game, had everything. it featured several lead changes in the final minutes, last-second field goals, the longest field goal of the year, and over time all crammed into one game.
For the Panthers, E.J. Perry would have been MVP in a winning effort. His 370 yards and 2 touchdowns would propel a struggling Panther offense, despite it only being his second start. Conversely, the Mauler’s defense led the way like they have much this season. While the Maulers surrendered 400 yards, they forced 3 turnovers and forced Michigan to settle for a field goal in the red zone. In a game with a 4-point margin of victory, this represents game-changing potential.
First Half
Michigan starts the game on their own 28, and drives as far as the Michigan 5 with a first and goal to go. However, 2 incompletions and a failed run force a 23-yard field goal by Cole Murphy. Michigan takes an early 3-0 lead. Pittsburgh ties the game on their next possession, when a promising drive stalls on the Panther’s 27, forcing a 45-yard field goal by Chris Blewitt. In between the Panther’s and Mauler’s trading punts, the first quarter ends at 3-3.
2 plays into the second quarter, disaster struck for the Panthers. Reggie Corbin would fumble after being stopped for a loss (Olave Sagapolu with the force, Terry Beckner Jr. on the recovery). 4 plays, and 13 yards later, Garrett Groshek scores from 2 yards out. A converted extra point gives the Maulers their first lead. After again trading punts, a Panthers drive ends in a turnover when Cole Hikutuni fumbles a completion from E.J Perry (Kyahva Tesino on the recovery). The Maulers would be forced to punt on the ensuing possession, giving the Panthers the ball at their own 18.
On first down at their own 34, the Mauler’s defense would force their 3rd turnover of the half. Safety Arnold Tapley would intercept E.J. Perry (his only real mistake of the day), giving the Maulers the ball at their own 36. The Maulers made it to the Michigan 5, with one second left, sending Chris Blewitt out to attempt a 22-yard field goal. The Michigan Panthers special teams came up big, with Noah Dawkins blocking the attempt sending us into the half.
Second Half
The second half started with the Maulers taking possession. 5 minutes and 30 yards later, Pittsburgh is stopped on 4th and 1 when Garrett Marino stopped Madre London for a loss. 6 plays and 64 yards are all Michigan needs to tie the game. E.J. Perry rushed in from 6 yards out, and an extra point ties the game at 10. Following the touchdown, the Panther’s defense comes up big, driving back Pittsburgh backward, and forcing a punt.
On the first play after the punt, E.J. Perry has the longest play of the game. He finds wide receiver Marcus Simms for a 72-yard touchdown, giving Michigan a 17-10 lead. Despite the big play, the Maulers tie the game up on the next drive. Wide receiver Bailey Gaither finishes a 65-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown. As a result, we have a 17-17 game early in the 4th quarter.
After three drives that ended in a Michigan punt, a failed 4th down for the Maulers, and a Panther missed 52-yard field goal, Pittsburgh would finally break the tie. After getting the ball at their own 42, they would go 18 yards before being stopped on a 3rd and 3. Chris Blewitt comes out to attempt a 59-yard field goal, and he makes the longest kick of the season to give the Maulers a 20-17 lead.
With 3:16 left, many might have thought this game was over. They would have been wrong. Michigan needed 3 plays. Perry finds Trey Quinn from 55 yards out, giving the Panthers a 24-20 lead with 2:04 left.
The Final 2:04
The Maulers get the ball near midfield after a personal foul. on 3rd and 16 on the Michigan 33, this game looked over. However, a defensive pass interference call gave them a first down. On the next play, Williams finds Hennie on a 14-yard completion to the Michigan 4. 3 plays, and a false start later, Pittsburgh finds themselves in a must-have 4th and goal from the 6. Troy Williams would throw his only touchdown pass of the game (on 23/40 and 203 yards passing) to Ishmael Hyman to give Pitt a 27-24 lead with 39 seconds left.
Many thought the game was over here, they would still be wrong. Starting at their own 33, Michigan goes 37 yards to the Pitt 29. Cole Murphy ties the game on a 45-yard field goal, and we are headed to overtime.
Overtime
All great things must come to an end, and this game is no exception. In overtime, each team gets three attempts from the 2. On Pittsburgh’s first attempt, Troy Williams finds fullback Mason Stokke in the back of the endzone. Michigan is turned away when running back Stevie Scott is stopped at the one. On the very next attempt, Troy Williams rushes in from 2 yards out for a good conversion. As a result, Michigan must have this one to keep the game alive. E.J. Perry’s incompletion in the endzone sends the Maulers to the championship game.
What’s Next
For the Panthers, this loss will probably hurt for a while. after all, with 2:04 left and Pittsburgh needing a touchdown, I would have bet on Michigan’s defense to seal the game. Regardless of this, when some time passes they look back on this season and see much to be excited about. This Panther’s team is dramatically improved from the Jeff Fisher-coached team that took the field last year.
In addition, it looks like they have found their quarterback. In week 10, Head Coach Mike Nolan made the switch from Josh Love to E.J. Perry. No doubt a bold decision with the game on the line. As a result, The Panthers appear to have their quarterback, and a lot of good to build on for next season.
The Pittsburgh Maulers, now have a date with the Birmingham Stallions for the 2023 USFL championship (Saturday 7/1 8 pm NBC). Their north division championship now puts them one game away from completing their worst-to-first run at a title. This team bears no resemblance to the laughing stock that Kirby Wilson put on the field last year (In no small part because they got rid of the hideous purple uniforms). It will be very intriguing to see if first-year Mauler coach Ray Horton can bring home the title.
