Jesse Dyess 
credit: Birmingham and Pittsburgh Facebook page
Pittsburg Maulers 26 New Jersey Generals 6
In a game where both teams needed a win to make the playoffs, one team just clearly wanted it more than the other. Pittsburgh’s defense continued to be its dominating self, forcing 3 turners (1 Fumble and 2 Interceptions). They also held tough in the red zone, not allowing the generals a single touchdown in 3 red zone opportunities.
First Half
In the first half, it looked like we would have a close game on our hands. New Jersey drove the ball 56 yards before Deondre Johnson being tackled short would force a punt. a Nick Scriba 27-yard field goal gives the Generals the first lead of the game. It would not hold for long, however. After Scriba kicked the ball out of bounds, Pittsburg got a short field they would make the most of. 8 Plays later, Troy Williams finds Isiah Hennie in the endzone for an 11-yard touchdown. A missed extra point gave Pittsburgh a 3-point lead.
The next six drives of this game would be exercises in futility. After four straight drives of trading punts, New Jersey looked to have something going. They made it as far as their own 45. On a second and 5, the Mauler’s defense forced their first turnover. Deondre Johnson forces a pass to Mauler’s safety Arnold Tapley III, giving the Maulers a short field. This time, however, they would not take advantage of it.
After a 3 and out, the Maulers lined up to take a long field goal attempt. The snap went over the head of the holder Matt Mengal. Kicker Chris Blewitt finally corralled it at his own 25, but the damage was done. The Mauler’s defense held tight, only surrendering 8 yards, forcing a Nick Scriba 35-yard field goal that would tie the game 6-6. This would also be the last time the game was ever close. Maulers up-back Mason Stokke returned the ensuing kickoff to their own 48.
A 7-play 18-yard drive put the ball in range for Chris Blewitt, this time connecting on a 52-yard field goal, taking us to the half 9-6 Maulers.
Second Half
Pittsburg would get the ball to start the second half. After what looked like a promising drive, disaster struck. On second down on the New Jersey 45, Wide receiver Bailey Gaither fumbles a pass from Troy Williams (forced by Meiko Dotson, recovered by Dravon Askew-Henry). 5 plays later, the Generals would make the same mistake. Deondre Johnson was strip-sacked by Nasir Player. Eli Walker picked up the fumble and took it 46 yards to the house. Blewitt’s extra point made it 16-6, the score at the end of three.
Pittsburgh would get the ball after forcing a punt, a drive that spanned 56 yards and killed 5:30 off the clock would end with a Blewitt 22-yard field goal. 19-6 Pittsburgh early in the 4th. The Mauler’s defense would stand tall, not giving up a yard in 3 plays and forcing a punt. An Eli Walker 17-yard kick return spotted the maulers at the New Jersey 37. With a short field, Pittsburgh needed only 5 plays to go 37 yards. Madre London ran it in from 4 yards out to give us our final score.
Before this game was over, however, the Mauler’s defense would force a second Deondre Johnson interception (This time Mark Gilbert).
Team Leaders
For the Maulers, Troy Williams played an efficient game, 17 of 25 for 154 and a touchdown. His no-mistake game manager mode played big in the win today. Troy Williams and Garrett Grosheck would combine for 93 of Pitt’s 114 rushing yards (Williams 40 Grosheck 53). Isiah Hennie led the Mauler’s receivers with 48 yards on 6 catches and a touchdown.
For the Generals, Deondre Johnson had a game he’d rather forget. The former second chance u star only went 12 of 27 for 137 and threw 2 interceptions. He would lead all General’s rushers with 68 yards on 12 carries. Darius Victor should have seen the ball more in this game, with only 9 carries he managed 48 yards. Kingston Davis was the leading pass catcher catching 3 of his 4 targets for 42 yards
looking forward to the Playoffs
The stakes for this game were simple. Win and you get the playoffs, lose and you are done. The New Jersey Generals season ends at 3-7, a rather disappointing record given the high expectations surrounding this team this season. For the Maulers, they have the distinction of being the first worst to first team in the reforming of the USFL. They will play in the USFL North Division Championship game against the Michigan Panthers.
Birmingham Stallions 27 Memphis Showboats 20
The Birmingham Stallions, who had already sealed a playoff birth, Eliminated the Memphis Showboats today and sealed the best record in the USFL with a 27-20 win over the Memphis Showboats. Likely MVP candidate Alex McGough was the difference maker in this game. He went 22 of 33 for 282 and 2 touchdowns, with another 32 yards on the ground.
First Half
13 seconds, that’s all it took for this game to see its first score. Memphis would exceed their entire point total from the last matchup on the first play. Derrick Dillon took the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown. A Kessman extra point makes this game 7-0. With the ensuing possession, Birmingham starts at their own 43 after a good return. 50 yards later, on what felt like a touchdown drive, McGough misses Sternberger on 3rd and goal. Brandon Audrey adds a 25-yard field goal to make it 7-3.
On the next drive, Memphis would see the ball on their own 43. 7 Plays later, Cole Kelley would find Vince Papale from three yards out. Kessman’s extra point gives Memphis a 14-3 lead at the end of the first. McGough would answer back. On the next drive, he leads his team down the field 73 yards, throwing his first touchdown, a 7-yarder to Deon Cain. After a Showboats punt, and back-to-back field goals (Kessman 40 yards, Audrey 46 yards). The Stallions would get the ball back with 1:11 left and a chance to take the lead.
However, this would be McGough’s lone mistake in the game. At the Memphis 30, on a 2nd and 3, Jermaine Kelly Jr intercepts his pass, and returns it to the Memphis 21, ending the half 17-13 Memphis.
Second Half
After a failed onside kick attempt to start the second half, Birmingham had the ball 1st and 10 at the Memphis 29. A great opportunity to take the lead would be squandered, however. On 3rd and 2, C.J. Marable fumbles, recovered by Lineback Anthony Butler, giving Memphis the ball on their own 17. Now it was the Showboat’s turn to miss a golden opportunity. After embarking on a 12-play 71-yard drive that took up over 7 minutes, they would come up empty. Cole Kelley’s pass into the endzone was intercepted by cornerback Nate Brooks for a touchback.
After trading punts, Birmingham would get the ball back on their own 46-yard line. On this drive, they seize their first lead of the game. On the 5th play of this drive, Marable makes up for his fumble by taking an 18-yard run into the endzone to give the Stallions their first lead of the game. This score would be our end of the third, 20-17 Birmingham.
You would have figured after the first one, they would have learned their lesson about kicking to Derrick Dillon. They did not. He would return this one all the way to the Birmingham 39. After a missed 3rd and 11, Kelley throws an incomplete pass intended for Dillon, Kessman kicks a 45-yard field goal to tie this game up. After a Jace Sternberger fumble, and a missed field goal from Kessman (40 yards), Birmingham got the ball back with just over 7 minutes left in a tie game.
4 plays later, McGough would put his team ahead for good when he completes a 46-yard pass to Jace Sternberger (who else). This score would stand the final 4:49 to give the Stallions the victory.
Team Leaders
Alex McGough was exactly what we have come to expect from him(stats listed above). C.J. Marable led all rushers with 56 yards and 1 touchdown on 10 carries. Davion Davis and Jace Sternberger both had big receiving days for the Stallions. Davis Had 114 yards on 9 catches, and Sternberger had 84 on 4 with a touchdown, including the game-winner.
For the Showboats, Cole Kelley continues to struggle. His team had won 5 straight, but he had served as a game manager, winning games by not making mistakes. He managed only 154 and a touchdown, and his endzone interception likely changed the course of this game. Ezra Gray was quite good on the ground with 82 yards on 16 carries. Derrick Dillon, aside from 236 kick return yards, led Showboat WRs with 38 yards on 5 catches.
Who’s going to the Playoffs?
This game had no fallout for the Stallions, their place in the semi-finals was locked a week ago. However, their loss, and New Orlean’s victory, means that the Showboats season is over. Their season can’t be considered a total loss, however. After an 0-3 start, many people (myself included), wrote them off as finished. The fact that this team clawed their way back to 5-5, and had a playoff shot, is a testament to their resilience. It will be interesting what next season has in store for Todd Haley’s Showboats.
