Joshua Mousel 
Week 8 in the USFL had some crucial games, arguably not more so than the USFL Sunday slate. With the Gamblers and Stallions snatching early weekend wins, the Showboats and Breakers needed wins to keep in step. With the playoff in just a couple of short weeks, each game in the South carries weight. The North division, while not as crowded at the top, is still separated by only the slightest of margins. Heading into week 9, it will be a furious finish.
Memphis Showboats vs. New Jersey Generals
What on Earth happened to the Memphis Showboats? At the halfway point in the season, the Boats were 2-3 and hanging around the bottom of the league. But rolling into week 9, Memphis is second in the league and on a 5-game win streak! Cole Kelley didn’t have his best statistical game, passing and rushing for 200 total yards and an interception. Kerrith Whyte had himself a game, rushing 24 times for 102 yards and a TD. But offensive performances aside, the Boats’ win streak is really attributed to the fact that their defense has quickly become one of the best units in the league. The Memphis defense had another three takeaways against the Generals while keeping the running game mostly in check. Memphis has another huge matchup next week as they take on the New Orleans Breakers.
New Jersey has just been struggling to find an identity. Kyle Lauletta had 16 yards and an INT, and Dakota Prukop had 125 through the air, with two TDs and an INT. He did add 76 yards rushing. Darius Victor was held in check with 9 carries for 26 yards. The Generals have been able to use Victor in the passing game, as he added 39 yards and his TD through the air. New Jersey is 2-6 but isn’t completely out of the playoff picture. They take on the North leader, Philadelphia Stars, next week in a matchup that could shake the whole division up.
Michigan Panthers vs. New Orleans Breakers
Michigan needed a win to pull away from the rest of the North division and really solidify the top-2 spots in the North (Philadelphia Stars). But they had a tall order against the New Orleans Breakers, who desperately needed a week 8 win. The game did not start well for Michigan, who fell into a deep 21-point hole closing in at the end of the first half. But in the last 50 seconds of the half, Josh Love threw a 51-yard TD to Marcus Baugh, followed by a McLeod Bethel-Thompson interception and a subsequent Panthers’ field goal. Early in the third quarter, after another MBT interception, Josh Love found Trey Quinn for a quick 21-yard TD. The Panthers’ defense caused three turnovers, but they just couldn’t find enough offense at the end of the game. Michigan remains in 2nd place in the North and takes on the Pittsburgh Maulers next week in an important divisional matchup.
NOLA finally got back in the win column, and it couldn’t have happened at a more pivotal time. The unquestioned leaders of the USFL through four weeks have been in freefall for the last three weeks. MTB was back on track, throwing for 328 yards and 2 TDs. His 2 INTs helped Michigan in their comeback effort and could have cost them the game. But Jonnie Dixon (136 yards, 2 TDs) and Jonathan Adams (117 yards) were unstoppable. Wes Hills added 36 yards and another TD to his total. The Breakers face off against the Showboats next week in a matchup that NOLA needs to win.
