by For all intensive purposes, Week 10 of the USFL season is Week 1 of the playoffs for the Pittsburgh Maulers & the New Jersey Generals. Even though both teams entered this game with 3-6 records, the winner was guaranteed a spot in the USFL playoffs. Thanks to their league leading defense, it was the Pittsburgh Maulers that will be moving on after a 26-6 victory over the New Jersey Generals on Saturday afternoon at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.
The Generals scored the game’s first points on their opening drive. After a false start penalty, running back Darius Victor bolted up the middle for a 21 yard gain as New Jersey penetrated into Pittsburgh territory early. Three plays later on third down quarterback De’Andre Johnson found wide receiver Warren Newman for a 31 yard gain & a first down to the Maulers 16.
But the Generals were unable to get another first down so they called on kicker Nick Sciba for a 27 yard field goal. Sciba, who played briefly for the Pittsburgh Steelers last season, knocked the ball through the uprights for the game’s first points & a 3-0 Generals lead with 10:14 left in the first quarter.
Pittsburgh started their first drive on the 50 yard line after the ensuing kickoff went out of bounds. Three plays later on a 3rd & 12, quarterback Troy Williams found wide receiver Josh Simmons for a 22 yard gain to the Generals 30. Three plays later Williams hooked up with wide receiver Isaiah Hennie for an 11 yard touchdown pass. The extra point was no good, keeping the score 6-3 Pittsburgh with 5:55 left in the first quarter.
Late in the second quarter with the Maulers still clinging to a 6-3 lead, Generals quarterback De’Andre Johnson threw a screen pass that was intercepted by Pittsburgh safety Arnold Tarpley at the New Jersey 48 with 4:07 left in the first half. But the Maulers offense was unable to pick up a single first down, so kicker Chris Blewitt was called upon to attempt a 59 yard field goal.
But the snap was high & Blewitt fell on the ball all the way back at the Maulers 25 yard line as New Jersey took over on the change of possession. But the Maulers defense did not allow a single first down, so Nick Sciba was called upon once again to attempt a 35 yard field goal. The kick was good, tying the score 6-6 with 1:40 left in the first half.
Instead of kicking it deep, the Generals decided to squib kick on the ensuing kickoff as Garrett Groshek grabbed the ball around the 30 & returned it just shy of the 50. After picking up a first down the drive stalled at the Generals 35, so the Maulers sent in kicker Chris Blewitt to attempt a 52 yard field goal. Fortunately for the Maulers, Blewitt didn’t blow it as the field goal was good, giving the Maulers a 9-6 lead with 23 seconds remaining in the first half. This would be the halftime score.
Early in the third quarter with the score still 9-6 Maulers, the Generals were faced with a 3rd & 12 near midfield, Generals quarterback De’Andre Johnson went back to pass. As he attempted to throw, Johnson was hit by Maulers linebacker Nasir Player, causing the ball to pop free. Maulers cornerback Eli Walker recovered the loose ball & ran 46 yards untouched to the end zone for a touchdown as the play was ruled a fumble after being confirmed by instant replay. Blewitt’s extra point made the score 16-6 Maulers with 10:50 left in the third quarter.
The Maulers defense continued to dominate as the Generals offense was held off the scoreboard the entire second half. Meanwhile, the Maulers offense was steady. Late in the third quarter Isaiah Hennie gained 18 yards on a jet sweep that fueled a drive that resulted in points.
After registering 3 first downs, the drive stalled at the Generals 5, so Blewitt was sent in to attempt a 22 yard field goal, which he made easily to extend the Pittsburgh lead to 19-6 with 13:03 remaining in regulation. The Maulers offense went to work again following a New Jersey 3 & out. Aided by a pass interference penalty, the Maulers were given a 1st & goal on the Generals 4 yard line. Running back Madre London went off right tackle for a 4 yard touchdown run, & after Blewitt’s extra point Pittsburgh had a 26-6 lead with 8:01 left in regulation.
The Generals moved the ball downfield on the next drive but were turned away again. On a 1st & 10 at the Maulers 30, Johnson went deep to the end zone but the pass was picked off by Mark Gilbert in the end zone with 5 minutes left. It was Gilbert’s 4th interception of the season which leads the USFL. The Generals got the ball at their own 5 with just under 2 minutes left and were able to move the ball downfield while the Maulers played a prevent defense. But the final play of the game resulted in an incomplete pass in the end zone as the Maulers won it 26-6.
The Pittsburgh Maulers end the regular season at 4-6 and will play either Philadelphia or Michigan in the USFL playoffs next Saturday at 8 PM at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton. The Maulers defense allowed just 245 total yards on the day while giving up just 12 first downs, 5 of which came on the game’s final drive, & forced 3 turnovers. Quarterback Troy Williams went 17-25 for 154 yards with a TD pass. Wide Receiver Isaiah Hennie had 6 receptions for 48 yards with an 11 yard TD reception.
The New Jersey Generals finished their season at 3-7. Quarterback De’Andre Johnson went 12-27 for 136 with 2 interceptions. Johnson was also the Generals leading rusher, gaining 71 yards on 12 rushing attempts.
