by In the NFL, it’s difficult to beat the same team 3 times in the same season. But it can be & has been done. And now, it’s been done in the USFL.
On Saturday Night in the USFL North Division Championship Game, the Pittsburgh Maulers & the Michigan Panthers met for the third time this season. The Maulers won both regular season meetings; Pittsburgh won 23-7 on May 13 in Detroit & won again 19-7 on June 10 in Canton. These 2 teams saved their best for last with a spot in the USFL Championship Game on the line. After an epic back & forth struggle, the Maulers won for the third time this year in a thrilling 31-27 overtime victory at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.
The Panthers took the early lead on their opening drive. Michigan QB EJ Perry found success in the passing game early as he found Kaden Davis for a 14 yard gain, then on a 3rd & 10 from the Maulers 35 Perry Stevie Scott for a 30-yard gain to the Pittsburgh 5. But the drive stalled right there so the Panthers called on kicker Cole Murphy who kicked a 23-yard field goal to give the Panthers an early 3-0 lead with 6:45 left in the first quarter.
The Maulers matched the Panthers in their first drive. Aided by a personal foul penalty, the Maulers first drive got as far as the Michigan 27. Chris Blewitt connected on a 45-yard field goal to tie the game 3-3 with 2:25 left in the first quarter.
Early in the second quarter with the game still tied 3-3 the Maulers defense forced a turnover as Panthers running back Reggie Corbin fumbled & Maulers defensive lineman Terry Beckner recovered at the Michigan 13. Five plays later Maulers running back Garret Groshak powered his way through the line & into the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown run. Blewitt’s extra point gave the Maulers the lead 10-3 with 8:22 left in the second quarter.
The Maulers had a chance to extend the lead at the end of the first half. After free safety Arnold Tarpley picked off an EJ Perry pass at the Pittsburgh 36, quarterback Troy Williams found wide receiver Isaiah Hennie on a slant pattern for a 41 yard gain to the Panthers 15. This led to a 28-yard field goal attempt by Blewitt on the final play of the first half. But Blewitt pushed the ball to the left as the field goal was no good as the score remained 10-3 Pittsburgh at halftime.
On the first drive of the second half, the Maulers had the ball first. On a 4th & 1 from the Panthers 35, Pittsburgh went for the first down. But running back Madre London was stopped for no gain as the Maulers turned the ball over on downs. Michigan moved the ball downfield as EJ Perry found Trey Quinn for a 21-yard gain & a little later Cole Hikutini for a 27-yard gain. On first & goal from the 6, Perry scrambled up the middle for a 6-yard touchdown run. Murphy’s extra point tied the game 10-10 with 6:59 left in the third quarter.
After stopping the Maulers on their next series, Michigan took the lead on the big play. On first & 10 from their own 28, Perry stepped up & went deep to wide receiver Marucs Simms down the middle of the field. Simms caught it in stride & went 72 yards for the score. Murphy’s extra point made it 17-10 Panthers with 4:11 left in the third quarter.
Pittsburgh came back to tie the game on their next possession. The Maulers used a balance of the run & pass. Pittsburgh also benefited from a roughing the passer call which gave them 15 free yards. On third & 2 from the Michigan 4, Williams handed the ball to Bailey Gaither on a jet sweep & Gaither raced to the far corner of the end zone for a touchdown. Blewitt’s extra point tied the score 17-17 with 13:33 remaining in regulation.
After a battle of field position, the Panthers had a chance to take the lead when Panthers lead coach Mike Nolan sent out his kicker Cole Murphy for a 52-yard field goal with just under 5 minutes left. But Murphy’s attempt was wide right & no good. The Maulers got the ball & after picking up a first down they sent out Chris Blewitt for a 59-yard field goal. Fortunately for Pittsburgh, Blewitt didn’t blow it as his kick from just inside the 50-yard line was good to give the Maulers the lead 20-17 with 3:16 left in regulation.
Michigan came storming back to take the lead just over a minute later. On first & 10 from their own 45, Perry threw it deep down the near sideline & found Trey Quinn for a 55-yard touchdown pass. Originally the play was nullified by a personal foul facemask penalty on the Panthers, but after review, rules expert Mike Pereira said on the NBC telecast that there was no facemask foul on the play, allowing the touchdown to stand. Murphy’s extra point gave Michigan the lead 24-20 with 2:04 left in the game.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Maulers returned it to the 34, but a personal foul on Michigan moved the ball to the Pittsburgh 49 with just under 2 minutes left. Troy Williams quickly led the Maulers offense downfield. With their season on the line, the Maulers were faced with a 4th & goal on the Michigan 6-yard line. Williams went back to pass & found Ishmael Hyman for a 6-yard touch pass. Blewitt’s extra point made it 27-24 Maulers with 39 seconds left.
The Panthers still had time to score. On first & 10 with 21 seconds left, Perry found Kaden Davis for a first down to the Pittsburgh 38. A draw play gained 8 yards to the 30 when Cole Murphy was called upon for a 47-yard field goal with 4 seconds left to send the game to overtime. Murphy’s kick was good, tying the score 27-27 as this playoff game was headed to overtime.
The football world was introduced to a new way of doing overtime. In the USFL, each team gets the ball at the 2-yard line. Each team gets 3 chances to score a 2-point conversion before each team alternates 2-point chances.
On Pittsburgh’s first attempt, Mason Stokke caught a Troy Williams pass in the end zone as the Maulers took a 29-27 lead. On Michigan’s first attempt, Stevie Scott fumbled before he crossed the goal line & was recovered by Trey Quinn in the end zone. The officials disallowed the score because the offense cannot advance a fumble unless the fumbling player recovers the ball himself, therefore the score remains 29-27 Maulers.
On Pittsburgh’s second attempt Troy Williams ran it in himself, extending the lead to 31-27. On Michigan’s second attempt, a false start penalty pushed the ball back to the 7. EJ Perry’s pass was knocked down at the line of scrimmage. Since Pittsburgh was ahead by 4 points, a third attempt was not necessary & the game was over as the Maulers won 31-27 in overtime.
The Pittsburgh Maulers advance to the USFL Championship Game next Saturday Night at 8 PM at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton. The Maulers will play the USFL South Division winner, which will be either the Birmingham Stallion or the New Orleans Breakers. That game will be played Sunday Night at 7 PM in Birmingham.
The Pittsburgh Maulers were led by quarterback Troy Williams who went 23-40 for 203 yards with a TD pass & figured in on both of the Maulers 2 point conversions in overtime. Williams was also Pittsburgh’s leading rusher with 36 yards on 6 rushing attempts.
The Michigan Panthers were led by quarterback EJ Perry who went 23-38 for 370 yards, 2 touchdowns & an interception. Perry was also Michigan’s leading rusher with 22 yards on 7 rushing attempts with a 6 yard rushing touchdown.
