Maulers knocked out of playoff race after loss to New Jersey
The Maulers will play the final two weeks of the USFL season without a sliver of a hopeto reach the postseason.
Pittsburgh was officially eliminated from playoff contention on Friday, losing to the New Jersey Generals, 2918, at Legion Field in Birmingham,Ala.
“I’m proud of my team for the fight it showed in the second half,” Maulers head coach Kirby Wilson said. “There were glimpses in the first half that we didn’t really play hard. That’s very disappointing. But they got it together in the second half and dug in deep and fought forone another.”
Despite trailing by as many as 19 points, the Maulers (1-7) made things interesting against New Jersey (7-1). With six minutes to go in regulation, Pittsburgh’s Roland Rivers connected with Isiah Hennie for a 25-yard touchdown, cutting the Generals’ lead to 29-18 with a two-point conversion.
Then, instead of kicking off, the Maulers opted for a “possession play” — a new USFL rule in which they had the chance to convert a fourth-and-12 at their own 33yardline to keep the ball.
On the league’s first successful “possession play,” Rivers found Jalen McCleskey for an 18-yard gain, breathing life into the game. But the Maulers failed to score on that series, allowing New Jersey to sit on the ball and kill the clock.
With the loss, the Maulers became the second team in the eight-team league officially eliminated from postseason contention, joining theHouston Gamblers.
For most of the night, the Maulers were managed by New Jersey, a team that had postseason play locked up before Week 8 began. In the first half, the Maulers were outgained by the Generals, 284-99.
A big reason why was the Generals’ balance. New Jersey’s ground game, the best in the league, went to work. Darius Victor and Trey Williams combined for 153 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Luis Perez, the USFL’s most accurate quarterback, was also clinical, completing 18of 24 passes for 220 yards.
Meanwhile, Rivers became the Maulers’ fourth starting quarterback of the season. Rivers is a former Slippery Rock standout, winning the Harlon Hill Award in 2019, given to the Division -II college player of the year.
Rivers, who signed with the team less than two weeks ago, performed well on the first drive of his first professional start. He completed his first three passes and capped a nine-play with a third-andgoal touchdown run on a draw. Rivers spiked the ball in celebration as Pittsburgh tied the top team in the division.
But after the Maulers’ opening score, they punted on four consecutive drives. Rivers completed 18 of 38 passes for 218 yards and an interception. Wilson’s team rushed for a combined 77 yards on 21 carries (3.7 yards perattempt).
“He was extremely competitive tonight,” Wilson said of Rivers. “That’s a good football player, and hopefully he can continue to get better. I’m glad he got a full game under his belt. That’s what this league is all about is development. ... He did well for himself.”
New Jersey took a 23-7 lead into halftime, one that came under no real threat until late inthe evening.
The Maulers face the Philadelphia Stars next Sunday before finishing up the USFL’s first season since 1986 against the Michigan Panthersthe following week.