USFL Week 6: Recap & Review

USFL Week 6: Recap, Review, and Rankings

Written and Edited by Seth Brown

 May 23, 2023

Memphis Kick Returner Derrick Dillon ran back a 109-yard Kick 6 after a missed Pittsburgh Field Goal.

Showboats (3-3) Shut Out Maulers (2-4), Season Back on Track, 22-0

In a matchup of two teams with little offense and a lot of defense, it made since that this game would be low scoring. After putting up a field goal in the first quarter, Showboats receiver Vinny Papale would take the ball 37 yards into the endzone to give Memphis a 10-0 lead. After Quenton Meeks picked off Maulers QB Troy Williams in the second quarter, Memphis would add on another three points. In desperation mode, the Maulers drove to just past midfield, hoping to score before the end of the half. But the 59-yard field goal would come up just short, and Derrick Dillon, the "just-in-case" returner for Memphis, would run it 109 yards back for a TD to bring the lead to 19-0. In the second half, Pittsburgh would take out Troy Williams for James Morgan, who would throw a pick of his own to Kyree Woods, leading to another Memphis field goal to take a 22-0 lead. The rest of the game was all defense, with neither team scoring again. Memphis rattles off its 3rd straight win and gets back to .500 and entering the South playoff race, while Pittsburgh falls out of the North playoff race and looks to right the ship after facing the first shutout loss of the season.

Stallions defense stops Panthers Fullback Stevie Scott.

Birmingham (4-2) Enters Tight Playoff Race in South With Win Over Panthers (2-4), 27-13

Michigan faced a similar sight to many past games, as Josh Love marched the Panthers right down the field for an opening drive score, taking a 3-0 lead. However, the Stallions answered right back as Alex Mcgough set up the Stallions for their own field goal to tie the game. After a familiar opening drive score, the Panthers found themselves in yet another familiar position - struggling to score after the first drive. With the Panthers and Stallions taking turns producing little on offense, the Stallions would finally break the silence with a field goal midway through the second quarter. While the Panthers still struggled, the Stallions found their rhythm as McGough scrambled to create time enough to throw an 18-yard score to ZaQuandre White, entering the half up 13-3. Entering the second half, Michigan seemingly got out of their slump, marching down the field 77 yards on the first drive of the third quarter and ending it with a score by Cole Hikutini to cut the lead to 13-10. However, McGough and the Stallions would drive downfield for a score of their own, with McGough hitting CJ Marable for a 3-yard score. After needing to punt the ball, Panthers LB (and 2x Defensive Player of the Week) Frank Ginda forced a fumble to get the ball right back, which resulted in a field goal and a 20-13 game halfway into the fourth. McGough would ice the game late in the fourth with a 10 yard rushing score, leading to a final score of 27-13. Birmingham finds itself in the thick of the South playoff race, while Michigan is left reeling, facing its 4th straight loss at home after a 2-0 start to the season.

Breakers Quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson takes a sack in the loss to the Stars.

Breakers (4-2) Continue to Fall During Loss to Stars (3-3), 16-10

After the Breakers went 3 and out to start the game, the Stars wasted no time taking a lead, with a quick field goal on their first drive for the 3-0 lead. After being pinned at their own 8-yard line, the Stars would drive down the field for another field goal, going up 6-0 early. After the Breakers began to move into Stars territory, disaster struck as McLeod bethel-Thompson would throw a pick six, giving the Stars a 13-0 lead. The Breakers would be able to answer late in the first half, as Bethel-Thompson hit Johnnie Dixon for the Breakers first score, taking a 13-7 score into the half. Unfortunately, both teams struggled offensively from then on, which each able to move the ball but neither able to really score. Each eventually added a field goal, and a Breakers Hail Mary with seconds left came up no good for a final score of 16-10. The Breakers look to collect themselves after the 2nd straight loss after a 4-0 start, while the stars get back to .500 after a horrid 1-3 start. 

Gamblers QB Kenji bahar attempting a pass in the win against the Generals.

Gamblers (4-2) Take Home Fourth Straight Win by Beating Generals (2-4), 16-10

Both teams started the day with little on offense and a punt from each squad. The Generals would get to the 50 on the following possession, but came to a fourth down. After attempting to convert, Generals RB Darius Victor was stopped short, turning the ball over on down to the Gamblers near midfield. Later that drive, Gamblers RB Mark Thompson would score to give the Gamblers a 7-0 lead. This was Thompsons 9th TD in his Fourth game of the season, tying last years rushing title held by Darius Victor in less than half the games played. While the Generals continued to struggle on offense, the Gamblers would add to their lead with two more field goals in the first half, entering halftime up 13-0. On the first drive of the second half, Houston would seemingly put the game away by scoring yet another field goal, giving them a 16-0 lead over the Generals. Despite the large deficit, the Generals would finally find their stride. Nick Sciba would finally add a score for the Generals, cutting the lead to 16-3, while the Generals defense stepped up and kept the Generals scoreless for the rest of the game. After a drive that started on the Generals own 4-yard line, Lauletta would find Alonzo Moore for an 8-yard score to bring the game within 6, at a score of 16-10. With little time on the clock, the Generals were forced to attempt a 4th-and-12 to keep possession and have a chance at winning. After failing the conversion, Houston would run out the clock and take home their fourth straight win.

Week 6 Power Rankings