After a sluggish start, which included two empty drives that led to missed field goals, New Jersey fell behind 10-0 to Philadelphia in the early going. However, a late 54-yard field goal by a struggling Nick Rose right before the half trimmed the Generals’ deficit to 10-3. And effectively helped shift the tide of momentum in New Jersey’s favor.
In the second half, the New Jersey Generals took complete control of the game and went back to the basics, leaning heavily on a ground attack that produced 270 yards. The Generals went after the Stars’ defensive weakness and controlled the football for nearly 37 minutes.
Quarterback De’Andre Johnson (11-94-1td), Running backs, Trey Williams (19-111), and Darius Victor (13-51-2tds) ran behind the league’s best run-blocking line to victory. The Generals’ strength turned out to be the Stars’ kryptonite.
It didn’t hurt New Jersey’s chances of victory that the league’s leading passer, Bryan Scott, went down to injury in this game. However, Stars backup Case Cookus came into the game and led his team to a 16-10 lead heading into the 4th quarter.
However, New Jersey dominated the fourth quarter after Philly went ahead on a Cookus touchdown pass to Diondre Overton. The Generals scored 14 unanswered points in the final frame. And their defense closed down any comeback bid attempt, and New Jersey’s offense was able to grind out the clock and seize the victory.
By virtue of New Jersey’s triumph over Philadelphia. The Generals now have a two-game lead over the Stars and Panthers, who won their first game of the season earlier in the day. New Jersey improves to 2-0 in the division. And will be finishing off a three-game divisional stretch by squaring off with the winless Pittsburgh Maulers (0-3) next Saturday afternoon on the Peacock network. The Philadelphia Stars (1-2) will look to bounce back against the 1-2 Michigan Panthers on Friday night.
New Jersey Generals 24 Philadelphia Stars 16 Box Score/Stats
