The Memphis Showboats recorded their third win of the USFL season, shutting out the Pittsburgh Maulers in a dominating 22-0 victory.
The Maulers offense was kept quiet throughout the match, thanks in no small part to a potent Showboats defense that showcased remarkable teamwork. On the other hand, the Showboats offense did not disappoint, capitalizing on every scoring opportunity they received.
The Game
Memphis drew first blood in the first quarter with a field goal, the only points in the quarter. The Showboats came alive in the second quarter, adding 16 more points. The scoring surge included a touchdown pass by QB Cole Kelley, a rush touchdown, and a field goal by Alex Kessman, which brought the score to 19-0 at halftime.
A lone field goal in the third quarter by Alex Kessman would round off the Showboats’ scoring for the day, finishing at 22-0. The Showboats maintained their grip on the game during the fourth quarter, shutting out the Maulers and keeping their own scoreboard clean.
Key Performances
Cole Kelley led the Showboats’ offense, completing 14 of his 24 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown, without any interceptions. Kelley also contributed to the ground game with 10 carries for 21 yards. His favorite target was Derrick Dillon who caught three passes for 61 yards. Vinny Papale also caught three passes for 40 yards, including the only touchdown reception of the game.
On the ground, Juwan Washington led the Showboats with 20 carries for 71 yards. Although Washington didn’t manage to find the end zone, his ground efforts helped keep the Showboats’ offense on the field and maintain control of the game.
Pittsburgh Maulers QBs James Morgan and Troy Williams struggled throughout the game, combining for a total of 243 passing yards, three interceptions, and no touchdowns. The leading receiver for the Maulers was Isiah Hennie who caught eight passes for 103 yards, but was also unable to find the end zone.
On the defensive side, both teams’ defensive units showed up. For the Showboats, Boogie Roberts and Nasir Player each recorded a sack, while Kyahva Tezino led the team in tackles with 11. For the Maulers, the defense was spearheaded by Boogie Roberts and Nasir Player who both had a sack, while Kyahva Tezino led the team with 11 tackles.
After this game, the Showboats improved to a 3-3 record, while the Maulers fell to 2-4. Both teams will look to improve as they move forward in the USFL season. The Showboats will look to carry this momentum into their next game, while the Maulers will be back to the drawing board to address their offensive issues.
USFL Box Score
