After four weeks in the USFL season, the New Jersey Generals (3-1) have taken complete command of the North after beating the winless Pittsburgh Maulers 21-13 for their third straight divisional victory. The Generals are now 3-0 in their division.
The Generals’ triumph over the now 0-4 Maulers did not come easy. Pittsburgh slowed down the league’s #1 rushing attack for most of the contest. And had the ball down only one score in the game’s final minute. But the Generals’ defense was able to hold off Pittsburgh’s offense in their territory to preserve the game.
It was New Jersey’s two-headed passing attack of Luis Perez and De’Andre Johnson that helped them seize the day. Perez and Johnson combined for 20/24 passing for 200 yards and a touchdown. Veteran wide receiver Alonzo Moore set the tone early on with 62-yard touchdown reception against an over-committed Maulers rush defense that left him wide open for the game’s first score. Moore finished the game with a team-high 104 yards on three catches.
The USFL’s worst offense, the Maulers showed some signs of life with Kyle Lauletta making his first start of the season. But the former New York Giants draft pick, struggled with his accuracy, completing only 15 of his 32 passes. The Generals defense was able to put enough pressure on Lauletta, to limit the Maulers to three field-goal attempts.
The 3-1 New Jersey Generals will now march on to Week 5 to play the New Orleans Breakers next Saturday afternoon. The Pittsburgh Maulers have a date next Sunday afternoon with the Houston Gamblers. As both Northern teams now play a four-week stretch of nondivisional games. Before meeting again in Week 8.
