The Philadelphia Stars earned a hard-fought victory on their home turf this Sunday, edging out the New Jersey Generals 24-21 in a thrilling USFL contest. The win improves the Stars’ season record to 2-3, matching the Generals’ standing in the league.
The game was marked by tenacious defense and strategic offense, with both teams showing their mettle throughout the four quarters.
The Stars began the first quarter with a field goal, putting the first points on the board. The Generals, however, answered back in the second quarter with a touchdown and a field goal, taking a 10-9 lead into the halftime break.
In the third quarter, the Stars regained the lead with two field goals, while their defense held the Generals scoreless. The fourth quarter saw the Generals rally with a touchdown and a field goal, but the Stars answered with two field goals of their own, ensuring a 24-21 victory.
The Stars’ offense was led by quarterback Case Cookus, who completed 18 of 30 passes for 125 yards. On the ground, Matt Colburn II contributed 22 yards from 15 carries. Receiving leaders included Pro Wells, Jordan Suell, and Corey Coleman who collectively added 82 yards. Kicker Luis Aguilar had a stellar performance, contributing crucial points with eight successful field goals. Tying an all-time pro football record with NFL Titans K Rob Bironas.
On the Generals’ side, quarterback Kyle Lauletta completed 10 of 12 passes for 111 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. De’Andre Johnson added 62 yards and a touchdown on the ground, and Darius Victor rushed for 49 yards. Wide receivers Alonzo Moore and J’Mon Moore combined for 96 yards, providing key targets for the Generals’ quarterbacks.
Defensively, both teams performed admirably. Chris Orr of the Generals led with six tackles, while Paris Ford added five. For the Stars, Christian Tutt, Shalom Luani, and Trae Elston each had three tackles. The Stars’ defense also came up with key sacks from Hercules Mata’afa and Kolin Hill, adding pressure to the Generals’ quarterbacks.
Both the Stars and Generals now sit at 2-3 for the season, demonstrating the high level of competition in the USFL this year. As the season progresses, both teams will be seeking to build on their performances and climb the league standings.
USFL Box Score
