USFL Score, highlights: Michigan Panthers hold off second-half surge from the Pittsburgh Maulers to win 33-21

By Jun 19, 2022, 3:13 PM EDT
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In a battle of two 1-8 teams, the Michigan Panthers defeat the Pittsburgh Maulers, 33-21, to end their season with another win. Michigan (2-8) will receive the first pick of each round in the 2023 USFL Draft. The Panthers other win this season also came against the Maulers in Week 3, where they shut Pittsburgh out 24-0.

Michigan got out to an early 21-0 lead. Pittsburgh had a second-half surge, getting within a 9-point deficit twice. The Panthers held off the Maulers and a final interception by Jameson Houston clinched the win for Michigan.

The Panthers’ passing game was on display in this matchup. Quarterback Paxton Lynch has been battling an ankle injury but played the entire game today, completing 22 of 30 attempts for 275 yards and 3 touchdown passes. Meanwhile, the Panthers defense forced three Maulers turnovers, including a scoop-and-score for safety Cory Rahman in the first quarter.

Pittsburgh ends their season 1-9, the worst record in the USFL. Their lone win came in Week 5, where they defeated the Houston Gamblers 21-20.

Head coaches for the Michigan Panthers and Pittsburgh Maulers

Different coaching styles were be on display in this matchup. Defensive-minded Michigan head coach Jeff Fisher spent 22 years as an NFL head coach with the Oilers/Titans and Rams. This is his first head coaching job since leaving the Rams during the 2016 season. Meanwhile, offensive-minded Kirby Wilson leads the Maulers. This is the 60-year-old’s first time being a head coach at any level. Wilson spent 23 years in the NFL as a running back coach for eight different organizations.

Michigan Panthers vs. Pittsburgh Maulers score, results, highlights

Final score: Michigan Panthers 33, Pittsburgh Maulers 21

1st quarter, 7:05 (Panthers): P.Lynch pass short left complete to PIT 4. Catch made by I.Hyman at PIT 4. Gain of 4 yards. I.Hyman for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

1st quarter, 2:58 (Panthers): M.Daniel rushed to MICH 35 for 2 yards. M.Daniel FUMBLES, forced by MICH. Fumble RECOVERED by MICH-C.Rahman at MICH 35. C.Rahman for yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the runner was down by contact and the play was upheld.

2nd quarter, 11:09 (Panthers): P.Lynch pass complete to PIT 3. Catch made by L.Lenoir at PIT 3. Gain of 3 yards. L.Lenoir for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

2nd quarter, 1:25 (Maulers): R.Ahmed 23 yard field goal attempt is good, Center-M.Fraboni, Holder-.

3rd quarter, 2:46 (Panthers): C.Murphy 35 yard field goal attempt is good, Center-S.Griffin, Holder-.

4th quarter, 15:00 (Maulers): R.Rivers pass complete to MICH 5. Catch made by M.Seybert at MICH 5. Gain of 5 yards. M.Seybert for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

4th quarter, 11:45 (Maulers): V.Lee pass complete to MICH 13. Catch made by I.Hennie at MICH 13. Gain of 13 yards. I.Hennie for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

4th quarter, 6:22 (Panthers): P.Lynch pass complete to PIT 5. Catch made by M.Baugh at PIT 5. Gain of 5 yards. M.Baugh for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

4th quarter, 3:49 (Maulers): V.Lee pass complete to MICH 23. Catch made by I.Hennie at MICH 23. Gain of 23 yards. I.Hennie for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

4th quarter, 2:18 (Panthers): C.Murphy 44 yard field goal attempt is good, Center-S.Griffin, Holder-.

Michigan Panthers vs. Pittsburgh Maulers reaction and coverage

3:12 p.m. ET: The clock winds down and Michigan wins their second game of the season.

Final score for Birmingham: Panthers 33, Maulers 21

3:09 p.m. ET: Michigan interception! Jameson Houston picks off Vad Lee’s pass. The Panthers take over at their own 38.

3:01 p.m. ET: Cole Murphy’s 44-yard field goal attempt is good to give Michigan a 12-point lead.

Michigan 33, Pittsburgh 21 with 2:18 left.

2:56 p.m. ET: Pittsburgh goes for the possession play after their touchdown. The attempt is unsuccessful and Michigan will have the ball at the Pittsburgh 33.

2:54 p.m. ET: Don’t count Pittsburgh out just yet! Vad Lee to Isiah Hennie for the score. The Maulers’ 2-point conversion attempt is no good.

Michigan 30, Pittsburgh 21 with 3:39 on the clock.

2:44 p.m. ET: Lynch finds Marcus Baugh in the end zone and the Panthers have some breathing room. The extra point attempt is no good.

Michigan 30, Pittsburgh 15 with 6:17 remaining.

2:41 p.m. ET: Paxton Lynch connects with La’Michael Pettway to put Michigan at the Pittsburgh 5.

2:31 p.m. ET: Touchdown Maulers! Vad Lee finds Isiah Hennie for 6. Pittsburgh’s 2-point conversion is no good.

Michigan 24, Pittsburgh 15 with 11:04 on the clock. With the USFL’s 3-point conversion rule, it’s a one-possession game from Birmingham.

2:20 p.m. ET: Maulers go for 3 after the TD. Their attempt is no good.

Michigan 24, Pittsburgh 9 with 14:56 to play.

RELATED: 2022 USFL Rules: Overtime changes, 3-point conversions, forward passes and more

2:19 p.m. ET: Rivers finds Matt Seybert in the endzone for a Pittsburgh touchdown! After being shut down by Michigan in Week 3, this is the Maulers’ first touchdown against the Panthers.

2:15 p.m. ET: The third quarter comes to a close. The Maulers will start the fourth quarter on the Michigan 5.

Michigan 24, Pittsburgh 3

2:11 p.m. ET: Roland Rivers finds DelVon Hardaway DEEP for a gain of 47 yards. Maulers are at the Michigan 20, looking for their first touchdown of the game.

2:05 p.m. ET: Maulers defense holds Michigan to a field goal attempt after the Panthers got down to 1-yard line. Cole Murphy’s 35-yard attempt is good.

Panthers 24, Maulers 3 with 2:41 left in the third.

1:48 p.m. ET: Michigan goes for it on fourth-and-3. Maulers defense stops the Panthers as Paxton Lynch is sacked for a loss of 7. Pittsburgh will take over at their own 45-yard line.

1:44 p.m. ET: The second is underway from Birmingham!

1:32 p.m. ET: The first half comes to a close. Michigan 21, Pittsburgh 3

1:30 p.m. ET: Pittsburgh pick! Blaze Alldredge intercepts Paxton Lynch’s pass. The Maulers will takeover at the Michigan 47 with 0:08 left in the half.

1:22 p.m. ET: Ramiz Ahmed’s 23-yard field goal attempt is good and the Maulers are on the board! Michigan 21, Pittsburgh 3 with 1:21 on the clock.

12:53 p.m. ET: Paxton connects with Lance Lenoir for another Panthers touchdown! The extra point is good and Michigan is out, 21-0 with 11:05 left in the half.

12:50 p.m. ET: Stevie Scott goes on the run for a 59 yard gain. There’s a penalty on the Maulers defense and the Panthers are knocking from the Pittsburgh 5.

12:32 p.m. ET: Michigan scoop-and-score! Cory Rahman recovers a Maulers fumble and takes it to the end zone. Extra point is good and the Panthers extend their score.

14-0 from Legion Field with 2:45 left in the first quarter.

12:23 p.m. ET: Panthers touchdown! Paxton Lynch finds Ishmael Hyman in the end zone. The extra point attempt is good.

Michigan gets out to a 7-0 lead with 6:59 in the first.

12:18 p.m. ET: It’s a big-time play for Michigan’s special teams as the Panthers recover a fumbled punt return. Michigan takes over at the Pittsburgh 22-yard line.

12:07 p.m. ET: The last day of the regular season is underway from Legion Field!

Head coaches for the Michigan Panthers and Pittsburgh Maulers

Different coaching styles will be on display in this matchup. Defensive-minded Michigan head coach Jeff Fisher spent 22 years as an NFL head coach with the Oilers/Titans and Rams. This is his first head coaching job since leaving the Rams during the 2016 season. Meanwhile, offensive-minded Kirby Wilson leads the Maulers. This is the 60-year-old’s first time being a head coach at any level. Wilson spent 23 years in the NFL as a running back coach for eight different organizations.

Everything you need to know about the USFL:

What time and channel is the Panthers vs. Maulers?

RELATED: How to watch the Michigan Panthers vs. Pittsburgh Maulers

  • When: Sunday, June 19 at 12:00 p.m. ET on USA Network
  • Where: Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama

2023 USFL Season Schedule: Dates, times, locations, new teams, playoff format, and more

By Mar 14, 2023, 11:50 AM EDT
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The 2023 USFL Season kicks off on Saturday, April 15 and Sunday, April 16 with four thrilling games. First, the Philadelphia Stars will take on the Memphis Showboats at 4:30 PM ET followed by a New Jersey Generals vs Birmingham Stallions match up at 7:30 PM ET. On Sunday, the Michigan Panthers will go head-to-head with the Houston Gamblers at noon, followed by a Pittsburgh Maulers vs New Orleans Breakers match up at 6:30 PM.

RELATED: 2023 USFL Draft order – Complete list of every pick from Round 1 through Round 10

Season 2 of the USFL features four host cities–Detroit, Memphis, Canton, and Birmingham. This is a significant change from last year when all 10-regular season games were contested in Birmingham, Alabama and playoff games took place in Canton, Ohio. Additionally, the 2023 season will also feature a new team. The Tampa Bay Bandits will now be called the Memphis Showboats. Memphis was one of the original teams featured in the first edition of the USFL.

See below for the full 2023 USFL Season Schedule as well as answers to any questions you may have before the upcoming season. Be sure to check back for the latest updates to the schedule.

RELATED: Control what you can control – How journey through the fire led Generals RB Darius Victor to the USFL

How many teams are in the USFL?

There are a total of 8 teams in the USFL that make up two divisions:

North Division:

  • Michigan Panthers
  • New Jersey Generals
  • Philadelphia Stars
  • Pittsburgh Maulers

South Division:

  • Birmingham Stallions
  • Houston Gamblers
  • New Orleans Breakers
  • Memphis Showboats

Where will games be contested during the 2023 USFL Season?

The 2023 USFL season will feature four host cities: Detroit, Memphis, Canton, Ohio and Birmingham, Alabama.

  • The New Jersey Generals and Pittsburgh Maulers will be hosted in Canton, Ohio at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
  • The Birmingham Stallions and New Orleans Breakers will be hosted in Birmingham at Protective Stadium.
  • The Michigan Panthers and Philadelphia Stars will be hosted in Detroit, Michigan at Ford Field.
  • The Memphis Showboats and Houston Gamblers will be hosted in Memphis, Tennessee at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.

RELATED: Just Keep Going – Stallions RB CJ Marable makes a policy of perseverance

How many weeks are in the USFL’s regular season?

There are 10 weeks in the regular season. Each team will go head-to-head with division rivals twice and face off against teams of the opposite division once.

How will 2023 USFL playoffs work?

After the 10 week regular season comes to a close, the top two teams from each division will go head-to-head in two playoff games in late June, with the winners advancing to the USFL Championship game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

2023 USFL Season Schedule:

*All times are listed as ET

WEEK 1

Saturday, April 15
Philadelphia at Memphis – 4:30 p.m. (FOX)
New Jersey at Birmingham – 7:30 p.m. (FOX)

Sunday, April 16
Michigan at Houston – 12 p.m. (NBC and Peacock)
Pittsburgh at New Orleans – 6:30 p.m. (FS1)

WEEK 2

Saturday, April 22
Houston at New Orleans – 12:30 p.m. (USA and Peacock)
Memphis at Birmingham – 7 p.m. (FOX)

Sunday, April 23
New Jersey at Pittsburgh – 12 p.m. (NBC and Peacock)
Michigan at Philadelphia – 7 p.m. (FS1)

WEEK 3

Saturday, April 29
New Orleans at Birmingham – 12:30 p.m. (USA and Peacock)
Memphis at Houston – 7 p.m. (FOX)

Sunday, April 30
Pittsburgh at Philadelphia – 12 p.m. (NBC and Peacock)
New Jersey at Michigan – 4 p.m. (FOX)

WEEK 4

Saturday, May 6 
Houston at Philadelphia – 1 p.m. (FOX)
Memphis at Michigan –  7:30 p.m. (NBC and Peacock)

Sunday, May 7
New Orleans at New Jersey – 3 p.m. (NBC and Peacock)
Birmingham at Pittsburgh – 6:30 p.m. (FS1)

WEEK 5

Saturday, May 13
Pittsburgh at Michigan – 12:30 p.m. (USA and Peacock)
Houston at Birmingham – 4 p.m. (FOX)

Sunday, May 14
New Jersey at Philadelphia – 12 p.m. (NBC and Peacock)
Memphis at New Orleans – 3 p.m. (FOX)

WEEK 6

Saturday, May 20
Pittsburgh at Memphis – 12:30 p.m. (USA and Peacock)
Birmingham at Michigan –  4 p.m. (FOX)

Sunday, May 21
New Orleans at Philadelphia – 12 p.m. (FS1)
New Jersey at Houston – 4 p.m. (FOX)

WEEK 7

Saturday, May 27
Birmingham at New Orleans –  4 p.m. (FOX)
Philadelphia at Pittsburgh – 9 p.m. (FS1)

Sunday, May 28
Houston at Memphis – 2 p.m. (USA and Peacock)
Michigan at New Jersey – 5:30 p.m. (FS1)

WEEK 8

Saturday, June 3
Houston at Pittsburgh – 12 p.m. (USA and Peacock)
Philadelphia at Birmingham – 3 p.m. (NBC and Peacock)

Sunday, June 4
Memphis at New Jersey – 1 p.m. (FOX)
Michigan at New Orleans – 4 p.m. (FOX)

WEEK 9

Saturday, June 10
Michigan at Pittsburgh – 12 p.m. (FOX)
New Orleans at Memphis – 3 p.m. (NBC and Peacock)

Sunday, June 11
Birmingham at Houston – 2 p.m. (NBC and Peacock)
Philadelphia at New Jersey – 7 p.m. (FOX)

WEEK 10

Saturday, June 17
Pittsburgh at New Jersey – 1 p.m. (USA and Peacock)
Birmingham at Memphis – 4 p.m. (FOX)

Sunday, June 18
New Orleans at Houston – 4 p.m. (FS1)
Philadelphia at Michigan – 7 p.m. (FOX)

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2023 USFL Draft order: Complete list of every pick from Round 1 through Round 10

By Feb 22, 2023, 6:09 PM EST
It's the Pittsburgh Maulers vs New Jersey Generals this Friday night on USA Network.
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As the USFL prepares for its second season, it reached a historic milestone by completing the 2023 USFL Draft. Eight teams selected a total of 80 eligible players across 10 rounds.

Out of over 3,000 eligible players, the first pick of the draft was Michigan State offensive tackle Jarrett Horst to the Michigan Panthers. The Panthers selected first because the winner of the Week 10 contest vs. the Pittsburgh Maulers decided the team that started the draft. The Panthers were victorious 33-21. The New Jersey Generals did not have a pick in the first round and their second and fifth-round picks were penalized because of “a violation of offseason roster management rules.” Instead, the Generals had its first pick shifted to the last pick of the entire draft in Round 10.

The USFL was founded in 1982. Since the USFL does not take place during the NFL season, it was intended to “try and fill the NFL-sized hole for fans when it begins play in the spring.” After its founding, the USFL ceased operations two seasons later in 1986. The 2023 season marks the first time since the beginning of the league that has had back-to-back seasons. Usually, spring leagues would host a 60-round selection draft, but USFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Daryl Johnston said that they are working to add more talent to each team’s roster, not rebuilding the eight teams.

The top 3 players selected in the draft were Horst, Incarnate Word quarterback Lindsey Scott Jr., and Appalachian State quarterback Chase Brice.

2023 USFL Draft

Round 1

  1. Michigan Panthers – Jarrett Horst, OT, Michigan State
  2. Pittsburgh Maulers – Lindsey Scott Jr., QB, Incarnate Word
  3. Houston Gamblers – Chase Brice, QB, Appalachian State
  4. Memphis Showboats – Mason Brooks, OT, Mississippi
  5. New Orleans Breakers – Tyler Scott, WR, Cincinnati
  6. Philadelphia Stars – Alfred Edwards III, OT, Utah State
  7. Birmingham Stallions – Kadeem Telfort, OT, UAB

Round 2

  1. Michigan Panthers – Tanner Morgan, QB, Michigan State
  2. Pittsburgh Maulers – Malik Hamm, DE, Lafayette
  3. Houston Gamblers – Justin Ford, CB, Montana
  4. Memphis Showboats – Isaiah Bolden, CB, Jackson State
  5. New Orleans Breakers – Noah Taylor, LB, Virginia
  6. Philadelphia Stars – Anderson Hardy, OT, Appalachian State
  7. Birmingham Stallions – Quinton Barrow, OT, Grand Valley State
  8. New Jersey Generals – Adrian Martinez, QB Kansas State

Round 3

  1. Michigan Panthers – Santrell Latham, LB, Southern Miss
  2. Pittsburgh Maulers – Tre’Quan Dorsey, OL, St. Francis
  3. Houston Gamblers – Joseph Fisher, OG, Shepard
  4. Memphis Showboats – Brevin Allen, DE, Campbell
  5. New Orleans Breakers – DJ Ivey, CB, Miami, Fla.
  6. Philadelphia Stars – Isaac Moore, OT, Temple
  7. Birmingham Stallions – Malik Cunningham, QB, Louisville
  8. New Jersey Generals – JJ Holloman, WR, Tennessee State

Round 4

  1. Michigan Panthers – DJ Scaife Jr., OL, Miami Fla.
  2. Pittsburgh Maulers – Ferlando Jordan, DB, SE Louisiana
  3. Houston Gamblers – Scott Matlock, DT, Boise State
  4. Memphis Showboats – Benny Sapp III, DB, Northern Iowa
  5. New Orleans Breakers – Keaton Mitchell, RB, East Carolina
  6. Philadelphia Stars – Truman Jones, DE, Harvard
  7. Birmingham Stallions – Derius Davis, WR, TCU
  8. New Jersey Generals – Victor Jones, DE, Akron

Round 5

  1. Michigan Panthers – Dashaun White, LB, Oklahoma
  2. Pittsburgh Maulers – Isaiah Land, DE, Florida A&M
  3. Houston Gamblers – Jeffrey Johnson, DT, Oklahoma
  4. Memphis Showboats – Michael Ezeiki, TE, UCLA
  5. New Orleans Breakers – Isaiah Moore, LB, NC State
  6. Philadelphia Stars – Earl Bostick Jr., OT, Kansas
  7. Birmingham Stallions – Zeke Vandenburgh, LB, Illinois State
  8. New Jersey Generals – De’Jahn Warren, CB, Jackson State

Round 6

  1. Michigan Panthers – Levi Russo-Bell, DE, Texas State
  2. Pittsburgh Maulers – Nash Jensen, OG, North Dakota State
  3. Houston Gamblers – Keenan Isaac, DB, Alabama State
  4. Memphis Showboats – Jerome Carvin, OL, Tennessee
  5. New Orleans Breakers – Dante Stills, DL, West Virginia
  6. New Jersey Generals – Derrick Tucker, DB, Texas Southern
  7. Philadelphia Stars – Jose Ramirez, DE, Eastern Michigan
  8. Birmingham Stallions – Colby Sorsdal, OT, William & Mary

Round 7

  1. Michigan Panthers – Gunnar Oakes, TE, Eastern Michigan
  2. Pittsburgh Maulers – Taylor Grimes, WR, Incarnate Word
  3. Houston Gamblers – Alex Jensen, OL, South Dakota
  4. Memphis Showboats – Nehemiah Shelton, CB, San Jose State
  5. New Orleans Breakers – Darius Hagans, RB, Virginia State
  6. New Jersey Generals – Jermaine McDaniel, DE, North Carolina A&T
  7. Philadelphia Stars – Demontrey Jacobs, OL, South Florida
  8. Birmingham Stallions – Grant Dubose, WR, Charlotte

Round 8

  1. Michigan Panthers – Andrew Farmer II, OLB, Lane College
  2. Pittsburgh Maulers – CJ Turner, WR, SE Louisiana
  3. Houston Gamblers – Brady Russell, TE, Colorado
  4. Memphis Showboats, Trea Shropshire, WR, UAB
  5. New Orleans Breakers – Jake Bobo, WR, UCLA
  6. New Jersey Generals – Adam Korsak, P, Rutgers
  7. Philadelphia Stars – Trey Botts, DL, Colorado State-Pueblo
  8. Birmingham Stallions – Mark Evans II, Ol, Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Round 9

  1. Michigan Panthers – Chim Okorafor, OT, Benedictine
  2. Pittsburgh Maulers – Jacob Slade, DT, Michigan State
  3. Houston Gamblers – Jason Taylor II, S, Oklahoma State
  4. Memphis Showboats – Silas Dzansi, OT, Virginia Tech
  5. New Orleans Breakers – Alex Palczewski, OT, Illinois
  6. New Jersey Generals – Jalen Holston, RB, Virginia Tech
  7. Philadelphia Stars – Destin Mack, CB, Citadel
  8. Birmingham Stallions – B.J. Thompson, DE, Stephen F. Austin

Round 10

  1. Michigan Panthers – Sidy Sow, OG, Eastern Michigan
  2. Pittsburgh Maulers – Ethan Evans, K, Wingate
  3. Houston Gamblers – Colby Reeder, LB, Iowa State
  4. Memphis Showboats – Antonio Fletcher, S, Southern Illinois
  5. New Orleans Breakers – Tyler Baker-Williams, CB, NC State
  6. New Jersey Generals – Nick Zecchino, LS, Purdue
  7. Philadelphia Stars – Dre Terry, LB, Alabama A&M
  8. Birmingham Stallions – Starling Thomas V, CB, UAB
  9. New Jersey Generals – Rey Estes, CB, Grambling State**