On Sunday night at Protective Stadium, the Philadelphia Stars (6-3) survived to win their fourth straight game 17-16 over the Pittsburgh Maulers (1-8).
Stars’ quarterback Case Cookus was not cooking on this night, going 5/13 for 62 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception. He made a lot of mistakes on the field. First, Cookus needs to know how much time is on the play clock. Twice the stars were flagged for delay of game. Second, he tried to force the ball in several situations which didn’t need to happen.
Cookus needs to throw the ball away or run with it and pick up whatever yards he can. He did not get any help from the offensive line, who had a hard time protecting him.
After the Stars punted the ball on their first series, the defense got it back when Channing Stribling intercepted it and made it to the Maulers’ 27-yard line. It was Stribling’s seventh interception of the season. Unfortunately, the Stars could not get a touchdown and instead settled for a 47-yard field goal that Luis Aguilar made, putting the Stars up 3-0.
The Stars’ defense could not stop Pittsburgh’s offense on the next drive. However, they did enough for the Maulers to settle for a 59-yard field made by Ramiz Ahmed, tying the game 3-3 with 2:21 left in the first quarter. The score remained tied 3-3 heading into the second quarter.
The Stars had the ball to start the second quarter, but Matt Colburn II fumbled it, and the Maulers recovered. The Stars’ defense shut Pittsburgh down and the Maulers were setting up for a field goal, but something happened unexpectedly. The Maulers went with a trick play, and Ramiz Ahmed threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Malcolm Howard, putting Pittsburgh up 10-3.
The Stars next drive got them to the Maulers’ 36-yard line, but Luis Aguilar missed a 54-yard field. After missing the field goal, the Stars’ linebacker Te’Von Coney intercepted the ball on their own 44-yard line. Once again, the Stars’ offense could not advance the ball.
At this point in the game, the Stars should’ve had a trick play ready. They needed to generate momentum, and why not. Instead, they were conservative and punted the ball back to the Maulers. Nothing much happened afterward except for Cookus throwing an interception, and Pittsburgh led 10-3 at halftime.
Before the third quarter began, K.J. Costello was the new Stars’ quarterback. Costello went 4/10 for 69 yards. His presence somewhat sparked the offense. Late in the third quarter, the Stars were able to drive the ball down to the Maulers’ one-yard line, and Paul Terry scored a touchdown that tied the game 10-10 with 1:35 left in the third quarter.
The Maulers had the ball to begin the fourth quarter. Pittsburgh marched down the field and scored a touchdown when Vad Lee connected with Tre Walker for a 28-yard touchdown. Then, kicker Ramiz Ahmed missed the extra point, making it 16-10 Maulers.
After the Stars failed to get a first down and gave the ball back to Pittsburgh, the Stars got the ball back when safety Ahmad Dixon knocked the ball out of Maulers’ quarterback Vad Lee and recovered it. The Stars did not waste this golden opportunity as Matt Colburn II used his speed for a 51-yard rushing touchdown. Luis Aguilar made the extra point, and it was 17-16 Stars with 4:45 left in the game.
On the next Maulers possession, Stars linebacker Te’Von Coney stripped the ball out of Madre London’s arms, and Philadelphia got the ball back. However, the Stars could not convert it into points when Aguilar missed a 46-yard field goal.
The Stars’ defense needed to make one more stop. They were on their way to doing that until Stars’ safety LaDarius Wiley was called for Unnecessary Roughness making helmet-to-helmet contact. This was a bad call as Wiley used his shoulder. Unfortunately, watching the replay booth was worse. USFL Head of Officiating Mike Pereira should’ve used other camera angles, and it would’ve shown that Wiley used the shoulder, not the helmet.
The Maulers had one more chance to win the game. Pittsburgh got to the Stars’ 31-yard line to set up a 49-yard field goal. But what should’ve been the game-winner, Ramiz Ahmed, missed it, and the Stars took over possession of the ball. Philadelphia went into victory formation, but the Maulers used their last two timeouts, giving them one more chance. However, the Stars made a tackle on special teams to win the game 17-16.
Stars’ running back Matt Colburn II led the rushers with 12 carries for 97 yards, one touchdown, and one catch for six yards, while Jordan Suell led the Stars’ receivers with three catches for 47-yards. The Stars’ defense did a good job, allowing 266 yards, 81 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, and four pass breakups.
For Pittsburgh, quarterback Vad Lee went was 17/28 for 146-yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, and four carries for 12-yards. Maulers’ running back Garrett Groshek had 11 carries for 48-yards, while tight end Hunter Thedford led the receivers with three catches for 50-yards. The Maulers’ defense allowed 204-yards, 46 tackles, four sacks, one interception, and six pass breakups.
Next week, the Stars close out the regular season on Saturday against the New Jersey Generals at noon on USA Network. Expect both teams to be playing their backups as they will face each other in the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Maulers close out the season against the Michigan Panthers on Sunday at noon on USA Network. Tickets for both games can be purchased thanks to our friends at StubHub.
