For the second consecutive week, the Philadelphia Stars (4-5) had a chance to win the North Division against the New Jersey Generals (3-6) on Sunday night at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
New Jersey needed to win their final two games to get into the playoffs, and Philadelphia could’ve put them away. In their last meeting, the Stars won the game on field goals by Luis Aguilar. This time around, it was a different game. Head Coach Bart Andrus gave up play-calling duties to wide receiver coach Marcel Bellefeuille.
Right away, the Generals scored a touchdown in the kickoff by Cam Echols-Luper for 85 yards for a 7-0 lead. The Generals made some good blocks and Philadelphia couldn’t make the tackles. Philadelphia needed to respond. On third down, Cookus underthrew the ball to Terry Wright but they got bailed out on a defensive pass interference call against New Jersey.
The Stars made it to the Generals’ six-yard line before Cookus threw a touchdown to Corey Coleman, tying the game 7-7 with 7:40 left. The drive went for 12 plays for 59 yards. Then, the Generals took the ball down to the Stars’ 26-yard line before Nick Sciba made a 37-yard field goal for a 10-7 lead with 2:44 left. The Stars faced third down to begin the second quarter.
In the second quarter, Case Cookus rushed for 28 yards to the Generals’ nine-yard line. The Stars struggled in the red zone all game long and had to settle for a 27-yard field goal by Luis Aguilar, tying the game 10-10 with 10:59 left.
On New Jersey’s next possession, they went on an eight-play drive for 75 yards that resulted in a touchdown. New Jersey set up a great play as Johnson tossed the ball to Victor and he shoveled the pass to Braedon Bowman for a one-yard touchdown that made it 17-10 New Jersey with 6:19 left. This was New Jersey’s best performance this year.
For the second straight series, the Stars reached the Generals’ red zone. On first down, Philadelphia running back Darnell Holland lost the ball trying to give it to Cookus and New Jersey recovered. Luckily, Philadelphia’s defense stopped them to force a punt on fourth down. Just before halftime, kicker Luis Aguilar made a 46-yard field goal and the Generals led 17-13 at halftime.
Philadelphia quarterback Case Cookus completed 8 of 12 passes (66.7%) for 73 yards, one touchdown, and six carries for 51 yards. Running backs Dexter Williams and Darnell Holland combined with 11 carries for 31 yards, and Corey Coleman had five catches for 51 yards and one touchdown. The offense had 146 yards and averaged 4.9 yards per play.
For New Jersey, quarterback De’Andre Johnson completed 7 of 9 passes (77.8%) for 95 yards, and two carries for seven yards. Running back Darius Victor had five carries for 23 yards, and wide receiver Darrell Stewart Jr. had one catch for 43 yards as part of New Jersey’s 139 on offense.
In the third quarter, Philadelphia got the ball but they punted it to the Generals. New Jersey poured it on when Darius Victor scored a one-yard touchdown, extending their lead to 23-13 with 10:13 left. Later in the game, the Stars made a huge play when Case Cookus threw a 36-yard pass to Corey Coleman at the Generals’ seven-yard.
Again, they were unable to score a touchdown and settled for a 32-yard field goal by Luis Aguilar. It was now 23-16 New Jersey with 6:53 left.
Next, New Jersey went on a nine-play drive for 64 yards that resulted in a seven-yard touchdown run by Darius Victor for a 30-16 lead with 1:46 left. The Stars’ defense had no answers to stop them. Then, Philadelphia made another costly turnover when Dexter Williams fumbled the ball and New Jersey recovered and had the ball to begin the fourth quarter.
New Jersey marched down and scored another touchdown, this time by Trey Williams for 22 yards that made it 37-16 with 13:25 left in the game. It looked like the game was over but the Stars did not quit. On their next drive, Case Cookus threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Terry Wright, who broke several tackles to get into the endzone. It was now 37-22 New Jersey.
New Jersey started slacking after scoring their last touchdown. They took too many penalties including five pass interference calls. Two of them the Stars got lucky. Philadelphia’s defense started to step up and stop New Jersey, forcing them to punt the ball.
On the next series, Philadelphia went on a nine-play drive for 69 yards that resulted in Cookus throwing a six-yard touchdown to Diondre Overton. However, Cookus got injured after the play holding his ribs and limping off the field. Despite this, he stayed in the game in which I give credit to anyone staying in the game. In my opinion, the Stars should’ve had Vad Lee in the game.
Late in the game, Philadelphia’s offense went back out and reached the 24-yard line. Instead of going for it on fourth down, they chose to kick a field goal which Luis Aguilar made for 42 yards. It was now 37-33 with 1:43 left.
Philadelphia went with a 4th and 12 play but Hercules Mata’afa nailed Cookus and recovered the ball, ending the game. The Stars lost their second straight game by the final score of 37-33. Next week sets up a winner-take-all weekend. The winners of the two North Division games will make the playoffs.
Give credit to New Jersey, they came to play and are playing like a team that wants to be in the playoffs. Philadelphia, on the other hand, has made an effort to miss the playoffs. They have been inconsistent all season long and are lucky to be alive with how bad the North Division is.
The Stars were unprepared and undisciplined in a game that is a must-win. They should’ve played better. Once the season is over, Philadelphia needs to make drastic changes from players to coaches.
If Philadelphia would’ve won this game, they could’ve had their backups play next week. However, the starters will be out there and as of next week might be playing their final game if they lose.
Philadelphia quarterback Case Cookus finished the night completing 25 of 39 passes (64.1%) for 263 yards, and three touchdowns, and led the rushers with seven carries for 59 yards. Running backs Dexter Williams and Darnell Holland combined with 14 carries for 44 yards. Wide receiver Corey Coleman led the receivers with nine catches for 98 yards and one touchdown.
Kicker Luis Aguilar converted 4-4 field goals with a long of 46 yards and made three extra points. Wide receiver and kick returner Terry Wright had a good game with seven kick returns for 225 yards. Philadelphia’s defense allowed 365 yards, with 67 tackles, two tackles for loss, and two sacks.
New Jersey quarterback De’Andre Johnson finished the night completing 15 of 20 passes (75%) for 213 yards, and seven carries for 29 yards. Running back Darius Victor, who I think should be in the running again for MVP, had 11 carries for 51 yards, two touchdowns, and one catch for 12 yards while throwing one pass for one touchdown.
Wide receiver Darrell Stewart Jr. led the receivers with three catches for 109 yards, and kicker Nick Sciba converted one field goal for 37 yards, and made 4 of 5 extra points. The Generals’ defense allowed 333 yards, with 64 tackles, four tackles for loss, four sacks, two pass breakups, and three forced fumbles.
Next Saturday, the New Jersey Generals close out the season against the Pittsburgh Maulers at 1 pm on USA Network, while the Philadelphia Stars battle the Michigan Panthers next Sunday at 7 pm on FOX. Subscribe to Fubo to watch all of the 2023 USFL Season, and tickets for both games are available today on StubHub and Viagogo.
