On Saturday night at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, the Pittsburgh Maulers hosted the Michigan Panthers for the North Division Championship.
These two teams one week ago were in a win and you’re in and both teams took care of business that set up this matchup. In the regular season, the Maulers swept the Panthers and Michigan were looking to return the favor.
The four quarters could not dictate a winner and the game went to overtime. In overtime, the Maulers’ defense stood tall and Pittsburgh advanced to their first USFL championship game appearance with a 31-27 win over the Panthers.
Pittsburgh quarterback Troy Williams completed 23 of 40 passes (57.5%) for 203 yards, one touchdown, and led the rushers with six carries for 36 yards. Running back Garrett Groshek finished second in rushing with 14 carries for 32 yards, one touchdown, and two catches for 38 yards.
Wide receiver Isiah Hennie led the receivers with six catches for 83 yards and kicker Chris Blewitt converted two of three field goals with a long of 59 yards, and made three extra points. Pittsburgh’s defense allowed 410 yards, with 48 tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception, four pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Michigan quarterback E.J. Perry completed 23 of 38 passes (60.5%) for 370 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, and led the rushers with seven carries for 22 yards, and one touchdown. Running back Reggie Corbin had five carries for three yards, two catches for 13 yards.
Wide receiver Trey Quinn led the receivers with five catches for 104 yards, and one touchdown, while Marcus Simms had three catches for 87 yards, one touchdown, and one carry for 15 yards. Kicker Cole Murphy made two of three field goals with a long of 47 yards, and converted three extra points. Michigan’s defense allowed 291 yards, with 82 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, and two pass breakups.
The Pittsburgh Maulers will face either the Birmingham Stallions or the New Orleans Breakers next Saturday for the USFL Championship at 8 pm on NBC and Peacock. Subscribe to Fubo to watch the 2023 USFL Championship, and tickets for the game are available today on StubHub and Viagogo.
