USFL Week 7 Recap: Stallions, Generals clinch playoff berths while Breakers win league’s first overtime game

| American Football | 05/31/2022

The United States Football League saw some exciting action this past week as the push for the playoffs is in full force. The games were filled with crazy comebacks and the first-ever overtime which showcased what makes the USFL different.

Check out a recap of each game below.

New Jersey Generals (6-1) 20 – Tampa Bay Bandits (3-4) 13

New Jersey Generals TE Braedon Bowman runs during a USFL game against the Tampa Bay Bandits on May 28, 2022. Photo: Patrick Smith/USFL/Getty Images

Week 7 kicked off with a dominant performance by one of the league’s best teams.

The Generals held the lead the entire game thanks in part three interceptions of passes by Bandits quarterback Jordan Ta’amu. Ta’amu also had a fumble but was able to recover it. Tampa Bay had a chance to tie the game in the final minute but ultimately fell short as they failed to convert a 4th and 7 from inside the red zone. This blown opportunity was the third time the Bandits failed to come away with points from inside the 20-yard line.

New Jersey became the first team to clinch a spot in the four-team playoffs. With the win, the Generals rose to 6-1 while the Bandits slipped to 3-4.

New Orleans Breakers (5-2) 31 – Michigan Panthers (1-6) 27

New Orleans Breakers TE Sal Cannella runs during USFL game against the Michigan Panthers on May 28, 2022. Photo: Patrick Smith/USFL/Getty Images

Saturday night fans were treated to the first USFL overtime game in a back-and-forth slugfest between the Breakers and Panthers.

The Panthers, who came into the game as 5.5-point underdogs, surprisingly held their own against the New Orleans powerhouse. They were carried by Michigan RB Reggie Corbin’s 108 rushing yards. However, thanks to a last-second field goal, the Breakers forced overtime. In overtime, it’s a best-of-three scoring format where both offenses get the ball at the opponent’s 2-yard-line looking to score two points. New Orleans scored on both their OT attempts and kept Michigan out on both of theirs. Kyle Sloter propelled the Breakers to 5-2 as the league’s leading passer threw for 182 yards and two touchdowns.

Michigan’s fourth straight loss drops them down to 1-6.

Birmingham Stallions (7-0) 26 – Pittsburgh Maulers (1-6) 16

Birmingham Stallions RB Bo Scarbrough carries the ball during USFL game against the Pittsburgh Maulers on May 29, 2022. Photo: Patrick Smith/USFL/Getty Images

The league’s best team was on display once again Sunday afternoon as the Stallions pushed past the Maulers to remain undefeated.

After a low-scoring half for Birmingham, they went into halftime trailing 10-6. The Stallions kicked off the second half on a 52-yard rush for a touchdown off a fake punt by Bobby Holly. They went on to outscore Pittsburgh 20-6 in the second half to pull out the victory. Birmingham was carried by another strong performance from running back Bo Scarborough who had 100 yards on the ground.

The Stallions remained perfect at 7-0 and clinched a playoff berth while the Maulers fell to 1-6.

Philadelphia Stars (4-3) 35 – Houston Gamblers (1-6) 24

Philadelphia Stars WR Devin Gray #7 battling Houston Gamblers defender

Week 7 saw the Stars capture their second straight win while the Gamblers suffered another heartbreaking loss.

Houston held the lead through much of the game except once in the first three quarters. They went into halftime up 17-13 and added to it on in the third quarter to go up 24-13 headed into the fourth. Then the Stars decided they wanted to shine. Philly put up a ridiculous 22 points in the fourth quarter to win the game thanks to two touchdowns and two field goals. Houston was unable to capitalize on a monster game from Donald Payne who had two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown. This marks yet another collapse by a Gamblers team that hasn’t won a game since the first week of the season.

With the win, the Stars shot to 4-3 while the Gamblers fell to 1-6.

A current student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Jordan grew up playing football. He began writing in high school after creating his own website and hopes to continue his pursuit for a career in sports media.