The season for the Memphis Showboats is officially over. The team will miss out on the 2023 USFL playoffs after losing to the Birmingham Stallions in week ten of the USFL. The final score of the game was 27-20, and the Showboats actually did hold the lead for the majority of the game. It was a surprise that the Stallions played their starters as long as they did, but it led to a Memphis loss. The Showboats will now end their season with a 5-5 record. Here is a look at the Memphis Showboats studs and duds in week ten.
Memphis Showboats Studs
Former LSU WR Derrick Dillon (19) – Wesley Hitt/Getty Images
Derrick Dillon
Wide receiver Derrick Dillon was sure to start the game strong. In the opening kickoff, Dillon made an immediate impact. He scored a touchdown resulting from a 90-yard return. Although the Showboats did not get the win, Dillon started off with solid momentum. By the end of the game, Dillon had six kick returns for 236 yards, with an average of 39.3 yards per return, according to the USFL. The Showboats began the game in the lead, and Dillon was why.
Aside from the return, Dillon had five receptions for 38 yards. He averaged 7.6 yards per reception. The only touchdown he scored in the game was from the kick return. While he did not score a receiving touchdown, Dillons was still a big part of the game. The receiver had many great games for the Showboats, but unfortunately, this was the final game of their season.
Ezra Gray
Running back Ezra Gray also had a strong game for the Memphis Showboats in week ten. Gray ended the game with 16 rushing attempts for 82 yards, according to the USFL. He also had two receptions for 11 yards. Gray’s ability to be a dual threat made him stand out in this week ten matchup against the Birmingham Stallions. Gray’s longest run was for 37 yards, but he was never able to get a touchdown for the team.
Despite not scoring against the Stallions, Gray has had a decent season. Unfortunately for him, the Showboats as a team could not get the job done. If Gray returns to this Memphis team next year, hopefully, he can be a big part of the offense.
Memphis Showboats Duds
Memphis Showboats QB Brady White (3) – Peter Thomas /USA TODAY Sports
Jordan Williams
Defensive end Jordan Williams did not have the best game for the Showboats in week ten. Williams ended the game with one tackle and one pass deflection, according to the USFL. He got lucky early in the game when there was a penalty against him, but it was declined due to the Stallions scoring on the play. The Showboats’ defense did not play poorly, but there was more that Williams could have done in order to get the win in week ten.
Troy Warner
Defensive Back, Troy Warner, has been one of the best parts of the Memphis Showboats’ defense this year. That being said, he seemed absent in their week ten loss against the Birmingham Stallions. Warner ended the game with just three combined tackles, two of which were solo, according to the USFL. The Stallions did not always throw in his direction, but either way, he has had much better games. Potentially if he were able to step up more, the team could have gotten the win.
The Memphis Showboats will now be ending their season with a 5-5 record. This was their first season of this version of the USFL as the Showboats, and it went better than expected. Memphis started off by losing three games in a row. In no way did it seem as though the team would be ending with a fight for playoffs. Despite not making the 2023 USFL playoffs, the Showboats did something to be proud of.
