The Memphis Showboats get another win in week seven against the Houston Gamblers. The Showboats won the game 23-20, now standing at a 4-3 record. The Gamblers may have lost but still maintain a 4-3 record. This is the Showboats’ fourth win in a row, and now they are on a big win streak. The USFL South Division is close, and this win streak is just what this Memphis team needs to make playoffs. Here is a look at the studs and duds for the Memphis Showboats in week seven.
Memphis Showboats Studs
Philadelphia Stars Quarterback Case Cookus vs. Memphis Showboats Jeremiah Valoaga – Justin Ford/USFL/Getty Images
Derrick Dillon
Wide receiver Derrick Dillon is a big reason that the Memphis Showboats got the win against the Gamblers. When Memphis lost its lead, Dillon did everything he could to get it back. Dillon may be one of the top players of the season for the Showboats too. Against the Gamblers, Dillon had just two receptions for 72 yards, according to the USFL. One of the two receptions also went for a touchdown. He also rushed one time for 11 yards. It was Dillon’s touchdown that got the Showboats their win.
Dillon also had three kick returns for Memphis. His three returns went for 96 total yards, his longest for 45 yards. Dillon had been a big factor in this Showboats’ win streak. Hopefully, he can continue to keep it up and get Memphis into the playoffs.
John Atkins
Nose tackle John Atkins also had a strong game for the Showboats. He had one costly penalty, but aside from that, he had a great game for Memphis. Atkins’ name was brought up a lot throughout the game, and it was for a good reason. Throughout the game, Atkins had a total of four combined tackles, three of which were solo, according to the USFL. He also had two sacks and five pass deflections. The pass deflections were a crucial part of the Memphis win. If Atkins keeps this up, the Showboats will continue to get wins this season.
Memphis Showboats Duds
Memphis Showboats – Peter Thomas /USA TODAY Sports
Sulaiman Kamara
Defensive tackle Sulaiman Kamara was one of the Showboats’ weaker players of the game. Luckily the team still won the game, but he could have been a reason for the loss. In the first half of the game, the Showboats were able to hold the Gamblers to a field goal. Kamara ended up drawing a flag to push the Gamblers up. The half could have ended with a missed field goal, but it was Kamara’s penalty that let Houston try again. Eventually, the field goal was good. Aside from that play, Kamara had just one tackle, according to the USFL.
While the Showboats still won the game, they will need to put an emphasis on avoiding penalties as they move forward in the season.
Cole Kelley
On the first drive of the game, it was not looking good for quarterback Cole Kelley. On his second drive, he actually did very well, and credit should be given. The issue with how Kelley played in week seven was his consistency. Not every incompletion can be put on him, as some were also due to good coverage on the Gamblers’ part. Overall, Kelley fell a little short against the Houston Gamblers.
By the end of the game, Kelley completed just 12 out of 24 passes for 146 yards, according to the USFL. He passed for two touchdowns and one interception. Kelley did clean up the turnovers, but when he has time, he needs to do better with his accuracy.
The Memphis Showboats will next face the New Jersey Generals in hopes of keeping their win streak alive. They currently sit in second in the South and have a strong chance to make playoffs the way the team is playing.
