The Memphis Showboats got a big win against the New Jersey Generals. The win was in week eight of the USFL season, and it was an important game to win. The Showboats won 25-16 and now have a 5-3 record. With all the teams in the South division getting the win this weekend, the Showboats getting this win is even more important. Here is a look at the studs and duds for the Memphis Showboats in week eight.
Memphis Showboats Studs
Memphis Showboats RB Kerrith Whyte Jr. with Florida Atlantic – Joel Auerbach/Getty Images
Kerrith Whyte
Running back Kerrith Whyte had a strong game for the Showboats. The way that he played is a big reason that the team got the win. The New Jersey Generals have a strong defense that is difficult to run against. Whyte ended the game with 23 rushing attempts for 102 yards, according to the USFL. He also had one rushing touchdown, which really helped the team get the win.
His average yards per attempt was not the best, at 4.4 yards. This is understandable against a tough defense, but he made it work. His longest run was for 46 yards, which essentially sealed the win for the Showboats. The running back also had one reception for 14 yards. Whyte had a strong game against a tough defense and it paid off for the team.
Greg Reaves
Linebacker, Greg Reaves also had a strong performance against the New Jersey Generals. Reaves ended the game with just three combined tackles, and just one was solo, according to the USFL. This does not sound like a great game on paper, but he was a playmaker for the Showboats. Reaves also had one tackle for loss, one interception, and two pass deflections.
The interception that Reaves caught almost went for a touchdown, but Reaves was tackled by the Generals’ quarterback, Kyle Lauletta. This was the play that got Lauletta benched for the remainder of the game. Hopefully, Reaves can keep the momentum going as the Showboats race for the 2023 USFL playoffs.
Memphis Showboats Duds
Memphis Showboats WR Ryan McDaniel with North Carolina Central University – Devon Carson/North Carolina Central University Athletics
Ryan McDaniel
Wide receiver Ryan McDaniel did not have the best game for the Showboats. His poor ball security could have been detrimental to the team. Luckily, the Showboats still got the win that they needed. While rushing the ball, New Jersey’s Kolin Hill pulled the ball right out of McDaniel’s hands, and it ended up landing in the hands of D’Juan Hines. This gave the Memphis Showboats a slow start to the game.
The wide receiver ended the game with two receptions for 17 yards, according to the USFL. He also had one rush for eleven yards. Even without the fumble, it was not a great game for the wide receiver. McDaniel is lucky that the team still got the win, and hopefully, he can fix those mistakes during next week’s game.
Delrick Abrams Jr
Cornerback Delrick Abrams Jr also could have had a better game against the New Jersey Generals. Abrams ended the game with four combined tackles, and just one of them was solo, according to the USFL. The Issue with Abrams was how he handled coverage in the red zone. It ended up resulting in the Generals scoring a touchdown.
New Jersey scoring the touchdown may not have been his fault, but it gave the Generals momentum. Luckily for the Showboats, it was too late to for New Jersey to catch up by then. The Showboats’ defense did well stopping the Generals’ offense. Hopefully, next week Abrams can make a big play to help the team make playoffs.
The Memphis Showboats still remain second in the South division. With all four teams in the division getting the win this weekend, the race for playoffs is still on. There are just two more regular season games left. The Showboats will face the New Orleans Breakers, followed by the Birmingham Stallions. The Showboats will need to keep this up if they want to make the playoffs this year.
