The New Jersey Generals lost in an important USFL matchup against the Memphis Showboats. The Generals needed a win this week, but by the time their offense got it going it was too late. The Generals lost the game 25-16 and made numerous costly mistakes. The Generals now fall to 2-6 in the North, while the Showboats go up to a 5-3 record in the highly competitive South. The Generals are lucky the Philadelphia Stars lost in week eight, but it may be too late for them. Here is a look at the studs and Duds for the New Jersey Generals.
New Jersey Generals Studs
New Jersey Generals – Butch Dill/AP Photo
Kolin Hill
Linebacker Kolin Hill was a game-changer for the Generals. The most notable play of the game was when Hill ripped the ball out of Showboats’ Ryan McDaniel’s hands. The General’s defense held Memphis’ offense for a good amount of the game, and Hill was a big reason why.
Throughout the game, Hill had a total of ten combined tackles, five of which were solo, according to the USFL. He also had one tackle for loss. The forced fumble was the only turnover that he forced, but it was a big one. It is a shame that, based on how hard Hill played, the Generals still did not get the win. The New Jersey Generals are not officially out of playoffs, but it would take a miracle for them to make it. Perhaps Hill can contribute to that miracle.
Hercules Mata’afa
Defensive lineman Hercules Mata’afa kept up the pressure throughout the game. Mata’afa made sure the Showboats quarterback, Cole Kelley, was consistently under pressure. Mata’afa had a total of five combined tackles, two of which were solo, according to the USFL. He also had one sack and two tackles for loss. He was a tough player, just could not force the win alone.
Mata’afa may not have had many tackles, but he was in Kelley’s face throughout the game. Despite the winning, the Showboats’ offense took a while to get going. Mata’afa is a big reason for that. Hopefully, next week the defensive lineman can increase his stats, and help the Generals get another win this season.
New Jersey Generals Duds
New Jersey Generals QB De’Andre Johnson (1) and RB Trey Williams (3) – Butch Dill/AP Photo
Kyle Lauletta
It was a smart coaching decision to take quarterback Kyle Lauletta out of the game. It really was not his day, and the Generals paid for that. Not all of the blame for the loss can be put on Lauletta, but he did struggle. Before the coaching decision to take him out of the game, Lauletta completed two passes out of just four attempts for 16 yards, according to the USFL. While it does not seem like that is enough to pull someone out of the game, he did have a costly interception. It was poor decision-making to throw the ball, and taking him out was a good choice.
Special Teams
The special teams for the New Jersey Generals did not pull through in their week eight matchup. The Kicking team let the Showboats return for 122 yards, the longest kick return being for 47 yards, according to the USFL. This pushed the Generals’ defense back pretty far, giving Memphis an advantage. This has been a struggle for a couple of weeks and impacted the team once again in this loss. The Showboats also had one punt return for 38 yards. The Generals need to be able to stop the opposing team from returning these big runs, as it is hurting their defense.
The New Jersey Generals now sit at a 2-6 record. There are just two more games of the regular season. They are not completely out of playoffs, but it will take a lot for them to make it. In the next two games, the Generals will play the Philadelphia Stars and the Pittsburgh Maulers. Hopefully, the team can pull off at least one more win.
