The Pittsburgh Maulers are officially the 2023 North Division champions of the USFL. With a win in overtime, the Maulers defeated the Michigan Panthers and will play for the USFL title. Regulation ended with a tied score of 27-27 in what may have been the most eventful final two minutes of the season. In overtime, the Maulers were successful, which led them to the win. Here is a look at the Pittsburgh Maulers studs and duds from the Division Championship.
Pittsburgh Maulers Studs
Former Wisconsin WR Garrett Groshek (37) – Stacy Revere/Getty Images
Garrett Groshek
Running back Garrett Groshek had a strong game for the Pittsburgh Maulers. The offense did struggle, and the defense was a big reason that the Maulers got the win, but Groshek still had a great game. By the end of the matchup, Groshek had 14 rushing attempts for 32 yards, according to the USFL. That is not the greatest, but he also scored a rushing touchdown, which is a big reason the game went the way it did.
Where Groshek stood out a tad more was his receiving game. He only had two receptions but for 38 yards. The offense did struggle, but Groskek was able to get himself open. Hopefully, in the championship, the Maulers’ offense can use Groshek’s momentum and seek victory.
Arnold Tarpley III
Pittsburgh Maulers’ safety, Arnold Tarpley III, had a strong game when it mattered. Tarpley was one of the players who was all over the field making sure the Panthers could not get too much going. By the end of the game, Tarpley had five combined tackles, two of which were solo, according to the USFL. He also had one interception and two pass deflections. Tarpley played well despite not having too many tackles on the stat sheet.
The Panthers threw two interceptions in the game, and Tarpley made one of those catches to force the turnover. With how close the game was, the score could have gone differently if he never got the catch. Hopefully, for the Maulers, he can do it again next week when everything is on the line.
Pittsburgh Maulers Duds
Maulers QB Troy Williams (11) – Emilee Chinn/Getty Images
Troy Williams/Offensive Line
It cannot really be put on the quarterback; perhaps the offensive line would be better to call out a bit. Quarterback Troy Williams struggled to get anything going against the Michigan Panthers. Williams was under pressure constantly, which took a lot away from the passing game. By the end of the matchup, Williams had 23 completions out of 40 attempts for 203 yards, according to the USFL. He did pass for one touchdown for the Pittsburgh Maulers too though.
The reason this one may need to be put more on the offensive line is due to having no pressure, causing Williams to run more. He actually led the team in rushing yards. He rushed six times for 36 yards. Hopefully, next week the offensive line can give Williams more time to calm down and hit the open man.
Josh Simmons
Wide receiver Josh Simmons felt absent in the game against the Michigan Panthers. Simmons is a speedy player, and everyone knows he can get the ball downfield; he just was not there over the weekend. By the end of the game, Simmons had six receptions for 28 yards, his longest for just five yards, according to the USFL. This could have definitely been better for the receiver.
Simmons is also the kick return man, and that was by no means bad against the Panthers. He returned the ball five times, averaging 21.2 yards per return. Hopefully, next week Simmons steps up the way fans know he can in order to help his team be crowned the USFL champions in 2023.
Now that the Pittsburgh Maulers defeated the Panthers, they will be facing the Birmingham Stallions. The Championship Game will take place Saturday, July 1st at 8:00 pm EST. One thing to watch for, it will be held in Canton, Ohio, the location where the Maulers played all of their home games this year.
