The Pittsburgh Maulers have officially clinched the 2023 USFL playoffs. With a 26-6 win over the New Jersey Generals, the Maulers’ season will continue to go on. As it was a week ten matchup, playoffs will be beginning right away for Pittsburgh. The Maulers will end the regular season with a 4-6 record. It was unknown who was going to get the win, but after a slow start, the Maulers ran away with the victory. Here is a look at the Pittsburgh Maulers’ week ten studs and duds against the New Jersey Generals.
Pittsburgh Maulers Studs
Maulers QB Troy Williams (11) – Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Isiah Hennie
Wide receiver, Isiah Hennie had a strong game for the Pittsburgh Maulers in week ten. He has had a strong season in general and helped get his team the win they needed. The Maulers definitely had a slow start against the Generals, but in the second half, they picked it up. By the end of the game, Hennie had six receptions for 48 yards and one touchdown, according to the USFL. He averaged eight yards per reception, which is solid, and caught every ball when targeted.
The receiver also did have a pass attempt but it did not work out. That would have been the cherry on top of clinching playoffs. He did have one punt return for 12 yards as well. Hennie has been a solid player for the Maulers and hopefully can keep up the momentum next week.
Troy Williams
Quarterback Troy Williams had the solid game he needed to against the Generals. This was a game the quarterback absolutely needed to show up, and he did. By the end of the game, Williams completed 17 passes out of 25 attempts for 154 yards, according to the USFL. He also averaged 6.2 yards per attempt and had one passing touchdown. Williams also rushed the ball six times for 40 yards.
The games that Williams has not played well did not go in favor of the Pittsburgh Maulers. He did what he had to do against the New Jersey Generals but now needs to focus on playoffs. If Williams can continue to throw the ball accurately, as well as scramble out of the pocket, the Maulers can have a chance in their playoff push.
Pittsburgh Maulers Duds
Former San Jose State WR Bailer Gaither (84) – Kym Fortino/SJSU Athletics
Bailey Gaither
Wide receiver Bailey Gaither did not have a bad game against the Generals. That is not the right term to use but he did less than what he could have. Gaither had just three receptions for 27 yards, according to the USFL. He did attempt one rush but it went for a loss of yards. He fumbled once, which resulted in a turnover. Luckily the New Jersey Generals could not get anything going and the Maulers got the win. All Gaither needs is a bounce back next week and the Maulers will be in good hands.
Riley Lovingood
Long-snapper, Riley Lovingood is a very fortunate player that the Maulers got the win against the New Jersey Generals. He made a terrible mistake that he was lucky to end the way it did. Lovingood’s snap was way too high; it went over the holder’s hands and there was a big loss of yards. Yes, the Maulers got the ball, but it was a fourth down very close to the endzone.
The team was lucky they recovered it because if they could not get it, it would have been a Generals’ touchdown. Even more luckily, somehow, the Generals did not score a touchdown when the offense took the field. Lovingood is a lucky player, and that was his only mistake of the day.
The Pittsburgh Maulers are officially headed to the 2023 USFL playoffs. It will be a tough battle for them, but all they need to do is win two games in a row, then they win it all. There are aspects of week ten’s play that will need to be fixed, but the Maulers’ defense will be able to put up a strong fight.
