The 2023 Philadelphia Stars are back with a vengeance after a heartbreaking 33-30 loss to the Birmingham Stallions in last year’s USFL Championship game. Running back Matt Colburn II is ready to run it back with a shot to be the top back in the league.
2023 Philadelphia Stars Season Preview
Head Coach Bart Andrus is returning some key players from last season. Former Michigan cornerback Channing Stribling hopes to improve on his league-leading seven interceptions last season and once again lead the Stars’ defense to the best turnover differential in the USFL.
The Philadelphia Stars’ Big-Bodied Wide Receivers
Philadelphia Stars WR Jordan Suell (2) – Patrick Smith/Getty Images
The Stars will be without their most productive receiver of last season. Tight End Bug Howard was signed and waived by the Tampa Bay Buccanneers’ practice squad due to an injury during the 2022 NFL season. Howard seems to be focused on his recovery at the moment.
Fear not Stars fans, because wide receivers Jordan Suell and Diondre Overton are primed to pick up the slack. The two combined for 570 yards on 48 receptions and scored six touchdowns last season. Suell (25) and Overton (24) are still well within their physical prime. They both are as tall or taller than Howard (Suell 6’6″ 205, Overton 6’5″ 210 lbs, Howard 6’5″ 240 lbs) and weigh over 200 pounds; there is not much loss in the size department.
A Deep Running Back Room in Philadelphia
Stars RB Matt Colburn II (5). – Butch Dill/AP Photo
With Suell, Overton, and former TCU standout TE Pro Wells taking care of the air game, which Andrus leans on, the team will be counting on running back Matt Colburn II to return with similar production. Last season Colburn II was one touchdown shy of leading the league in rushing TDs with nine. Colburn was a consistent carrier with an average of 4.5 yards per carry.
The Philadelphia Stars’ running back room also features backs who garnered NFL attention early in their career but fell short of their ultimate dream due to tough competition and injuries. Players like Jordan Scarlett (former Florida Gator), Dexter Williams (former Notre Dame Fighting Irish), and Darnell Holland could become integral pieces of this running game.
Who Will be the Philadelphia Stars Starting QB?
University of Washington quarterback Kevin Thomson (7) – Mike Siegel/The Seattle Times
There is one quarterback currently on the Stars’ roster. It is not Bryan Scott nor Case Cookus. The Stars’ new signal-caller is the 2019 Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year and former CFL quarterback Kevin Thomson. Thomson played college ball at UNLV, Sacramento State, and Washington University.
After battling through two injuries, Thomson finally got his shot to start the 2017 season for Sacramento State. After his three-year stint there, Thomson finished with 6,424 passing yards and 52 touchdowns, in addition to 1,247 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns across 25 games. The Philadelphia Stars and Andrus should feel comfortable with Thomson leading his “air-it-out” style offense this season.
2023 Philadelphia Stars Schedule
Week 1
April 15: at Memphis Showboats in Memphis; Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium; 4:30pm ET
Week 2
April 23: vs. Michigan Panthers in Canton, Ohio; Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium; 7pm ET
Week 3
April 30: vs. Pittsburgh Maulers in Detroit; Ford Field; 12pm ET
Week 4
May 6: vs. Houston Gamblers in Detroit; Ford Field; 1pm ET
Week 5
May 14: vs. New Jersey Generals in Detroit; Ford Field; 12pm ET
The first of two match-ups against the team with the second-best odds to win it all. The New Jersey Generals look to be formidable and could de-rail an early season run from the Stars.
Week 6
May 21: vs. New Orleans Breakers in Detroit; Ford Field; 12pm ET
Week 7
May 27: at Pittsburgh Maulers in Canton, Ohio; Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium; 9pm ET
This will be the second matchup of inter-state rivals, but this time there is some magic surrounding the game as the teams face off in Canton, Ohio, in the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. If Pittsburgh can put together a solid season, this could be a real test for the Stars later in the season.
Week 8
June 3: at Birmingham Stallions in Birmingham, Alabama; Protective Stadium; 3pm ET
A rematch of the 2022 USFL Championship comes late into the season in Birmingham; this one should have some fireworks. The Stallions are the current favorites to win the 2023 Championship at +170 at OddsTrader. The Stars sit with the fourth-best odds at +400.
Week 9
June 11: at New Jersey Generals in Canton, Ohio; Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium; 7pm ET
Week 10
June 18: at Michigan Panthers in Detroit; Ford Field; 7pm ET
For More USFL Content
The USFL in the 1980s: History Huddle – Julie Miller
USFL: League Adds New Rules for 2023 Season – Jamie Malloy
