Week 7 of the USFL was more show-stopping and entertaining, with big plays this week. We saw the Memphis Showboats extend their winning streak to four straight games with a big divisional win over the Houston Gamblers. They came into the game with their own four-game winning streak now being broken.

The outstanding play of the week came from the Michigan Panthers when they ran an end-around reverse pass from quarterback Josh Love.  The ball was thrown to wide receiver Joe Walker for a first down that kept the drive going for Michigan. That was one of the magnificent plays that Love made to get him named, “Offensive Player of the Week”.

 

Michigan Panthers QB Josh Love (12) – Kirthmon F. Dozier/Detroit Free Press

 

Offensive Player: Josh Love (QB) – Michigan Panthers

After starting out 2-0 and setting the USFL record in Week 1, completing 90% of his passes, Love then came back down to earth, losing four straight games. The Panthers headed into their second meeting with the New Jersey Generals (2-4).

At 6′ 1″ 208 lbs., Love had his best game since week 1, by completing 16 of 29 passes for 264 yards and three touchdowns. Love received the “Offensive Player of the Week” for a second time this year by throwing darts from the pocket and delivering big-time throws to receiver Joe Walker.

Love even set up a nice trick play with an end around reverse resulting in a pass completed to Walker for a first down. The drive ended on a 27-yard field goal by Michigan Kicker Cole Murphy and a 3-3 tie with 8:22 left in the second quarter.

It was finally time for Love to have a good game, and he did so against a divisional rival in the Generals. What they did well was open up the offense for Love with trick plays. Their dink and dunk screen plays helped Love move the ball down the field in chunks. They beat the Generals 25-22.

Co-Defensive Players: Quentin Poling (LB) – (Birmingham Stallions), John Atkins (DT) – (Memphis Showboats)

 

Birmingham Stallions LB Quentin Poling (59) – Stew Milnel/USFL/Getty Images

 

Quentin Poling- The former Ohio Bobcats d-lineman came onto the national scene in Week 5 with five tackles. Poling then followed up with a team-leading seven tackles, one for a setback as the Birmingham Stallions defeated the Michigan Panthers.

This past week, the Stallions defeated the New Orleans Breakers in a revenge game. The 6’1″, 235 lb. monster defenseman had a new career high, with 11 tackles and two sacks. The Stallions won 24-20. Look for Poling to help the Stallions stay in first place in the South division.

 

 

John Atkins- Nicknamed “Fuzzy,” the former Georgia d-lineman plays with a rough edge as he helped the Showboats’ defense stall the Houston Gamblers running game despite a couple of touchdowns from Mark Thompson.

At 6’3″, 320 lbs., Atkins had four tackles, two sacks, and five passes batted down. He and the Showboats’ defense sailed to a 23-20 win. The skyrocketing athlete has helped his team win four straight games in a row after beginning the season 0-3.

 

 

Special Teams Player: Josh Simmons (KR-PR) – (Pittsburgh Maulers)

Last week was definitely a week to forget, as the entire Maulers team was to blame for losing 22-0 to the Memphis Showboats. It included having Kicker, Chris Blewitt’s missed field goal, returned 109 yards for a touchdown.

This week the worm turned, as the Maulers were down 10-7 in the first quarter against the Philadelphia Stars.

After the Stars kicked a field goal, the 5’11”, 165 lb, Simmons fielded the kick because the USFL is smarter than the NFL and actually advocates for kick returns. The speedy Kick Returner returned the kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown, giving the Maulers a 14-10 lead.

Unfortunately for the Maulers, they lost the game 37-31, but it was still a cool moment that made up for the blunder the week prior.

To check out another USFL story, please check out:

USFL Players of the Week: Week 6