The Birmingham Stallions, who play their home games at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, were the first team in the USFL to punch their tickets to the Playoffs.

They are one of two participants who will be going on to the South Division Championship game, and the other team will be determined next week. They did so by defeating the Houston Gamblers 38-15 in Memphis.

Now, I will be talking about the players who were outstanding this week; showing off their talents, earning them the USFL Players of the Week title.

Offensive Player of the Week: Darius Victor (RB) New Jersey Generals

There’s a reason why Darius Victor says players with “thick thighs save lives.” Well, they definitely saved a lot of lives this week when the 5’8″, 209 lb. Generals’ star running back flipped through the air while his half-back pass was completed for a touchdown to Braedon Bowman.

The multi-faucet running back attended Towson University in Maryland, where he spent his first couple of years as a backup to eventual NFL third-round draft pick Terrance West.

Victor endured some struggles to make it to the NFL but didn’t give up. As spring ball began, he came back, and now he’s starting with the New Jersey Generals. He’s been with them in the USFL for the last two years.

He had a tremendous game Sunday night, rushing for two touchdowns and passing for one. The (3-6) Generals squeaked out a big divisional win over the (4-5) Philadelphia Stars, 37-33.

Defensive Player of the Week – Quentin Poling (LB) Birmingham Stallions

The Houston Gamblers could not find a way to score touchdowns, as they were 0-5 in the red zone. They were held to five field goals by that stout Stallions defense.

Also, Gamblers bell cow running back Mark Thompson’s 6’4″, 235 lb. big body and persistent running style was limited to only 59 yards on 17 carries.

The leader of that movement was, of course, Quentin Poling, as the 6’1″, 235 lb. high-level linebacker had 11 collected tackles, a sack, and a pick.

The Stallions’ victory also guarantees home-field advantage as the South Division Championship will be played at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Friday, June 25, at 7:00 pm ET on FOX.

Poling played his college ball at Ohio University, where he was a team captain and a first-team All-MAC Selection. In his Senior year, Poling became Ohio University’s all-time leader in both solo tackles (219) and TFL (45).

This is the second time Poling has earned USFL Defensive Player of the Week. His first time was in Week 7.

Special Teams Player of the Week – Cam Echols-Luper (KR) New Jersey Generals

Echols-Luper looked like he took a shot of Expresso when he woke up and went downstairs and then took 5-hour energy right before he left his house and arrived at the stadium.

He fielded the opening kickoff, found an open lane, and burst into high gear 85 yards in the middle of the field for an opening touchdown, giving the Generals an early 7-0 lead.

The dazzling kick returner was not done there as the 6’0″, 195 lb. athlete was involved on a Generals trick play. Quarterback D’Andre Johnson handed the ball off to Victor, who then flipped the ball to Echols-Luper. He then threw the ball back to Johnson for a Generals first down.

 

Having a player like Echols-Luper on the New Jersey Generals is a blessing for Coach Riley.  He is more than just a Kick Returner. He shows that he can also play Quarterback, Running back, and Wide Receiver if needed.

He is a very important player for the Generals whose presence is well-known on special teams.  Look for him to play a much bigger part next year if he doesn’t receive any interest from the NFL.

For another USFL Story, please check out:

USFL Players of the Week: Week 8