Mistakes costly as Pittsburgh Maulers fall to Philadelphia Stars
In search of the their second win of the season, the Pittsburgh Maulers took a lead into the fourth quarter of Sunday night’s USFL game against the Philadelphia Stars at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Ala.
A few crucial mistakes by the Maulers late in the game, however, helped Philadelphia earn a 17-16 victory.
The Maulers (1-8) led 16-10 with 5:05 left and were driving near Philadelphia’s 35 when quarterback Vad Lee fumbled, and the Stars’ Freedom Akinmoladun recovered.
On the next play, the Stars’ Matt Colburn II rumbled 51 yards for a score to give Philadelphia a 17-16 lead.
On the Maulers’ ensuing drive, Lee connected with Madre London for a short gain, but London quickly fumbled and gave the ball back to the Stars with 3:27 left.
The Maulers forced a quick three-and-out, and the Stars’ Luis Aguilar missed a 45-yard field goal, giving the Maulers a final chance to win the game.
After driving into Stars’ territory, Ramiz Ahmed’s 49-yard field goal attempt sailed just wide to the right. Ahmed, who earlier drilled a 59-yard field goal, also missed an extra point, which proved costly in the one-point loss.
A 59-yard field goal is easy work for Ramiz Ahmed ????
He ties things up in the first half
????: FS1 pic.twitter.com/MaxGxki6zc
— Pittsburgh Maulers (@USFLMaulers) June 12, 2022
Ahmed also threw a touchdown pass as part of a fake field goal. Punter Max Duffy took the snap and tossed a no-look pitch over his head to Ahmed, who then threw a 14-yard pass to Malcolm Howard to give the Maulers a 10-3 lead at halftime.
Nothing better than a mic'd up version of a fake field goal ????????
Listen in on the @USFLMaulers trick-play touchdown ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/rhDKj6Shtx
— USFL (@USFL) June 13, 2022
The Stars tied it at 10 late in the third quarter when Paul Terry scored on a 1-yard run.
On the next possession, Lee connected with Tre Walker for a 28-yard TD to give the Maulers a 16-10 lead.
Lee completed 17 of 28 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions.
The Maulers will wrap up their season at noon next Sunday against the Michigan Panthers.
The Stars (6-3) won their fourth straight game and will close out the regular season against the New Jersey Generals.
Remove the ads from your TribLIVE reading experience but still support the journalists who create the content with TribLIVE Ad-Free.