The Pittsburgh Maulers committed three turnovers and allowed a length-of-the field touchdown return en route to a 22-0 loss to the Memphis Showboats on Saturday afternoon in Memphis.
The loss snapped a two-game winning streak for the Maulers, who fell to 2-4 in the USFL season.
Former Pitt kicker Chris Blewitt has been the Maulers’ most reliable player throughout the season, hitting his first 10 field-goal attempts, but his 59-yard field goal try right before halftime resulted in the play of the game … for the Showboats.
Blewitt’s kick was just short of the goal post, and Showboats speedster Derrick Dillon caught the ball just inside the end line.
He then weaved through the Maulers’ kicking unit for a 109-yard missed field goal return to give Memphis a commanding 19-0 lead at halftime.
“We’re just getting better,” Showboats coach Todd Haley, a former Steelers offensive coordinator, said postgame on the USA broadcast. “We’re still far from perfect, but the defense and special teams made unbelievable plays throughout the game and made it pretty easy for us in the end.”
The Showboats’ defense, run by coordinator Carnell Lake, a former Steelers All-Pro safety, also had three interceptions to thwart Maulers drives.
For the Maulers, quarterback Troy Williams completed 13 of 19 passes for 145 yards and an interception. James Morgan completed 9 of 19 passes for 98 yards and two interceptions. Isiah Hennie had eight catches for 103 yards.
Kyahva Tezino led the defense with 15 tackles, including 11 solo.
The Showboats, who improved to 3-3 with their third straight win, were led by Cole Kelley, who completed 14 of 24 passes for 135 yards, including a 37-yard touchdown pass to Vinny Papale. Kicker Alex Kessman also booted three field goals.
The Maulers will return to action with a home game against the Philadelphia Stars at 9 p.m. May 27, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
