Pittsburgh Maulers fall short against Philadelphia Stars
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The Pittsburgh Maulers scored their first touchdown of the USFL season Saturday afternoon but couldn’t quite get their first victory.
Bryan Scott threw for 272 yards and three touchdowns as the Philadelphia Stars earned a 30-23 win over the Maulers at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Ala.
The Maulers (0-2), who lost to Tampa Bay, 17-3, in the season-opener Monday, got on the board first when Ramiz Ahmed booted a 25-yard field goal for a 3-0 advantage with 3 minutes, 44 seconds left in the first quarter.
Philadelphia (1-1) answered with a nine-play drive that covered 75 yards, culminating with Scott’s 3-yard TD pass to Diondre Overton.
After Ahmad Dixon picked off Maulers QB Josh Love, Philadelphia went 21 yards in six plays before Scott scored on a 1-yard run for a 14-3 lead.
Pittsburgh’s defense came up with a big play with 9:19 left in the first half. Carlo Kemp sacked Scott and forced a fumble. Jaylon McClain-Sapp recovered and ran 21 yards for a score to cut the deficit to 14-10.
The Maulers took a 16-14 lead with 3:25 left in the half when Love found Hunter Thedford for a 5-yard TD reception. Ahmed’s extra-point attempt was no good.
Philadelphia quickly answered as Scott connected with Maurice Alexander for a 20-yard TD and a 21-16 lead.
The Maulers again went ahead midway through the third quarter with an 11-play, 85-yard drive.
Love found Bailey Gaither for a 37-yard TD to make it 23-21 Maulers.
Philadelphia then pulled ahead for good with 8:57 left when Scott found Alexander for a 10-yard TD pass. The Stars converted the league’s first 3-point attempt for a 30-23 lead.
The Maulers’ final three possessions ended with a punt, turnover on downs and interception.
Love connected on 21 of 39 passes for 236 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions for the Maulers. Garrett Groshek ran for 77 yards on 18 carries. Gaither had seven catches for 117 yards and a score.