Canton – The Pittsburgh Maulers will play for the USFL North Division Championship as they defeated the New Jersey Generals, 26-6 in the final game of the regular season.
In the post-game press conference, quarterback Troy Williams discussed the victory and clinching a spot in the USFL North Division Championship Game.
Photo by Al Kornspan
In particular, Williams highlighted the positive leadership approach that Ray Horton’s coaching staff has taken in motivating and leading the Maulers throughout the season.
“We always believed in ourselves,” said Williams. “From day one of camp we knew we had a good group of guys. And the coaches have been doing a great job of putting us in position and believing in us, and instilling faith in us throughout the trials and tribulations within the season. The coaches continue to push confidence within us, and that always helps the player. When something bad happens, the coach comes to you and tells you everything is going to be okay, just be you. That’s huge for a player and his mindset. I feel like we have been able to control our mindset and stay positive throughout the whole season.”
Photo by Al Kornspan
In addition to having a positive mindset, Williams noted the importance of preparing oneself strategically for success in competition through arduous film study.
“Just a lot of film study, I pride myself in that, taking notes,” said Williams. “Usually at this point in the year defenses are going to stay true to what they have been doing the whole year, especially in big games like this. They are going to stay with what they are comfortable with and what they think is working for them.”
For the game, Williams, a former standout quarterback for the University of Utah, was 17-25 through the air for 154 yards and a touchdown. Williams also ran for 40 yards on six carries.
Photo by Al Kornspan
After New Jersey scored first on a field goal by former Pittsburgh Steeler, Nick Sciba, Williams got the Maulers on the scoreboard with an 11 yard touchdown pass to Isiah Hennie.
Photo by Al Kornspan
Hennie, a Sacramento State University alum, caught six passes for 48 yards.
Near the end of the first half, both teams traded field goals as the Maulers took a 9-6 lead into halftime.
After halftime, the Maulers scored three more times to make the final score 26-6.
The Mauler’s Eli Walker, a former Kansas State Wildcat football player, returned a fumble for a touchdown midway through the third quarter.
Photo by Al Kornspan
Then former Pitt Panther and Washington Commanders place kicker, Chris Blewitt, added a field goal early in the fourth quarter.
Photo by Al Kornspan
The Maulers final score came with 8:01 left in the game when former Michigan State and Tennessee running back Madre London took the ball into the end zone on a four yard touchdown run.
Photo by Al Kornspan
For the contest, the Maulers were led on the ground by former University of Wisconsin running back Garrett Groshek who carried the ball 12 times for 53 yards.
Leading receivers for the Maulers in addition to Hennie were former Wisconsin Badger Mason Stokke (4 catches for 28 yards), and former San Jose State Spartan’s Bailey Gaither (3 catches for 27 yards), and Tre Walker (2 catches for 23 yards).
The Maulers defense was led by former San Diego State University standout Kyahva Tenzino and former 2017 NFL first round draft pick from the University of Alabama, Reuben Foster. Both players had seven total tackles for the game.
The Maulers will next play on Saturday night as they take on the Michigan Panthers for the North Division Championship. The winner will play for the USFL Championship on July 1.
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