Pittsburgh Maulers defense shuts down New Jersey Generals to secure USFL playoff spot

CANTON — The Pittsburgh Maulers are playoff bound.

With the defense leading the charge, the Maulers shut down the New Jersey Generals 26-6 in the USFL regular-season finale at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The Maulers clinch a playoff berth in the North Division at 4-6 (4-2 in the division). The Maulers could win the division by tiebreaker if the Philadelphia Stars lose to the Michigan Panthers on Sunday. For the Generals, after making the playoffs last year, their season has come to an end. They finish with a 3-7 record.

After trailing 3-0 in the first quarter, Maulers quarterback Troy Williams set the tone by completing five straight passes, including an 11-yard touchdown pass to Isiah Hennie on their opening drive, and led 6-3. Williams completed 17 of 25 passes for 154 yards. Pittsburgh kicker Chris Blewitt nailed a 52-yard field goal with 23 seconds left in the second quarter for a 9-6 lead.

The Maulers' defense shut out the Generals in the second half and inflicted more damage by scoring 17 unanswered points. Madre London clinched the victory on a short TD run with three minutes left in the game.

Here's a breakdown of the game:

Player of the Game: Maulers defense

It's too hard to single out just one defender from what's been one of the USFL's top defenses. So let's give it to the entire defense. In holding the Generals to six points, the Maulers did not allow a touchdown, scored a defensive TD of their own, won the turnover battle, and pressured QB De'Andre Johnson throughout.

Play of the Game: A Maulers scoop-and-score

The Maulers constant pressure of Johnson eventually resulted in their defense producing a score. Halfway through the third quarter, Nasir Player sacked and forced a fumble by Johnson on a third-and-12. Eli Walker scooped up the fumble and returned it for a TD and a 16-6 Maulers lead.

Three stats to know on the Maulers vs. Generals game

3: With the Maulers defense getting after him, Johnson was responsible for three turnovers. In addition to losing a fumble, he also threw two interceptions.

0-3: The Generals went 0-for-3 scoring TDs on their trips into the red zone, settling for just two field goals.

34:17: The Maulers won the time of possession 34:17 to 25:43. The Generals defense couldn't stay off the field, and the offense struggled to extend drives.

They said that

Generals head coach Mike Riley on Maulers' defense: "We've known for two years that they really have an outstanding defensive front. They are really disruptive, so we get a play here, but then they will get a stop. We didn't really sustain or really gather any momentum from them. They needed to get a stop on a run after we had a nice gain, or they pressured the passer, so I think that was all really a major, major part of it.

Maulers edge rusher Nasir Player on the defensive TD: "We pride ourselves in playing fast and playing fundamentally sound. We just knew the play needed to be made. It just so happened that we were able to make it."

Maulers QB Troy Williams on securing a playoff spot: "We've always believed in ourselves from day one in camp. We knew that we had a good group of guys, and the coaches had done a great job of putting us in position and believing in us, still having faith in us throughout the trials and tribulations of the season. "

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Pittsburgh Maulers defeat New Jersey Maulers in USFL Week 10