United States Football League
USFL Week 8: New Jersey Generals top Pittsburgh Maulers
United States Football League

USFL Week 8: New Jersey Generals top Pittsburgh Maulers

Updated Jun. 3, 2022 11:16 p.m. ET

Week 8 of the USFL season kicked off Friday with a heated matchup between the Pittsburgh Maulers and the New Jersey Generals, who started strong on the way to their seventh-straight victory, 29-18.

The Generals improve to 7-1 on the season, while the Maulers fall to 1-7.

Here are the top plays from Friday's game.

New Jersey Generals 29, Pittsburgh Maulers 18

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Generals strike first 

New Jersey took advantage of its opening drive by grabbing a quick six points, courtesy of RB Darius Victor

Generals' Darius Victor hammers in a two-yard TD

Darius Victor hammers in a 2-yard rushing touchdown to give the New Jersey Generals an early 7-0 lead over the Pittsburgh Maulers.

Bombs away!

Maulers QB Roland Rivers got things going early for his team in his first start for Pittsburgh.

Maulers answer

Pittsburgh fired back with a score of its own on the ensuing drive, thanks to the fancy footwork of Rivers.

Roland Rivers ties it up with a five-yard TD run

Pittsburgh Maulers' QB Roland Rivers keeps it himself for the five-yard touchdown run to tie the New Jersey Generals at 7.

Double trouble

The Generals started the second quarter the same way they started the first — with a TD.

Darius Victor punches in his second TD of the night

New Jersey Generals' Darius Victor rushes seven yards for his second touchdown of the night to take back the lead from the Pittsburgh Maulers.

Third time's the charm

The Generals came up with their third score of the night on a 24-yard TD pass from QB Luis Perez to WR KaVontae Turpin, good for a healthy double-digit lead.

KaVontae Turpin turns on the jets for a 24-yard receiving TD

KaVontae Turpin turns on the jets for a 24-yard receiving touchdown to give the New Jersey Generals a 21-7 lead over the Pittsburgh Maulers.

Pulling away

New Jersey added three more points ahead of the half on a monster 50-yard field goal, good for a 23-7 lead.

Coming through!

The Generals' defense came out in full force in the second half. First, Dravon Askew-Henry took down Tre Walker on the kickoff return.

Sack!

Then, Generals tackle Toby Johnson took down Rivers with a huge sack.

Record-setting kick

The Maulers added three points to close out the third frame with a record-setting 61-yard field goal.

Maulers' Ramiz Ahmed drills a 61-yard FG to set a USFL record

Pittsburgh Maulers kicker Ramiz Ahmed hit a 61-yard field goal to set a USFL record.

New Jersey rolls

Victor punched in his third score of the night to extend the Generals' lead to 29-10 early in the fourth quarter.

Maulers make their move

The Maulers made a run for it late in the game, scoring midway through the final frame and adding a two-point conversion to keep things close, 29-18.

Alternative kickoff

Pittsburgh opted for an alternative onside kick — a unique USFL rule where a team can elect to go for it from fourth-and-12 from their own 33-yard line to earn possession. 

Rivers found recent Maulers free-agent signee Jalen McCleskey for a gain of 18 yards to keep the ball, but it ended in a missed field goal, and things ended there.

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