Stars bury the Bandits and start 2nd half of the schedule with a much-needed win. The week 6 Stars Bandits matchup in the USFL was vital for the Stars entering the first game of the second half of their schedule 2-3. The playoff push was heavily on the minds of the players from Philly. Tampa received the opening kickoff. Before they could get their O rolling, an interception by Philadelphia’s Amani Dennis set up the Stars’ offense with a short field.
Stars Shine
The resulting possession set up a 6-yard touchdown pass from Stars QB Case Cookus to Bug Howard. With the extra point, the Stars took an early 7-0 lead. That would be the lone score of the 1st quarter. The Bandits would find pay dirty late in the 2nd. Jordan Ta’amu would float a 13-yard TD pass into the hands of John Franklin, tying the score at 7.
But just before the half, the Stars would strike again. Matt Colburn II would rush into the endzone from three yards out. This gave the Stars the 14-7 lead with a minute remaining to till the half. The Bandits weren’t done yet. Ta’amu would complete a pass to Cheyenne O’Grady, who would bounce off a Stars defender (thanks to bad tackling technique) and sprint 37 yards for an equalizer heading into the half 14-14.
With the ball coming out of the half, the tandem of Cookus and Howard continues to be a thing for the Stars. The two connected for their second TD of the day. It was a short 4-yard pass to put the Stars back up 21-14. The Stars’ defense kept the Bandits at bay, and the Stars’ offense continued to heat up. lburn rushed for his second touchdown of the afternoon with a 33-yard score. The Stars ended the third quarter leading 28-14.
The Finale
As we began the 4th quarter, the Bandits responded with O’Grady and Ta’amu hooking up for another score. The 1-yard passing touchdown cut the deficit to 28-21. t the Stars offense, specifically Colburn continued to run all over the Bandits’ defense, adding his third score of the day on a 44-yard run to pay dirt. The touchdown gave the Stars a 35-21 lead.
The Bandits rallied late Ta’amu found De’Quan Hampton for an excellent 16-yard score, and with the extra point, the Bandits cut into the lead 35-28. e Stars’ defense locked down Tampa Bay the rest of the way leading to a 35-28 Stars lead and moving the Stars back to .500 at 3-3. The Tampa Bay Bandits fall to 3-3 on the season. The Philadelphia Stars bury the Bandits and start 2nd half of the schedule with a much-needed win.
Matt Bednarczyk is your host of Talking Philly Sports With Matty B. He is a proud retired US Army Sergeant First Class, he is also a combat veteran with over 80 months served in Afganistan, and Iraq . Huge Hockey Fan. Matt is a lifelong 4 for 4 Philly sports fan. Born and raised on the Mayfair and Tacony neighborhood lines of Northeast Philly. He brings over 40 years of Philadelphia Sports passion and provides a realistic look at our Major Sports Teams and the most passionate sports fans on the planet. Look for his show live on Edge of Philly Sports.
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