Canton, OH- The New Jersey Generals (2-6) entered Sunday's contest against the Memphis Showboats (5-3) in desperate need of three things: a win to stay alive in the North division race for the second spot, a win to snap the three game losing streak versus the South division and to capture their first home victory of the season. A 46 yard rush by Memphis RB Kerrith Whyte set up the game sealing 23 yard field goal by kicker Alex Kessman. Kessman went a perfect 6/6 on the day.
"I can't say enough about what Alex has done for us. To have to sit out a game, then he went up to his hometown in Detroit, Michigan and made a few huge kicks for us he's been a steady steady hand," said longtime NFL coach Todd Haley.
"I'm really happy for our guys to be able to come up to Canton, a place that means a lot to me having growing up in football and knowing a lot of those people in the hall throughout points in my career, I never take it lightly coming to this area".
Memphis controlled the possession clock the entirety of the game, doubling the Generals almost 41 minutes to 19 minutes. They had multiple drives of 5 minutes or longer including one in the third quarter in which they held the ball for 7:12 before before QB Cole Kelley was picked off by CB D.J. Daniels in the endzone for a touchback.
Generals QB Kyle Lauletta started the game but was pulled after throwing a interception on the first drive of the second quarter by outside linebacker Greg Reaves.
"I was supposed to be in the flats so I found myself in no man's land. So I had two decisions either allow the touchdown or bat the ball down and fortunately I was able to get the interception," Reaves said postgame.
Backup QB Dakota Prukop stepped and immediately showed his versatility both as a passer and runner which allowed the Generals offense to put together longer sustained drives.
Towards the end of the third quarter, Prukop put together a 9 play drive that showcased the sheer athleticism that many fans in Eugene, Oregon won witnessed. Prukop scrambled on designed QB runs for back-to-back plays before finding veteran receiver Alonzo Moore on a 13 yard touchdown pass.
"I would say today was far from a phenomenal day. Maybe the stat line stays I had a decent game but there was so much left out there. Really I had to dig myself out a hole after the first couple of drives. Coach RIley called a perfect game, we worked on situations all week and those opportunities were available in the game. I appreciate the team sticking with me but it took too long to get going. As a professional you have to step in and get going because that what's the team needs," Prukop said postgame.
With 7 minutes left in the fourth, Prukop found Darius Victor on a wheel route for a 4 yard touchdown pass, his second on the day. Prukop finished with 204 total yards in the game.
After starting 0-3 on the season, Memphis has now won its last five game in the route and arguably might by the hottest team in the USFL this season.
"I told the guys if we fix the two or three small things there is we might have something cooking later down the road," Haley said.
After the Michigan Panthers lost on the road Sunday evening to the New Orleans Breakers, the second playoff spot in the North division has yet to be claimed. With a matchup next Sunday against the Philadelphia Stars, the tough task still can be achieved.
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