The New Jersey Generals (2-1) faced off with the last remaining undefeated team in the USFL, the New Orleans Breakers (3-0) for an afternoon tilt of Division leaders from Tom Benson Stadium at Hall of Fame Village. It didn't take long for the Breakers to show how they have remained unbeaten through the first 3 weeks, with Quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson finding Tight End Sage Surratt for a catch and run of 36 yards.
A few plays later, running back Wes Hills toted the rock 9 yards to the end zone. New Jersey wasn't able to get much going offensively in the opening quarter, with running back Darius Victor fumbling on their opening drive. The highlight of the quarter for the Generals came when Safety Shalom Luani picked off Bethel-Thompson and gave the Generals good starting field position in the Breakers territory. However, the offense again wasn't able to get going and the Generals were forced to punt, with punter Brock Miller pinning the Breakers in the shadow of the goalposts at the 1 yard line.
Breakers Punter Matthew White takes the snap near the back of his own end zone.
New Jersey's offense was able to kick into gear in the 2nd quarter, with quarterback De'Andre Johnson hooking up with Cam Echols-Luper on a 62 yard catch and run for a touchdown to tie it up at 7 with 9:28 left in the half. The Breakers were able to answer on the following possession with a touchdown of their own. Hills again rumbled in for the score, this time from the 1 yard line to retake the lead 14-7 with 5:12 left in the 2nd quarter. The Generals were able to go on a time consuming 10 play drive that ended with a Nick Sciba 38 yard field goal to make the score 14-10 at halftime.
There was a scary moment in the early stages of the 3rd quarter. New Orleans safety Greg Eisworth went down on a play and was tended to immediately by medical personnel. After a few tense minutes, Eisworth was able to be helped to his feet before being carted to the locker room for further evaluation. Coach John DeFillippo stated postgame that Eisworth has movement in all extremities and overall the report from the doctors was very positive.
Players from both teams look on as Medical Staff attend to Breakers Safety Greg Eisworth
New Orleans got the scoring started in the 3rd with a Matt Coghlin 25 yard field goal to cap off a 14 play, 81 yard Breakers drive with 5:02 left in the quarter. New Jersey was able to answer, relying on the legs of Darius Victor, who got the Generals down to the Breakers 25 yard line on a 29 yard rush. It was Trey Williams however who took it from there, ultimately running it in from 20 yards out. Following Nick Sciba's successful extra point it was once again tied, this time at 17, which is how it stood as the 3rd quarter came to an end.
The New Jersey Generals line up from the red zone ahead of Trey Williams' Touchdown run.
New Orleans once again relied on the right leg of Matt Coghlin, who didn't let them down, splitting the uprights on a 25 yard attempt with 7:06 left in the 4th quarter, retaking the lead 20-17. New Jersey wasn't able to do much with the ball offensively in the 4th quarter, going 3 and out two times after the Breakers retook the lead. The lack of offensive success for much of the day for New Jersey (2-2) put an end to their 2 game win streak, while New Orleans (4-0) remains the last standing undefeated team in the USFL.
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