USFL Week 4 highlights: Memphis tops Michigan for first win of season

Week 4 of the 2023 USFL season is in full swing, and we’ve got you covered with all the action around the league!

On Saturday night’s slate, the Memphis Showboats (1-3) secured their first win of the season, beating the Michigan Panthers (2-2), 29-10.

Earlier on FOX, the Houston Gamblers (2-2) crushed the Philadelphia Stars (1-3), winning 41-16 in Detroit.

See the full list of regular-season week-by-week matchups here.

Here are the top plays!

Memphis Showboats 29, Michigan Panthers 10

Big leg for Memphis

The teams kept each other out of the end zone in the first quarter, with no touchdowns through six possessions.

But Alex Kessman made a big impact for Memphis, drilling a pair of long-range field goals — a 53-yarder and a 54-yarder — to give the Showboats a 6-0 lead.

Memphis gets in the end zone!

Memphis capitalized on an eight-play 68-yard drive with a Cole Kelley 1-yard rushing touchdown. That came after a 32-yard pass to get the Showboats in scoring position.

Memphis led 13-0 midway through the second quarter.

The Showboats with a defensive stop before halftime!

Memphis spoiled Michigan’s 53-yard drive with an interception by Jermaine Kelly Jr. in the end zone, which ended the first half.

The Showboats led 13-3.

Memphis up after 3

Neither team scored a touchdown in the third quarter, but the Showboats created more distance between them and the Panthers after Kessman knocked in another field goal, putting Memphis up 16-3 entering the fourth.

Michigan punched back!

Building on their drive to end the third quarter, the Panthers finally found the end zone three minutes into the fourth quarter, thanks to a 3-yard touchdown pass from Josh Love to Joe Walker.

The Panthers’ scoring drive consisted of 14 plays, 64 yards and 7:51 off the clock.

Showboats made it a two-score game

On the ensuing possession, the Showboats constructed a 13-play, 64-yard drive which resulted in a 6-yard touchdown run for Kelley — his second rushing touchdown of the night. Memphis led 23-10.

Memphis put it away with a turnover

Memphis forced a fumble on Michigan’s next possession and took it in for a touchdown, extending its lead to 29-10 and securing its first win of the season.

Setting the stage

The Panthers are coming off their first loss of the season, while the Showboats are still looking for their first victory.

All eyes will be on quarterback Cole Kelley, who completed 21 of 38 passes for a whopping 307 yards and two touchdowns in week’s loss to the Gamblers, to lead Memphis this week.

On the other side, Josh Love came into Week 3 as the unquestioned starter for the Panthers. Having earned USFL Offensive Player of the Week to open the season, the gap between him and backup Carson Strong continues to widen.

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