Philadelphia Stars Go Even on the Season After Edging Out Bandits

Week six starts with the Tampa Bay Bandits taking on the Philadelphia Stars.

Jordan Ta’amu and the Bandits will look to continue their momentum to another win. The south division is close and, every victory matters in the second half of the season as we approach the playoffs.

Bryan Scott is still out for the Stars, so we’ll see Case Cookus come in for another start. Cookus came out hot in his first showing, but didn’t have enough steam to stomp out the undefeated Birmingham Stallions in week 5. This could be his tallest task of the season, but if he can pull it out, Philadelphia will be looking in good shape to grab the #2 spot in the north.

It’s not just any Saturday.

First we have @USFL, then it’s off to the races with the 147th running of the @PreaknessStakes. We finish the day off with more USFL action.@Thisisvo pic.twitter.com/sXSObEo1TL

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 21, 2022

1st Quarter

Tampa Bay wins the coin toss, opting to kickoff to start the game. Case Cookus and the Stars would have possession to begin week 6, and they would want to get a hot start to get the rebound.

Philadelphia isn’t know for their ground game, in fact their last in the league. That didn’t stop Darnell Holland from moving the chains on the first play of the afternoon.

We’re coming in HOT to start the game 🥵💨

📺” @NBCSports @PeacockTV pic.twitter.com/FUHcNGgXHK

— Philadelphia Stars (@USFLStars) May 21, 2022

We also saw the return of the USFL drones this weekend, marking the first time we’ve seen them since week 3.

Case Cookus ended the drive by going long, but his receiver could not bring it in; forcing them to punt it away quick.

Tampa Bay would now have their possession of the afternoon, with Jordan Ta’amu coming in behind the ball. It was a quick drive, but not a good one for the Bandits. For the first time in two weeks, Ta’amu was picked off. The Stars were now within 20 of the end-zone.

INTERCEPTION! 💥@AmaniDennis29 coming up BIG 👏

📺: @NBCSports @PeacockTV pic.twitter.com/lk45w664LG

— Philadelphia Stars (@USFLStars) May 21, 2022

Cookus now had a chance to redeem himself for his last drive, and was in good position to do so. It didn’t take long, just a few plays before he made went for it. Cookus targeted Bug Howard in the end-zone for the first touchdown of the afternoon. The extra-point gave them an early 7-0 lead with 10:31 left in the first quarter.

TOUCHDOWN ⭐️

Too easy for @ThaBugMan 🔥

📺: @NBCSports @PeacockTV pic.twitter.com/wMNEfms46u

— Philadelphia Stars (@USFLStars) May 21, 2022

Tampa Bay’s offense came back on the field, but it was more of the same. Ta’amu failed to find any rhythm on drive, ultimately punting it back to Philly fast.

The Stars had a chance to add to their lead, but other than a nice pass to Bug Howards the drive fizzled away fast.

After a long punt, Jordan Ta’amu would start the drive from their own 4-yard line. Still, the offense…