New Jersey Clinches Postseason Berth With Big Victory Over Tampa Bay

Week seven of the USFL kicked off with the 5-1 New Jersey Generals taking on the 3-3 Tampa Bay Bandits. New Jersey can potentially clinch a playoff berth with a win – while the Bandits are playing for their postseason lives in the South Division.

There’s a lot on the line in the first matchup of Week 7 ⚔️

Will the @USFLGenerals clinch a spot in the playoffs or will the @USFLBandits come out with the W? 🎖🤠 pic.twitter.com/wHtaYm04h3

— USFL (@USFL) May 27, 2022

Last week, New Jersey found a way to win in the final seconds, as Luis Perez dove over the goal line to beat Houston. On the other hand, Tampa Bay lost in a shootout with Philadelphia, falling just short down the stretch.

Let’s take a look at what happened in today’s matchup between these two teams – as it was an entertaining affair from start to finish.

First Quarter

New Jersey got the ball first, but looked stagnant offensively. Luis Perez was deemed the starter, as DeAndre Johnson was inactive due to an injury suffered last week. Despite Tampa Bay forcing a quick punt, the Bandits could not get things going on their end, as a Bryson Young sack quickly ended their first drive.

This defense looks ready to eat today 🍴 @blackhawk32698

📺 @USA_Network pic.twitter.com/Rcx6njDXlB

— New Jersey Generals (@USFLGenerals) May 28, 2022

This time, the Generals offense looked a lot more fluent. Darius Victor got the team off to a great start with a few excellent runs, before Perez found KaVontae Turpin who bounced off defenders into the endzone. Just like that, New Jersey led 7-0.

8 plays. 73 yards. 1 touchdown. WHAT A DRIVE.@KaVontaeTurpin takes it in for six and the Generals are off and running!

📺 @USA_Network pic.twitter.com/CpLOZNrSvM

— New Jersey Generals (@USFLGenerals) May 28, 2022

Tampa Bay started to march as the first quarter wound down, and made an impressive 4th down conversion on a beautiful throw from Jordan Ta’amu to his offensive lineman, Corbin Kaufusi. Heading into the second period, the Generals were up 7-0, but the Bandits were marching.

BIG MAN WITH THE HANDS 🔥🔥

Huge 4th down conversion ✅

📺: @USA_Network pic.twitter.com/GaXFVyL8Ym

— Tampa Bay Bandits (@USFLBandits) May 28, 2022

Second Quarter

The Bandits were able to capitalize on the good field position to start the second, but could not score a touchdown. A field goal from Ty Rausa was successfully kicked, and Tampa trailed 7-3.

Give us 3️⃣, we’re on the board 🙌

📺: @USA_Network pic.twitter.com/OEevS8DJvI

— Tampa Bay Bandits (@USFLBandits) May 28, 2022

Darius Victor and the Generals continued to dominate on the ground, however. A slow and methodical drive down the field put New Jersey inside Tampa’s redzone, and Victor did the rest. Up the middle he went on consecutive plays, until he finally found the endzone on an athletic dive – putting the Generals up 14-3.

.@yungvitov is running with a purpose today❗️

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