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Maulers vs. Panthers final score, results: Troy Williams lifts Pittsburgh to OT win, berth in USFL title game

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Nick Brinkerhoff
• 18 min read
Troy Williams, Pittsburgh Maulers
(Getty Images)

Defense wins championships, but offense wins divisions. 

The USFL's North Division title game between the Panthers and Maulers was supposed to be an old-school defensive battle, and it was — for one half. Then the game opened up at a time when defenses are supposed to shine. 

From the second-half kickoff until the final play in overtime, it seemed as if there were two completely different teams on the field.

MORE: Watch USFL playoff games live with Fubo (free trial)

Michigan didn't look like the group that was plagued by turnovers in the opening 30 minutes as E.J. Perry lit up the Canton sky. Pittsburgh was in control until a third-quarter meltdown sent them to the final 15 with a seven-point deficit.

But Maulers quarterback Troy Williams would not be denied as he carried his team to a 31-27 victory and a spot in the USFL championship game. 

The late-game mayhem started when Pittsburgh's Chris Blewitt kicked a go-ahead 59-yard field goal. Michigan responded with a long touchdown that was initially called back for a facemask penalty but restored after review. The Maulers responded with a touchdown on fourth-and-goal with 39 seconds to play. Too much time remained, though, and Michigan drove for a game-tying field goal that forced overtime. 

From there, Pittsburgh regained its form and the league's top-ranked defense stopped the Panthers on both of their 2-point conversion attempts.

The Maulers await the winner of Sunday's South Division title game between the Stallions and Breakers. The USFL championship game is set for July 1 in Canton. 

The Sporting News tracked live updates and highlights from Saturday's USFL playoff game between the Maulers and Panthers. Follow along below. 

Maulers vs. Panthers live score

  1 2 3 4 OT F
Panthers 3 0 14 10 0 27
Maulers 3 7 0 17 4 31

Maulers vs. Panthers updates, highlights from USFL playoff game

(All times Eastern)

End of overtime: Maulers 31, Panthers 27

11:37 p.m. — DEFLECTED AND THIS ONE IS OVER! The Pittsburgh Maulers defeat the Michigan Panthers to advance to the USFL championship on July 1. Tremendous defense from the Maulers in overtime. 

11:36 p.m. — Troy Williams calls his own number and converts the try himself! Pittsburgh needs one stop to advance to the championship game. 

11:34 p.m. — The try for Michigan is unsuccessful! Stevie Scott III loses the ball before the goal line and the Maulers can take full control now.  

11:32 p.m. — Successful try from Pittsburgh. They put two on the board to get overtime started. 

11:31 p.m. — It's an overtime shootout in Canton. Each team will get three attempts to score from two yards out. Whoever finished with more points in these three attempts will be the winner. 

End of regulation: Panthers 27, Maulers 27

11:27 p.m. — IT IS GOOD! Murphy ties the game as time expires and we are headed to overtime in Canton. 

11:26 p.m. — Four seconds. Michigan has marched all the way into field goal range. Cole Murphy lines up from 47 yards out. 

11:24 p.m. — Only 12 seconds remain. Michigan is at the Pittsburgh 45 and should be able to at least attempt the tying field goal. 

11:23 p.m. — Second charged timeout for Michigan with 21 seconds to go. The Panthers are at their own 46. 

Maulers 27, Panthers 24

11:18 p.m. — TOUCHDOWN! WILLIAMS TO ISHMAEL HYMAN FOR THE LEAD! The post route beats the defense and might send the Maulers to the championship game. 39 seconds left for Michigan's response. They have two timeouts. 

11:17 p.m. — It all comes down to this. Fourth and goal from the seven with 44 seconds remaining. The Maulers have to find the end zone and they are out of timeouts. Nervous moments for the black and gold sideline. 

11:15 p.m. — ANOTHER FLAG! A brutal false start — the second from the center tonight — pushes Pittsburgh back five yards. 

11:14 p.m. — Down to the four! First and goal as the Maulers are knocking on the door. 

11:13 p.m. — Another penalty! But this time it's a costly one on Michigan, with a pass interference awarding the Maulers with a first down. 

11:12 p.m. — Penalties are accumulating for the Pittsburgh offense. They face a third and forever with just over a minute to go. 

11:07 p.m. — And there goes Groshek! The Maulers running back hauls in the pass and takes it down to the Michigan 27 yard line. 

11:06 p.m. — It's the two minute warning and if the last few minutes of play are any indication, this one is far from over. Buckle up. 

Panthers 24, Maulers 20

11:01 p.m. — CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? A LONG TOUCHDOWN FROM PERRY TO TREY QUINN!! The play was initially called back for a facemask, but after review, the play is reversed. PANDEMONIUM IN CANTON!

Maulers 20, Panthers 17

10:56 p.m. — CHRIS BLEWITT FROM WAY DOWNTOWN! So much for bad special teams play, right? A 59-yarder explodes off the kicker's leg and drills it through the uprights. Pittsburgh takes the lead!

10:54 p.m. — It's getting ugly in Canton. Poor special teams play, bad decisions and questionable coaching calls are really showcasing why these teams are both 4-6. 

10:50 p.m. — Special teams, yikes. After the fake punt, the Panthers miss a 52-yard field goal to keep this one knotted at 17. Pittsburgh takes over on their own 42. 

10:42 p.m. — FAKE PUNT! After a failed end-around, the Maulers try a fake punt and come up empty. Pittsburgh's decision making has left a lot to be desired tonight. If the Maulers were going for it, why not leave the offense on the field?

10:40 p.m. — Maulers are on the move again. It's been a seesaw contest from the second half kickoff.  

10:36 p.m. — Nearly intercepted! Perry goes back to his first half style of play and almost turns it over again. The drive stalls anyway and Troy Williams goes back to work. 

10:34 p.m. — That was a good drive from the Maulers, who were reeling ever since the second half kicked off. Now we'll see how Michigan answers. 

Panthers 17, Maulers 17

10:32 p.m. — TOUCHDOWN! Bailey Gaither on the jet sweep finds the end zone without any trouble. Blewitt adds the extra point and, you guessed it, we are tied again. 

10:27 p.m. — Another quarter, another bad penalty from Michigan. A roughing the passer flag sets up Pittsburgh around the 10-yard-line. 

10:25 p.m. — If the Maulers can't figure out a way to win this game, they'll be looking back on all those first half turnovers they were unable to score off. Mike Nolan's group has really found their game since halftime.

End of third quarter: Panthers 17, Maulers 10

10:22 p.m. — Pittsburgh is starting to find their rhythm again now. They are on the move as we head to the final quarter. 

10:20 p.m. — The second half defensive adjustments from Michigan are working beautifully right now. Pittsburgh is on the ropes. 

Panthers 17, Maulers 10

10:14 p.m. — MOVE OVER COLLEGE WORLD SERIES! WE HAVE A HOME RUN IN CANTON! E.J. Perry goes for it all and gets it with Marcus Simms for a 72-yard highlight-reel touchdown. Extra point is good and that's an impressive turnaround from the Panthers. 

10:12 p.m. — The Maulers drive ends with a whimper as they punt it back to Michigan. 

10:10 p.m. — A wild sequence in Canton. It was third and long, but three penalties are called on the play. In the end, they all offset, but Michigan missed a huge chance for a turnover. 

Panthers 10, Maulers 10

10:02 p.m. — TOUCHDOWN! Back out of the commercial break and Perry's legs continue to reward Michigan on this drive. He scrambles up the middle and gets six up on the board. The extra point from Murphy is good and we are once again, tied. 

9:58 p.m. — Perry is dropping some dimes in right now. Back-to-back beauties down the sideline gives the Panthers first and goal. 

9:56 p.m. — Michigan is emptying the playbook on their opening drive of the second half. A scramble by Perry gets them a key first down and then a double reverse was going to work to perfection, but Walker slips — settling for a two-yard loss. 

9:53 p.m. — Stopped! Pittsburgh gambles on fourth down, but gets stuffed by the Panthers defense. Is that the spark that gets Michigan going?

9:48 p.m. — Second half action is underway in Canton as the Maulers offense gets us going in the final 30 minutes. 

9:46 p.m. — Check out some of the best mic'd up moments before the second half kicks off. 

End of first half: Maulers 10, Panthers 3

9:37 p.m. — As expected, defenses dominated the opening 30 minutes and poor play from the offense has helped them out as well. Pittsburgh is controlling play, but still somehow only up by a touchdown. Michigan should feel lucky with the results so far. 

9:35 p.m. — BLOCKED! Ray Horton's decision to settle for three backfired and Blewitt's attempt from 28 yards out is blocked and ends up wide of the left post. They'll get the ball to start the second half, but a missed opportunity to add on. 

9:33 p.m. — A bit of a head-scratcher from Pittsburgh. They run the clock all the way down to a second on the clock to setup a field goal try. The Maulers are fine with the points to make it a two-possession game, it seems. 

9:31 p.m. — HUGE catch and run from Isiah Hennie sets up the Maulers with a chance to find the end zone again. 

9:29 p.m. — Some foreshadowing from Tezino after his fumble recovery?

9:28 p.m. — INTERCEPTED! After a promising play to open the drive, Perry forces one down to the field to Joe Walker and it's picked off by Arnold Tarpley III. Turnover No. 3 for Michigan and an awful decision from Perry. They are lucky this game is still separated by one possession on the scoreboard. 

9:22 p.m. — Survey says, "No. No they cannot." A false start erases a field goal opportunity and the Panthers will get a chance in the hurry-up offense with just over a minute on the clock. Meanwhile, Tezino is strolling around with the turnover hammer. 

9:19 p.m. — Two minute warning in Canton. Can the Maulers add on before the half?

9:15 p.m. — ANOTHER FUMBLE! Perry completes the pass to the tight end Cole Hikutini, who promptly drops the ball while trying to regain his rooting. Pittsburgh's Kyahva Tezino scoops it up and that's the second turnover of the day for Michigan. 

9:09 p.m. — SACK! A big play for the Michigan defense ends the drive for the Maulers and they'll have to punt. With both defenses controlling the game, neither side can afford a big deficit. 

9:06 p.m. — Lack of discipline is hurting the Panthers so far. Another big 15-yard penalty and Pittsburgh is in business. 

9:02 p.m. — Another quiet drive for Michigan ends and Pittsburgh takes over once again. 

8:59 p.m. — As the Panthers offense goes back to work, let's take another look at the Maulers celly in the end zone. There would be more than a few 10s for those moves. 

Maulers 10, Panthers 3

8:55 p.m. — TOUCHDOWN! Garrett Groshek goes up the gut and punches one into the end zone for a Maulers touchdown. Blewitt adds the extra point and Pittsburgh grabs their first lead of the day. 10-3. 

8:53 p.m. — Williams tosses one over the middle on third and long, which sets up the 4th and short. The Maulers lined up to go for it, but didn't have to worry. The hard count gets Michigan to jump and it's first and goal. 

8:51 p.m. — FUMBLE! Pittsburgh's defense does it again and gets another takeaway! Michigan has been plagued through both matchups by turnovers and now they hand the Maulers a short field to work with. First down from the Michigan 13-yard-line. 

8:48 p.m. — Pittsburgh's second drive ends quietly too. They are forced to punt. The defenses are settling in now. 

8:43 p.m. — Defense has been the name of the game so far, but a pass interference penalty opens the second quarter. It was the right read from Lavonta Taylor — who nearly took it the other way for six — but too much contact.

End of first quarter: Panthers 3, Maulers 3

8:39 p.m. — After 15 minutes, these teams are still knotted at three in what was a fast first quarter in Canton. 

8:35 p.m. — Intentional grounding is called on Perry to set up a 3rd and 19 for Michigan on their second drive. After a good start, this is about as opposite as it gets on drive No. 2. The Panthers will be forced to punt. 

Panthers 3, Maulers 3

8:30 p.m. — Like Michigan's opening drive, Pittsburgh stalls out too. Chris Blewitt trots out and knocks one through the uprights too. We are tied in Canton. 

8:26 p.m. — Our first introduction to referee Bryan Banks comes just a few plays into the drive. It's a facemask penalty on Michgan and flips the field for the Maulers. They've quickly marched into Michigan territory. 

8:24 p.m. — After a 15-play drive that melted over eight minutes off the clock, it's Troy Williams turn for Pittsburgh to lead his offense onto the field. 

Panthers 3, Maulers 0

8:21 p.m. — After the Scott highlight, the drive stalls for the Panthers. They didn't pick up another yard. A sprint-out right cuts the field in half and nothing was there for Perry. Cole Murphy knocks one through the uprights to give Michigan a 3-0 lead. 

8:19 p.m. — WHAT A GRAB! Stevie Scott III hauls an errant pass in with one hand, slips through defenders and barrels his way down to the five. It's first and goal for Michigan.

8:14 p.m. — Perry has his team moving down the field with ease. Only three minutes in and Michigan has driven to the Pittsburgh 37. Not a great start for a Maulers group that relies on defense. 

8:12 p.m. — For a playoff game, attendance in Canton is definitely light. Crowd noise probably won't be an issue tonight. 

8:10 p.m. — And we're off in Canton. E.J. Perry leads his troops onto the field for the Panthers to get this one started. 

8:01 p.m. — The countdown to kickoff is approaching its final minutes as Jac Collinsworth and Jason Garrett welcome us to the broadcast on NBC. 

7:50 p.m. — Players are warming up and kick off is just around the corner in Canton. 

7 p.m. — Kickoff is still an hour away and there's plenty of time to place your bets before we get underway. Check out Sporting News' picks for tonight here. 

6:55 p.m. — Each team has released their list of inactive players prior to kickoff. 

6:35 p.m. — Look good. Play good. Are the Maulers feeling good on this Saturday night in June? 

6:30 p.m. — The field is set for USFL playoff action. Take a look at the fancy end zones inside the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. 

Maulers vs. Panthers start time

  • Date: Saturday, June 24
  • Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET

The USFL playoff matchup between the Maulers and Panthers will kick off at 8 p.m. ET from the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. 

What channel is Maulers vs. Panthers on today?

Saturday's USFL playoff action between the Maulers and Panthers will be broadcast on NBC.

Cord cutters can catch all the action on Peacock or Fubo, which comes with a free trial for new subscribers.

MORE: What you need to know about the 2023 USFL playoff schedule

Division championships

Saturday, June 24

Matchup Time (ET) Location TV Live stream
Michigan Panthers vs. Pittsburgh Maulers 8 p.m. Canton NBC Peacock, Fubo

Sunday, June 25

Matchup Time (ET) Location TV Live stream
New Orleans Breakers vs. Birmingham Stallions 7 p.m. Birmingham Fox Fubo

Saturday, July 1

Matchup Time (ET) Location TV Live stream
TBD vs. TBD 8 p.m. Canton NBC Peacock, Fubo
Author(s)
Author Photo
Nick Brinkerhoff
Nick Brinkerhoff is an editorial intern at The Sporting News.
American Football
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