MEMPHIS — Case Cookus returned from an injury last season to throw three touchdown passes and lead the Philadelphia Stars to a 27-23 win and spoil the Memphis Showboats' return to the USFL on Saturday.
Cookus, who suffered a broken leg during last season's playoff loss to Birmingham, didn't miss a beat. He finished the afternoon completing 20 of his 29 passes for 212 yards and ran for 31 yards.
Devin Gray led the Stars wide receiving corps with seven receptions for 77 yards and a score. Matt Colburn also had a touchdown reception in the win.
The Stars (1-0) got off to a quick start, as Cookus and the Philadelphia offense scored touchdowns on three of their four first-half possessions to take a 20-10 halftime lead.
However, Memphis got their offense on track in the second half, and scored touchdowns on back-to-back drives to pull within three points.
Special teams played a major role — good and bad — for both teams on Saturday.
The Showboats (0-1) blocked two Stars kicks, but a missed extra-point kick of their own and a punt through the end zone by Memphis late in the game made a big difference in their comeback attempt.
Chris Rowland had a breakout game for the Stars on both special teams and offense, returning three kicks for 99 yards and catching a touchdown pass.
Memphis quarterback Brady White completed 16 of 29 passes for 182 yards, threw two touchdowns and had one interception.
The Showboats used a long, time-consuming drive — that burned nearly eight minutes off the clock — to cut into Philadelphia's lead in the final quarter.
Running back Alex Collins capped off the drive with a one-yard plunge to make the score 27-23 with 7:24 remaining.
The Showboats defense would manage to force Philadelphia to punt on their following two possessions, giving White a chance to lead a game-winning drive for Memphis.
The Showboats would get as far as the the Philadelphia 39-yard line with under a minute to play. However, the Stars defense stood tall, forcing Showboats to turn the ball over on downs, and Cookus ran the clock out to secure the win.
Philadelphia 7 13 7 0 = 27
Memphis 7 3 7 6 = 23
First Quarter
PHL—C. Rowland 6 pass from C. Cookus (L. Aguliar kick), 6:21.
MEM—R. Davis 43 pass from B. White (A. Kessman kick), 1:01.
Second Quarter
PHL—M. Colburn 5 pass from C. Cookus (L. Aguliar kick), 10:30.
PHL—D. Williams 12 run (kick blocked), 1:55.
MEM—A. Kessman 28 field goal, 0:41.
Third Quarter
MEM—R. McDainel 29 pass from B. White (A. Kessman kick), 6:26.
PHL—D. Gray 14 pass from C. Cookus (L. Aguliar kick), 0:13.
Fourth Quarter
MEM—A. Collins 1 run (kick failed), 7:24.
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