CANTON - Old or new, some things appear to stay the same,
The Philadelphia Stars appeared in all three of the original United States Football League championship games and were victorious in the 1984 and 1985 games. Fast forward to 2022, and the Stars are once again in heading there again after their 19-14 upset of the New Jersey Generals in the first semifinals game on Saturday.
The Generals, who won both matchups in the regular season, were considered the best team heading into the playoffs by virtue of their nine-game winning streak. Not to mention they claimed the top rushing attack and KaVontae Turpin, the League's MVP.
However, it was the performance of Stars quarterback Case Cookus, special teams plays and a stingy defense that was able to come up with two interceptions and a goal line stand at the end of the first half.
Cookus threw for 133 yards on 10 of 20 passing and 39 yards rushing on four rushing attempts along with a rushing touchdown.
New Jersey appeared to be getting their offense in gear, driving 64 yards in 12 plays to the Stars 28. Their scoring hopes would be dashed when a Louis Perez pass was picked off by Mazzi Wilkins at his own 4 and returned to the Generals 12
The Stars would capitalize on the turnover two plays later when Cookus ran in from eight yards to make the score 10-0.
The Generals would respond by driving down to the Philadelphia 7-yard line only to be stopped on a fourth-and-one play and be held scoreless heading into halftime.
While the game had little offense, two big special teams plays highlighted the second half, as each team scored touchdowns on a punt return. The first was by the Generals’ KaVontae Turpin who went 78 yards to give New Jersey its first lead of the game at 14-10 early in the third quarter, and other by the Stars’ Maurice Alexander, an 87-yarder with 1:41 remaining that put Philadelphia ahead for good.
Their improbable playoff run will continue in the USFL championship game July 2 against the Birmingham Stallions.
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