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The USFL's regular season will be half over after this weekend and we're starting to see who could be legitimate threats to capture the title in the first year of the reborn league. On Friday night, in a back-and-fourth battle, Tampa Bay took the lead for good when running back Juwan Washington scored on a 30-yard touchdown run with 3:46 remaining. Linebacker Emmanuel Beal sealed the Bandits' third win, 27-20 over the Michigan Panthers, when he recovered a Michigan fumble at midfield with 1:55 left.
Bandits quarterback Jordan Ta'amu threw touchdown passes to John Franklin III and Derrick Dillon. Franklin, a former quarterback and Last Chance U star, led the Bandits with 81 yards on five receptions that included his 43-yard touchdown catch. Tampa Bay moved to 3-2 on the season, while the Panthers fell to 1-4.
On Saturday, things heat up when the red-hot New Jersey Generals, winners of three straight and in first place in the North Division, take on the New Orleans Breakers, the USFL's other 3-1 team (3 p.m. ET on Fox, stream for free on fuboTV). Be sure to check out all the latest USFL news right here, including standings and the season schedule .
Keep coming back to keep track of the latest Week 5 action in our live blog below.
Saturday New Orleans Breakers at New Jersey Generals (3 p.m. ET on Fox)
Sunday Birmingham Stallions at Philadelphia Stars (Noon ET on NBC) Pittsburgh Maulers at Houston Gamblers (4 p.m. ET on Fox)
PICKED OFF That's the second INT of the day for @LuaniShalom 🔒 pic.twitter.com/0gKjPs5CWa
Shalom Luani makes his second pick of the game, this one in the shadow of his own end zone with the Breakers threatening to tie the score. Sloter had a receiver open on a shallow inside route but instead went for the big completion.
Breakers going up-tempo on this drive and they're quickly inside the red zone. Two more Generals defenders appear to be injured after the last play.
Sloter hits Adams as the Breakers are past midfield.
Sloter able to hit Johnny Dixon on the near sideline for a first down as the third quarter comes to an end.
.@KyleSloter was able to walk off the field after taking a hit 📺: @FOXSports pic.twitter.com/HArsmIXazN
Okkkkkk we see you, @twll3 👀👀 📺: @FoxSports pic.twitter.com/9jukkklMap
Sloter coming back in after Zach Smith initially jogged out on the field to begin the Breakers' next drive.
Kyle Sloter takes a big shot and remains on the ground. Didn't get hit in the head but took a shot to his chest shortly after he threw the ball.
UPDATE: The lightning delay is over and we're back on FOX as the @USFLBreakers & @USFLGenerals finish the second half in Birmingham 🙌
Rain is gone, sun is out, football has resumed.
Third quarter about to resume.
"It's a blessing just to be here and I take every day as an opportunity to be the best me."@BrockHuard asks @yungvitov his 'why?' pic.twitter.com/sHysepNkCy
"Thick Thighs Save Lives" 🤣🤣@yungvitov made sure to get this very important message through when he talked with @BrockHuard pic.twitter.com/bdfemli6Nn
Should be resuming play soon. When we do, the Breakers will have the ball, down 24-17, with 5:12 left in the third quarter.
Johnson and Victor have combined to run for 133 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries so far.
Deal 🤝 https://t.co/VzVRFDAls2
🌊🎖🌊 🌊🎖🌊 🎖🌊🎖 Tie game. We'll settle this on the field 🤝
Wanna play a game of tic tac toe while we're in this weather delay, @USFLGenerals? 🌊◼️◼️ ◼️◼️◼️ ◼️◼️◼️
Really cool how the USFL allows you into the locker room to see how players deal with weather delays. Some guys are just resting, others are in their phones, listening to music, and even eating.
WEATHER UPDATE: The @USFLBreakers and @USFLGenerals game has been delayed due to lightning in the area pic.twitter.com/041zKASd03
Lightning will temporarily delay today's game. We're nearing the end of the third quarter with the Generals ahead 24-17.
One of the Generals' big plays on their last drive. Johnson had several key runs while helping NJ re-take the lead.
Good luck trying to catch @dredadon14 on a 3rd down ✌️ 📺: @FoxSports pic.twitter.com/Quvl87Cv3u
Rainfall has descended upon Birmingham. Could certainly impact how the Breakers move the ball here on their next possession.
Darius Victor scores as the Generals re-take the lead on their first drive of the second half. Victor now has a league-high five rushing touchdowns this season.
Nice work by De'Andre Johnson to pick up the Generals' first first down of the second half on a QB run.
The score punctuated an 11-play, 70-yard drive that started with two incomplete passes and a near interception by the Generals.
Sloter hits Johnnie Dixon for the game-tying touchdown. Breakers have scored touchdowns on their last two drives after being held in check for most of the first half.
"Dave! Bring your *** to the end-zone with us!" 🤣 Listen in to some of the best mic'd up moments from the first half ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/HGgdLb3Gbc
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