Memphis Showboats USFL Betting
It was a wild roller coaster ride for the 2023 Memphis Showboats. After flopping out of the gate, Memphis became the hottest team in the USFL. Then, with the playoffs in range, the Showboats ran out of steam. In the regular season finale, The Birmingham Stallions solidified their playoff spot by defeating the Memphis Showboats with a score of 27-20. This USFL thriller saw both teams showcasing their prowess, but Birmingham’s performance was ultimately the deciding factor. Quarterback Alex McGough made USFL history.
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Memphis Showboats 2023 Season Overview and Week 10 Recap
Last week the Memphis Showboats lost to the Birmingham Stallions by a score of 27-20 as 4-point dogs. The game went over the total of 43.5. As a result, Memphis has a record of 5-5, good for 4th place in the USFL South Division. Memphis has USFL metrics of 7th for offensive yardage, 7th for rushing yardage, 6th for passing yardage, and 5rd for scoring offense. On defense, Memphis ranks 6th for total yards allowed, 5th for rushing yards allowed, 7th for passing yards allowed, and 5th for points permitted.
The Birmingham Stallions had already clinched a playoff berth and the right to be the home team next week in the South Division Championship.
Stallions head coach Skip Holtz said he gave his players the option to sit out Saturday's regular-season finale against the Memphis Showboats. Everyone, including starting quarterback and leading MVP candidate Alex McGough, chose to play — a good omen for the Stallions.
The dynamic duo of McGough and tight end Jace Sternberger connected on a 46-yard touchdown with under five minutes left to lift the Stallions over the host, the Showboats, 27-20 at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
The loss eliminated Memphis (5-5) from playoff contention and ensured the defending USFL champion Stallions (8-2) will have the No. 1 seed heading into the postseason.
Memphis jumped on the Stallions early when speedy return man Derrick Dillon zig-zagged his way across the field for a 90-yard kick return for a score on the opening kickoff. Dillon finished with 236 return yards on six kick returns. Dillon also had a 109-yard return for a score off a missed field goal earlier this season.
The Showboats held that lead for most of the game, as the Stallions turned the ball over three times in Memphis territory. However, the Stallions took their first lead with 33 seconds left in the third quarter on an 18-yard bolt through the middle of the Memphis defense by C.J. Marable, putting the Stallions up 20-17 heading into the final quarter.
McGough finished 22-of-33 for 282 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception. He also rushed for 32 yards.
For Memphis, quarterback Cole Kelley completed 20 of 30 passes for 154 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. Running back Ezra Gray had a nice game running the football with starter Kerrith Whyte out nursing an ankle injury, totaling 82 rushing yards on 16 carries, including a long of 37 yards.
The Showboats were welcomed by football fans locally in the USFL's return to Memphis, experiencing home-field advantage for the first time after playing all their games in Birmingham as the Tampa Bay Bandits last season. Memphis consistently had a core group of fans show up for home games this season. The USFL already committed to Memphis continuing as one of the league hubs to host games in 2024. The Showboats started the season 0-3 but finished the year winning five of their last seven games.
Memphis went 2-3 at home.
Haley hosted a weekly radio show in Memphis and enjoyed the camaraderie built by his team traveling to different hub cities by plane, like Canton and Detroit, along with bus trips to Birmingham.
2023 Memphis Showboats Season Schedule
| WEEK |
MATCHUP |
RESULT |
RECORD |
| April 15 |
vs. Philadelphia Stars |
L 23-27 |
0-1 |
| April 22 |
@ Birmingham Stallions |
L 2-42 |
0-2 |
| April 29 |
@ Houston Gamblers |
L 26-30 |
0-3 |
| May 6 |
@ Michigan Panthers |
W 29-10 |
1-3 |
| May 14 |
@ New Orleans Breakers |
W 17-10 |
2-3 |
| May 20 |
vs. Pittsburgh Maulers |
W 22-0 |
3-3 |
| May 28 |
vs. Houston Gamblers |
W 23-20 |
4-3 |
| June 4 |
@ New Jersey Generals |
W 25-16 |
5-3 |
| June 10 |
vs. New Orleans Breakers |
L 3-31 |
5-4 |
| June 17 |
vs. Birmingham Stallions |
L 20-27 |
5-5 |
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