Former Utah Quarterback Named USFL Offensive Player Of Week
May 15, 2023, 11:59 AM | Updated: 2:00 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – Former Utah Utes quarterback Troy Williams received Offensive Player of the Week honors for his play in the Pittsburgh Maulers’ win over the Michigan Panthers in Week 5 of the 2023 USFL season.
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The Panthers hosted the Maulers at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan on Saturday, May 13.
Williams scored three total touchdowns to help the Maulers capture a 23-7 victory over the Panthers.
On Monday, May 15, the former Utah signal-caller was rewarded with Offensive Player of the Week accolades from the USFL. Williams earned the honor over Alex McGough (Birmingham Stallions), Mark Thompson (Houston Gamblers), and Cole Kelley (Memphis Showboats).
Your Week 5 Offensive Player of the Week is @USFLMaulers QB @TroyWilliams_3 ⚒️👏 pic.twitter.com/sMmlj8neV3
— USFL (@USFL) May 15, 2023
During Saturday’s win, Williams tossed a pair of touchdown passes and ran for another score to lead Pittsburgh to its second win of the season.
He finished the game 15/19 passing for 184 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He also posted a QBR of 120.2.
Williams added 10 carries for 59 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
The former Utah standout’s first touchdown came on a four-yard pass to Mason Stokke. The strike gave Pittsburgh its first points of the contest and tied the game at 7-7 with 2:02 remaining in the opening quarter.
Here's another look at @mlstokke's TD 😤
🎥: @USANetwork pic.twitter.com/DHBgc60oHM
— Pittsburgh Maulers (@USFLMaulers) May 13, 2023
A few minutes later, Williams threw his second touchdown toss of the day. He hit Isiah Hennie for five yards and six points to give the Maulers a 14-7 lead with 13:38 left until halftime.
Williams ➡️ Hennie
🎥: @USANetwork pic.twitter.com/19JF3YpC2R
— Pittsburgh Maulers (@USFLMaulers) May 13, 2023
Williams scored his third and final touchdown of the game with his legs in the fourth quarter. The quarterback burst for 13 yards and across the goal line to stretch Pittsburgh’s lead to 23-7 with 3:09 to go on the game clock.
"Mama, There Goes That Man!"
13-yard TD run for @TroyWilliams_3
🎥: @USANetwork pic.twitter.com/56cyegIWsb
— Pittsburgh Maulers (@USFLMaulers) May 13, 2023
With the win, the Maulers improved their record to 2-3 this season.
RELATED: Troy Williams Throws TD Pass, Leads Maulers To Win Over Stars
Pittsburgh’s next game is on the road against the Memphis Showboats on Saturday, May 20 at 10:30 am. (MDT). The game will be televised on USA.
About Troy Williams
Prior to his professional career, the Carson, California native attended Washington and Santa Monica College before transferring to the University of Utah. Williams played for the Utes from 2016-17.
POV: playing football with Week 5’s Offensive Player of the Week at recess, @TroyWilliams_3 🏈
Thanks for having us, Highland Elementary 📚 pic.twitter.com/m4GaMH4V73
— Pittsburgh Maulers (@USFLMaulers) May 15, 2023
During his two seasons with Utah, Williams threw for 3,569 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions with a 53 percent completion rate. He also ran the ball 151 times for 310 yards and nine touchdowns.
After his college career, Williams played in the Canadian Football League from 2019-22.
This season in the USFL, Williams has thrown for 590 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. He’s added 207 yards and two touchdowns with his legs.
Do your dance, @TroyWilliams_3 ✨ pic.twitter.com/wWQG02X634
— Pittsburgh Maulers (@USFLMaulers) May 13, 2023
About the USFL
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2023 USFL Teams
- Birmingham Stallions
- Houston Gamblers
- Memphis Showboats*
- Michigan Panthers
- New Jersey Generals
- New Orleans Breakers
- Pittsburgh Maulers
- Philadelphia Stars
*new franchise for the 2023 season – Memphis replaced the Tampa Bay Bandits (temporary hiatus)
The original edition of the USFL started in 1982. The league played three seasons before ceasing operations in 1986. The 18-team league faced competition from the NFL.
In June 2021, the USFL announced it would return with an eight-team league in 2022. The league’s 2022 regular season schedule was played in only two locations in Birmingham, Alabama. The games were televised nationally on NBC or FOX.
The 2023 regular season games will be played in Detroit, Michigan, Canton, Ohio, Birmingham, Alabama, and Memphis, Tennessee.
The USFL is the third major professional football league operating in the United States in 2023. In addition to the USFL and NFL, the twice-defunct XFL rebooted for a third time in February.
.@TroyWilliams_3 had himself a day. 💪 🙌 🏈#LocalsInTheUSFL #USFL #GoUtes https://t.co/qwA4O4eNdj
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) May 13, 2023
However, unlike the USFL, the 2023 edition of the XFL includes a partnership with the NFL. The XFL previously ceased its operations in 2001 and 2020. A year before the XFL’s second stint, another football league, the Alliance of American Football (AAF) ceased to operate.
Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com and co-host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
