It took 37 years but the Stars are back in the USFL Championship Game.
Philadelphia made the title game in 1984 and again in 1985 when the team was based in Baltimore.
On Saturday, the Philadelphia Stars got an 87-yard punt return in the fourth quarter and downed the New Jersey Generals, 21-19, to gain the title spot.
NORTH DIVISIONS CHAMPIONS ⭐️
️
WE’RE HEADING TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP 🥳 pic.twitter.com/pwqY8hSE1l— Philadelphia Stars (@USFLStars) June 25, 2022
The Stars will play either the New Orleans Breakers or Birmingham Stallions, who meet in the second semifinal later in the day at Tom Benson Stadium in Canton, Oh, too.
The league saw one punt return for a TD in its regular season.
There were two in the fourth quarter as the Stars and Generals traded big plays.
The winning return was by Maurice Alexander Jr. He took a punt on a bounce and took off for paydirt with less than two minutes left.
TOUCHDOWN OFF THE PUNT RETURN 🔥@_hardtime3 PUTS US BACK ON TOP 👏👏
📺: @FOXSports pic.twitter.com/K0KhdN83LI
— Philadelphia Stars (@USFLStars) June 25, 2022
Here is a drone cam replay of the TD:
Take a look at the Drone Cam view of @_hardtime3's punt return TD for the @USFLStars ⬇️🔥 pic.twitter.com/88YV6z6bId
— USFL (@USFL) June 25, 2022
Earlier in the quarter, league MVP KaVontae Turpin returned a punt 78 yards for six points to give New Jersey the lead.
THE MVP WITH THE GO-AHEAD TOUCHDOWN ‼️🏆
What a run by @KaVontaeTurpin
📺: @FOXSports pic.twitter.com/LNUy5c5iit
— New Jersey Generals (@USFLGenerals) June 25, 2022
That lead held up until Alexander’s game-winning play.
The Stars sealed the victory with a late interception.
PICKED 👋👋👋
📺: @FOXSports pic.twitter.com/xFTJ8Yar12
— Philadelphia Stars (@USFLStars) June 25, 2022
The title game will also be played in Tom Benson Stadium on July 3. It can be seen on FOX Sports.
See ya later, Generals 😉👋 pic.twitter.com/zotWgVDqHu
— Philadelphia Stars (@USFLStars) June 25, 2022
