On Friday night, the Memphis Showboats didn’t look like a 0-4 team playing a road game against the three-time championship Birmingham Stallions.
The Showboats looked like a completely different team from the moment they stepped onto the field. Led by quarterback Dresser Winn, a UFL rookie making his professional football debut, the Showboats built up an 11-0 lead in the first quarter. Unlike other games, where Memphis started strong early on, only to falter, the team went the distance on Friday night, pulling out a thrilling overtime win.
Here are five takeaways from the Showboat’s victory:
New Leadership and A New Look:
With Jim Turner taking the reins as the Showboats’ head coach and newly installed OC Noel Mazzone calling the plays, the Showboats finally began to look like a cohesive team.
Turner brings a completely different energy to the game. A former Marine, his energy, discipline, and enthusiasm spark a sense of urgency. He is confident, authoritative, and firm in directing his team. He communicates a strong feeling of “We’ve got this. Let’s close it out.”
After a dismal offensive performance a week ago, Mazzone showed what he can do with the Showboats’ offense. Both the passing game and the ground game looked much improved. More importantly, the offense hung tough to complete that final push and emerge with the victory.
Dresser Winn Has Earned the QB1 Role
Launching a stunning 78-yard touchdown bomb to Dee Anderson early in the game, Winn introduced himself to the UFL. The Winn to Anderson scoring play was the league’s longest reception this season. Winn looked strong and confident and displayed great field awareness in avoiding sacks and scrambling to make a critical play. He completed 17 of 29 attempts for 235 yards and a touchdown. Winn added two successful passes on 2-point conversions. If Winn continues to be as efficient and productive in leading the offense, the Showboats have a real shot at turning their season around.
The Ground Game is Taking Shape:
Deneric Prince is beginning to make a real impact on the ground. Prince led Memphis’ running attack, carrying it 12 times for 59 yards. He has 50 carries for 195 yards with one touchdown this season, with another 49 yards from five catches with a longest of 24 yards.
The Defense Comes Through Once Again
Defensive coordinator Jarren Horton’s group was outstanding on Friday night. The defense kept up the pressure on Stallions quarterback Case Cookus, causing him to misfire. Cookus finished the night completing only 15 out of 33 passes for 145 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. He added six carries for 83 rushing yards
Once again, Steele Chambers led the defense with 10 tackles. Chambers has 27 tackles, with Eli Walker close behind with 23. Friday night, Walker came up with the team’s first takeaway, a crucial interception. Walker had five tackles as well. Nasir Player forced a fumble, and P.J. Hall sacked Cookus. While the defense has demonstrated significant improvement under Horton, the group put it all together and had their most complete performance on Friday night.
Outstanding Special Teams Play
In one of the most exciting and explosive plays of the UFL season, wide receiver and special-teams return specialist Isiah Hennie caught a missed 63-yard field goal by Harrison Mevis and returned it 108 yards for the touchdown. Hennie’s sensational heads-up play stands as the UFL’s longest kick return.
Adding two more field goals on Friday from 37 and 32 yards, Matthew Coghlin continues to be one of the most consistent and reliable kickers in the league. However, he missed his first kick of the season from 57 yards, and sent the game into overtime.
Next Saturday, May 3rd, the Showboats have a chance to keep the winning momentum going when they travel to TDECU Stadium to take on the Houston Roughnecks. The game will be broadcast on ABC at 11:00 am CDT.
