A week after earning their first USFL victory of the season, the Pittsburgh Maulers couldn’t maintain that winning momentum Sunday in a 26-16 loss to New Orleans Breakers at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Ala.
Vad Lee completed 17 of 34 passes for 198 yards and a touchdown, as well as two interceptions for the Maulers (1-5). He also ran for a score.
New Orleans (4-2) opened up a 10-0 halftime lead after Anthony Jones ran for a 1-yard TD, and Taylor Bertolet kicked a 22-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, Ramiz Ahmed booted a 37-yard field goal for the Maulers to make it 10-3, but the Breakers answered when Jordan Ellis scored on a 5-yard run with 1:35 left in the quarter.
The Maulers made it 23-9 early in the fourth quarter when Lee found Bailey Gaither on a 22-yard touchdown pass to cap a six-play, 45-yard drive.
The Maulers then marched 58 yards in 10 plays on their next drive, punctuated by Lee’s 4-yard scoring scamper to make it 23-16.
A New Orleans field goal made it 26-16, and the Maulers were unable to score on their final possession before time ran out.
The Maulers will return to action May 29 against the Birmingham Stallions (6-0).
