The Return of the USFL
04/15/2022
By: Matthew Cahill
Previewing the Return of the Spring Football League
If NFL free agency news isn’t enough for some of you diehard football fans, then maybe the return of the USFL will help scratch that football itch for the time being. The United States Football League, better known as the USFL, originally formed in 1983 to provide football fans with something to watch during the spring/summer months while the NFL and CFB were in their offseason. They were fairly successful, completing three full seasons, but fell apart during its attempt to move to a fall schedule and directly compete with the NFL.
Today’s iteration of the USFL kicks off this Saturday, as the New Jersey Generals face the Birmingham Stallions at 6:30 PM EST on Fox and NBC. Instead of trying to press its luck like it did in the eighties, the league seems to know its place, as it is branding itself as an entertaining way for families to enjoy football without having to pay NFL prices. Tickets are just $10, and kids under 15 years of age get in for free with a parent. It’s also aiming to create a faster paced, offensive-minded product with some progressive rules to keep casual viewers entertained.
Notable Rule Changes
- 3-Point conversions: Teams have the option to attempt a 3-Point conversion from the 10-yard line in addition to the conventional 1 and 2-point conversions we see in the NFL.
- Shortened play clock: The USFL has a 35-second play clock, compared to the 40-second play clock of the NFL.
- An alternate to onside kicks: Teams will have the option to run a fourth-and-12 play from their own 33-yard line instead of attempting an onside kick.
- Overtime shootout: Similar to the NHL, teams will participate in a best-of-3 series trying to score from the 2 yard line. If no team scores after the first three attempts, it’s sudden death.
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