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Replay: USFL semifinals from Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton

CANTON — After spending their entire 10-week regular season in the south — Birmingham, Alabama — the USFL headed north to the cradle of pro football for its entire postseason.

The USFL semifinals kicked off Saturday at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium right next door to the Hall of Fame and not too far from where the NFL was born a century ago at the Ralph Hay's Hupmobile in Downtown Canton.

The Philadelphia Stars defeated the New Jersey Generals in the first semifinal, while the Birmingham Stallions were winners over the New Orleans Breakers in Game 2.

The Stars and Stallions meet next weekend in the USFL championship game, also at Benson Stadium.

Here's a look back at how the two games unfolded Saturday:

Bertolet knocks field goal in the second half

Taylor Bertolet made a 23-yard field for the Breakers to only trail 21-17 with 4:35 left in the third quarter. The Stallions continue to put points on the board in the fourth quarter. Brandon Aubrey knocked down a 38-yard field goal. Birmingham now leads 24-17 with 11:45 left in the fourth quarter.

Sloter throws his second interception in the first half

Things are not going right for Sloter as he threw his second interception of the night before the first half. Tae Hayes made the turnover. Sloter threw a pick-6 earlier in the second quarter. Stallions lead the Breakers 21-14 at the half.

Quick second scoring drives before the half

Breakers tie the game after a touchdown pass from Kyle Sloter to Jordan Ellis with a 1:06 left. Unfortunately, that tie was only short-lived as Victor Golden Jr. returns one to the endzone for the Stallions to regain the lead, 21-14 with less than a minute left.

Stallions score on both ends in the second quarter

The Stallions responded back 10 seconds into the second quarter to tie the game at 7. J'Mar Smith finds Osiris Mitchell on a 23-yard touchdown pass. The Stallions followed with a pick-6 by DeMarquis Gates to give them a 14-7 lead.

Breakers break the ice in the first quarter

After the Stallions went 3 & out and a missed field goal on their opening drive, the Breakers drew first blood. Jordan Ellis scored on a short-run play after New Orleans produced 58 yards of offense and ended the quarter with a 7-0 lead.

Maurice Alexander, KaVontae Turpin take it to the house

The fourth quarter became a battle of momentum in the fourth quarter. Five minutes into the fourth quarter, KaVontae Turpin scored on a 76-yard punt return for a touchdown to give the Generals their first lead of the game at 14-13. Just when the Generals were on the verge of victory with two minutes left, Maurice Alexander responded with a 87-yard punt return for a touchdown for the Stars to regain the lead with 1:36 left to play. Amani Dennis closed the deal with the final interception for the Stars to beat the Generals 19-14 and advance to the finals.

Stars lose two starters to injuries

The Stars made a quarterback change midway through the third quarter after Cookus took a vicious hit. KJ Costello replaced Cookus following the interception pass he made earlier that eventually turned into a Generals touchdown. The Stars lost both Channing Stribling (ankle) and Matthew Colburn (leg) to different injuries in the third quarter. Cookus returned to the field and throw a 50-yard pass to Diondre Overton. Aguilar missed a 26-yard field goal. The score remained 10-7 entering the fourth quarter.

Momentum has shifted, Generals on the board

At first, Things started to go backward for New Jersey. On kickoff, the Stars recovered a Cam Echols-Luper on at the Generals' 37. Cookus threw an interception to Mike Bell Jr. Perez then went deep to Darrius Shepherd on a 64-yard pass. That will turn into a one-yard touchdown run by Darius Victor with 9:51 left in the third quarter.

Defense continues to dominate first half

While the Generals kept moving the chains, they remain scoreless at the half. The Stars made another big stop on 4 & 1 at their seven with only a minute left. The Generals were shut out at the end of the half, 10-0.

Overturned rough passer call leads to Case Cookus touchdown

The first touchdown of the inaugural playoffs happened in the second quarter. Case Cookus rushes for an 8-yard touchdown with 9:24 left. This was following after an interception grab by Mazzi Wilkins, who ran 62 yards. Roughing the passer was called during the turnover, but was overturned, putting the Stars in the red zone and now lead 10-0.

Defensive opening quarter for Generals vs. Stars

The Stars scored on the opening drive after a 39-yard field goal by Luis Aguilar with 8:24 left in the first quarter. After making a stop on the Generals' opening drive, the Stars had an opportunity to score after a 21-yard scramble that put the Stars in Generals' territory. Hercules Mata'afa makes a sack for a loss on third-and-8, forcing Philadelphia to kick. Philadelphia leads the Generals 3-0 to end the quarter.

New Jersey Generals wide receiver KaVontae Turpin (5) signals a first down after a long catch against the Birmingham Stallions at Protective Stadium.
New Jersey Generals wide receiver KaVontae Turpin (5) signals a first down after a long catch against the Birmingham Stallions at Protective Stadium.

What time are the USFL playoff semifinal games today?

Game 1 is set to begin at approximately 3 p.m., featuring the Philadelphia Stars and New Jersey Generals. The second semifinal, at 8 p.m., features the New Orleans Breakers and Birmingham Stallions.

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Birmingham Stallions wide receiver Victor Bolden Jr. (7) greets fans after a win over the Houston Gamblers, April 23, 2022, in Birmingham.
Birmingham Stallions wide receiver Victor Bolden Jr. (7) greets fans after a win over the Houston Gamblers, April 23, 2022, in Birmingham.

How to watch the Philadelphia Stars vs. New Jersey Generals USFL semifinal

The Stars-Generals game is on WJW Fox, starting at 3 p.m.

The Generals went 9-1 this season to share the league's top overall record and win the North Division, while the Stars went 6-4 to finish second in the North. The two teams met just a week ago with the Generals winning 26-23 behind three touchdown passes by QB Luis Perez.

The Generals feature six All-USFL players — RB Darius Victor, WR KaVontae Turpin (he also made it as a punt returner), OT Terry Poole, OG Garrett McGhin, DT Toby Johnson, and S Shalom Luani,

Two Stars made the all-league team, CB Channing Stribling and KR Maurice Alexander.

Philadelphia Stars wide receiver Maurice Alexander celebrates a first-half touchdown reception against the Pittsburgh Maulers, April 23, in Birmingham
Philadelphia Stars wide receiver Maurice Alexander celebrates a first-half touchdown reception against the Pittsburgh Maulers, April 23, in Birmingham

How to watch the New Orleans Breakers vs. Birmingham Stallions USFL semifinal

The Breakers-Stallions semifinal is on WKYC NBC at 8 p.m.,

The Stallions opened 8-0 on their way to a 9-1 season to win the South Division. The Breakers are 6-4 and finished second in the South.

The Stallions are represented by four All-USFL players — WR Victor Bolden Jr. (also all-league as a special teamer), OG Cameron Hunt, LB DeMarquis Gates, and K Brandon Aubrey

The Breakers have six all-league players — QB Kyle Sloter, TE Sal Cannella, C Jared Thomas, DE Davin Bellamy, DT Reggie Howard Jr., and LB Jerod Fernandez.

New Orleans Breakers tight end Sal Cannella makes a second-half catch against the Houston Gamblers, May 8, in Birmingham.
New Orleans Breakers tight end Sal Cannella makes a second-half catch against the Houston Gamblers, May 8, in Birmingham.

Who is the USFL MVP, Coach of the Year

Generals wide receiver-returner KaVontae Turpin was named the USFL Most Valuable Player. The award was determined by a vote of the league's eight coaches.

The coaches also selected New Jersey's Mike Riley as the league coach of the year.

Generals head coach Mike Riley celebrates a play during the second half against the Stallions, April 16, 2022, in Birmingham.
Generals head coach Mike Riley celebrates a play during the second half against the Stallions, April 16, 2022, in Birmingham.

League coaches selected two other awards — offensive player of the year went to Generals running Back Darius Victor and Houston Gamblers defensive end Chris Odom is the defensive player of the year.

When is the USFL championship game

Saturday's two winners will play for the USFL title on Sunday, July 3. The game is scheduled for to kick off at 7:30 p.m., with Fox televising.

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New Jersey Generals running back Darius Victor (27) runs the ball against the Birmingham Stallions, April 16, 2022, in Birmingham.
New Jersey Generals running back Darius Victor (27) runs the ball against the Birmingham Stallions, April 16, 2022, in Birmingham.

USFL playoff tickets

Ticket are available at www.hofvillage.com/p/events/united-states-football-league. Tickets are $5 or $15 for youth (under 15) and $15 or $30 for adults for the semifinals. The title game tickets are $10 or $20 for youth and $20 or $40 for adults.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: USFL semifinal scores, Stars-Generals, Breakers-Stallions updates