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The USFL is set to kick off its second consecutive season on Saturday. The Memphis Showboats will host the Philadelphia Stars, and the reigning champion Birmingham Stallions will host the New Jersey Generals.
Your Week 1 schedule 🏈📺👏 pic.twitter.com/ExFQBLJkVP
— USFL (@USFL) April 10, 2023
The USFL’s return
Last year, the USFL returned to play for the first time since the league folded in 1986. The league has branded itself as a modern twist on the traditional football that college and NFL fans know and love. It is made up of eight teams, with franchises in Birmingham, Houston, Memphis, Michigan, New Jersey, New Orleans, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. The league played a 10-week regular season last year. The Philadelphia Stars and Birmingham Stallions faced off for the 2022 championship, and Birmingham won the contest 33-30. The league enjoyed some success last season, which included the championship peaking at more than 1.8 million viewers on FOX.
The @EmpireStateBldg is red, white and blue in celebration of the 2023 season kicking off this weekend 😍🇺🇸
It all begins this Saturday, 4:30pm ET on FOX 🙌 pic.twitter.com/OjcjMVOiNo
— USFL (@USFL) April 12, 2023
2023 Rule Changes
The league announced several rule changes for the upcoming season. The changes are effective immediately and will be present in week one matchups.
First Change
In an attempt to have more kickoffs returned, the league has moved kickoffs from the 25 to the 20-yard line.
First-up kickoffs:
The kickoff line has been moved back from the 25 yard-line to the 20 yard-line 🔙🏈
In the 2022 season, 80% of kickoffs were returned, but this year we're shooting for 90%. Learn more ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/rAQaUhVN50
— USFL (@USFL) April 13, 2023
Second Change
When a team fumbles the ball out of their own endzone, it will no longer result in a touchback. From now on, the ball will be returned to the spot of the fumble, and the fumbling team will retain possession.
Next up, forward fumbles:
A ball that is fumbled forward and out of the end zone will NOT be a touchback. It will be brought back to the spot of the fumble and the fumbling team will keep the ball. More info ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/4QFLuB7lCm
— USFL (@USFL) April 13, 2023
Third Change
The clock will run following incomplete passes in all four quarters, outside of the last five minutes of the second and fourth.
Next up, the clock ⏱
During the 2022 season, the clock started after incomplete passes the entire first and third quarters, this year we're also including the second and fourth quarters outside of 5 minutes. Learn more ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/a1ESGtmXWb
— USFL (@USFL) April 13, 2023
Fourth Change
The league’s replay center will take more of a central role when it comes to officiating the game this season. The replay center can now overturn incorrect calls on roughing the passer, personal fouls, and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.
New for 2023, replay changes:
The replay center can overturn incorrectly called roughing the passer penalties, all personal fouls, and all unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. The replay center will act as an 8th official to ensure we get the call right ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/kjPjydH6Ke
— USFL (@USFL) April 13, 2023
Fifth Change
This season, teams can carry an inactive, 3rd QB on the sideline. This player can be activated in the event that the first two quarterbacks are injured.
Another new rule for 2023, QB3s:
The USFL will institute a new 3rd QB rule. A team can carry an inactive QB on the sideline and activate the player should the first two QBs get injured. More on this new rule ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/zFOeUebh0I
— USFL (@USFL) April 13, 2023
Sixth Change
In an attempt to have fewer penalties occur during punt returns, the league has changed how players line up during the play. The gunners, or outermost players on the punting team, now must line up inside the outside edge of the field numbers.
Lastly, a rule change on punt plays:
We're striving for fewer penalties on punt plays, so we will be changing how the gunners line up. More on the new rule ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/8KnTbhoWeF
— USFL (@USFL) April 13, 2023
USFL 2023 Kickoff
The Memphis Showboats and Philadelphia Stars will kick off the 2023 USFL season on Saturday at 4:30 PT ET on FOX. All eight teams will take the field this opening weekend as the league holds two games on Saturday and two on Sunday.
