BY RALPH VENTRE
The second half of the United States Football League regular season kicked off in Week 6 with former NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) players continuing to produce at all-star levels.
Birmingham remained undefeated and New Jersey extended its win streak to five straight games, both doing so with significant contributions from FCS alumni.
Although he narrowly missed the cut for this week’s Talking Pigskin USFL FCS Fabulous Five, former James Madison receiver Rashard Davis enjoyed a breakout performance for the Tampa Bay Bandits. He caught three of four targets for a total of 83 yards, including a 62-yard gainer.
In an unfortunate occurrence, former Jacksonville State defensive tackle Connor Christian suffered an apparent neck injury during the New Orleans Breakers’ victory over Pittsburgh and left the game immobilized on a stretcher. Sending positives vibes out the Christian as we wait for updates on his health.
RT Calvin Ashley, New Jersey Generals (Florida A&M)
The former Florida A&M lineman has been a rock at right tackle for the 5-and-1 New Jersey Generals, who feature a number of former FCS difference-makers. QB De’Andre Johnson went 4-of-4 passing for 52 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game with an injury and RB Darius Victor (Towson) had his moments while logging 61 scrimmage yards, but Ashley was a mainstay up front throughout the 26-25 victory over the Houston Gamblers.
The Generals rushed for two touchdowns over the right side during Week 6, including the game-winning push to paydirt by quarterback Luis Perez on the final snap of the day. Ashley, who has started all five games he’s played for New Jersey, appears to have rediscovered his love for the game after temporarily retiring from football. Ashley, who signed as an undrafted free agent, was in training camp with the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers last summer when he need to step away to focus on mental health.
After the Generals moved to 5-1 overall in Week 6, Ashley took to his personal Twitter account to say, “Playing football again in the USFL really made me find my love for the game again.”
Lance Lenoir, Michigan Panthers (Western Illinois)
Western Illinois’ all-time leading receiver has already made a healthy share of catches in the USFL. Lenior, who ranks third overall amongst USFL leaders in receiving yards (302), gained 82 yards on nine receptions during Michigan’s Week 6 battle with the unbeaten Birmingham Stallions. He also rushed once for five yards in the 33-17 setback.
Lenior, who spent the 2021 NFL Preseason with the Buffalo Bills, accounted for three 1,000-yard seasons during his college days as a Leatherneck. He has totaled 29 receptions over six USFL games. The former All-Missouri Valley Athletic Conference honoree is averaging 50.3 receiving yards per outing.
LB Donald Payne, Houston Gamblers (Stetson)
The former Stetson Hatter played like a mad man during a last-second setback to the New Jersey Generals in Week 6. Payne, who has led the USFL in tackles since the season opener, made 18 stops against the league’s top-ranked offense. Amongst his 11 solo tackles against New Jersey, the Houston linebacker logged his first two sacks of the season in the 26-25 loss to the Generals.
Payne, who played in 30 NFL regular season games with the Jacksonville Jaguars, has totaled a USFL-leading 76 take-downs over six appearances. He was on an NFL roster as recently as the 2019 season.
DE Adam Rodriguez, Philadelphia Stars (Weber State)
The native Utahn has been a bright spot for the Stars’ defensive front. Rodriguez, who played in 52 college games for Weber State, totaled six tackles in Philadelphia’s Week 6 win over the Tampa Bay Bandits.
Rodriguez made five solo stops, including a sack of Tampa Bay quarterback Jordam Ta’amu, during the 35-28 triumph that evened the Stars record at 3-3 overall. The former two-time All-Big Sky Conference performer has logged a sack in four of six USFL appearances.
S JoJo Tillery, Birmingham Stallions (Wofford)
The former Wofford Terriers’ defensive stalwart has been a beast for Birmingham all season long. With the undefeated Stallions missing star linebacker Scooby Wright for the second week in a row, Tillery made a game-high 10 solo tackles in a 33-17 triumph over the Michigan Panthers. The 6-foot-2 safety, who logged his first sack of the season during the Week 6 win, has totaled a team-best 40 stops during the Stallions’ six-game surge.
Tillery, who made 51 career appearances for Wofford, ranks fourth overall amongst USFL defensive leaders with 32 solo tackles this spring.
TALKING PIGSKIN 
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