Philadelphia Stars (2022)

This article is about the team in the second edition of the USFL. For the team in the original USFL from the 1980s, see Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars.

Philadelphia Stars
Current season
Established 2021 Folded 2023 Played in Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan
League/conference affiliations
United States Football League (2022–2023) North Division (2022–2023)
Current uniform
Team colors	Red, orange, gold, white
Mascot	Blob
Personnel
Owner(s)	National Spring Football League Enterprises Co, LLC, (Fox Sports)
Head coach	Bart Andrus (2022-2023)
Team history
Philadelphia Stars (2022–2023)
Championships
League championships (0)
Conference championships (0)
Division championships (0)
Playoff appearances (1)
2022
Home stadium(s)
Protective Stadium / Legion Field (2022) Ford Field (2023)

The Philadelphia Stars were a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Stars competed in the United States Football League (USFL) as a member club of the league's North division. The team played its home games at Protective Stadium and Legion Field, both in Alabama, in 2022, and Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan in 2023. Ultimately, the team would never play a game in Philadelphia. The Stars appeared in the playoffs once, won the division championship game once, and appeared in one USFL Championship Game.

On December 19, 2023, the USFL informed its players union that the Stars would be among four USFL teams to be contracted as part of the league's upcoming merger with the XFL.^[1]

History

The Philadelphia Stars were one of eight teams that were officially announced as a USFL franchise on The Herd with Colin Cowherd on November 22, 2021.^[2] On January 6, 2022, It was announced on The Herd with Colin Cowherd that former CFL Head coach Bart Andrus was named the Head coach and General manager of the Stars.^[3] Andrus later announced most of his staff on January 28, 2022, on the Dan Sileo Show.^[4]

During the 2022 USFL draft, the Stars selected quarterback Bryan Scott with the 3rd overall pick,^[5] and selected highly touted cornberback, Channing Stribling.^[6]

After training camp, Scott was officially named the Stars' starting quarterback for the 2022 season by head coach Andrus. After starting the season 2–3, the Stars went 4–1 in their last five games, clinching a playoff berth in week 8 after a victory over the Michigan Panthers.^[7] They went on to beat the New Jersey Generals 19–14 in the North Division Championship game, earning them their first USFL Championship Game appearance.^[8] However, despite erasing a halftime 11-point deficit, they ultimately lost on a late touchdown to the Birmingham Stallions, 33–30.^[9]

On December 19, 2023, the USFL informed its players union that the Stars would be among four USFL teams to be contracted as part of the league's upcoming merger with the XFL.^[1]

Player History

Current NFL Players

USFL Season	Pos	Name	NFL Team
2023	DT	LaBryan Ray	Carolina Panthers

Notable Players

USFL Season	Pos	Name	Notes
2023	WR	Corey Coleman	Former Cleveland Browns Wide Receiver, 2016 1st Round Pick
2023	TE	Ryan Izzo	Former New England Patriots Tight End, 2018 7th Round Pick

Coach History

Head Coach history

#	Name	Term	Regular season				Playoffs			Awards
			GC	W	L	Win %	GC	W	L
Philadelphia Stars
1	Bart Andrus	2022-2023	20	10	10	.500	2	1	1

*Andrus also served as the team Offensive Coordinator

Defensive Coordinator history

#	Name	Term	Regular season				Playoffs			Awards
			GC	W	L	Win %	GC	W	L
Philadelphia Stars
1	Brad Miller	2022-2023	20	10	10	.500	2	1	1

Championships

North Division championships

Season	Coach	Location	Opponent	Score
2022	Bart Andrus	Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium (Canton, Ohio)	New Jersey Generals	19–14
Total North Division Championships won: 1

Records

All-time Stars leaders
Leader	Player	Record	Years with Stars
Passing Yards	Case Cookus	3,628 passing yards	2022-2023
Passing Touchdowns	Case Cookus	27 passing touchdowns	2022-2023
Rushing Yards	Matt Colburn	721 rushing yards	2022-2023
Rushing Touchdowns	Matt Colburn	12 touchdowns	2022-2023
Receiving Yards	Devin Gray	715 receiving yards	2022-2023
Receiving Touchdowns	Diondre Overton	5 receiving touchdowns	2022-2023
Receptions	Devin Gray	76 receptions	2022-2023
Tackles	Cody Brown	118 tackles	2022-2023
Sacks	Adam Rodriguez	15.0 sacks	2022-2023
Interceptions	Channing Stribling	8 interceptions	2022-2023
Coaching wins	Bart Andrus	10 wins	2022-2023

Statistics and records

Season-by-season record

Note: The Finish, Wins, Losses, and Ties columns list regular season results and exclude any postseason play.

Legend

USFL champions^†

Division champions^^

Wild Card berth^#

Philadelphia Stars season-by-season records

Season	Team	League	Division	Regular season					Postseason results	Awards
				Finish	Wins	Losses	Ties	Pct
2022	2022	USFL	North	2nd^#	6	4	0	.600	Won Division finals (Generals) 19–14 Lost USFL Championship Game (Stallions) 30–33	Maurice Alexander (ND MVP)
2023	2023	USFL	North	3rd	4	6	0	.400	–	–
Totals					10	10	0	.500	(2022–2023, regular season)
					1	1	—	.500	(2022–2023, playoffs)
					11	11	0	.500	(2022–2023, regular season and playoffs)

Mascot

Blob

On April 11, 2022, the Stars unveiled their mascot, a monstrous red creature that drew comparisons to other Philadelphia sports mascots Gritty and the Phillie Phanatic.^[10][11] The Stars then held a Twitter poll asking fans whether the mascot should be named "Astro", "Cosmo", or "Blob".^[12] "Blob" took 65 percent of the vote, and the name was confirmed on April 15.^[13] The Stars have offered few details about Blob besides describing him as "out of this world" and noting that he enjoys dancing.^[14]

References

1. "Four USFL teams survive merger with XFL". NBC Sports. December 19, 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
2. "USFL unveils team cities, nicknames and logos for 2022 debut". FOX Sports. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
3. Stephan Rachuk (January 6, 2022). "USFL Officially Reveals the First Four Head Coaches on The Herd". Pro Football Newsroom. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
4. "Bart Andrus Reveals Some Philadelphia Stars Coaching Hires". Pro Football Newsroom. January 28, 2022. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
5. Michael Owen Baker (February 22, 2022). "Philadelphia Stars select quarterback Bryan Scott with the third pick of the USFL Draft". www.inquirer.com. The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
6. "Former Ticats DB Channing Stribling signs with Washington Commanders after all-star USFL stint". www.3downnation.com. 3DownDigital Inc. July 15, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
7. Eric D. Williams (June 5, 2022). "Case Cookus, Stars roll past Panthers, clinch playoff spot". www.foxsports.com. Fox Media LLC. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
8. Jeff Schudel (June 26, 2022). "Philadelphia Stars shock Generals, 19-14, in USFL semifinal". news-herald.com. MediaNews Group. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
9. Barry Werner (July 3, 2022). "Birmingham Stallions defeat Philadelphia Stars in USFL championship game". www.usatoday.com. USA Today Network. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
10. Conde, Ximena (April 11, 2022). "Philly has yet another weird mascot – and we don't know what it is". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
11. Sykes, II, Mike D. (April 15, 2022). "The Philadelphia Stars' new 'Blob' mascot is just Dollar Tree Gritty". USA Today. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
12. Herman, Adam (April 15, 2022). "Philadelphia Stars let fans name mascot, and it's hilarious". NBC Sports Philadelphia.
13. Clancy, Shamus (April 15, 2022). "Philadelphia Stars' mascot is named 'Blob'". PhillyVoice. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
14. Conde, Ximena (April 15, 2022). "Meet Blob, Philly's new and mysterious USFL mascot". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved April 15, 2022.