The Pittsburgh Maulers pulled off a dramatic 26-20 overtime victory over the Washington Federals at RFK Memorial Stadium. Pittsburgh opened the scoring with a 47-yard field goal from Steve Jordan, but Washington quickly responded with a 7-yard rushing touchdown by Brian Taylor, taking a 7-3 lead at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, Pittsburgh struck back with a 61-yard fumble recovery touchdown by Mike McKibben, but Washington’s offense surged ahead with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Honensee to Harris and a late field goal, leading 17-10 at halftime.
The game remained tightly contested throughout the second half as both defenses stiffened. Pittsburgh managed a 45-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to cut Washington’s lead to 17-13. With just over a minute left in regulation, Brian Sipe orchestrated an 8-play, 66-yard drive, capping it with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Greg Anderson, giving the Maulers a 20-17 lead. However, Washington rallied and forced overtime with a 20-yard field goal from Brockhaus in the final seconds of regulation.
In overtime, the Maulers sealed the game in spectacular fashion when Sipe connected with Miller on a 38-yard touchdown pass, securing the 26-20 win. Sipe finished with 179 passing yards and two touchdowns, while Craig Rozier led Pittsburgh’s ground attack with 143 rushing yards. Washington’s Honensee threw for 221 yards and one touchdown but couldn’t find a way past Pittsburgh’s defense in overtime.
