Fedora’s Breakers, Bug Howard’s Stars earn USFL playoff berths

Coach Larry Fedora’s New Orleans Breakers and tight end Bug Howard’s Philadelphia Stars earned berths in the four-team United States Football League playoffs but both teams lost last weekend to finish their regular seasons 6–4. Former UNC wide receiver Anthony Ratliff-Williams had two catches for 19 yards Sunday for Houston as the Gamblers knocked off New Orleans 20–3. Philadelphia dropped a 26–23 game Saturday to the New Jersey Generals despite Howard (top photo) collecting five catches off of six targets for 101 yards.

Which former Tar Heels are in the USFL and how has league altered rules?

Three former Carolina players and a former UNC head coach are part of the new iteration of the United States Football League, which starts play this weekend with several rule changes. Larry Fedora is the head coach for the New Orleans Breakers, and he’ll coach a player who played for him in Chapel Hill: running back T.J. Logan Jr. The Breakers’ first game is at 4 p.m. Sunday (USA Network) against the Philadelphia Stars and tight end Bug Howard. Anthony Ratliff-Williams is a wide receiver for the Houston Gamblers, whose opener is at noon Sunday against the Michigan Panthers (NBC, Peacock).