2023 USFL Rules: Kickoff changes, forward fumbles, emergency QBs and more

The 2023 USFL football season kicks off this Saturday, April 15 and Sunday, April 16  with four games starting with a Philadelphia Stars vs Memphis Showboats match up at 4:30 PM ET. The New Jersey Generals will take on the Birmingham Stallions at 7:30 PM ET. On Sunday afternoon, it’s the Michigan Panthers vs Houston Gamblers at noon on NBC and Peacock followed by a battle between the Pittsburgh Maulers and New Orleans Breakers at 6:30 PM.

While most of the league’s rules are in line with the traditional game of football that we’re used to watching at the collegiate and professional level, the USFL has incorporated a few unconventional rule changes to bring even more excitement to the game. See below for the 2023 USFL rules and how they differ from the NFL.

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After scoring, teams will have the option of attempting a 1-point kick from the 15-yard line, a 2-point scrimmage play from the 2-yard line, or a 3-point scrimmage play from the 10-yard line.

Teams will have two options to keep the ball after scoring:

All kickoffs must be made from the 25-yard line:

Each coach gets one replay challenge.

Overtime will be a shootout:

RELATED:  2023 USFL Season Schedule: Dates, times, locations, new teams, playoff format, and more

*All times are listed as ET

Saturday, April 15 Philadelphia at Memphis – 4:30 p.m. (FOX) New Jersey at Birmingham – 7:30 p.m. (FOX)

Sunday, April 16 Michigan at Houston – 12 p.m. (NBC and Peacock) Pittsburgh at New Orleans – 6:30 p.m. (FS1)

Saturday, April 22 Houston at New Orleans – 12:30 p.m. (USA and Peacock) Memphis at Birmingham – 7 p.m. (FOX)

Sunday, April 23 New Jersey at Pittsburgh – 12 p.m. (NBC and Peacock)