Stallions Clinch Playoff Berth With 26-13 Win Over Maulers

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As the regular season comes to an end, playoff season starts to heat up. The Stallions are the first team to clinch a playoff berth with their 26-16 win over the Pittsburgh Maulers.

Quarterback J’Mar Smith had the afternoon’s first big play with a 53-yard pass to wide receiver Victor Bolden. Smith continues to show why he is top three in passing yards and has one of the best touchdowns to interception ratios at 3:1. Former Alabama running back, Bo Scarbrough would inch them closer but the Stallions would settle for a 27-yard field goal by former Notre Dame kicker Brandon Aubrey. On the next drive, Pittsburgh responded with a 10-play, 71-yard scoring drive. Running back Madre London finished with a four-yard rushing touchdown. Towards the end of the second quarter, both teams would add a field goal making the score 6-10.

To start the second half, Birmingham got creative with a trick play on fourth down. Fullback, Bobby Holly took the snap running unopposed for a 52-yard touchdown. Later in the quarter, Smith’s pass would get tipped and intercepted by Maulers safety Bryce Tornedon and returned to the Stallions 21. The Maulers settled for a field goal on the next drive, tying the score 13-13. They would rely on the running game as Scarbrough and Tony Brooks-James had a combined four attempts for 29 yards. Another drive that ended in a field goal for the team. At the beginning of the fourth, Smith and Scarbrough would spearhead an 11-play, 79-yard touchdown drive. CJ Marable out of Coastal Carolina scored on a five-yard touchdown run for the undefeated team increasing the lead to 23-13. Pittsburgh scored their last points on a late-game field goal but it was already too late for a comeback. The Stallions would add another late-game field goal making the final score: Birmingham Stallions 26, Pittsburgh Maulers 16.

The Stallions are easily the best team in the USFL by what seems like a mile. This is the publicity the league needs. Everyone would like to see an underdog team (which would be everyone) give them their first loss. Increasing the viewership each week is important for a league’s first season. If they would like to survive, having stories is a big part of it. It makes people get curious and want to hear more.

The Stallions have three games remaining; Sat Jun 4th vs Breakers, Sunday, Jun 12th vs Gamblers, and Sun Jun 19th vs Bandits.