Stallions survive Stars

Notes and quotes from Birmingham’s wild 27-24 victory over Philadelphia today at Protective Stadium …

HOW THEY SCORED

Philadelphia (4-4) sliced through the Birmingham (6-2) defense on the game’s opening drive, going 59 yards in nine plays and hitting paydirt when Case Cookus found Ryan Izzo on a one-yard scoring pass at 10:14 of the opening frame.

Luis Aguilar kicked the PAT, making it 7-0.

The Stallions answered back with an 11 play, 72-yard march. The highlight was Alex McGough scrambling out of trouble and throwing back to the middle of the field, connecting with Davion Davis on a 17-yard TD strike at 4:05 of the first.

Brandon Aubrey kicked the extra point to even things up at 7-all.

McGough completed six passes for 66 yards during the series.

Philly took the lead again just 47 seconds before the close of the first half.

A McGough fumble at his own 46 with 2:08 left in the second put the Stars in business, and they traveled 47 yards in five plays. Cookus threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Corey Coleman for six, and Aguilar’s point after put the tally at 14-7.

Birmingham received to start the second half, and the kickoff went out of bounds, by rule placing the ball at midfield.

The home team got as close as the visitor 12, but had to settle for a 30-yard Aubrey field goal at the 10:54 mark. That trimmed the deficit to 14-10.

After their defense made a stop, the Stallions offense got busy moving the markers. However, C.J. Marable fumbled at the Stars four, and Joel Dublanko’s recovery ended the threat.

But Birmingham wouldn’t be deterred, and after another stop the offense heated up. A McGough to Davis pass covering 71 yards (and accounting for the second longest pass play in the league this year) put the ball at the 10.

On a third down play from the same spot, McGough fired a rocket to Jace Sternberger for a TD pass at 14:55 of the fourth.

The kick was good, and the nine play, 83-yard trek ended with a 17-14 Stallions advantage.

The Stars, however, didn’t fold.

Their offense also found a spark, and they got all the way down to the seven. But the Birmingham resistance stiffened from there, holding Philly to a 25-yard field goal at 7:25 that tied the score at 17-17.

Back came the Stallions.

A 29-yard McGough to Sternberger connection put the hosts in scoring range, and Aubrey did the honors, drilling a 41-yard field goal 4:35 from the end of regulation to make it 20-17.

A good kickoff return resulted in Philadelphia scrimmaging at its own 48 at the fourth’s 4:28 juncture.

A 28-yard pass from Cookus to Devin Gray put the ball at the 24, and then a 24-yard toss to Gray made it first and goal at the seven.

From there Cookus rolled out and found Dexter Williams for a score at 3:05 of the fourth.

After three plays and 52 yards, the kick put the Stars ahead, 24-20.

That gave the Stallions time for a potential game-winning junket, and they delivered the goods.

After starting at their 35, they advanced to the Philly 37 after three plays (and at the two-minute warning).

With 39 seconds left, a 23-yard pass to Sternberger placed the ball at the 12, first-and-10.

A reception by Deon Cain moved the ball to the seven with :32 on the game clock.

One play later, McGough threw seven-yard TD pass to La’Michael Pettway – just his second catch of the game – with 28 seconds to play.

Aubrey kicked the lead to 27-24, putting the finishing touches on a memorable nine play, 65-yard march.

The Stars had less than half a minute to win or tie, and a last gasp pass was intercepted by Nate Brooks to seal the deal.

BIRMINGHAM COACH SKIP HOLTZ SAID …

“What a great football game between two teams that you knew were going to compete and both wanting to win. Just really a lot of fun to be part of it and I’m proud of our team, proud of how they competed, proud of the way they hung in there. It was a total team win. It’s just a joy for me to have the opportunity to watch them. I’m just calling the plays … these guys go execute. They were fun to watch.”

PHILADELPHIA COACH BART ANDRUS SAID …

“That was a heck of a game. We fell short and scored too soon at the end. Should’ve taken more clock there, but you take what you can get and we didn’t want to hold back. These are two good football teams. They’ve got good players and they play together. If we can win a couple more, we may see them again.”

STANDOUT STATS

McGough was 24-35-0 passing for 333 yards and three touchdowns, and also scrambled for 25 yards.

“I’m giving everything I’ve got to the guys, and I just appreciate everybody else giving me everything they have,” McGough said. “And I think that’s the only way you win – the only way you succeed.”

Davis had four catches for 120 yards and a TD.

Willie Yarbary was in on six tackles and recorded a sack.

Cookus was 20-32-1 for 265 yards and three scores, with Coleman catching four balls totaling 107 yards and a TD,

Joey Alfieri had seven solo tackles and was in on three more for Philly.

TODAY IN HISTORY

On this day in 1974 the Birmingham Americans of the World Football League announced they had signed Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro defensive end L.C. Greenwood to a “futures” contract. Greenwood was to play out his option with the Steelers in 1974 and join the WFL team for the 1975 season. (Spoiler alert: he did not).

On June 3, 1984, the Birmingham Stallions lost to the Arizona Wranglers, 38-28, in front of 32,500 fans at Legion Field. Joe Cribbs, who rejoined the team after being away for 17 days due to a contract dispute, rushed for 110 yards on 16 carries. That gave him a USFL-best 1,280 rushing yards.

On June 3, 1985, the Stallions nipped the Houston Gamblers, 29-27, before 13,202 fans at the Astrodome. Birmingham QB Cliff Stoudt threw for 133 yards and rushed for 50 more and a touchdown to help the Stallions improve to 11-4 and clinch a playoff spot.

NEXT UP

The Stallions finish their regular season with a two-game set at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis. First up is a showdown against the Houston Gamblers on Sunday, June 11, at 1 p.m. on NBC/Peacock.

The Jimmys and the Joes

If you’re looking for a football adage that possesses both rhyme and reason, here’s one of my faves: “It’s not about the Xs and the Os, but the Jimmys and the Joes.”

It’s often used in the context of college recruiting, but the message goes far beyond that. Ultimately, you can draw up the best plays in the world but if the talent to execute them isn’t there, it won’t make much difference.

Scott Adamson writes stuff. Follow him on Spoutable @ScottAdamson and Twitter @adamsonsl

Every coach realizes this, and that’s why those in the United States Football League work hand-in-hand with their general managers to sign the best players available.

Take a look at how tight the standings are and you can see that they’ve all done a creditable job. Today’s game between the Birmingham Stallions and Philadelphia Stars (which started with handshakes and hugs before the coin toss and segued to a brief shoving match on the opening kickoff) was a perfect example. It featured a battle of division leaders, yet when Week Seven began last Saturday, Birmingham (6-2) was third in the South.

And before reeling off three consecutive victories, Philly (4-4) was in last place in the North.

“Overall, the talent in the league has really improved, and I say that because when we drafted our rosters last year, everybody drafted 50 players, so that’s 400 players in one year that got put into this league,” Stallions coach Skip Holtz said following practice earlier in the week. “But I think the free agents and players that were available this year are better than the talent in the second half of the draft last year. So, you’ve seen a lot of turnover in some of these teams with the lower part of their rosters, and I think it’s because there’s a lot more talent in this league. I think everybody’s capable of winning each and every week, and every game is gonna be a battle.

“Somebody told me that unlike college, there are no 1-AA (Football Championship Subdivision) opponents in the USFL. Anybody can beat anybody on a given day.”

True enough.

Beyond that, though, a common thread among every single player who suits up for one of the eight teams is their love of the game.

Sure, it’s a business, but you can tell there’s a real joy in what they do.

Holtz certainly sees it.

“You know, you watch them after practice and everybody’s dapping each other up and saying, ‘Nice work today,’ and we’re looking at them all hanging around,” Holtz said. “Practice is over and they’re all just sitting around talking … they enjoy being around each other. They’re a great group of guys with great chemistry and that’s a real testament to the quality and character of the players that we have on this roster that love the game and love to play.

“They want to win – they’re  competitive players – but that’s part of what’s made it so much fun to be part of.”

What’s true with the Stallions is true across all eight teams and all four hubs.

“When you look at the number of players in the USFL that got their opportunities in the NFL last year, there were over 50 players,” Holtz said. “And that’s why so many of these guys are here. They want their opportunities, they want to move up, but they want to play some more over here for the love of the game.

“Some are here because they want more film, but the players that are here, they’re appreciative, they’re grateful. They want an opportunity to get on the field.”

It’s a new and different opportunity for coaches, as well. Holtz said when he decided to work in the USFL, it was because he and his wife wanted an “adventure.”

“I had a long conversation with Rick Neuheisel before I accepted this job, and I know he had been in a spring league earlier (head coach of the Arizona Hotshots of the Alliance of American Football in 2019),” Holtz said. “I called him and asked him about it. He said the biggest thing is to enjoy the relationship with the players, because that’s really what it’s all about.”

As a football fan, I appreciate the entertainment value of the USFL. But I also find myself cheering for various players, regardless of whether they play for the hometown Stallions or not.

“One thing about the USFL is we’re able to give (players) a platform to be viewed in a different light,” league president Daryl Johnston said. “And we try to come at it from a holistic approach … making good young men out of the players in our league, not just good football players.”

While Alex McGough spends a lot of post-practice time trying to make Holtz laugh (and succeeding), there’s nothing funny about his play. The dude is a boss whether loading up and throwing or tucking and running.

Today he threw for 333 yards and three touchdowns, and celebrated by giving Holtz a bear hug after his team’s thrilling 27-24 victory. He engineered a late drive that put the Stallions ahead to stay with 28 seconds remaining.

“I always say pressure is a privilege,” McGough said. “Like, most people don’t get the chance to go in in the fourth quarter and try to win the game. In professional football, this is a privilege. And I think you can either fall under it, or rise to it.”

Stars quarterback Case Cookus was fantastic, also throwing for three touchdowns and amassing 265 yards.

He’s been on five NFL practice squads and one in the Canadian Football League, and continues to show why he deserves more chances.

“This league giving so many guys opportunities has been a blessing,” Cookus said. “I’m so thankful … you can go through the league and like every other guy has that unique, cool story about how they got here and how they love to play football.

“There’s some great people across the field. (Birmingham) is a very good team and they’re a bunch of great guys who are really competitive. I’m having a blast playing but, you know, winning would’ve made it more fun.”

If you don’t like New Jersey Generals running back Darius Victor – the first player in the modern USFL to amass more than 1,000 rushing yards – you don’t like people.

New Orleans Breakers quarterback Mcleod Bethel-Thompson is about as urbane as you can get while still wearing shoulder pads.

And as much fun as it is to watch Pittsburgh Maulers D-lineman Boogie Roberts make a big-man play, seeing him interview teammates on the sidelines is highly entertaining as well.

I could go on and on listing examples from across the league, because you’ll find plenty of guys worthy of rooting for – even if they were completely unfamiliar to you before you saw them play in the USFL.

The vast majority, of course, want an NFL roster spot. Right now, though, they want to grow where they’re planted.

Once you follow a season and learn the players’ personalities (as well as their stories), you find yourself torn. Selfishly, you want to see them back in a familiar uniform when a new season starts.

But if you’re really, truly a fan of theirs, you want them to play at the highest level.

It’s not about the Xs and the Os, but the Jimmys and the Joes – and how far they can go.

Stallions, Stars clash in battle of division leaders

Alex McGough and the Stallions wrap up the home portion of their regular season on Saturday.

The Birmingham Stallions (5-2) began last weekend sitting third in the USFL South Division. By the close of the football business day on Sunday, they had taken over first place.

That’s how things work in a league that – in 2023, at least – has very little separation among its eight teams.

Scott Adamson writes stuff. Follow him on Spoutable @ScottAdamson, Post @scottscribe, and Twitter @adamsonsl

This Saturday Birmingham plays its final regular season home game of 2023 when the Philadelphia Stars (4-3) come to Protective Stadium for a 2 p.m. kickoff. NBC/Peacock will provide TV coverage.

Philly is riding a three-game winning streak, good enough for first place in the North Division. It’ll be the first time the teams have played since meeting in the 2022 USFL championship game – a 33-30 Birmingham victory.

“What I’ve learned after a year and a half in this league is they’re all challenges,” Stallions coach Skip Holtz said. “I mean, every game … there is no top and there is no bottom. Everybody’s just fighting to compete, to win the game. A lot of these games are going to come down to one play, so we understand it’s gonna be a challenge. They’re a really good football team and I think (Philadelphia head coach) Bart Andrus does a really good job.”

After stumbling early, the Stars have found their footing on both sides of the ball.

“We’re opportunistic, so when a situation presents itself, we take advantage of it, and that’s important,” Andrus said following his team’s 37-31 victory over Pittsburgh last Saturday. “The other thing is, we’re playing better as a group. There’s a lot of trust that’s involved in that. And we’ve made improvements on our offensive line in personnel moves. This was the best group we were able to put on the field (Saturday) and we’re optimistic we can keep more guys healthy.

“When you start out the season you have issues and you have injuries and you fight through them, and the most important thing is these guys have never not thought they could do it. Right now, they’re showing they can.”

Quarterback Case Cookus has thrown for 1,520 yards and seven touchdowns, while Corey Coleman is his favorite target. Coleman has two TD receptions and 409 receiving yards.

And Luis Aguilar has done a phenomenal job kicking.

He’s 18 of 21 from field goal range, including three-of-four from beyond 50 yards. He had a USFL-record eight field goals to account for all his team’s points in a 24-21 victory over New Jersey that snapped a three-game losing skid and started the current string of victories.

“Case Cookus is very experienced,” Holtz said. “They’re scoring a lot of points, they’re very explosive, and have a lot of speed at all points. But I think the biggest trouble you’ll have with this football team is they’re playing really good defense right now. They’re holding opponents to 20 or less points and they’re scoring a lot. So, it’s an explosive team that’s the No. 1 team in the North (Division), and we know it’s gonna be a great challenge.”

Quarterback Alex McGough continues to shine for Birmingham, topping the circuit with 13 passing touchdowns and 102 points.

He’s thrown for 1,281 yards and rushed for four TDs.

His preparation this week is the same as it’s been every week.

“Well, every team has their own personality, and I just try to look at them as a fresh face,” McGough said. “They’ve just got a lot of good players, and we’ve got to find a way to win our one-on-ones and make plays.”

C.J. Marable has come on strong of late and leads the Stallions rushing corps with 380 yards, while Davion Davis has the most pass-catching yardage (317). Jace Sternberger has a team-high four touchdowns among receivers.

Safety Christian McFarland has played in all seven games and leads the bruise crew with 42 tackles (25 solo); safety Nate Holley is credited with 37 tackles (24 unassisted); and safety Tyree Robinson has contributed 32 tackles (23 solo).

“I told the players with this game we’re playing this week, there’s good news and bad news,” Holtz said. “The good news is right now we’re in first place and have earned the opportunity to be the top team in the South. The bad news is, we have three games left and if we lose all three, we finish last.

“So, every game matters.”

The coach is also hoping a big crowd will give his charges a significant homefield advantage.

“I’m glad it’s a home game and I encourage everybody to come out,” he said. “We need the support. The fans have been absolutely awesome, and I know this is Fan Appreciation Day this week. It comes at a great time, because we need everybody out here to help us.”

PLAYER STATUS (via Stallions Twitter)

Transferred Player to Active Roster: WR Michael Dereus, DE Joe Ozougwu, OT Darius Harper.

Transferred Player to Inactive Roster: WR Josh Johnson, OT Derwin Gray, DE Darrion Daniels.

Game status: CB Donnie Lewis: Out (R Hand, R Leg), S Christian McFarland: Probable (R Hamstring, R Shoulder, L Thumb), LB Rashad Smith: Probable (L Ankle), DE Jordan Thompson: Questionable (L Hamstring), WR Deon Cain: Probable (L Hamstring), DE Joe Jackson: Probable (R Ankle), LB Elijah Sullivan: Probable (R Foot), OL Matt Kaskey: Full Go (R Thumb), OL Jahmir Johnson: Full Go (L Groin).

PLAYER STATUS (via Stars Twitter)

Transferred Player to Active Roster: QB Kevin Thomson, S Joshua Moon, DE Ali Fayad.

Transferred Player to Inactive Roster: QB Vad Lee, S Devin Taylor, DE Carson Taylor.

Game status: WR Terry Wright: Full Go (L Flank), TE Pro Wells: Full Go (L Ankle), RB Dexter Williams: Full Go (R Shoulder), CB Channing Stribling: Full Go (L Hamstring), OL Tristen Taylor: Full Go (L Knee), DB Josh Moon: Full Go (L Ankle), DB Amani Dennis: Full Go (R Hip), LB Joey Alfieri: Full Go (R Knee), LB BJ Bello: Full Go (R Hamstring), DB Ladarius Wiley: Full Go (L Thumb), S Cody Brown: Full Go (L Foot), WR Diondre Overton: Full Go (R Shoulder), WR Corey Coleman: Full Go (L Hand), WR Devin Gray: Full Go (Neck), DL Chris Nelson: Full Go (R Calf), DL Ralph Holley: Full Go (L Elbow).