Month: June 2023

Notes, quotes and numbers from Birmingham’s 47-22 victory over New Orleans in the USFL South Division championship game at Protective Stadium on Sunday …

HOW THEY SCORED

Brian Allen halted New Orleans (7-4) on the opening drive with an interception that gave Birmingham (9-2) first down at the Breakers’ 31.

The journey stalled at the 23, and Brandon Aubrey came in to try a 41-yard field goal.

The kick split the uprights, putting the Stallions in front, 3-0, at 9:14 of the first.

New Orleans responded with an impressive march, highlighted by McLeod Bethel-Thompson’s 32-yard pass to Dee Anderson and capped off when Bethel-Thompson hit Jonathan Adams on a four-yard TD connection at 5:08.

Matt Coghlin made it 7-3 with the extra point, putting the final touch on an eight play, 75-yard scoring trip.

Back came Birmingham.

Alex McGough got things started by hitting Jace Sternberger with a 32-yard pass to put the ball at the enemy 30, and C.J. Marable started moving the markers on the ground. At 1:49 of the first, McGough found Sternberger on a 17-yard touchdown strike, closing out a five play, 67-yard drive.

The PAT was off the mark, but it was 9-7.

Aubrey did, however, give the Stallions more points at 9:10 of the second quarter with his second 41-yard field goal of the day. That put the hosts on top, 12-7.

Birmingham did more than get a field goal on its next turn with the ball, venturing 61 yards on four plays and hitting paydirt when McGough found Davion Davis on a 36-yard TD pass 5:22 before halftime.

The kick was good and New Orleans was in trouble, trailing 19-7.

With time running down in the second quarter, the Stallions all but put the game away.

Starting at their own 12, they went 88 yards in 13 plays, topped by a McGough to Davis five-yard touchdown toss at the :11 mark.

The extra point was successful and Birmingham – having scored on all five of its drives – was in control, 26-7.

If there was any doubt left, it was erased in the opening drive of the third quarter.

Marable scored on a 17-yard scamper at 11:55 to close out a six play, 63-yard junket, and Aubrey’s point after inflated the cushion to 33-7.

Allen’s second pick of the night put the Stallions in good shape again with a first and 10 at the Breakers’ 40.

Five plays later McGough carried it in from the five at 6:15 of the third frame, and Aubrey’s point after made it a 40-7 laugher.

New Orleans managed its second TD of the night at 14:12 of the fourth quarter when Cyrus Habibi-Likio broke loose on a 27-yard scoring run. The try for a 3-point conversion failed, and the score stood at 40-13.

The drive covered 74 yards on four plays.

Birmingham got it back plus one when McGough and Josh Johnson combined on a 33-yard TD combo with 10:29 to play and Aubrey’s extra point made the score 47-13 – a new points record for the defending USFL champions.

That trek to the end zone took six plays and covered 78 yards.

The Breakers tacked on another consolation score at the 5:10 mark when Bethel-Thompson threw a six-yard TD pass to Sage Surratt to top off an 11 play, 75-yard march.

The try for three (a pass to Adams from the 10) worked, cutting the deficit to 47-22.

New Orleans then tried the fourth-and-12 onside scrimmage play from its 33 and converted it, and were on the march again.

The drive, however, died at the Stallions’ four.

BIRMINGHAM COACH SKIP HOLTZ SAID …

“I think we’ve got great character and great leadership in that locker room, and those guys have done an unbelievable job of putting their arms around some new players that have come in and made huge impacts for us. And that’s what makes this team so much fun. And that’s why I truly believe that we’re on a quest. We’re on a journey and certainly we’ve got some things that we still have yet to accomplish. But the relationships that we have built through this journey through the USFL will be relationships that will last us all for a lifetime. And our relationship with Birmingham is part of that.”

NEW ORLEANS COACH JOHN DEFILIPPO SAID …

“I learned a lot this year, and I just told our team I’m really looking forward to having an exit Zoom meeting with all of them to see where we can get better. I want their feedback … what can we do better with installation? How can we make this a more player friendly environment? I’m looking forward to self-scouting myself with things and taking time away for a week or so. Then I really want to start honing in on what we can do better as a coaching staff so this doesn’t happen again next year.”

STANDOUT STATS

McGough was 21-31-0 passing for 310 yards and four touchdowns, and rushed for 84 yards and a TD.

Davis had two touchdowns and 75 yards on five catches while Deon Cain caught eight balls for 74 yards and Sternberger and Johnson were each on the receiving end of McGough TD tosses.

Ricky Person rushed for 87 yards on 10 carries and Marable had 72 yards on 11 totes.

The Stallions set a club record for points and racked up 553 yards of total offense.

Allen had two interceptions to pace the defense.

“We like to play a lot of man, so I went back and watched my first two games looking at what we did and the certain formations and certain routes and certain guys in certain positions.

“Watching film, you know how to prepare the right way.”

Jerod Fernandez had 12 tackles for New Orleans (eight solo) and Jarey Elder added 11 (seven individual).

Bethel Thompson was 26-50-2 for 273 yards and two touchdowns.

GREAT CROWD

The USFL doesn’t release attendance figures and I’m horrible at guessing, but Birmingham football fans showed up in big numbers on Sunday. The home side was mostly full and across the way there were quite a few fans in the lower bowl as well – sitting in an area that’s usually all but empty.

“They were unbelievable,” Holtz said. “We came out and they were on both sides. I don’t know what those total numbers were tonight … I know maybe the threat of thunderstorms probably even kept some people away, but the fans were unbelievable. I mean, they’re loud, they’re into it. I love the ‘Giddy Up.’”

ALL-STAR QBS

McGough was named the league’s top quarterback earlier this week when the league announced its All-USFL Team. But here’s a fun fact: the Stallions also have the defending all-league signal caller on its roster.

Kyle Sloter, who led the circuit in passing yards and was two-time Offensive Player of the Week in 2022 while with the Breakers, made the All-USFL team a year ago. Currently, he is third on Birmingham’s depth chart behind McGough and Jalen Morton and has yet to be activated.

Sloter jumped to the XFL this season but was released by the eventual league champion Arlington Renegades in March. He signed with the Stallions after J’Mar Smith suffered a season-ending injury in the opener on April 15.

NEXT UP

Birmingham will meet the Pittsburgh Maulers (5-6) in the USFL Championship Game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton next Saturday. Coverage on NBC begins at 7 p.m. CDT.

Birmingham coach Skip Holtz likes to call Alex McGough “the first Stallion.” And when you’re talking about the modern version of the United States Football League, he is exactly that.

The inaugural quarterback draft of the fledgling league was held on February 22, 2022, and Birmingham had the sixth pick.

McGough was Holtz’s guy.

“I actually played against Coach Holtz twice when he was at Louisiana Tech, and I always loved his offense,” McGough said after donning a Stallions cap and meeting with media members at Protective Stadium. “There’s a lot of passing, which I love, and he’s got a lot of energy. He’s so positive, and I can’t wait to get out there and learn from him.”

Unfortunately for the seventh-round pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, once the 2022 season got under way in April, QB1 soon became QB2 due to injuries.

J’Mar Smith took the reins and became a  breakout star for Birmingham, throwing for 1,572 yards and 10 touchdowns. Even when McGough got healthy enough to play, he was doing so off the bench.

“Last year I prepared like I was going to start … I didn’t act like I was a backup,” McGough said. “So that way if I had to play, I was ready. So, it’s just the same week for me.”

But what’s the expression … it’s not where you start, it’s where you finish?

When Smith got dinged up during the 2022 title game against Philadelphia, McGough came in and played a major role in the Stallions’ thrilling 33-30 victory.

That was a harbinger of things to come.

When the 2023 campaign dawned, McGough was still backing up Smith. However, a season-ending injury to the starter in the opening game against New Jersey put the ball back in McGough’s hands.

To say he’s made the most of his latest opportunity is a monumental understatement.

Entering Sunday’s South Division title game against New Orleans, McGough was 180-267-5 passing for 2,104 yards and 20 touchdowns.

He was also the Stallions’ second-leading rusher, tallying 403 yards and five TDs.

In the 47-22 blowout of the Breakers, he went 21-31-0 through the air for 310 yards and four touchdowns, and rushed for 84 yards and a TD before being lifted in favor of Jalen Morton with under three minutes remaining.

It was one of the finest all-around performances you’ll ever see, and the 27-year-old has turned in a bunch of great ones since April.

“What a pleasure for me to watch him play,” Holtz said. “Honestly, as a football coach, what a pleasure it is for me to watch him play. When things break down, when protection breaks down, he can make things happen on his own and that’s where the artistic nature of him comes in. I’m just really proud of him.”

Beyond the other-worldly stats, a perfect example of what McGough brings to the party came in the second quarter when he suffered a bloody nose after having his helmet pulled off by the facemask.

As he left the field, he pumped his arms, jumped up and down and hyped up the crowd.

Then – after sitting out a play – he came back in and promptly called his own number on a QB carry around end.

“I also know that he’s a guy that’s painting this absolute Rembrandt out there but he’s also going to go down there and try and run over somebody,” Holtz said.

If McGough isn’t named the USFL’s Most Valuable Player when the award is announced next Friday, it’ll be a huge miscarriage of spring football justice.

So, what’s next for McGough – after next Saturday’s USFL championship game, I mean?

Except for a month on the Houston Texans’ active roster in 2019, his NFL experience is of the practice squad variety.

Yes, one has to be an elite signal caller to land a roster spot in football’s biggest league, but McGough has put in the work.

“He was in the quarterback room when I was with the (Jacksonville) Jaguars in 2019,” New Orleans coach John DeFilippo said. “So, I know Alex and I’m proud of Alex. I know he kicked our butt tonight, but there’s a piece of me that’s proud of him. He’s done a tremendous job of not turning the ball over or putting the ball in harm’s way.

“And obviously, we had a hard time containing him tonight. He got out to the right and out to the left and out to the middle.”

As much as Birmingham would love to have him back in 2024 – any pro spring league would want him on their roster – he’s done everything he’s been asked to do at this level, and more.

That’s not to say he won’t get caught in a numbers game and rock Stallions colors for a third consecutive year, but man, it seems like there’s gotta be a spot for him somewhere among the 32 franchises. His combination of skill, attitude and leadership is a recipe for success.

And as a big fan of the Canadian Football League, I’d love to see him get a north-of-the-border gig if the NFL doesn’t work out.

Quarterbacks who pass well, run well and do both without fear can thrive in the three-down game. I think he could not only be a starter right off the bat, but an impact player.

Regardless of where McGough hangs his helmet in 2024, he’s already proven so much – to his coaches, his teammates, even himself. He’s a worker and a winner … a team-first guy you want around and need around.

The first Stallion?

As it turns out, Holtz – and Birmingham – couldn’t have made a better choice.

The Birmingham Stallions (8-2) and New Orleans Breakers (7-3) just can’t seem to get out of each other’s way.

Sunday night the teams will square off in the United States Football League South Division championship game at Protective Stadium, marking the second consecutive season the teams have clashed in the playoffs.

It’s also their sixth meeting overall (Birmingham holds a 4-1 lead in the series), making this the most frequent rivalry in the modern USFL’s two-year history. Birmingham is riding a five-game winning streak, while New Orleans has won three straight.

The Stallions lost to the Breakers, 45-31, in Week Three but came away with a 24-20 victory in Week Seven.

The rubber game of the 2023 season is all that matters now.

“This will be our third time this year and six times in two years that we’ve played,” said Birmingham coach Skip Holtz, who was named USFL Coach of the Year on Thursday. “I’m very familiar with what they do with Jon Tenuta, who I think does an unbelievable job as a defense coordinator. They were the number one defense in this league, and they’ve got aggressive linebackers. They’re very aggressive in the secondary and like to set the tempo. Offensively, they’ve got the top back in the league (Wes Hills), they’ve got a great run game and a very experienced quarterback (McLeod Bethel-Thompson) whose been in these pressure type situations before and is very efficient throwing the football to high-powered receivers on the outside. What’s the weakness? You know what I mean? It’s not like you’re gonna go in and dominate a team like that.”

All-USFL QB Alex McGough has been remarkable for the Stallions all season long, and continues to lead the league in passing touchdowns (20) and points (150). He’s thrown for 2,104 yards while rushing for 403 yards and five more scores.

He’s not just in the conversation as league MVP, but the first name to come up when the conversation starts.

“I think the biggest challenge preparing for them is that we’re playing the same team three times,” McGough said. “It’s just figuring out what are they going to do to try to change up or if they continue with what they thought worked and what they thought didn’t work … you know, it’s just a chess game at this point. But we’re just trying to go out and execute.”

Although it’s an all-or-nothing affair, McGough says he’s approaching the playoff game the same way he approaches all of them.

“I’ve been saying this since the beginning, I treat every game like it’s a championship game,” he said. “So that way, when we get into the situation, it’s just another week. I’m just trying to go out and execute the game plan. I’m just trying to lock in on what I need to do each and every day, and focus on the specifics of that day so I can go out and execute on game day.”

Jace Sternberger, also an All-USFL selection, leads the USFL in receiving touchdowns and is second on the team in pass-catching yards with 517. Davion Davis, a nominee for USFL Sportsman of the Year, leads the corps with 575 yards and four TDs.

C.J. Marable has scored three touchdowns on the ground while racking up 524 yards, and has 28 receptions for 235 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Kicker Brandon Aubrey remains perfect on PATs (35-for-35) and has hit 14 of 15 field goal attempts, while Colby Wadman averages 48.7 yards per punt. Wadman and long snapper Ryan Langan joined McGough and Sternberger in being named to the All-USFL Team on Wednesday.

Safety Christian McFarland leads the Birmingham defense with 33 solo tackles and 55 in all. Both cornerback Nate Brooks and safety Tyree Robinson have 29 individual takedowns and safety Nate Holley, 28.

“They’re well-coached, they have an explosive quarterback, they’re good on defense … it’s going to be a formidable opponent for us,” Breakers coach John DeFilippo said. “We know each other personally because we share a hotel with them. It’s going to be a great game, great atmosphere and great game for our league. It’s a game between the two best teams in our league.”

As Holtz suggests, however, DeFilippo’s team is loaded, too.

Bethel-Thompson is the USFL leader in passing yardage with 2,433 yards, and has thrown 14 TD passes against eight interceptions.

Sage Surratt and Jonathan Williams have combined for more than 1,000 receiving yards, but Johnnie Dixon has been Bethel-Thompson’s most productive target, coming up big with 463 yards and five touchdowns.

Hills spearheads the ground attack with 10 touchdowns on 680 yards.

The Breakers defense can be smothering, led by linebacker Vontae Diggs (38 solo tackles), linebacker Jerod Fernandez (37) and safety Jarey Elder (34).

New Orleans has allowed just 170 points all season, best among the eight teams. That will be tested against Birmingham’s league-leading 332.6 yards per game.

“I think we’re gonna play extremely hard and I know we’re playing one of the better teams in this league,” Holtz said. “We’ve had some dog fights with them and know it’s gonna come down to the end. Nothing but respect for the New Orleans Breakers.”

Coverage begins at 6 p.m. Sunday on FOX.

PLAYER STATUS (via Stallions Twitter)

Free Agent Signing: WR Peyton Ramzy.

Transferred Player to Active Roster: WR Josh Johnson, WR Adrian Hardy, CB Lorenzo Burns, LB Scooby Wright, DT Keyshon Camp, LB Elijah Sullivan.

Transferred Player to Inactive Roster: WR Peyton Ramzy, WR Michael Dereus, CB Bryan Mills, LB Brody Buck, DE Joe Ozougwu.

Transferred Player to Injured Reserve List: WR Myron Mitchell.

Game status: OL Jahmir Ross-Johnson: Out (R Shoulder), WR Myron Mitchell: Out (L Hand), DE Jonathan Newsome: Out (R Knee), S Christian McFarland: Probable (L Thumb), S JoJo Tillery: Probable (L Knee), RB Ricky Person Jr.: Probable (L Hip), LB Elijah Sullivan: Probable (Low Back), LB Scooby Wright: Probable (L Calf), QB Alex McGough: Probable (R Hand), S TJ Carter: Probable (R Groin, R Heel), OL Matt Kaskey: Probable (R Groin).

PLAYER STATUS (via Breakers Twitter)

Transferred Player to Active Roster: LB Shaheed Salmon, LB Justus Reed.

Transferred Player to Inactive Roster: LB Zakoby McClain, DT Christian Connor.

Game status: LB Shaheed Salmon: Probable (R Shoulder), OL Kirk Kelley: Probable (R Knee), WR Eli Stove: Full Go (Head), S Jarey Elder: Probable (L Shoulder), DE Justus Reed: Probable (L Knee), S James Wiggins: Questionable (R Shoulder).