Category: Alternative Football

Notes, quotes and numbers from Birmingham’s playoff-clinching 38-15 rout of Houston on Sunday at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis …

HOW THEY SCORED

The teams swapped turnovers in the first quarter, and Houston was the first to capitalize on a miscue. After taking over at the Birmingham 30 following an Alex McGough fumble, Houston’s offense could muster only a yard of forward progress.

UAB product Nick Vogel still put points on the board, kicking a 47-yard field goal at 3:07 of the first to move the Gamblers in front, 3-0.

Houston was back in business after Deon Cain fumbled the ensuing kickoff return, setting the Gamblers up at the Stallions’ 26.

Again, the defense held and again, Vogel was called upon to salvage points. His 24-yard effort split the pipes, and it was 6-0 at 14:17 of the second quarter.

A botched punt by Houston’s Hunter Niswander resulted in a fumble, giving the Stallions first-and-10 at the Houston 20.

However, they couldn’t find paydirt, either, so Brandon Aubrey did the scoring honors with a 24-yard field goal 6:36 before halftime.

The 3-point trend continued in the waning moments of the second when Vogel was good from 36 yards at the :57 mark, and the Gamblers were up, 9-3.

A 41-yard McGough to Jace Sternberger connection put Birmingham in scoring range, and a 26-yard toss to C.J. Marable moved the markers down to the one.

A sack pushed the ball back to the six with 18 seconds left but McGough hit Sternberger on a 4-yard scoring play at :13 of the frame to account for the day’s first TD.

Aubrey kicked the extra point and a five play, 68-yard drive ended with the Stallions in the lead, 10-9.

Birmingham opened the second half in style, moving 67 yards in just four plays. McGough threw a perfect strike to Cain for a 38-yard touchdown at 13:03 of the third quarter, and Aubrey kicked the score to 17-9.

Houston answered with a methodical march but it fizzled short of the goal line. Vogel made it four-for-four with a 34-yard field goal at 5:56 of the third to cut the deficit to 17-12.

The Gamblers were on offense again quickly after McGough was picked off, scrimmaging from the Stallions 41.

They got as close at the four before it was time for Vogel, and the sidewinder’s 29-yard kick was right down the alley.

With 3:16 remaining in the third, Birmingham’s lead was down to 17-15.

Early in the fourth quarter, it was up to 24-15.

Marable cashed in an eight play, 47-yard march with a two-yard rush, and the kick had the Stallions ahead by nine with 14:19 to play.

The defending champions wrapped things up with 8:53 left.

Gamblers QB Kenji Bahar was scrambling for extra yardage when he lost the ball and it was snagged mid-air by recent free agent signee Matt Hankins, who rambled 32 yards for a touchdown.

The kick made it 31-15, and Birmingham (7-2) was playoff-bound while the Houston (5-4) needs a win over New Orleans next week to stay alive.  

The winners added insurance 4:12 from the finish when McGough called his own number and scored on a 16-yard scamper to cap off a five play, 43-yard journey to paydirt.

Aubrey kicked the final to 38-15.

BIRMINGHAM COACH SKIP HOLTZ SAID …

“I’m just really proud to get to seven (wins). And the goal at the beginning was, let’s be as good as we can be. And I think we can be pretty good.”

HOUSTON COACH CURTIS JOHNSON SAID …

“I think when you play in this game, you’ve got to know who you’re playing against. That’s a great football team and they were the champs last year. You know, if you don’t score a touchdown to put them away pretty early, it’s gonna come back to haunt you.”

STANDOUT STATS

McGough finished 13-21-1 for 208 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 34 yards and another score to lead the team.

“I just think we kind of got into our rhythm after that two-minute drive (late in the first half) where we stopped thinking so much,” McGough said. “I think we stopped trying to do everything perfectly, and we just started playing football like we know how to play.”

Sternberger paced the Stallions’ receiving corps with three catches for 58 yards and a TD.

Quentin Poling had 10 tackles – eight solo – as well as an interception, half sack and two tackles for loss.

The defense limited Houston to 232 yards of total offense, and the Gamblers converted just four of 16 third down conversions.

“The real winner today is the way that defense played,” Holtz said. “I mean, the job they did with the poor field position, the job they did in the red zone. Five field goals, I mean, they did an unbelievable job in the red zone. I’m just really proud of the way the defense played.”

NOW THEY’RE EVEN

Heading into Sunday’s game, Houston was the only team in the USFL with a winning record against Birmingham. The teams split their two 2022 meetings, and the Gamblers won back in Week 5 of 2023.

The Week 9 outcome now puts the modern USFL series mark at 2-2, with the possibility they could also meet in the playoffs on June 25.

TODAY IN HISTORY

On this day in 1983, the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League defeated the Boston Breakers, 31-19, in front of 20,500 fans at Legion Field.

Birmingham quarterback Bob Lane ran for a TD and hit Gary Anderson on a TD pass, while Lonnie Johnson rushed for two more Birmingham touchdowns.

The Stallions improved to 8-7 with the victory.

NEXT UP

Birmingham returns to Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium next Saturday to face the Memphis Showboats. TV coverage begins at 3 p.m. on FOX.

OK, gang, the Birmingham Stallions defeated the Houston Gamblers today, 38-15, which means the United States Football League’s South Division title game will be played at Protective Stadium on Sunday, June 25.

“What an honor for us to be in the playoffs again,” Birmingham coach Skip Holtz said. “What a great accomplishment for this football program.”

But now it’s time for a pop quiz.

When was the last time a professional football team based in Birmingham hosted a playoff game?

You in the front … the one wearing the vintage Lionel Messi/Barcelona jersey.

“Last Wednesday. Birmingham Legion FC hosted Inter Miami CF in a U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal match.”

Hmmm … you’ve got me there. It’s association football and a single-elimination tournament qualifies as a playoff, so I’ll allow it. But that wasn’t what I meant, so let me clarify.

I’ll word it this way … when was the last time a professional tackle football team based in Birmingham hosted a playoff game?

Yeah, the guy in the back with your hand up … the one wearing the vintage Kurt Warner/Iowa Barnstormers jersey … go.

“August 17, 2002. The af2 Birmingham Steeldogs hosted the Peoria Pirates in the conference championship game.”

Well, you got me, there. That’s correct and I’ll give you proper credit, but it’s not what I’m looking for.

I’ll rephrase the question … when was the last time an 11-player professional outdoor tackle football team based in Birmingham hosted a playoff game?

All right, you … the one wearing the vintage Marcella Sanborn/Cleveland Daredevils jersey.

“January 18, 2003. The Birmingham Steel Magnolias were the host team for the Women’s Football Association championship game between the Jacksonville Dixie Blues and Indianapolis Vipers, which was played in Birmingham.”

Dang, we got a buncha brainiacs.

That’s the right answer, but I’m obviously asking the wrong question.

I’m gonna try this once more – and this is as clear as I know how to make it:

When was the last time an 11-player men’s professional outdoor tackle football team based in Birmingham hosted a playoff game?

Anyone?

Anyone?

It’s a shame no one wearing a vintage Kurt Warner/Amsterdam Admirals jersey raised a hand. I’ll bet they’d know.

You have to go back 32 years to find the correct answer, and that answer is June 1, 1991. That was the day the Birmingham Fire of the World League of American Football welcomed the Barcelona Dragons to Legion Field in a semi-final playoff game.

A crowd of 37,590 showed up to cheer on the Fire, but five turnovers doomed the home team in a sloppy, boring, 10-3 loss.

And if you’re keeping score at home, that was the sixth time the Magic City had showcased a postseason gridiron contest in a play-for-pay men’s league.

The Birmingham Americans hosted two in 1974 on their way to the World Football League championship; the original Stallions totaled three in their three years of existence; and the Fire had the one-and-done in 1991.

Since then, nothing.

The Birmingham Barracudas of the Canadian Football League played one playoff contest in 1995, but that was in San Antonio. (And before you call me out, I realize the CFL plays 12-man football).

The Birmingham Thunderbolts of the original XFL (2001) were the worst team in the league, and at 2-8 didn’t sniff the postseason.

And the Alliance of American Football Birmingham Iron (2019) secured a playoff berth with a 5-3 record, but the league never reached a ninth week.

Finally, though, Birmingham is back in the pro football postseason business. In two weeks, Protective Stadium will feature the Stallions and either New Orleans, Houston or Memphis.

“The fans are great,” Holtz said. “They’re unbelievable. They’ve been awesome at home. What a treat to know that we’re gonna have the opportunity to play one more game in Birmingham in the 2023 season, so I can’t say thank you enough to them.”

The event – and playoffs are events – will be a long time coming for the city, and a first-time occurrence for the newish stadium in the Uptown.

And who knows?

One day it might be the correct answer to a pop quiz question.

Get your Stallions jerseys ready …

Round two of the 2023 Birmingham-Houston series is set for Sunday at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis. And if you like high-stakes regular season clashes, this one most certainly fits the bill.

The Stallions enter the contest atop the South Division with 6-2 record, while the Gamblers stand at 5-3.

But Houston defeated Birmingham 27-20 in Week 5, so a sweep by Curtis Johnson’s team means the Gamblers will overtake Skip Holtz’s club.

“Right now, we’re thinking about going 1-0, and I’m focused on getting revenge against Houston,” Birmingham tight end Jace Sternberger said.

If that happens and the Stallions improve to 7-2, they secure a playoff spot and move a step closer to a division crown. A positive result for Birmingham would leave Houston on the outside looking in for a postseason berth, pending the fortunes of the Memphis Showboats (5-3) and New Orleans Breakers (5-3), who meet today in Memphis.

Currently, all four teams have 2-2 divisional records.

Translation?

The South Division is a cluster.

“We’re sitting here at 6-2, and we have a chance to clinch a playoff berth, which is ultimately what this is all about,” Stallions coach Skip Holtz said. “We started eight weeks ago and knew there were four teams in the South who’d be fighting for two spots.

“There’s an awful lot riding on this. This is the team that beat us the first time around, and we feel like from a tiebreaker standpoint and everything else this is a really big game for us.”

Once again running the offensive show for Birmingham is quarterback Alex McGough, who continues to lead the USFL in passing touchdowns (16) and points (120). He’s completed 68 percent of his passes for 1,614 yards, and has rushed for 337 yards and four TDs.

“I just think of it as another game,” McGough said of tomorrow’s showdown. “Coach went over the standings and what we need to do, but every week we just have the 1-0 mentality, and I think if we try to get away from that, it’s a distraction.

“I just think we’ve got to stick to the plan and stick to what got us here in the first place.”

Sternberger leads the receiving corps in point production with five touchdowns, while Davion Davis has amassed 437 yards catching the ball.

C.J. Marable, who has turned into a dual-threat coming out of the backfield, has 437 ground yards (4.6 yards per carry) and 194 receiving yards. His 891 all-purpose yards ranks second on the USFL charts.

Nate Holley and Christian McFarland each have 27 solo tackles to set the standard for Birmingham’s defense.

And although the team has had more than its share of injuries, good fortune has managed to arise from misfortune.

“With injury comes an opportunity,” Holtz said. “I hate injuries, and we do everything we can to try to prevent them, but at the beginning of the season with the number of people that went out, a lot of guys have stepped up and new faces have emerged.

“You look at (receivers) Davion Davis and Deon Cain, and the offensive line with Cohl Cabral and with (Matt) Kaskey and Derwin (Gray) and (Jahmir) Johnson and what some of these guys are doing … I just think there are a lot of positives that have come out of this. A lot of people have played key roles to make us successful to this point.”

Houston is coming off a 20-19 victory over the Pittsburgh Maulers in Canton, another tight game in what has been a highly competitive season across the board.

“This is a good football league,” Johnson said. “They’re outstanding coaches. Just look who all our coaches are. (Almost) all these coaches have NFL experience, that’s why this game is played like the NFL.”

Mark Thompson has the most rushing touchdowns in the USFL with 13, scoring two on Saturday in a victory that saw him net 98 yards on 14 carries. His 514 yards are second only to Wes Hills of New Orleans, who has 613.

QB Kenji Bahar was 11-20-0 passing for 146 yards and a touchdown, and has thrown for 1,326 yards through eight games. His top target is Joe Walker, with 464 receiving yards.

Defensively, the Gamblers allowed 326 yards of total offense and 22 first downs, but held the Maulers to just three of nine third down conversions and allowed only one red zone score out of three opportunities.

Defensive end Isaiah Chambers has 11 tackles for loss – tops in the league.

“I think the players are really excited about the opportunity to play,” Holtz said. “We’re excited to go on the road and travel, but if we can get that magic number seven and get into the playoffs, that’s ultimately what we’re trying to do.”

PLAYER STATUS (via Stallions Twitter)

Free Agent Signing: RB Benny LeMay, DT Keyshon Camp.

Transferred Player to Active Roster: CB Matt Hankins, OT Derwin Gray, DE Jordan Thompson.

Transferred Player to Inactive Roster: RB Benny LeMay, DT Keyshon Camp, CB Bryan Mills, OG Tre’Vour Wallace-Simms.

Suspended list: DE Joe Jackson.

Game status: OL Derwin Gray: Probable (Illness), DE Joe Jackson: Out (Infection). S Christian McFarland: Probable (R Hamstring, R Shoulder, L Thumb), DB JoJo Tillery: Probable (L Knee), RB Ricky Person Jr.: Probable (L Hip), WR Deon Cain: Probable (L Hamstring), RB CJ Marable: Probable (R Torso), LB Quentin Poling: Probable (R Achilles), S Tyree Robinson: Probable (R Thumb/R Wrist), WR Davion Davis: Probable (L Ankle), OL Matt Kaskey: Full Go (R Thumb), DL Jordan Thompson: Full Go (L Hamstring).

PLAYER STATUS (via Gamblers Twitter)

Transferred Player to Active Roster: OC Braylon Jones, DE Reggie Walker, OLB Chris Garrett, DT Josh Avery.

Transferred Player to Inactive Roster: CB Malcolm Washington, DE Guy Thomas, OG Jair Joseph.

Released: DE Eli Howard.Game status: LB Reggie Walker: Questionable (L Ribs), TE Rodell Rahmaan: Probable (R Hamstring), DT Jeffery Johnson: Out (L Hand), OL Jordan Steckler: Questionable (L Hamstring), DB Andrew Soroh: Probable (Head), OL Braylon Jones: Full Go (L Ankle), TE Brandon Barnes: Full Go (L Hand), OL Brandon Hitner: Full Go (L Shoulder), OL Na’Ty Rodgers: Full Go (R Shoulder), LB Ronheen Bingham: Full Go (R Hamstring).