In J’Mar Smith and Alex McGough, the Birmingham Stallions had formidable co-pilots in their drive to another United States Football League title.
When the defending champions take the field against Memphis on Saturday, McGough will have the keys – and the map – all to himself.
It was announced on Wednesday that Smith was gone for the season after suffering an injury to his left ring finger in Birmingham’s 27-10 victory over New Jersey in the season opener.
“He came to me during the game and told me he had injured his hand,” Stallions coach Skip Holtz said. “It wasn’t his throwing hand and he said, ‘If you need me to go back in, I can go back. I might have a hard time under the center, but I can do it.’
“We kind of buddy taped it, but Alex did a really good job and we didn’t feel like it was worth it (to put Smith back in), so we finished the game with Alex.”
Smith was 10-15-1 passing for 160 yards and a touchdown pass – one that came on Birmingham’s first offensive play – when he was forced to exit.
McGough’s first pass was also a TD, and he finished with 68 yards through the air and 55 more on the ground with a rushing TD.
Immediately after the game, however, no one knew the team’s quarterback room would be missing a key component.
“I found out Sunday,” Holtz said. “They did an MRI and everything and saw it was a tendon, and tendons are not quick-healing things.”
McGough and Smith are friends, which made hearing the news tough for both.
“Yeah, it was hard for me,” McGough said. “He’s been at practice both days and we’re friends. It’s hard for him, and I know it is. And I’m just here for him. He knows I’m here. We’re all here for him. Everybody is, and he’ll be able to bounce back quick.”
Later on Thursday Smith tweeted: “I love you all! Successful surgery, road to a fully functioning hand! 1-0 Mentality GIDDY UP!”
McGough was the first quarterback taken by the Stallions last season, one of eight flagship QBs that launched the new league. He got the game one start but rolled his ankle, opening the door for Smith to get his shot.
By season’s end, Smith had thrown for 1,572 yards and 10 touchdowns to McGough’s 460 yards and three touchdowns.
McGough rushed for 135 yards and scored three times, and the two tag-teamed a Stallions victory over Philadelphia in the inaugural USFL Championship Game when Smith exited with cramps.
“I mean, (running) … it’s part of my game,” McGough said. “I know it makes the coaches nervous. I wish I could not do it. You know, I wish I could sit back there and throw the ball. But I think when the opportunity presents itself, you’ve got to make plays and just try to do what’s best and not get hurt.”
Holtz said he’s asked McGough not to run, but isn’t convinced he’ll listen.
“He plays the game with passion and emotion, and that’s what I love about him and that’s what makes him such a good player,” Holtz said. “But he’s probably a little bit hard to control sometimes because when he goes out there, he’s an instinctual player who is very athletic, and he’s gonna pull the ball down and run some with it.”
With Smith out, Jalen Morton moves up to the No. 2 spot on the depth chart. The 25-year-old has been on a pair of NFL offseason rosters and played with the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats from 2021 to 2022.
“That guy’s got a rocket arm,” McGough said. “He’s got a lot of athletic ability … pretty similar to me. And so far in practices, he’s doing great. Hopefully he doesn’t have to go in but if he does, he’s ready.”
QB Kyle Sloter, a first-round selection of the New Orleans Breakers in 2022 who last played for the XFL’s Arlington Renegades, was signed Thursday night.
As for being the man expected to take every Birmingham snap from center on Saturday when the Showboats come in for a 6 p.m. kickoff, McGough says he’s ready, too.
“It just means that I have to step up,” he said. “I have to be the guy now.”
Coming Friday: Stallions deal with injuries, brace for Memphis.