Notes, quotes and numbers from Birmingham’s South Division-clinching 27-20 victory over Memphis at Simmons Liberty Bank Stadium …
HOW THEY SCORED
Memphis (5-5) lit up the scoreboard immediately as Derrick Dillon ran the opening kickoff back 90 yards for a touchdown just 13 seconds in.
Alex Kessman kicked the extra point to make it 7-0.
Birmingham (8-2) followed with a good drive that finally stalled at the Showboats’ seven, but Brandon Aubrey kicked a 25-yard field goal to cut the lead to 7-3 at 10:19 of the first quarter.
The march covered 40 yards in eight plays.
Memphis answered with another touchdown, moving 55 yards on eight snaps and getting the score on a Cole Kelley to Vinny Papale three-yard connection at 5:52 of the first.
The kick made it 14-3.
The Stallions responded with their first paydirt strike of the day, as Alex McGough found Deon Cain on a seven-yard TD play at 14:57 of the second quarter.
Aubrey kicked straight to make it 14-10 and put an added touch to an 11 play, 72-yard trip.
Aubrey added more points 7:08 before halftime, nailing a 45-yard field goal to ensure that a nine play, 40-yard drive ended with a 14-13 scoreline.
The Boats got those three points back at 1:11 when Kessman made a 40-yard field goal to extend his team’s lead to 17-13.
A botched onside kick to start the second half gave the Stallions the ball at the Memphis 29, but a fumble two snaps later negated the error by the hosts.
The Showboats offense returned the favor after being victimized by an interception in the end zone after going 71 yards to the Stallions 12.
Birmingham took its first lead of the day at :33 of the third when C.J. Marable capped off a five play, 54-yard journey with an 18-yard rushing TD.
The PAT was good, and the visitors were on top, 20-17.
At 12:24 of the fourth quarter Kessman made a 45-yard kick, tying the game at 20-all.
The biggest play of the day came with 4:47 remaining when McGough threw a 46-yard touchdown pass to Jace Sternberger to highlight a five play, 70-yard march.
Aubrey kicked the lead to 27-20, and that’s how it ended.
BIRMINGHAM COACH SKIP HOLTZ SAID …
“It came down to making a couple of plays in the fourth quarter, and I was really proud of our team. Certainly not from their execution, but from their resolve and their determination. We had three turnovers in the red zone today, which is very uncharacteristic for us – it’s been one of our strengths. It was uncharacteristic, but I give them a lot of credit. They went and did what they had to do.”
MEMPHIS COACH TODD HALEY SAID …
“I’m so very proud of everybody in that locker room. They made it a joy for me as a head coach. They came to every single meeting, every single practice, every single game … just the joy they took in it. There are some years that are harder than others, but this was not one of those because this group of guys is a really, really unique and special group.”
STANDOUT STATS
McGough continued his MVP-level play, going 22-33-1 passing for 283 yards and two touchdowns.
Davion Davis caught nine balls for 114 yards and Sternberger had 84 yards and a TD on four catches.
“The balls were coming to me, I was finding space getting open, and Alex was just finding me.” Davis said. “Give credit to all the guys on offense doing their job … couldn’t have done it without them.”
C.J. Marable scored a touchdown and ground out 56 yards.
In all, the winners rolled up 404 yards of total offense.
Defensively, Brody Buck was in on nine tackles and Rashad Smith contributed eight.
Nate Brooks had an interception and two pass breakups.
Kelley was 20-30-1 passing for 154 yards and a TD for the Showboats, while Ezra Gray had 83 rushing yards.
Anthony Butler paced the Memphis defense with three solo tackles and a total of eight.
TODAY IN HISTORY
On June 17, 1983, the Birmingham Stallions lost to the Chicago Blitz, 29-14, in front of 22,500 fans at Legion Field.
Chicago running back Tim Spencer rushed for 132 yards on 23 carries to help George Allen’s team improve to 11-5.
Birmingham QB Bobby Lane completed just six of 19 passes for 98 yards and was picked off twice in a loss that dropped the Stallions to 8-8 in their first USFL season.
NEXT UP
The Stallions will face either New Orleans or Houston on Sunday, June 25, in the South Division championship game at Protective Stadium.
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CDT with FOX televising.
Thanks for this- I agree that the exalted play of the #USFL is a great part of its charm. These guys may or may not be NFL material, but who the hell cares! We’re watching quality football played by guys who are thrilled to have this chance to play the game at which they excel. We have to break away from the millionaires who conduct the NFL and the players who are more interested in the almighty dollar than their game.