Much was made about the season-opening clash between the USFL champion Birmingham Stallions and XFL title-holder Arlington Renegades. And certainly, it was a good way to kick off the United Football League and showcase the merger that made it possible.
But Birmingham’s 27-14 victory on March 30 is old news now.
Saturday’s matchup between the USFL Conference-leading Stallions (6-0) and top XFL Conference club St. Louis Battlehawks (5-1) is spring football’s game of year – at least until the playoffs begin.
The contest is set for 3 p.m. at Protective Stadium with FOX providing TV coverage.
Birmingham – winners of 13 consecutive games dating back to the 2023 USFL campaign – is coming off a playoff-clinching 39-21 victory at Memphis, while St. Louis beat Houston, 22-8, for its fifth “W” in a row.
“The ultimate goal every week is to go out and win,” Stallions boss Skip Holtz said. “And it’s hard at any level, especially with the pressure on a professional level and the balance from a talent standpoint, so really proud of what the team was able to do and being 6-0.
“It makes this game even bigger. As I’ve told the team, every game you win means the next one gets bigger. That was something that I learned from my father. You’ve gotta keep winning. You’ve just gotta stay focused with where you are and make sure that you can put your best foot forward.”
It’s no surprise that the teams are at or near the top in most UFL offensive and defensive categories: St. Louis boasts the No. 1 offense and Birmingham’s defense is best in class heading into Week 7.
“I think Anthony Becht has done a great job with his football team,” Holtz said of his counterpart. “They were one of the best teams in the XFL last year from a record standpoint, and they’re one of the best teams this year. They’ve got a very well-known quarterback in A.J. McCarron, who the people in Alabama are very familiar with. They’ve got some weapons on the perimeter. I think when you look at offensive statistics, the two of us are in the top two in most of the offensive statistics, and they’re a big-play offense.
“They have some huge weapons and have got a really good running back. And you’ve got two of the best defenses in this league. I mean, it’s got all the makings to be a great game, not only record-wise but from a talent standpoint and statistical standpoint.”
Birmingham QB Adrian Martinez has gone 62-105-1 through the air for 971 yards and seven touchdowns. He also has 327 yards on the ground, the second-best rushing mark in the league. He’s slated to get his third consecutive start on Saturday.
Deon Cain leads the receiving corps with 21 catches for 342 yards and a TD, while Marlon Williams has 12 catches for 183 yards and three touchdowns. Jace Sternberger has scored twice while reeling in 12 passes for 236 yards.
Kevin Austin Jr. has also stepped up, and now has eight catches for 147 yards and a touchdown.
“Both Kevin and Marlon have been progressing,” Holtz said. “They’ve been getting better. They go to work every day and I keep using the blue-collar approach. Grab your hard hat, let’s go to work. Let’s get better today. You’re going to have your day, the ball is going to find you, we’ve just gotta keep getting better.”
Ricky Person Jr. and C.J. Marable have put up solid rushing numbers for Birmingham. Person has six touchdowns and 193 yards with Marable adding 191 yards and one trip to the end zone.
Linebacker Kyahva Tezino has 42 tackles (24 solo), nose tackle Carlos Davis boasts six sacks for 38 backward yards, and the defensive unit has six interceptions and seven forced fumbles.
“I see a lot of similarities in Birmingham and the way they play and their style and what Coach Skip Holtz says about his football team,” Becht said. “He has done a tremendous job in Birmingham since the time he’s been there. He has a great feel for his team. He’s 27-3, and those are aspiring numbers and things I’d love to get at as a coach. They continue to be the top-tier spring league football team in all phases.
“New season, new league, they’ve never played us and we’ve never played them, and it makes for a great matchup. It’s great for our league and great for our fans.”
McCarron is 135-199-2 for 1,306 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Hakeem Butler has caught 31 of his passes for 478 yards and five touchdowns, and Marcell Ateman has added three TDs and 208 yards.
“Hakeem is a big body and does a good job finding holes,” Becht said. “He’s a mismatch problem and a size problem and they beat him up – a lot of holding – he’s got to fight through a lot but once he does, he’s difficult one-on-one.”
Jacob Saylors paces the ground attack with 242 yards and a pair of scores.
On defense, linebacker Willie Harvey has 41 total tackles and 22 individual tackles, while defensive back Qwynnterrio Cole has added 34 (16) and a pick.
The St. Louis bruise crew has six INTs and four forced fumbles through 24 quarters.
“They’re all big games and that’s not coach-speak, because we treat every game individually like it’s a championship game,” Becht said. “We don’t look past, we don’t look ahead, we live in the moment. Our biggest opponent every single week is us, the Battlehawks.”