In a thrilling USFL showdown, the Birmingham Stallions showed their prowess as they dominated the Houston Gamblers, pulling away in the second half to secure a 38-15 victory. The win bolsters the Stallions’ record to 7-2, while the Gamblers slide to 5-4. With the win, the Stallions clinch a South Division championship spot. The South Division championship will be held at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Sunday, June 25th at 7pm ET/6pm CT on FOX.
Birmingham Stallions Breakdown
Offense
The Stallions’ offense was spearheaded by their quarterback, Alex McGough, who put on a stellar performance. He completed 13 out of 21 passes for 208 yards, tossing two touchdowns and one interception. Moreover, McGough contributed in the rushing game, carrying the ball 9 times for 34 yards and adding a rushing touchdown.
In the running back position, CJ Marable had a notable game with 12 rushing attempts for 32 yards and a touchdown. His longest rush of the day was 10 yards, and he also contributed in the passing game with 3 receptions for 37 yards.
Jace Sternberger, the tight end, was a key player in the Stallions’ passing game, making 3 catches for 58 yards, including a long 41-yard reception and a touchdown. Wide receiver Deon Cain also made his presence felt with a 38-yard touchdown reception.
Defense
On the defensive side of the ball, the Stallions were stout. Middle linebacker Quentin Poling led the team with 8 tackles and an interception. Defensive tackle Khalil Davis was a force to be reckoned with, recording 4 tackles and a sack. Willie Henry and Willie Yarbary, both defensive tackles, each added a sack as well.
Houston Gamblers Breakdown
Offense
The Gamblers struggled to find their rhythm offensively. Quarterback Kenji Bahar completed 20 of his 27 pass attempts but only managed 149 yards and threw an interception. He also rushed 5 times for 15 yards. Montell Cozart contributed as well, going 4-for-7 for 31 yards through the air and rushing for 28 yards on a single carry.
Running back Mark Thompson was the standout for the Gamblers, rushing 17 times for 56 yards and catching 3 passes for an additional 15 yards. In the receiving corps, Justin Hall led the team with 6 receptions for 45 yards, while Isaiah Zuber caught 4 passes for 48 yards.
Defense
The Gamblers’ defense had a difficult time containing the Stallions’ offense. Defensive tackle Khalil Davis had a notable performance, tallying 4 tackles and a sack. Willie Henry matched Davis with 4 tackles and a sack of his own, while safety Nate Brooks and cornerback Brian Allen both contributed 4 tackles.
Takeaways
The Birmingham Stallions showed they are a team to be reckoned with, as their balanced attack on both sides of the ball propelled them to victory. The Houston Gamblers, on the other hand, will look to regroup and find ways to bolster their offense moving forward.
Birmingham’s Alex McGough and Houston’s Mark Thompson were arguably the standout performers for their respective teams. The Stallions will be hoping to maintain their momentum, while the Gamblers will need to go back to the drawing board if they want to stay competitive in the USFL standings.
USFL Box Score
