In a thrilling matchup between two evenly matched teams, the Houston Gamblers pulled off an impressive fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the Birmingham Stallions 27-20 in USFL action on Sunday.
In a tale of two halves, the Gamblers were held scoreless in the second quarter while the Stallions built a 10-7 halftime lead. However, the Gamblers came roaring back in the final quarter, scoring 20 points to seal the victory.
Quarterback Terry Wilson had a solid outing for the Gamblers, completing 9 of 14 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown. He also added 41 yards on the ground. Running back Mark Thompson was the standout performer, however, rushing for 78 yards and three touchdowns on 16 attempts.
The Gamblers’ receiving corps was led by Anthony Ratliff-Williams who had a 50-yard touchdown reception. Justin Hall also made significant contributions with 46 yards on six receptions.
On the defensive side, the Gamblers were led by cornerback Jeremiah Johnson and safety Dayan Lake, who each made four tackles. Defensive end Reggie Walker and Tim Bonner each had a sack.
For the Stallions, quarterback Alex McGough had a solid day, completing 24 of 37 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns. His leading receivers were Jace Sternberger and Myron Mitchell, who each had four catches for 41 and 33 yards respectively.
Running back CJ Marable led the Stallions’ rushing attack with 43 yards on nine carries and also contributed in the passing game with a touchdown reception. Despite these efforts, the Stallions’ offense was unable to overcome the Gamblers’ fourth-quarter surge.
Defensively, the Stallions were led by middle linebacker Khalan Tolson who made seven tackles. Outside linebacker Ronheen Bingham also contributed with a sack.
Kickers also had a key role in the game, with the Gamblers’ Nick Vogel successfully converting all three extra-point attempts while the Stallions’ Brandon Aubrey hit two field goals in the 40-49 yard range.
This victory improves the Gamblers’ record to 3-2, the same as the Stallions. The outcome of this game could have significant implications for the USFL standings down the line.
The Gamblers will look to build on this momentum in their next game, while the Stallions will be aiming to bounce back from this tough loss. Fans of both teams can expect more thrilling USFL action in the weeks to come.
USFL Box Score
