The Birmingham Stallions defeated the Michigan Panthers, 31-18, in the USFL conference championship game. With the win, the Stallions (10-1) advance to the first-ever United Football League Championship.
The Panthers (7-4) took an early lead with a touchdown on the opening drive, but the Birmingham defense held them to field goals on their next four possessions. The Stallions' offense struggled early but eventually settled into a groove late in the first half.
The second half was more of a defensive battle, as the two teams traded turnovers and punts throughout the third quarter. The only score of the third quarter was a game-tying pick-six by the Stallions.
The Stallions made a surprising QB change in the third quarter. Adrian Martinez, the likely UFL MVP, was replaced by former Ole Miss star Matt Corral in the third quarter. Corral led the Stallions to victory, going 9-for-11 with 120 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
Former LSU and New England Patriots QB Danny Etling started for the Panthers, going 18-for-29 with 182 yards, a touchdown, three interceptions and a lost fumble.
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Here are more takeaways from the Stallions' victory in the USFL conference championship:
Electric first half
The Panthers struck first with a 35-yard touchdown pass from Etling to receiver Siaosi Mariner on the opening drive. Birmingham's offense was stopped on fourth and inches on its first drive, and all-UFL kicker Jake Bates added a field goal to give Michigan an early 9-0 lead. Both teams kicked a field goal before the first quarter ended to make it 12-3 into the second.
While the offense struggled, the Stallions' defense entered "bend, don't break" mode. They held the Panthers to two more field goals, including one after a strip-sack of Martinez by linebacker Noah Dawkins set Michigan up at the Stallions' 14-yard line. The two field goals made it 18-3, but those would be Michigan's final points of the game.
Martinez bounced back from the fumble immediately, floating a perfect deep ball to tight end Jordan Thomas for a 50-yard touchdown on the Stallions' next offensive snap. Bates missed his fifth field goal attempt of the first half from 51 yards out with about two minutes remaining. Martinez led another field goal drive to cut into the lead, and the Stallions trailed 18-12 at halftime.
Defenses shine in third quarter
The second half evolved into a defensive struggle, particularly the third quarter.
Martinez attempted a deep ball to the end zone on the Stallions' first play of the half that was intercepted by Adonis Alexander. Birmingham got the ball back when defensive lineman Dondrea Tillman sacked Etling, forcing a fumble that linebacker Damon Lloyd recovered. However, Martinez fumbled on a scramble up the middle, and Michigan's Mika Tafua recovered.
Later in the quarter, Etling threw his first interception of the game to Stallions corner Ike Brown. The Stallions then turned to Corral, but his second throw was intercepted after it was bobbled by receiver Marlon Williams. Etling then threw his second interception in as many attempts, this one to Daniel Isom. Isom returned the ball 48 yards for a touchdown that tied the game 18-18.
Matt Corral provides late-game heroics
Corral began the season as the Stallions starter, splitting time with Martinez until Martinez took over as the full-time starter. Corral had not seen any playing time since starting the Stallions' Week 4 victory over the D.C. Defenders on April 20. Martinez, meanwhile, enjoyed a breakout season, earning all-UFL honors for his performance.
Martinez struggled against the Panthers on Saturday, though. Martinez was 10-for-19 with 164 yards, a touchdown and an interception, but his day was largely helped by the 50-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. He struggled to find any running lanes to take advantage of his scrambling and was benched after his second fumble of the game.
Corral shook off an interception on his second attempt and led the Stallions to victory. With the game tied at 18 in the fourth quarter, Corral led a 75-yard touchdown drive, highlighted by a 43-yard dime to receiver Gary Jennings. He capped it off with a seven-yard touchdown pass to Amari Rodgers that gave Birmingham a 24-18 lead.
After the Stallions blocked a field goal, Corral led another scoring drive that took five minutes off the clock and put the game away for Birmingham. He finished it off with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Ricky Person Jr. and a one-point conversion pass to Thomas.
What's next in the UFL Playoffs?
The Stallions advance to the UFL Championship on Sunday, June 16, where they will play the winner of the XFL conference championship between the St. Louis Battlehawks and San Antonio Brahmas. The XFL championship will be on Sunday, June 9, at 6 p.m. CT in St. Louis.
