UFL | Stallions rally back, beat Panthers 31-18 in USFL conference championship game

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (June 8, 2024) –The Birmingham Stallions (10-1) defeated the Michigan Panthers (7-4) 31-18 in the USFL Conference championship game on Saturday at Protective Stadium. The game had an attendance of 10,287.

The Stallions advance to the UFL Championship Game on Sunday, June 16 at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis (4 p.m. CT on FOX / FOX Sports on SiriusXM). The team will play the winner of the XFL conference championship game tomorrow with the St. Louis Battlehawks and San Antonio Brahmas (6 p.m. CT on FOX / FOX Sports on SiriusXM).

The back-to-back USFL champions started the game on defense and saw the Panthers march down the field with a five-play drive that lasted less than three minutes. QB Danny Etling would find WR Siaosi Mariner for a 35-yard touchdown, putting the visitors up 6-0 early. The Stallions fumbled on their first possession of the game, turning the ball over on downs. Michigan PK Jake Bates converted field goals of 53 and 42 yards, leaving Birmingham in a 12-0 hole after a forgettable opening quarter.

Playing motivated to start the second quarter, the Stallions offense went on an eight-play, 65-yard drive that put Birmingham on the board. PK Chris Blewitt drilled a 23-yard field goal to make it 12-3, which was quickly tied by a 39-yarder from Bates. On the ensuing Stallions possession, a costly fumble by QB Adrian Martinez (forced by LB Noah Dawkins) turned into another Michigan field goal, this one coming from 25 yards out. Birmingham would only need one play behind them as Martinez connected with TE Jordan Thomas for a 50-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to nine points. Another Blewitt field goal from 43 yards out made it an 18-12 game at halftime.

The second half got off to a wild start as there were a combined six turnovers between the two teams in the third quarter. Michigan had interceptions by CB Adonis Alexander and LB Javin White and a forced fumble by DT Walter Palmore. Birmingham had a forced fumble by DE Dondrea Tillman and interceptions by CBs Ike Brown and Daniel Isom. Isom’s interception was a 48-yard pick-six that tied the game at 18 a play before the final quarter.

Stallions backup QB Matt Corral would be responsible for the opening score in the fourth as he found WR Amari Rodgers for a seven-yard touchdown, giving them their first lead of the game at 24-18. Following a blocked field goal by Birmingham on the next drive, RB Ricky Person Jr. found ground on a 15-yard pass from Corral. A successful one-point conversion reception by Thomas gave the Stallions a 31-18 lead. Brown’s second interception of the day would ice things up for Birmingham with their eyes set on a three-peat.