UFL | Birmingham Stallions win inaugural UFL Championship, 25-0 San Antonio

SF. LOUIS, Mo. (June 16, 2024) – The Birmingham Stallions shut out the San Antonio Brahmas 25-0 on Sunday at The Dome at America’s Center to win the inaugural United Football League championship.

Two of the league’s top defenses created a stalemate and scoreless tie for most of the first half. It took some time, but Birmingham’s top-rated attack finally got on track late in the first half. The Stallions scored on three consecutive possessions in the second and third quarters to take a 22-0 lead and cruise to victory.

In the end, the Rams’ strong offense and an inspired performance from their defense led to a third consecutive championship for Birmingham. Skip Holtz’s team won the 2022 and 2023 USFL Championship before the XFL and USFL merged to create the United Football League.

San Antonio (8-4) entered the championship game with the top-ranked defense in the UFL, while Birmingham (11-1) was the No. 2 ranked defensive unit. Both showed up early. Neither team scored in the first 29 minutes and 20 seconds.

Birmingham finally broke the seal on the score with 40 seconds left in the first half. Gary Jennings hauled in an 8-yard touchdown pass from Adrian Martinez, capping a six-play, 69-yard drive. A 2-point conversion pass from Martinez to Amari Rodgers gave the Stallions an 8-0 halftime lead.

Martinez and the Stallions offense continued to roll to open the second half. The Bears quarterback got loose around left end for an 11-yard touchdown run four minutes into the third quarter. His 2-point conversion pass to Jordan Thomas made it 16-0.

A San Antonio turnover led to Birmingham’s third straight score. Kyahva Tezino forced a Jontre Kirklin fumble that was recovered by Armasari’s Kenny Robinson Jr. on the first play of the Brahmas’ ensuing possession. Martinez finished that possession as well, scoring on a quarterback pass on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line to take a 22-point lead.

Birmingham added a 49-yard field goal from Chris Blewitt with 11:31 left in the contest to account for the final tally.

Martinez, the United Football League’s Most Valuable Player, accounted for all three touchdowns in the game and was named the UFL Championship Game’s Most Valuable Player. He finished 13 of 28 passing for 98 yards and a touchdown. On the ground, Martinez ran for 52 yards on 11 carries with two TDs. Ricky Person Jr. paced the Stallions with 102 yards on 13 carries. The Stallions outgained San Antonio 308-208, including a 210-52 advantage on the ground. Defensively, Tezino racked up a team-best nine total tackles and forced two fumbles.

Chase Garbers finished 18 of 26 for 116 yards to lead the Brahmas offense. Teez Tabor recorded a team-best 10 total tackles for the San Antonio defense.