The Birmingham Stallions (7-2) punched their ticket to the USFL playoffs on Sunday afternoon at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium with a 38-15 win over the Houston Gamblers (5-4).
Birmingham quarterback Alex McGough completed 13 of 21 passes (61.9%) for 208 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, and led the rushers with nine carries for 34 yards, and one touchdown. Running back CJ Marable finished second in rushing with 12 carries for 32 yards, one touchdown, three catches for 37 yards, and four kick returns for 120 yards.
Tight end Jace Sternberger led the receivers with three catches for 58 yards, and one touchdown, while wide receiver Deon Cain had one catch for 38 yards, and one touchdown. Kicker Brandon Aubrey converted one field goal for 24 yards and made five extra points.
Birmingham’s defense allowed 232 yards, with 86 tackles, seven tackles for loss, five sacks, one interception, five pass breakups, one touchdown, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
Houston quarterback Kenji Bahar completed 20 of 27 passes (74.1%) for 149 yards, one interception, and five carries for 15 yards. Backup quarterback Montell Cozart completed 4 of 7 passes (57.1%) for 31 yards.
Running back Mark Thompson had 17 carries for 56 yards, and three catches for 15 yards, while wide receiver Isaiah Zuber led the receivers with four catches for 48 yards. Kicker Nick Vogel converted five field goals with a long of 47 yards.
Houston’s defense allowed 292 yards, with 40 tackles, six tackles for loss, one interception, four pass breakups, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.
Next Saturday, the Birmingham Stallions close out the regular season against the Memphis Showboats at 4 pm on FOX, while the Houston Gamblers battle the New Orleans Breakers next Sunday at 4 pm on FS1. Subscribe to Fubo to watch all of the 2023 USFL Season, and tickets for both games are available today on StubHub and Viagogo.
