The Birmingham Stallions (3-0) had their 2024 home opener on Saturday night from Protective Stadium against the Memphis Showboats (1-2). The Stallions unveiled their 2023 USFL Championship banner in front of a crowd of 12,265. Birmingham’s defense dominated this game allowing one touchdown on their way to a 33-14 win over the Memphis Showboats.
Birmingham had 424 yards on offense. Quarterback Adrian Martinez completed 18 of 28 passes (64%) for 334 yards, two touchdowns, five carries for 44 yards, and one touchdown. Martinez’s two touchdowns happened in the first quarter.
First, his first pass was deflected and caught by Jace Sternberger for six yards for a 6-0 lead. Then, Martinez threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to Marlon Williams for a 12-6 lead. Martinez also scored an 11-yard touchdown for a 33-12 lead in the fourth quarter.
Running back Ricky Pearson Jr. had 8 carries for 37 yards and one touchdown. Birmingham rushers finished the game with 23 carries for 100 yards, and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Deon Cain led the receivers with 7 catches for 144 yards. The rest of the receivers finished the night with 18 catches for 334 yards and two touchdowns.
Kicker Chris Blewitt made three field goals with a long of 46 yards. Birmingham’s defense made 70 tackles led by linebacker Kyahva Tezino with 10 tackles (5 solo, 5 assists) and a half sack, while the rest had 8 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, four pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one interception.
Memphis had 212 yards on offense. Quarterback Case Cookus completed 15 of 22 passes (68%) for 139 yards, one touchdown, and one carry for one yard. Cookus’s touchdown happened in the first quarter throwing to Vinny Papale for 23 yards that tied the game 6-6. Backup quarterback Troy Williams completed 11 of 19 passes (58%) for 100 yards, one interception, and one carry for two yards.
Running back Titus Swen led the rushers with six carries for 14 yards. Memphis’s rushers finished the night with 12 carries for 20 yards. Wide receiver Jonathan Adams led the receivers with six catches for 49 yards, while Vinny Papale made three catches for 38 yards and one touchdown. Memphis’s receivers finished the night with 26 catches for 239 yards and one touchdown.
Kicker Matt Coghlin made two field goals with a long of 57 yards. Memphis’s defense finished the night with 64 tackles, three tackles for loss, three sacks, two pass breakups, one forced fumble, and a safety.
Next Saturday, the Memphis Showboats visit the St. Louis Battlehawks at 12:30 pm on ABC, followed by the Birmingham Stallions hosting the D.C. Defenders at 7 pm on FOX. Subscribe to Fubo to watch all of the 2024 UFL Season and tickets for the game are available today on StubHub and Viagogo.
