The Birmingham Stallions (8-0) took on the Houston Roughnecks (1-7) on Saturday night in front of 10,245 fans at Protective Stadium. The Stallions came into this game on a 14-game winning streak. Their last loss came against these Roughnecks (then Gamblers) in Week 5 of the 2023 USFL season.
The Roughnecks fought hard but Birmingham’s defense stepped up when it needed to the most when DeMarquis Gates sacked Houston quarterback Reid Sinnett with one second left and the Stallions beat the Roughriders by the final score of 35-28. Birmingham’s winning streak is now at 15 games.
Birmingham had 322 yards on offense. Quarterback Adrian Martinez completed 19 of 31 passes (61%) for 173 yards, three touchdowns, one interception, six carries for 44 yards, and two touchdowns. In the first quarter, Martinez threw two touchdown passes for a combined 21 yards to Deon Cain and Binjimen Victor for a 12-0 lead with 4:41 left. In the third quarter, Martinez found Amari Rodgers for 10 yards for a 28-14 lead with seven seconds left.
Running back Ricky Pearson Jr. led the rushers with 15 carries for 63 yards and two catches for 11 yards. The rushers finished the night with 27 carries for 149 yards, and two touchdowns.
Wide receiver Deon Cain led the receivers making four catches for 29 yards, and one touchdown, while Marlon Williams made three catches for 27 yards. The receivers finished the night making 19 catches for 173 yards, and three touchdowns.
Kicker Ramiz Ahmed made one field goal for 45 yards. Birmingham’s defense made 75 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, seven pass breakups, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.
Houston had 311 yards on offense. Quarterback Reid Sinnett completed 6 of 13 passes (46%) for 99 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and one carry for eight yards. Sinnett’s touchdown happened in the fourth quarter to Braedon Bowman for two yards that cut Birmingham’s lead to 35-28 with 7:21 left in the game.
Backup quarterback Nolan Henderson completed 9 of 14 passes (64%) for 97 yards, nine carries for 34 yards, and one touchdown. Henderson’s touchdown happened in the third quarter for three yards which made it 28-20 Birmingham with 4:22 left.
Running back Mark Thompson led the rushers with 11 carries for 54 yards and two touchdowns. In the first quarter, Thompson scored a 37-yard touchdown that made it 12-8 Birmingham with 2:58 left, and in the second quarter scoring a three-yard touchdown which made it 15-14 with 1:56 left. Houston’s rushers finished the night with 32 carries for 135 yards, and two touchdowns.
Wide receiver Keke Chism led the receivers making seven catches for 80 yards. The receivers finished the night making 15 catches for 196 yards, and one touchdown. Houston’s defense made 66 tackles, three tackles for loss, one interception, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
Next Saturday, the Birmingham Stallions visit the San Antonio Brahmas at 3 pm on ABC, while the Houston Roughnecks host the Michigan Panthers on Sunday at 2:30 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.
