The USFL Conference Champions Birmingham Stallions (9-1) and the XFL Conference Champions San Antonio Brahams (7-3) played for the inaugural UFL Championship Game on Sunday afternoon in front of 27,396 fans from The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
The game started slow with great defenses on both sides of the ball before Birmingham took control and dominated the rest of the way pitching a 25-0 shutout win over the Brahmas for their straight championship (2 USFL, 1 UFL). It was the first shutout of the season and the Stallions overall record in three years is 32-4. Quarterback Adrian Martinez was named the UFL Championship Game MVP.
Birmingham had 308 yards on offense. Quarterback Adrian Martinez completed 13 of 23 passes (57%) for 98 yards, one touchdown, 11 carries for 52 yards, and two touchdowns. In the second quarter, Martinez threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to Gary Jennings for an 8-0 lead with 40 seconds left.
In the third quarter, Martinez scored an 11-yard touchdown for a 16-0 lead with 11 minutes left. With 7:25 left, Martinez scored a one-yard touchdown making it 22-0. Running back Ricky Person Jr. led the rushers with 13 carries for 102 yards. The rushers finished the afternoon with 35 carries for 210 yards, and two touchdowns.
Wide receiver Marlon Williams led the receivers making four catches for 36 yards, while Gary Jennings made two catches for 19 yards and one touchdown. Kicker Chris Blewitt made one field goal in the fourth quarter for 49 yards which made it 25-0 with 11:31 left in the game. Birmingham’s defense made 66 tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks, six pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
San Antonio had 208 yards on offense. Quarterback Chase Garbers completed 18 of 26 passes (69%) for 116 yards, and three carries for seven yards. Backup quarterback Quinten Dormady completed 6 of 9 passes (67%) for 58 yards.
Running back Anthony McFarland led the rushers with 9 carries for 32 yards, and made six catches for 38 yards. The rushers finished the afternoon with 16 carries for 52 yards.
Wide receiver Calvin Turner made five catches for 49 yards, while Jontre Kirklin made five catches for 23 yards. San Antonio’s defense made 59 tackles, one tackle for loss, two pass breakups, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.
In North American football history, the Edmonton Eskimos (CFL) won five straight Grey Cup Championships from 1978 through 1982, and the Green Bay Packers won three straight NFL Championships from 1965 through 1967. This is a good company to be in for the Birmingham Stallions.
