The Memphis Showboats (1-4) visited Progressive Field on Friday night to take on the Birmingham Stallions (3-2) in a USFL Conference matchup.
The stories coming into this game were the Memphis Showboats looking for their win of the season with Dresser Winn getting the start at quarterback, while the Birmingham Stallions were looking to extend their winning streak to four games with Case Cookus as the quarterback.
In the first quarter, Memphis quarterback Dresser Winn threw a long pass to Dee Anderson, who made the catch before scoring a 78-yard touchdown. They went for a two-point conversion and got it for an 8-0 lead with 10:21 left. Later in the first quarter, Memphis kicker Matt Coughlin made a 32-yard field goal extending their lead to 11-0 with 2:05 left. The Showboats led the Stallions 11-0 at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Birmingham kicker Harrison Mevis made a 49-yard field goal to cut the Showboats lead down to 11-3 with 12:41 left. On the last play of the second quarter, Birmingham kicker Harrison Mevis attempted a 63-yard field goal and it was short. Memphis returner Isiah Henne returned the missed field goal for a 108-yard touchdown for a 17-3 lead at halftime.
Birmingham began to make a comeback in the third quarter when quarterback Case Cookus threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Thomas. They did not get the two-point conversion and Memphis led Birmingham 17-9 with 10:55 left. Those were the only points scored in the third quarter with Memphis leading Birmingham 17-9.
In the fourth quarter, Birmingham kicker Harrison Mevis made a 43-yard field goal and Birmingham trailed Memphis 17-12 with 12:43 left. Later, Memphis kicker Matt Coughlin made a 37-yard field goal for a 20-12 lead with 6:16 left of the game.
With under a minute left, Birmingham quarterback Case Cookus threw a six-yard touchdown to Marlon Williams. They got the two-point conversion and the game was tied 20-20. On the last play of the game, Memphis kicker Matt Coughlin missed a 57-yard field goal and the game headed to overtime.
In overtime, the teams played in a best-of-three shootout. After back-to-back penalties by Birmingham, Memphis was awarded two points to take a 22-20 lead. After Birmingham did not get two points, Memphis had a chance to end the game. Memphis quarterback Dresser Winn threw a game-winning touchdown to Dee Anderson and the Memphis Showboats defeated the Birmingham Stallions by the final score of 24-20.
Memphis had 323 yards of offense led by quarterback Dresser Winn completing 17 of 29 passes (58.6%) for 235 yards, one touchdown, and four carries for 11 yards. Running back Deneric Prince led the rushers with 12 carries for 59 yards. Wide receiver Dee Anderson led the receivers making four catches for 93 yards, and one touchdown, while Kwamie Lassiter II made five catches for 65 yards.
Kicker Matt Coughlin made 2 of 3 field goals (66.7%) with a long of 37 yards. The defense made 44 tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks, one interception, five pass breakups, and two forced fumbles.
Birmingham had 274 yards of offense led by quarterback Case Cookus completing 15 of 33 passes (45.5%) for 145 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and led the rushers with six carries for 83 yards. Running back Ricky Person Jr. had eight carries for 41 yards, and C.J. Marable had eight carries for 24 yards.
Wide receiver Deon Cain led the receivers making five catches for 50 yards, while Jordan Thomas made one catch for 33 yards, and one touchdown. Kicker Harrison Mevis made 2 of 3 field goals (66.7%) with a long of 49 yards. The defense made 42 tackles, five tackles for loss, and six pass breakups.
Next week, the Memphis Showboats visit the Houston Roughnecks on Saturday at 12 pm on ABC, while the Birmingham Stallions host the San Antonio Brahmas on Sunday at 4 pm on Fox. Purchase UFL tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
