The USFL’s only remaining unbeaten squad maintained its perfect record on Saturday evening at Protective Stadium, as the Birmingham Stallions topped the Michigan Panthers, 33-17.
Birmingham (6-0) managed 332 total yards against Michigan’s top-ranked defense, including 175 on the ground and 157 through the air attack by quarterbacks J’Mar Smith and Alex McGough. Coming into the game, Michigan had allowed just 244.8 total yards per game, the best mark in the league.
In his second appearance of the season, Panther and former Alabama running back Bo Scarbrough rushed for 105 yards and a touchdown, becoming the seventh player this season to reach the century-mark in the run game.
Defensively, Birmingham was led by safety JoJo Tillery, who registered nine tackles, while reigning USFL Defensive Player of the Week DeMarquis Gates tallied four tackles, a sack and a critical interception to set up the Stallions’ first-half go-ahead field goal.
Frank Ginda, the USFL’s seventh-leading tackler coming into the week, totaled 10 tackles to pace Michigan (1-5). Offensively, Panther quarterback Shea Patterson was 24-of-35 for 209 yards, while Reggie Corbin led the ground attack with 71 rush yards on 16 carries.
Birmingham now turns its attention to next Sunday’s 1 p.m. kick on FOX against Pittsburgh (1-4), while Michigan faces New Orleans (3-2) on Saturday at 8 p.m. on FOX Sports 1. Both games are set to be held at Protective Stadium.
Ike Brown Leads New Orleans to 26-16 Victory over Pittsburgh
Cornerback Ike Brown had two interceptions, including one which he returned 97 yards for a touchdown, in leading the New Orleans Breakers to a 26-16 victory over the Pittsburgh Maulers on Sunday afternoon at Protective Stadium.
Brown’s 97-yard score came with 10:47 left in the fourth quarter and moved New Orleans ahead 23-3. Pittsburgh added two late touchdowns, but New Orleans then put together a four minute drive, capped by a 38-yard field, to seal the victory.
New Orleans (4-2) held Pittsburgh (1-5) to 277 total yards of total offense and hit its season average by allowing just 16 points. The USFL’s second-leading tackler Jerod Fernandez tallied a team-high 11 tackles for New Orleans, while Kyahva Tezino and Dale Warren each had a game-high 12 stops for Pittsburgh.
New Orleans running back Anthony Jones carried the ball 22 times for 102 yards and a touchdown to lead the Breakers offense.
Walkoff Touchdown Gives New Jersey 26-25 Victory Over Houston
Luis Perez scored on a fourth down quarterback sneak from the 1-yard line on the final play of the game to give the New Jersey Generals a thrilling 26-25 victory over the Houston Gamblers on Sunday afternoon at Protective Stadium.
After Houston gained the lead on a fumble recovery touchdown with 5:50 remaining, New Jersey took possession and never gave it back as Perez converted two fourth downs, including the final play as he punched the ball over the goal line for the victory.
New Jersey dominated the clock, holding the ball for more than 40 minutes. And despite a gutsy defensive effort, Houston fell to 1-5 overall and have lost five in a row by a combined 15 points. New Jersey is now 5-1 and has the second-best record in the USFL.
Philadelphia Holds on Late to Defeat Tampa Bay, 35-28
Matthew Colburn II was the first player in the USFL to rush for three touchdowns in leading the Philadelphia Stars to a 35-28 victory over the Tampa Bay Bandits on Saturday afternoon at Protective Stadium.
Colburn II rushed for 140 yards and had scores of three, 33 and 44 yards. Tight end Bug Howard added the other two Philadelphia touchdowns as the Stars put up a league-best 35 points.
The 63 combined points were the most in the league this year, and the game came down to the final play when Tampa Bay had a chance to tie the game on 4th-and-goal at the 5-yard line, but Jordan Ta’amu’s pass sailed over the head of his intended receiver.
Ta’amu threw for 333 yards and a league-best four touchdowns. Tampa Bay (3-3) outgained Philadelphia (3-3) 411-263, but the Stars had 197 rushing yards which proved to be the difference in the game.
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