By John Goolsby, Prep Sports Editor
BIRMINGHAM, Al. – The Birmingham Stallions (9-1) defeated the Michigan Panthers (7-3) 20-19 after Michigan missed a 53-yard field goal as time expired.
The regular season finale was a preview of next week’s USFL Conference Championship game.
“What a prelude to next week,” said Skip Holtz. “It’ll be another good one. These two teams have now met twice. First time was a 20-13 game with them having the ball in the fourth quarter, and our defense got a stop. The same thing happened in this one.”
Holtz and Sternberger Photo Credit: John Goolsby
The Stallions saw the defense struggle at times again this week after the departure of defensive coordinator John Chavis.
Holtz confirmed that Chavis returned home to deal with a health issue. Defensive back coach Corey Chamblin has assumed defensive play calling duties.
The Stallions got on the board first with a 1-yard rushing touchdown by running back C.J. Marable at the 10:46 mark.
The score was set up by a 48-yard Adrian Martinez to Jace Sternberger completion. The two-point attempt was reviewed but ruled unsuccessful.
While the Birmingham offense struggled for the rest of the first half, the Panthers put 16 points on the board.
The Panther’s scoring came on a Jake Bates 39-yard field goal, a Danny Etling 23-yard scramble, and a 46-yard touchdown from Etling to Sioasi Mariner. Michigan held a 16-6 lead at the break.
The Panthers rolled up 205 yards in the first half against the Stallions while the Birmingham offense only managed to gain 25 yards after the scoring drive.
Birmingham started their second-half drive from midfield. On first down, Martinez was sacked for 11 yards. Martinez got most of the yards back on a scramble on the next play. On third down and nine, the Panthers were called for pass interference.
The penalty moved the ball to the Michigan 34-yard line. Martinez then hit Deon Cain for a nine-yard completion. Marable rushed for five yards and then scored on a twenty-yard touchdown run.
Marable picks up yardage Photo Credit: Birmingham Stallions/UFL
Martinez ran the ball in from two yards out to convert the PAT. The Stallions pulled to within three, 16-13, with 11:56 remaining in the third period.
The Stallions got the ball back three minutes later but had to punt the ball away. The Panthers got good field position at the Birmingham 46-yard line after the Birmingham punt.
The Panthers put together a 13-play drive that pushed the ball to the Stallions’ four-yard line. A total of five Michigan penalties took two touchdowns off the board and the Panthers had to settle for a 44-yard field goal with 13:54 remaining in the game. Michigan led 19-13.
The two teams then traded punts over the next four possessions.
Birmingham got the ball at their own 39-yard line with 3:18 remaining in the game.
The Stallions converted a critical third down with 2:20 left on the clock with a Martinez to Marlon Williams completion.
Birmingham found themselves with a fourth and seven at the Michigan 33. Martinez hit Kevin Austin, Jr. with an 18-yard completion to reset the down markers at the Panther 15-yard line with 1:32 on the clock.
With the ball on the Panther’s five-yard line and 64 seconds on the clock, Martinez hit Sternberger for a five-yard touchdown to pull the Stallions even.
Martinez looks to throw. Photo Credit: Birmingham Stallions/UFL
Birmingham took the lead on a Martinez to Marcus Baugh completion for the one-point conversion.
The Panthers had one last chance to steal the win on the road. Michigan started their final possession on their 37-yard line. Taco Charlton sacked Etling back to the 31-yard line with 54 seconds remaining.
The Panthers converted a fourth and four to move the ball to midfield with 32 seconds remaining. Three plays later, Bates missed a 53-yarder as time expired.
The Birmingham defense limited the Panther’s offense to three points and 91 yards in the second half.
Martinez was 14 of 28 passing for 163 yards and one touchdown.
Sternberger had two catches for 53 yards and one touchdown.
C.J. Marable led the Stallions with 56 yards on ten carries and one touchdown.
The USFL Conference Championship kicks off at 2 PM Saturday in Protective Stadium. The game will be televised by ABC.
