Week 2 Recap
Week 2 came down to the wire once again for the Stallions, fresh off a narrow, nail-biting win last week.
Both teams stalled in the first quarter, trading possessions back and forth. It wasn’t until the second quarter that Houston put together a drive that got them into Hoyland field goal range. He broke the scoreless tie with a 32-yard field goal, then extended the lead to 6–0 with a 37-yarder about five minutes later.
The Stallions got the ball back with just 71 seconds remaining before halftime. They went 60 yards in six plays, capping the drive with a six-yard touchdown pass from Matt Corral to Jaydon Mickens. Mickens finished the game with 63 receiving yards on five catches, along with the lone touchdown. The Stallions took a one-point lead into halftime.
Birmingham opened the third quarter with the ball and wasted no time. They marched 63 yards in seven plays, with Matt Corral finding Deon Cain from 12 yards out to extend the lead. Cain finished the day with five receptions for 40 yards and a touchdown. With the extra point good, the Stallions led 14–6.
Houston slowly chipped away at the lead with another pair of Hoyland field goals, making it 14–12 Birmingham early in the fourth quarter. The turning point came on the next drive, when Matt Corral threw an interception that eventually led to a Houston go-ahead score.
The Gamblers did more than just take the lead as they also chewed up over seven minutes of clock. Jalen White punched it in from three yards out, and with the extra point, Houston led 19–14. White led all rushers with 82 yards on 26 carries.
Birmingham responded with a strong drive of their own, going 59 yards in nine plays to reclaim the lead. Anthony McFarland Jr. powered it into the end zone to give the Stallions a one-point advantage.
With 2:02 left on the clock, Houston had enough time to get back into field goal range, and Hoyland delivered the final dagger as time expired.
The 50-yard field goal made the final score 22–20, Houston over Birmingham. Both teams now move to 1–1 on the season.
Stud of the Game
Easily the most important player in this game was Houston kicker John Hoyland. The 23-year-old rookie out of Wyoming was perfect, going five-for-five, with the most important coming from 50 yards out to clinch the game in the dying seconds. He accounted for 16 of Houston’s 22 points.
The young kicker was also named UFL Special Teams Player of the Week, adding another accolade to his résumé.
Donkey of the Game
Birmingham’s defense as a whole earns this “prestigious” title this week. The Stallions gave up 174 rushing yards which you simply can’t win football games when the opposing team is running that effectively.
The toughest sequence to watch was a seven-minute drive that ended in a go-ahead rushing touchdown for Houston. Yes, Birmingham briefly took the lead back before giving it away in the dying seconds, but it wasn’t an impressive defensive effort.
The Stallions’ defense has had a tough start through the first two weeks, but if you’re going to highlight stats like this, you might want to win the game first.
Week 3 Preview
With both the Stallions and the Battlehawks sitting at 1–1, along with a pair of other teams, this Week 3 matchup could be pivotal when it comes to playoff contention.
The most intriguing matchup is at quarterback. Matt Corral ranks second in the league in passing yards with 434. He has thrown three touchdowns to two interceptions and holds a strong 73.7% completion rate. On the other side, Brandon Silvers has also been effective for St. Louis. He sits fourth in passing yards with 384, along with two touchdowns and two interceptions. The one area that needs improvement is his completion percentage, currently at 56.7%, which will need to be higher for sustained success.
Another key area to watch is who these quarterbacks are targeting. For Birmingham, Jaydon Mickens has been hot to start the season, recording 166 receiving yards and a touchdown. Justyn Ross has also contributed with 100 yards and a touchdown of his own.
St. Louis’ receiving corps has been more balanced. The team’s leading receiver, Kevon Latulas, has 75 yards, while Gary Jennings Jr. sits second with 64. The Battlehawks’ passing attack is more spread out, making it harder to key in on a single target.
St. Louis had just two names on the injury report this week. Linebacker Michael Barrett did not practice early in the week due to a left groin injury, while receiver Frank Darby was limited with a right calf issue.
On Birmingham’s side, Armani Taylor-Prioleau was the only player listed, as he did not participate due to a concussion.
Power Rankings
- Dallas Renegades (+1)
- Orlando Storm (+2)
- D.C. Defenders (+3)
- Houston Gamblers (+4)
- Birmingham Stallions (-2)
- St. Louis Battlehawks (-5)
- Louisville Kings (-2)
- Columbus Aviators (-1)
When & Where to Watch
Birmingham heads to St. Louis for its third straight road game to start the season. The Stallions will face the Battlehawks on Sunday, April 12 at 3:00 p.m. ET. The game will air on ABC.
