Birmingham Stallions earn UFL Championship berth, opportunity to win 3rd title in a row

“Don’t flinch —no matter what happens, we’re gonna find a way to win this game.”

Birmingham Stallions Coach Skip Holtz’s statement after his team’s 31-18 win over Michigan Panthers 

Stallions sluggish start

At the start of the USFL Conference Championship game between the Birmingham Stallions and the Michigan Panthers at Protective Stadium, it sure looked like the two-time defending USFL champs were about to be blown out. It was perhaps the ugliest quarter in the Stallion’s brief three-year history. But they did not flinch.

The felines from Detroit ran out to a 12-0 lead in the opening quarter. It should have been much worse. They were on a roll. The Stallions were lethargic and were making careless mistakes, including personal foul penalties. No flinching though, no giving up.

Stallions comeback in 2nd quarter

By the middle of the 2nd quarter, the Stallion’s staunch red zone defense held the Panthers to field goals. It was 18-3, with just under 4 minutes left in the half, when, like a rattlesnake striking at its prey, Birmingham’s QB Adrian Martinez threw a 50-yard pass down the middle of an unsuspecting Michigan secondary, to a wide-open Jordan Thomas who sauntered into the end zone.

From that point on, the Panthers knew there would be no flinching from the champs, It was game on. The Stallions tacked on 3 more points to make it 18-12 at halftime.

“We said at halftime, as bad as it was, as ugly it was, it’s 18-12. We’re in a six-point game. Let’s not flinch here.” 

Birmingham Stallions Head Coach Skip Holtz

Stallions pick-six and looking for a spark

In a wild 3rd quarter, both teams turned the ball over a total of 6 times. That’s not a misprint. 

To spark the offense, Holtz brought in Matt Corral, the Stallion’s backup QB from Ole Miss, who had played sparingly all season. It looked like a bad move when he was promptly intercepted on his first drive.  

Corral’s turnover didn’t matter, because the Stallion’s defense had the Panther’s number. Cornerback Daniel Isom answered the next drive with a 48-yard pick-six.

Stallions decisive 4th quarter

With a tied game and all the momentum, in the 4th quarter, Corral led the Stallions on a 75-yard TD drive to give them their first lead for the day. Late in the quarter, he engineered a second drive throwing a 12-yard TD to Ricky Pearson, Jr.  

The Stallions finished off the team from the Motor City 31-18, winning the USFL Conference Championship.

In a news conference after the game, Holtz told the media how proud he was of this his third championship team.

“It’s a pretty special group, for the way that they’ve given up their individuality to come together as a team. We’re all part of something bigger than ourselves that none of us alone could achieve. I’m proud of them. I’m happy for them. I feel blessed to have the honor and privilege to coach these guys.”

Birmingham Stallions Head Coach Skip Holtz

Next up

The Stallions play for the UFL Championship on Sunday, June 16, when they will take on the winner of the XFL conference championship between the St. Louis Battlehawks and San Antonio Brahmas.

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