The Columbus Aviators got their third win of the season at home (Photo by the Columbus Aviators and the UFL)
The Columbus Aviators made a change at quarterback, and it was the difference in the game!
Columbus 36, Birmingham 29
The Columbus Aviators made a change at quarterback in their second-to-last game of the 2026 season. They benched Jalan McClendon and started Jalen Morton. There was a rough patch early as Morton fumbled and Birmingham recovered it and took it to the house. A rare blocked point after a touchdown by the Aviators, which was returned for a point, gave the Stallions an early 6-1 lead.
A Birmingham offensive touchdown made the game 13-1 heading into the second quarter. Late in the first, however, Jalen Morton had Columbus on the move. He paid it off with a 16-yard touchdown pass to running back John Lovett. The point after would cut the Birmingham lead to five, 13-8.
Birmingham was quick to respond with another touchdown drive and led 20-8. Morton and Columbus would battle back quickly. Columbus would get another touchdown, this one on another pass from Jalen Morton. Morton would find tight end Gunnar Oakes for a 20-yard touchdown. The Aviators would go for two but fail to convert. The score would have Birmingham leading 20-14 at the half.
Second Half
The Aviators’ defense would tighten up in the second half. They held the Stallions to a field goal in the third quarter. Jalen Morton would get his third passing touchdown of the game in the third quarter. Morton would find Lovett again for a score, this one a 34-yard touchdown pass, followed up by a successful two-point conversion. Birmingham would get another field goal before the end of the third quarter, and the score would favor them, 26-21, going into the fourth.
The Stallions would get their third field goal of the second half to make the lead 29-21. Columbus would get the ball back with 3:31 in the final quarter, and Jalen Morton would strike again. In 1:54, Morton would lead the Aviators on a six-play, 91-yard touchdown drive. Morton would get his fourth touchdown of the game, this one on a scramble for ten yards. Morton would find Keke Chism for the second straight two-point conversion to tie the game at 29-29.
Birmingham would get the ball back with 1:37 to go, needing only a field goal to break the deadlock. But Columbus’ defense would continue their second half dominance. Ohio’s own, DJ Miller. Jr. would intercept a Dorian Thompson-Robinson pass and return it 39 yards for a touchdown. The extra point would give the Aviators a 36-29 lead. Columbus would have to sweat out a Birmingham attempt to tie it, but would hold on for the victory!
Jalen Morton’s Huge Game
Despite a couple of turnovers, Jalen Morton proved that Ted Ginn Jr.’s faith in him was well-founded. In his first start, Morton got Columbus their third win. Morton was 14 of 30 for 213 yards and three touchdowns passing the football. He also added 97 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries, rushing the ball. Morton’s 310 total yards of offense and four total touchdowns put on a show and secured a Columbus Aviators win! After hitting rock bottom last week, Morton took Columbus to the only place there was left to go: up!
