Stallions QB Adrian Martinez (9) - foxsports.com/stories/ufl
In a classic week 7 showdown between the St. Louis Battlehawks and the Birmingham Stallions, it was Stallions over Battlehawks 30-26. This game lived up to the pre-game hype.
It was a battle between two of the best teams in the UFL. This also may have been a preview of the upcoming UFL championship on June 16.
Stallions over Battlehawks 30-26
Stallions QB Adrian Martinez threw for 230 yards and three touchdowns. The speedy quarterback accounted for 290 total yards of offense on his own by using his arms and legs.
He was assisted on those touchdowns by receivers Marlon Williams, Deon Cain, and Kevin Austin, Jr.
Both running backs Ricky Person Jr. and C.J. Marable helped with running the rock, as they have been a nice 1-2 punch for the Stallions backfield.
Lead Changes
There were a total of six lead changes throughout this exciting game. Former Falcons running back Jacob Saylors tallied three rushing touchdowns for St. Louis.
The third one put the Battlehawks up 26-23 midway through the final stanza.
Martinez then hit tight end Jace Sternberger for the eventual 40-yard game-winner to keep the undefeated season alive.
Sternberger then retrieved the one-point catch.
61-Yard Field Goal
With the Stallions up 17-11 and 0:11 left, it looked like that would be the score going into the half. A costly mistake would hurt the Stallions.
An unnecessary roughness penalty set up a 61-yard field goal try by Andre Szmyt. The made field goal cut the lead to 17-14 at halftime.
Zuber’s Fumbled Return
The second half could not have started out any greater for the Battlehawks. Stallions kicker Ramiz Ahmed’s 41-yard field goal was no good. Then, returner Isaiah Zuber fumbled a punt return.
Quarterback AJ McCarron hit Saylors in the end zone in only three plays. The Battlehawks led 20-17 after three, putting the Stallions’ unbeaten streak on upset alert.
Blocked Punt
The Stallions failed to put the game away after the last Battlehawks drive stalled into a punt.
It got worse, as the Battlehawks breathed new life, blocking the Stallion’s punt and earning one more chance to win the game.
With their final offensive possession, any chance of coming back was quickly gone.
That’s when Birmingham defensive back Kyahva Tezino swatted McCarron’s throw on fourth down and two.
The Stallions are (7-0) and already clinched a spot in the XFL Conference Championship last week.
They will face the (5-2) Michigan Panthers who clinched the second spot with a win and a San Antonio Brahmas win.
As for the XFL, it’s still wide open. Therefore, the Battlehawks need to bounce back next week with a win vs. the DC Defenders.
To Catch up on Michigan Panthers vs DC Defenders Week 7:
Please check out this exciting article by my co-writer, Miss Angela Miele, from the Forkball.
To Read about Arlington Renegades First Win Week 7:
Also, check out Angela’s other impactful article here.
