The United Football League's first season began the same way the USFL's last two seasons ended with a victory for the Birmingham Stallions.
Since Birmingham won its second straight USFL title on July 1st, four teams from the USFL have joined with four teams from the XFL to form a single spring football circuit, and the United Football League announced the 2023 season on Saturday. They opened their first season against the USFL Champions. A stallion showdown with the 2023 XFL Champion Arlington Renegades.
Birmingham won the postponed spring football Super Bowl 27-14 on the back of a dramatic touchdown late in the first half at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The Stallions took an 11-3 lead when quarterback Matt Corral connected with wide receiver Deon Cain for a 39-yard touchdown pass with three seconds left in the first half. Running back Ricky Parson Jr. caught a two-point conversion pass from Corral and crossed the goal line, leaving Birmingham tied at halftime.
In the second half, Birmingham scored on consecutive drives while holding Arlington to a field goal and clinching the victory. The Stallions racked up 183 rushing yards with Person scoring on a 2-yard run and running back CJ Marable scoring on a 7-yard run.
Cornerback Mark Gilbert intercepted Renegades quarterback Luis Perez at the Birmingham 4-yard line with 8:39 remaining, and the Stallions completed a 15-play drive with 23 seconds remaining.
Corral completed 12 of 21 passes for 201 yards, including one touchdown, one interception, and three two-point conversion passes. He ran for 25 yards on four carries.
Adrian Martinez played quarterback in Birmingham's third series. His first drive ended in an interception in the end zone. Martinez, who ran for 52 yards on three carries, injured his leg during the Stallions' next possession, and Corral returned to the field in time to throw a TD pass to Cain.
Perez played quarterback for the Birmingham Iron in the American Football Federation in 2019, completing 19 of 28 passes for 214 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He scored the first touchdown in United Football League history with a 51-yard throw to wide receiver Isaiah Winstead with 9:01 left in the first half.
The Stallions return to action against the Michigan Panthers on April 7 at 11 a.m. CDT at Ford Field in Detroit.
Birmingham Stallions running back Ricky Person Jr. attempts a two-point conversion during a United Football League game against the Arlington Renegades at Choctaw Stadium on March 30, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. Jump into the end zone.(Photo courtesy of Click Thompson/UFL/Getty Images)
Mark Inabinet is a sports reporter with Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @AMarkG1.
Birmingham Stallions wide receiver Binjimen Victor catches a football during a United Football League game against the Arlington Renegades at Choctaw Stadium on March 30, 2024 in Arlington, Texas.(Photo by Chris Leduc/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
