The Birmingham Stallions 2023 season has been something to watch. The team won the USFL championship game in 2022 and will be playing for it all once again this year. The Stallions had an injury at the beginning of the season that caused some doubt, but the team proved everyone wrong. Birmingham may not have gone undefeated, but they were a force to be reckoned with. Here is a look at the Birmingham Stallions 2023 season, and how they made it this far again.
Birmingham Stallions 2023 Quarterback
Heading into the season, the Birmingham Stallions 2023 starting quarterback was set to be J’Mar Smith. Alex McGough was set to be number two. In week one of the 2023 season, Smith faced a finger injury which caused him to be ruled out for the season. This put McGough back into the spotlight. Some were worried because it was Smith who won the championship in 2022, but McGough made sure everyone knew they could do it again.
Birmingham Stallions QB Alex McGough (2) – Alex Slitz/USFL/Getty Images for USFL
McGough came into this season and shined for the Birmingham Stallions. He may not have the top passing yards in the league, as that goes to New Orleans Breakers quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson, but he got his team wins. If there is one thing that McGough can do, it is score. McGough led the league in passing touchdowns this season. This year, McGough completed 180 passes for 2,104 yards, according to the USFL. The quarterback had 20 passing touchdowns compared to just five interceptions as well.
In addition to the passing game, McGough is a strong player when he has to run. The quarterback also has 403 rushing yards, averaging around 40.3 yards per game, and five rushing touchdowns. They will be facing the Pittsburgh Maulers over the weekend, a team with a strong defense. McGough may need to use his legs more, which is not a bad thing for Birmingham. It could help them win their second championship in a row.
Birmingham Stallions 2023 Overall Offense
Birmingham Stallions RB CJ Marable (11) – Chris Putman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Stallions’ running back, CJ Marable, has had a strong season this year. He was fourth in receiving yards but still was a solid player and a big reason the team has played as well as they have. This season Marable had 118 rushing attempts for 525 yards, according to the USFL. He averaged 52.5 yards per game and had three rushing touchdowns. The Stallions came in third as a team for rushing yards. The team as a whole ended the regular season with 1,156 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.
Wide receiver, Davion Davis, is another big reason for the Stallions making a big push this season. Davis came in second in receiving yards with fewer targets and receptions than other receivers in the league. This season, Davis was targeted 58 times and had 39 receptions for 575 yards, according to the USFL. He had 282 yards after the catch, which can help a great deal against the Pittsburgh Maulers. His big plays are what led the Stallions to eight eins.
As a team, the Stallions had 332.6 total yards per game, leading the league. Their third down conversions were also at 51%, a big reason that they won games. The way Birmingham’s offense was able to stay on the field so long was a big reason they are where they are now.
The Birmingham Stallions 2023 offense is a big reason that they ended the regular season with an 8-2 record. Their defense does deserve a lot of credit, too, ranking third in the league based on points against them. This week they may not have the better defense but has a strong all-around team.
Look Back at Birmingham Stallions 2023 Season
2022 Philadelphia Stars vs. Birmingham Stallions – Emilee Chinn/USFL/Getty Images
The Birmingham Stallions 2023 season ended with an 8-2 record. One game was against the New Orleans Breakers in week three. The Breakers won the game 45-31. Two weeks later, the Stallions lost 27-20 against the Houston Gamblers. Aside from those two games, the Stallions had a great season, especially considering they have not lost since week five, which was May 13th. When looking ahead to this weekend, anything can happen. Many games were a win by one score, but still, Birmingham seems to always find a way to win.
Looking Ahead
The Stallions last played the Maulers in week four of the USFL season. The Stallions won the game 24-20, another close game. It was a fairly even game statistically. The Maulers had a much better air game, while the Stallions won the game on the ground. There is no easy game in football and the Birmingham Stallions 2023 season shows that. They won eight games, but not by much.
At the end of the day, the game can go either way no matter the record. The moment the whistle blows records no longer matter. The most important task for the Stallions will be to stay focused. The Maulers may not have had the same season they did, but Pittsburgh still made it to the Championship. If the Stallions can control the game early, just as they did against the Breakers, they should be just fine.
The Birmingham Stallions 2023 season will completely come to a close this season win or lose. The championship game will be held in Canton against the Pittsburgh Maulers on Saturday, July 1st.
