After a rough defeat last week, the Birmingham Stallions bounced back with a dominating victory in Detroit against the Michigan Panthers. Improving the 4-2 on the season, the Stallions will only get better as their heavily injured roster recovers. With a strong roster capable of winning a second USFL title in a row, the Stallions season only projects up from here. Heading into a tough matchup against the New Orleans Breakers, Coach Stolz and crew have a lot of positives to carry into week seven.
Birmingham Week 6 Studs and Duds
Stud | Quarterback Alex McGough Continues to Make Magic
Continuing to get better each week, McGough is one of the best players the USFL has to offer and also one of the most fun to watch. Consistently using his ability to create space and extend plays, McGough was dominant for the Birmingham Stallions. Going 19/24, 133 yards, and two touchdowns through the air while also recording 82 yards and a touchdown on the ground, McGough destroyed the Panthers’ defense en route to the team’s 27-13 win.
Playing with more confidence and intelligence, McGough appears to be unstoppable right now. Some members of the media were even projecting a return to the NFL for McGough in the near future. Whether that is to be true or not, the Birmingham Stallions are in great hands to win McGough under center. With Coach Stolz saying, “I trust him 100%. Alex (McGough) gives me confidence every time he is on the field,” Stallions fans can take comfort in knowing their leader is amongst the best in the USFL.
Stud | Runningback CJ Marable Runs Stallions Through the Panthers
The all-purpose back CJ Marable was given a lot of props by QB Alex McGough during the post-game presser for yesterday’s game. With McGough contributing all of his success to Marable and the run game, it was clear that his standout performance was deemed a huge part of the win by the team and coaching staff. Popping off multiple strong runs, Marable was making big plays, but the most important factor was just wearing out the Panthers’ defensive front with consistently physical rushes.
Rushing for over 100 yards and catching a touchdown as well, Marable said, “I got to give all credit to my line.” A very modest response to his game given that he was a broken tackle machine. Good for over 5.5 yards per carry, Marable’s ground and pound running combined with McGough’s option keepers pieced up the Panthers’ defense, leading to the Birmingham Stallions’ dominant win.
Birmingham Stallions running back CJ Marable (11) is tackled by his facemask by New Jersey Generals Chris Orr inside linebacker (45) during the second half of a USFL football game. (AP Photo/Butch Dill).
Dud | Birmingham Stallions Secondary Struggles Against Panthers Receivers
Despite missing three starting receivers, the Panthers were able to pass the ball quite well on the Birmingham Stallions. Allowing 209 yards and one touchdown through the air, it’s scary to think about what a healthier Panthers receiving core could’ve done to the Birmingham Stallions. It’s tough to be picky about a strong win like the Stallions just put on, but the secondary definitely needs some work.
Heading into a game against a pass-heavy attack led by McLeod Bethel-Thompson, the Stallions’ secondary needs to work on better communication and get a little more physical down at the point of catch. If a battered Panthers core can piece up the secondary, imagining what Bethel-Thompson and crew can do is freighting. As Coach Stolz mentioned, “This is the third game in a row without an interception.” Creating turnovers is a massive advantage and winning the turnover battle can be the make or break in games. Against New Orleans, stepping up and locking down could be the key for Birmingham.
Brian Allen #29 of Birmingham Stallions intercepts a pass and then runs the ball for a touchdown in the first quarter of the game against the Houston Gamblers at Protective Stadium on April 23, 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/USFL/Getty Images).
