The Houston Roughnecks meet the Birmingham Stallions for the first time in the UFL. This is the third time Roughnecks head coach C.J. Johnson and Stallions head coach Skip Holtz have met as head coaches; they met twice last year during the 2023 USFL season and split the series 1-1. The Houston Gamblers won 27-20 in week five at Protective Stadium, while the Birmingham Stallions won 38-15 in week nine at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
This is a big game for the Roughnecks, as a win would make them 2-3 and put them in the running for a playoff spot in the USFL Conference, but a loss would make them 1-5 and further away from a playoff berth. A loss for the Birmingham Stallions would make them 4-1, but they would still be in first place in the USFL Conference.
What do we know?
The Stallions defense has dominated thus far this season, recording a league-best 17 sacks for 103 yards lost through four games. Eight of those sacks came against the Memphis Showboats on April 13th, the most sacks in a game for any UFL team this season. Birmingham also recorded seven sacks when they went against the Panthers in week two.
While the Stallions sit at 17 sacks on the year, only one other team has eclipsed more than the double-digit mark, the San Antonio Brahmas with 15. Collectively, the defense is responsible for 19 pass breakups, 217 rushing yards allowed, 55 first downs allowed, and 59 offensive points allowed, all ranked the best in the league.
The Stallions, as a whole, are the league’s leading rushing team, with 562 rushing yards on the year. That is 144 more yards than the next closest team, the St. Louis Battlehawks, who have 418 rushing yards this season. Birmingham rushes for 140.5 yards a game, with no other team in the UFL averaging more than 104.5 rushing yards a game.
In their week four game, the Stallions needed a late surge and a field goal from a kicker they signed just four days prior to earn the win.
The Stallions started quarterback Matt Corral, as they changed up their starting pivot after Adrian Martinez checked in the UFL’s first 300-yard passing performance in the Stallions week three game. Corral put in a solid performance, passing 19-29 for 209 yards and one touchdown. Corral also racked up 51 rushing yards. Even with the win, there was little doubt that the offense was more explosive with Martinez at QB.
The Stallions’ receiving core put on a show with 240 total receiving yards. Amari Rodgers led the team with four receptions for 82 yards. Jace Sternberger followed with 50 receiving yards. With 33 receiving yards, Binjimen Victor rounded out the top three receivers. Ricky Person Jr. finished the game as the leading rusher, with 57 yards on the ground. C.J. Marable made a strong presence as well, with 51 rushing yards.
Birmingham’s defense continued its strong season, totaling 54 tackles, four tackles for loss, and four passes defended. Kyahva Tezino led the defensive front with nine total tackles (six solo) and two for a loss. JoJo Tillery followed behind with six tackles. DeMarquis Gates finished with five tackles.
Placekicker Ramiz Ahmed, brought in to replace an injured Chris Blewitt, went 4/4 and was responsible for 12 of the Stallions 20 points, his longest kick being 46 yards (twice), including one time as the game-winning points with only 4 seconds remaining in the game.
In week four, the Roughnecks finally earned their first win of the year behind solid offensive and defensive performances. Houston quarterback Reid Sinnett played efficiently, completing 18 of 28 (64.3%) passes for 191 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. Roughnecks wideout Cyril Grayson finished with three receptions for 62 yards.
The return of USFL Offensive Player of the Year Mark Thompson to the Roughnecks’ backfield certainly energized the offensive line. After sitting out the first three weeks of the UFL season with a knee injury, Thompson played for the first time against the Arlington Renegades, rushing nine times for 34 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown.
While the return of Thompson provided a spark for Houston’s offense, its defense was the catalyst for the victory, holding league-leading passer Luis Perez to just 144 passing yards and sacking him twice, forcing two turnovers and holding Arlington to a season-low nine points after giving up 34 points last week.
Houston defensive end Chris Odom sealed the game, sacking a scrambling Perez and stripping the ball, with linebacker Gabriel Sewell Jr. recovering it on Houston’s 23-yard line with 18 seconds left.
What should we expect?
The Birmingham Stallions are the UFL’s undisputed powerhouse, leading the league in all categories. Even with their two-QB system, the Stallions lead the league in passing (917), boasting the UFL’s only 300-yard passing performance and the league’s second-leading rusher, both Martinez. He has rushed just 17 times for 164 yards. Currently, the Stallions have Adrian Martinez as their designated QB1 for this week’s game, but Skip Holtz could easily change his mind prior to game day. If the Stallions give the ball to Martinez, he could be the top rusher in the game.
For the Roughnecks to win this game, both Reid Sinnett and Mark Thompson would need to have top performances and do so against the Stallions’ sack-happy, shut-down defense. It’s not a far-fetched scenario, but it may be along the lines of a fairy tale fantasy.
The Roughnecks defense shut down Luis Perez and the Renegades, but they may have trouble shutting down Adrian Martinez and the Stallions.
Oddsmakers have made the Stallions 7.5-point favorites in this game. They know what they’re talking about. Take their advice.
