by The Birmingham Stallions took home their second straight USFL title on Saturday night.
Birmingham defeated the Pittsburgh Maulers, 28-12, in Canton, Ohio.
The Stallions’ defense limited the Maulers to just three field goals, while they themselves scored two touchdowns, taking a 14–9 lead into the locker room at halftime.
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Alex McGough #2 of the Birmingham Stallions looks to throw a pass against the Pittsburgh Maulers during the third quarter of the 2023 USFL Championship Game at Tom Benson Hall Of Fame Stadium on July 1, 2023 in Canton, Ohio. (Andy Lyons/USFL/Getty Images for USFL)
Leading, Birmingham received the ball first to start the second half, and Alex McGough picked up right where he had left off in the opening 30 minutes. After Ricky Person gained 41 yards on four carries, McGough found Deon Cain in the end zone, who tiptoed his way for the score, and the ensuing PAT gave the Stallions a 21–9 lead.
Chris Blewitt made his fourth field goal to get Pittsburgh back within nine, but the Stallions continued to drive down the field. However, on third-and-goal trying to evade the pressure, McGough fumbled and was picked up by the Pittsburghs. olive sagapolu. Knowing that he was probably too slow to get to the end zone, he gave the ball to Kyahva Tezino who found the end zone. However, the refs ruled it an illegal walk, so Pittsburgh received the ball at the Birmingham 33 rather than score a touchdown.
That penalty proved costly, however, as on that drive, the Maulers settled for a fifth field goal, but Blewitt went wide to left, as the Stallions held on to their nine-point lead early in the fourth.
Deon Cain #85 of the Birmingham Stallions celebrates after scoring a 20-yard touchdown pass against the Pittsburgh Maulers during the third quarter of the 2023 USFL Championship Game at Tom Benson Hall Of Fame Stadium on July 1, 2023 in Canton, Ohio. (Jason Miller/USFL/Getty Images for the USFL)
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The Maulers forced a punt but failed to convert on 4 and 8 of their own 40, handing the ball back to Birmingham with 7:29 to go, and they took advantage of it. On 2 and 10, McGough threw a deep pass to Cain, who caught it in the end zone for the touchdown, and the Stallions were up 28-12.
After leading the USFL with 20 touchdown passes during the season, the league’s MVP threw four this season. He completed 18 of his 25 passes for 243 yards and rushed for another 64. Person and CJ Marable combined to rush for another 86 yards on their 14 carries. Cain caught three of McGough’s four touchdowns, totaling four receptions for 70 yards. Former NFL tight end Jace Sternberger caught three passes for 65 yards, while Davion Davis hauled in the other touchdown.
Alex McGough #2 of the Birmingham Stallions celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass against the Pittsburgh Maulers during the second quarter of the 2023 USFL Championship Game at Tom Benson Hall Of Fame Stadium on July 1, 2023 in Canton, Ohio. (Andy Lyons/USFL/Getty Images for USFL)
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We don’t have long to wait for football, though, as NFL teams head to training camp later this month.
