Birmingham Stallions surge past Philadelphia Stars for USFL championship
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The Philadelphia Stars had Birmingham on the ropes in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s USFL Championship Game at Tom Benson Stadium in Canton, Ohio. Stallions coach Skip Holtz was unfazed, telling backup quarterback Alex McGough they were going to win.
And they did, 33-30, capturing the title in the first USFL championship game in this incarnation of the league with two touchdowns in 16 seconds.
McGough had thrown an interception after replacing an injured J’Mar Smith and got into a heated discussion with his coach before getting the wisdom.
"Don't get frustrated, we're gonna win this game."
Listen in on Head Coach Skip Holtz as he gives feedback to his QB after the last interception ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/XSSUGU2zCh
— USFL (@USFL) July 4, 2022
McGough regained his composure and threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Victor Bolden that gave Birmingham a 26-23 lead.
.@McgoughAlex finds @vicbolden in the end zone to give us the lead 😤😤🐎 #GiddyUp
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/pInw2awlia
— Birmingham Stallions (@USFLStallions) July 4, 2022
After the kickoff, the Stars’ K.J. Costello, replacing Case Cookus who had been carted off after being injured at the end of Philadelphia’s previous drive, threw a pass that was turned into a pick-six by Scooby Wright, who returned it 46 yards. It would wind up as the game-winning score.
Scooby Pick Six + Drone Cam = 🔥🔥🔥
Can't get enough of these Championship Drone Cam angles ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/l0vSDNAVpu
— USFL (@USFL) July 4, 2022
Cookus suffered a broken fibula on the hit that knocked him from the game.
Case Cookus receives an ovation from the crowd as he's carted off to due injury in the Championship game pic.twitter.com/agj0oTopWC
— USFL (@USFL) July 4, 2022
Costello was able to rally after the pick-six, throwing a 12-yard TD pass to Chris Rowland with 1:43 left.
That marked 20 points in a span of 3:09 of the final quarter. Overall there were 28 points scored in the game’s final quarter.
The Stars opted for the make it/take it onside option and had a fourth-and-12 to try and keep the football after the TD.
No good! 🛑
In the USFL you have another option on top of the onside kick: A 4th & 12 scrimmage play from the 33-yard line
Watch how it played out for the Stars ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/SIoKOma6cD
— USFL (@USFL) July 4, 2022
The pass was incomplete and Birmingham had the ball and a chance to burn the rest of the clock but was unable to get a first down. The Stallions punted to Philadelphia and the ball went into the end zone for a touchback.
On the second play, Costello could not find an open receiver and threw an interception to Christian McFarland and 16 seconds later the Stallions were USFL champions.
YOUR INAUGURAL USFL CHAMPIONS 🐎 #GiddyUp pic.twitter.com/57DtKnofVa
— Birmingham Stallions (@USFLStallions) July 4, 2022
Wright spoke about what it meant to be on a championship team after being part of two failed spring leagues.
"Teamwork. Team, team, team."@TwoStarScoob spoke with @BrockHuard after becoming a USFL champion! @USFLStallions 🐎 pic.twitter.com/CQVj7BmNYJ
— USFL (@USFL) July 4, 2022
