Defending champion Stallions’ abrupt exit tops storylines from UFL playoffs

All good issues should inevitably come to an finish, and that is by no means been more true for the Birmingham Stallions. After three consecutive spring soccer championships, Skip Holtz’s squad is out of the working for the 2025 UFL title after falling 44-29 to the Michigan Panthers within the USFL Convention Championship Recreation at Protecting Stadium on Sunday. 

“It’s exhausting to lose, but it surely’s with nice respect that I say congratulations to Michigan,” Holtz mentioned. “It’s with nice pleasure that I say that I’ve actually loved teaching this soccer group and [watching] what this soccer group has been capable of accomplish.”

Sunday’s win marked the primary time in eight conferences that Panthers head coach Mike Nolan earned a win in a head-to-head matchup with Holtz. Despite the fact that his group received the win, Nolan mentioned issues are removed from completed. “There’s nonetheless work to be completed,” he mentioned. “Our soccer group is aware of that. We’re excited to have one other week to play.”

The Panthers will face the DC Defenders — who dominated the St. Louis Battlehawks by double digits, 36-18, within the XFL Convention Championship Recreation at The Dome at America’s Heart on Sunday — in Saturday’s title sport.

“We simply didn’t present up once we wanted to indicate up,” Battlehawks head coach Anthony Becht mentioned about his group’s loss after six consecutive wins to complete out the common season. “DC actually put it on us in all phases.”

Right here’s a take a look at different storylines from convention championship weekend:

The Panthers entered Sunday’s USFL Convention title sport because the second-leading dashing group within the league, averaging 127 dashing yards a contest, and continued to say their dominance on the bottom in a decisive win over the Stallions, totaling 144 dashing yards. Taua was the catalyst, ending with 85 yards and three landing runs. 

Taua rightly gave credit score to the Michigan offensive line, calling it “an instance of resiliency,” as he routinely broke into the second degree of Birmingham’s protection with out being touched. 

“When you’ll be able to simply stroll right into a landing untouched, that’s no one however them (the O-line),”  he mentioned. “I’ve simply received to not be blind and see it. It was a fantastic day collectively as an offense.”

In his first motion since lacking three video games on account of an ankle harm, QB Bryce Perkins accomplished 20 of 25 passes for 238 yards, one landing and no interceptions. Perkins additionally rushed for 34 yards and a rating.

Most significantly, Michigan completed with no turnovers, whereas Birmingham coughed up the ball twice — a 25-yard pick-six by Michigan security Kai Nacua and misplaced a fumble. 

Battlehawks don’t have any reply for Jordan Ta’amu & Co.

Regardless of being well-rested and ready, Becht acknowledged his group was dominated in all sides of the sport. The Battlehawks went into final week’s contest understanding they needed to decelerate Defenders QB Ta’amu. Nevertheless, they have been by no means in a position to take action. The Ole Miss product went 18-for-26 for 204 yards, highlighted by a 38-yard landing to receiver Seth Williams halfway via the primary quarter to present the Defenders a lead that they might by no means relinquish.

“He actually got here out and executed on all cylinders,” Becht mentioned about Ta’amu. “He’s a veteran on this league. He’s nonetheless younger. Only a hell of a efficiency by him.”

Ta’amu’s solely blemish was a pick-six within the first half — his first interception in 128 passing makes an attempt. 

The Defenders have been equally efficient at transferring the ball on the bottom, as standout working again Deon Jackson rushed for 116 yards and two scores on 21 carries. The Defenders completed with 388 yards of complete offense, scored on seven of 10 possessions and went 7-for-11 (63.6%) on third down. 

The Stallions by no means discovered any actual consistency at a very powerful place on the sector this season, which is among the greatest causes they will be watching the championship sport from their sofa for the primary time in 4 years.

Holtz used 5 totally different gamers at quarterback and none began greater than three video games. Though Smith had performed nicely coming into the USFL title sport, Holtz changed the Louisiana Tech product after he threw a pick-six that put Birmingham down 20-6 late within the second quarter. 

“[After the interception], I simply mentioned, ‘You understand what? We want a lift. We want a spark,’” Holtz mentioned. “I put Matt in, and I assumed he did a superb job of getting us again within the soccer sport.”

Corral had not performed since mid-April on account of an stomach harm. He went 12-for-25 for 147 yards and two scores, however he additionally threw an interception and misplaced a fumble. Smith went 4-for-10 passes for 102 yards, one landing and an interception earlier than he was changed.

Deon Cain led the Stallions with six receptions for 124 yards. Birmingham completed with simply 61 yards on the bottom. 

Defenders overcome adversity underneath Shannon Harris’ management

With head coach Reggie Barlow and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams leaving at first of the season, interim head coach Shannon Harris did a masterful job of main his squad to the title sport for the primary time in group historical past.

The Defenders’ offense rolled to 36 factors in opposition to the top-ranked protection within the league on the highway in a hostile atmosphere at St. Louis. Greg Williams’ son Blake Williams, serving because the defensive coordinator for the Defenders, held St. Louis to 240 yards and a 22.2% conversion charge on third down. The Defenders additionally completed with 5 sacks. 

“It got here all the way down to us, we and ours — and that has been our motto the whole season,” Harris mentioned. “We’re going to do that collectively. It’s not a one-man present on any of these items. As a head coach, you get reward for it and also you get a report placed on you, however on the finish of the day, it’s us. We and ours.”

First take a look at 2025 UFL title sport: Panthers vs. Defenders

These two groups will meet for the second time this season. The Panthers simply dealt with the Defenders in Week 6 of the common season at Ford Discipline, 38-16. In that sport, the Panthers rolled up 233 yards on the bottom, together with 99 yards from Taua and 90 from Perkins. Ta’amu went 19-for-36 passing for 259 yards and two touchdowns. Ending with 9 receptions for 144 yards and a landing, Chris Rowland was Ta’amu’s favourite goal.

If the Defenders desire a shot at successful this one, nonetheless, they need to do a greater job of stopping the run.

Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for greater than a decade, protecting the Los Angeles Rams for Sports activities Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma Information Tribune. Comply with him at @eric_d_williams.

Need nice tales delivered proper to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports activities account, observe leagues, groups and gamers to obtain a personalised e-newsletter each day!

---

---