by Don Mooney
QB Adrian Martinez sets UFL record with four touchdowns in one game against Showboats. photo by Don Mooney
Memphis, TENN–With their thirteen-consecutive win, dating back to last season, the Stallions secured a spot in the playoffs by dominating the Memphis Showboats , 39-21. The win clears the way for another playoff run for a possible fourth straight league championship.
QB Martinez and TE Jordan Thomas play pitch and catch 2-yard conversion. photo by Don Mooney
Quarterback Adrian Martinez became the first in the league to throw four touchdown passes in a single game this season. Martinez also leads the league as the only player with two games of more than 300 passing yards. In today’s game, he completed 23 of 36 passes for 368 yards. The Stallions balanced their air attack on the ground with 99-yards powered by league leading rusher Ricky Person Jr with 29-yards on 11 carries along with CJ Marbles 31-yards on five carries. Person leads the league in rushing touchdowns this year with six. Martinez added 25 yards on five rushes.
Defense in front. Feverish fan support in the rear made it a long day for Showboats. photo by Don Mooney
Memphis came out the blocks strong early. Quarterback Case Cookus hooked up with tight end Sage Surratt for a 10-yard touchdown pass to cap a 59-yard scoring drive and put the Showboats in front 6-0. Birmingham responded on its next possession with a 75-yard march that was capped by a Ricky Person 5-yard TD run. The 2-point conversion pass from quarterback Adrian Martinez to tight end Jordan Thomas put the Stallions on top 8-6 and they never trailed again. A C.J. Marable 4-yard touchdown pass from Martinez put Birmingham on top 16-6. Memphis responded with a field goal to pull within seven points, 16-9.
Showboat WR Vinny Papale tackled after catch for short gain. photo by Don Mooney
The receiving corps powered the Stallions’ offense. Kevin Austin Jr. recorded four receptions for 108 yards and one touchdown, including one 79 yard touchdown. Marlon Williams added two touchdowns with four receptions for 58 yards, while Deon Cain had two catches for 45 yards.
Stallion defense tee’d off on Memphis QB as the showboats fell behind early abandoning the run game. photo by Don Mooney
The Stallions’ defense was dominant, recording three sacks and one interception. Kyahva Tezino led with seven tackles, including three solo. Nevelle Clark and Elijah Sullivan both finished with six tackles and five solo stops each.
Memphis jumped on top early. Quarterback Case Cookus hooked up with tight end Sage Surratt for a 10-yard touchdown pass to cap a 59-yard scoring drive and put the Showboats in front 6-0. Birmingham responded on its next possession with a 75-yard march that was capped by a Ricky Person 5-yard TD run. The 2-point conversion pass from quarterback Adrian Martinez to tight end Jordan Thomas put the Stallions on top 8-6 and they never trailed again. A C.J. Marable 4-yard touchdown pass from Martinez put Birmingham on top 16-6. Memphis responded with a field goal to pull within seven points, 16-9.
TE Marcus Baugh on the receiving end of Martinez pass. photo by Don Mooney
By the end of the third quarter, Birmingham built the lead to 31-12 behind a field goal and an 80-yard scoring strike from Martinez to Kevin Austin Jr. The Stallions’ Williams caught another Martinez touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to give his team a 39-12 lead. Memphis’ Dee Anderson caught a 34-yard touchdown pass from Troy Williams and also caught a pass for the 3-point conversion to account for the final score.
Cookus was 15-for-23 for 115 yards and one touchdown, but lost two fumbles. Williams finished 6-of-13 for 65 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. Daewood Davis hauled in five receptions for 43 yards to lead Memphis. Darius Victor rushed for 42 yards on 11 carries. Defensively, Malik Lawal and Jarey Elder tied for a game-high eight tackles.
Stallions fans travel well. photo by Don Mooney
The Showboats got their first — and only — win of the season in Week 1 against the Roughnecks, but they have struggled ever since. The Stallions are the league’s only unbeaten team and secured a playoff spot with their win at Memphis.