USFL Championship: Stallions top Stars in thriller, 33-30

The Birmingham Stallions are your inaugural United States Football League champions, holding off the Philadelphia Stars in a wild contest at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.

It appeared solely becoming because the Stallions had been the most effective group all through the common season. But the Stars did not go down and not using a struggle, battling all the way in which to the tip earlier than falling, 33-30.

Here are the top moments from Sunday’s motion.

Birmingham Stallions 33, Philadelphia Stars 30

Birmingham Stallions win USFL Championship

Led by J’Mar Smith, backup quarterback Alex McGough and recreation MVP Victor Bolden Jr, the Stallions held off the Philadelphia Stars 33-30. Catch up on full highlights from the USFL title recreation.

Setting the stage

A brand new period {of professional} soccer was born when the USFL kicked off in April, and after 10 weeks of regular-season motion and one spherical of playoffs, issues got here to a detailed with the title recreation.

FIRST QUARTER

The Stars went three-and-out on their opening drive, whereas the Stallions used their first possession to take a three-point lead after a giant acquire from Bobby Holly set them up for an early field goal. 

Philadelphia was fast to fireplace again with a field goal of its personal, tying the rating at 3-3.

Things did not keep tied for lengthy, nevertheless, as Birmingham discovered the tip zone as the primary quarter got here to a detailed, due to the flamboyant footwork of Stallions operating again Bo Scarbrough.

Stallions’ Bo Scarbrough breaks off 36-yard TD run

Bo Scarbrough’s 36-yard landing helped the Birmingham Stallions rating the primary landing in Sunday’s USFL championship recreation in opposition to Philadelphia.

With the rating, the Stallions took a 10-3 lead headed into the second quarter.

SECOND QUARTER

Stars QB Case Cookus dropped a dime of a back-shoulder toss to wideout Jordan Suell to deliver Philly inside one level early in the second body, 10-9.

Stars’ Case Cookus throws a stupendous TD in USFL championship recreation

Cookus helped Philadelphia get its first landing in the USFL championship recreation, due to a formidable throw to Jordan Suell in the second quarter.

On the following drive, Stallions QB J’Mar Smith acquired in on the motion, connecting with Marlon Williams on a 41-yard bomb to provide Birmingham a wholesome lead as soon as once more, 17-9.

J’Mar Smith connects with Marlon Williams on a 41-yard TD go

Birmingham QB J’Mar Smith discovered large receiver Marlon Williams on a 41-yard rating to provide the Stallions a 17-9 lead in the second quarter.

The Stallions added one other field goal forward of the break to increase their lead, 20-9, after a monster run from Scarbrough put Birmingham deep in enemy territory.

THIRD QUARTER

The Stars got here out swinging in the second half. They made probably the most of their single third-quarter drive, as Cookus pulled off a really acrobatic throw on an important third right down to deliver Philly inside 5 factors, 20-15.

Case Cookus throws an acrobatic landing to Jordan Suell

Case Cookus continues to be electrical in opposition to Birmingham, as his passing rating to Jordan Suell helps maintain issues shut in the USFL championship recreation.

He then broke down the play on the sideline.

FOURTH QUARTER

The Stallions had an opportunity to increase their lead early in the ultimate body, however a missed discipline objective stored it a one-score recreation.

The Stars then marched down the sphere to take the lead, their drive aided by a private foul in opposition to Cookus. The QB then discovered Devin Gray for a TD as Philly took a 23-20 lead.

Case Cookus throws go-ahead TD, profitable two-point conversion

The Philadelphia Stars took a 23-20 lead over the Birmingham Stallions behind a Case Cookus to Devin Gray rating and a two-point conversion to Jordan Suell.

It was one other misstep for Birmingham, as Stallions QB Alex McGough was picked off close to the pink zone, giving the Stars the ball proper again halfway by way of the body. Philly wasn’t in a position to capitalize on the turnover, nevertheless, and punted it away after going three-and-out shortly.

McGough redeemed himself with a brief landing go to Victor Bolden that gave the Stallions again the lead, 26-23, with simply over three minutes left to play.

Alex McGough connects with Victor Bolden Jr. to provide Stallions late lead

Alex McGough’s spectacular landing go to Victor Bolden Jr. in the fourth quarter gave the Birmingham Stallions the lead in the USFL championship recreation.

The Stallions then put themselves in nice form, scoring shortly when Scooby Wright took an interception again 47 yards for a landing to make it 33-23.

Scooby Wright picks off KJ Costello to provide Stallions a 10-point lead

Scooby Wright picked off the Stars QB KJ Costello to extend the Birmingham Stallions’ fourth-quarter lead.

The Stars managed to drag inside 33-30 on a landing go by QB KJ Costello. 

Ok. J. Costello throws a WILD TD as Stars lower into Stallions’ lead

Ok. J. Costello’s passing landing to Chris Rowland helps the Stars get inside three factors late in the fourth quarter of the USFL championship recreation. 

And then Philly acquired to strive the choice to an onside kick allowed in the USFL. Instead of kicking it, the Stars might try to convert a fourth-and-12.

The Stallions held, nevertheless, and went on to take the crown.

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Bo Scarbrough