<!–>
With his team on their fourth starting quarterback, Birmingham Stallions head coach Skip Holtz may have lucked into his most productive option at the position in J’Mar Smith.
The Louisiana Tech product is heating up when the Stallions need him most — at the end of the regular season and heading into the playoffs. Smith went 22-for-31 for a season-high 307 yards and two touchdowns in Birmingham’s 26-22 victory over the visiting Michigan Panthers on Saturday in what was a preview of the USFL Conference title game.
Smith connected with 10 different pass catchers. He also helped Birmingham finish an impressive 11-of-13 on third down, which included converting six plays on the money down of third-and-7 or longer.
“You try and stay out of third and long situations because you get behind the chains, and they can do anything they want defensively,” Smith said. “But a couple of guys made some great plays. You get the ball into their hands, and they made the first down or went and scored touchdowns, and that’s what happened.
ADVERTISEMENT
–>
“It’s all credit to those skill guys — the O-line and the running backs — to go out there to make it happen, and Coach Holtz giving us the job to go out and execute.”
The Stallions averaged 20.6 points a game through the first seven games of the year, but they’ve averaged 27 points a contest in the past two games that Smith has started at QB.
With the win, the Stallions improved to 6-3 on the season with one game left, while the Panthers dropped to 6-3.
In the XFL Conference, the St. Louis Battlehawks (7-2) continued their winning ways, topping the San Antonio Brahmas (1-8) by double digits, 39-13, for the team’s league-leading fifth win in a row. The 39 points was a season-high for St. Louis.
The Arlington Renegades (4-5) got back on the winning track with a 30-12 victory over the Memphis Showboats (2-7) in a game delayed three hours by thunderstorms. In the final game of the weekend, the Houston Roughnecks (4-5) stunned the DC Defenders (6-3) in a down-to-the-wire thriller, 24-21.
Here’s a look at other storylines from Week 9:
Proud dad moment: CB Micah Abraham scores TD in first game for Battlehawks
Signed two weeks ago, Abraham immediately made his presence felt in his first action for St. Louis. The son of former NFL cornerback and St. Louis defensive coordinator Donnie Abraham, the Marshall product forced a fumble and returned it 70 yards for a touchdown.
“I was happy for him when he scored on that touchdown,” Battlehawks head coach Anthony Brecht said. “Donnie was really serious. He was like, ‘Hey Coach, we got to keep going.’ But how exciting is that? I have a son who plays football, and it’s so rewarding to see your kids (be successful.) His mom was here, so I’m really proud of him.”
Becht said Abraham played around 20 plays in his debut, finishing with four combined tackles — highlighted by tracking down Brahmas RB Jaden Shirden on an 86-yard kickoff return and saving a score at the end of the first half.
“We’re going to need him,” Becht said. “We only have four corners, and we’re rolling with these guys. We’re not going to find someone else to help us at this point.”
St. Louis Battlehawks vs. San Antonio Brahmas Highlights | UFL
Brahmas missing Wade Phillips on defense
San Antonio interim head coach Payton Pardee has done a commendable job of keeping the Brahmas together and putting a competitive team on the field with Phillips stepping away earlier this season due to health concerns.
However, the Brahmas have missed the longtime defensive guru’s presence on the field.
During last year’s run to the UFL title game, San Antonio had one of the top defenses in the league. The Brahmas held opponents to a league-best 15.3 points per game and led the league in sacks (32.0) in 2024. This season, the Brahmas are giving up a league-worst 22.3 points per game and have notched a league-low 12.0 sacks.
“It’s tackling, technique and knowing our assignment and executing that with the proper technique,” Pardee said, when asked about his team’s defensive struggles. “I believe in the guys that we have in this locker room, and I know we can improve.”
While San Antonio has struggled on defense, running back Jashaun Corbin has been a revelation. He finished with 85 rushing yards and a touchdown in the loss in Week 9 and has collected 337 rushing yards over his past three games.
In his first start in four games, QB Kellen Mond was efficient, going 14-for-26 for 103 yards, with no touchdowns and no interceptions. The Brahmas also had two dropped touchdown passes which would have improved Mond’s numbers.
Renegades’ Marquette King executes heads-up fake punt
With his team up 9-6 on the road at Memphis, King took advantage of an overaggressive rush from the Showboats, faking the punt and taking off down the sideline for a 37-yard run and a first down. The quick thinking by King led to a 40-yard field goal from kicker Lucas Havrisik.
“That was Marquette being Marquette,” Arlington head coach Bob Stoops said. “He felt the rush, and he’s got great experience. He felt they were a little overzealous when they were coming from the side, and he pulled it down. He’s a great athlete. He can run. He makes a guy miss him, and he picks up a huge first down.”
Terrell Owens shows support for Defenders
The Pro Football Hall of Famer was on the sideline during the Defenders vs. Roughnecks contest in Houston over the weekend to show his support for DC receiver Javon Antonio. Owens said he spent a lot of time with Antonio at Colorado and has served as a mentor for him. Antonio finished with two receptions for 24 yards on three targets.
Owens said the UFL offers a good opportunity for young players to develop and try to reach the next level. “They’ve just got to take it one day at a time,” he added. “Don’t take it for granted to be where they are, and give themselves the best opportunity, just by going out there and making plays. This is where it starts.”
Meanwhile, Cornell Powell had another strong performance for the Defenders, finishing with eight receptions for 104 yards and two scores.
Showboats searching for consistency on offense
With head coach and offensive guru Ken Whisenhunt stepping down earlier this season for personal reasons, the Showboats have struggled offensively under interim head coach Jim Turner.
Memphis has averaged 15.4 points per game and a league-low 85 rushing yards a contest. Turner has started E.J. Perry, Troy Williams and Dresser Winn at quarterback but has yet to find consistency at the position. He’ll turn to Winn as the starter for the final game of the regular season.
“I would say it’s just continuity on offense,” Turner said when asked about his team’s struggles on offense. “I’ve put the team in these situations a little bit. I’m probably the main problem offensively, because I’ve done so many different things at quarterback. … I think it’s just continuity. It’s just playing together better and finding a way to get across the goal line. To score instead of kicking.”
Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for more than a decade, covering the Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him at @eric_d_williams.
Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
United Football League
<!–>
recommended
Get more from United Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
–>
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
KOMENTÁŘ: Karabec na lavičce jako symbol chybějící odvahy. Hašek zradil svá slova
Shrňme si na úvod fakta.Nároďák potřebuje dát gól. Hraje bezbrankový zápas, v němž remíza z jeho pohledu nic neřeší. Pro úspěšnou resuscitaci byť jen mírných nadějí na přímý postup na MS musí favority z Chorvatska porazit. Nutně. Vytvořit tlak a doufat v jejich ztrátu (nejspíš v Černé Hoře). Díky tomu by se posunul na první flek. Případná prohra s Chorvaty? Stačí porazit Gibraltar a druhé místo je naše. Asi jen blázen (nebo fakt velký faerský vlastenec) by předpokládal, že Faerské ostrovy přehrají jak český tým, tak později právě Chorvaty. Přičemž pouze tento scénář by mohl v případě výhry se slaboučkým Gibraltarem sesunout Čechy na třetí flek.Nároďák má na hrotu dvoumetrového Tomáše Chorého. Asi není třeba dlouze popisovat, že tenhle habán se ve vzduchu hodí.Nároďák má na lavičce Adama Karabce. Borce, který od přesunu do Lyonu prakticky jen kropí centry levačkou do vápna. Zatraceně nebezpečné, nutno dodat.Hašek před zápasem tvrdí […]
Chytil dvakrát skóroval za Vancouver, Nečas přispěl k těsné výhře Colorada
Boston - Chicago 4:3 v prodl. (1:1, 1:1, 1:1 - 1:0)Branky: 4. Mittelstadt, 30. Jeannot, 41. E. Lindholm (ZACHA, PASTRŃÁK), 63. Minten - 9. Bedard, 23. Crevier, 43. Burakovsky. Hvězdy zápasu: 1. Minten, 2. E. Lindholm (oba Boston), 3. Burakovsky (Chicago).Buffalo - NY Rangers 0:4 (0:1, 0:0, 0:3)Branky: 12. Lafrenière, 55. Soucy, 58. J. Miller, 58. Fox. Hvězdy zápasu: 1. Šesťorkin, 2. Lafreniére, 3. Soucy (všichni NY Rangers).Florida - Philadelphia 2:1 (0:0, 1:1, 1:0)Branky: 26. Lundell, 43. Marchand - 38. Cates. DANIEL VLADAŘ odchytal za Philadelphii 58:46 minut, inkasoval dvě branky z 34 střel a úspěšnost zákroků měl 94,1 procenta. Hvězdy zápasu: 1. Marchand, 2. Lundell, 3. Bobrovskij (všichni Florida).Pittsburgh - NY Islanders 4:3 (1:1, 2:2, 1:0)Branky: 4. Malkin, 26. Brunicke, 29. Crosby, 55. Brazeau - 13. Drouin, 25. Palmieri, 40. Šabanov. Hvězdy zápasu: 1. Malkin, 2. Brunicke, 3. Brazeau […]
ARD, ZDF oder RTL? – So sehen Sie Deutschland – Luxemburg live im TV
Deutschland will den nächsten Sieg.In der WM-Quali geht's für das DFB-Team und Bundestrainer Julian Nagelsmann (38) Freitagabend gegen Luxemburg. Nach einem 0:2 in der Slowakei und einem 3:1 gegen Nordirland sollen jetzt die nächsten Punkte in Gruppe A her. Der Gegner weiß aber, was ihn erwartet.Mehr zum Thema<!-->[-->Luxemburgs Trainer Jeff Strasser (51): „Julians Mannschaften haben immer eine Handschrift. Unter ihm will das Team dominieren, das prägende Element ist das Spiel mit dem Ball.“Und: „Ich schätze ihn, und wir haben uns zehn Jahre lang nicht gesehen. In erster Linie aber ist es ein Qualifikationsspiel, etwas Ernstes also.“Luxemburg verlor bisher beide WM-Quali-Spiele. Zum Start gab es ein 1:3 gegen Nordirland, danach ein 0:1 gegen die Slowakei. Jetzt kündigt er an: „Ich komme ja nicht zum Klassentreffen, sondern wir wollen ein gutes Spiel machen.“ Verhältnis zwischen Nagelsmann und Neuer: „Wie man hört, ist […]
‘He’s a Beast’: Hard-Charging Cam Skattebo Sparking The Revived Giants
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Jaxson Dart has lit a fire underneath the Giants’ franchise. But it’s Cam Skattebo that’s providing the spark.The rookie running back with a nose for contact has been the kind of lightning bolt that the Giants have been missing for a while. He showed his power again on Thursday night when he rushed for 98 yards and three touchdowns in the Giants’ shocking, 34-17 upsets of the Philadelphia Eagles.But it’s not the numbers that have turned the 5-foot-10, 215-pound wrecking ball into an instant crowd favorite. It’s his powerful, hard-nosed, and maybe even reckless style where almost every run he has turns into a potential car wreck — one that he somehow always survives."He’s a beast," Giants edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux told me after the game. "He’s a f—ing beast. He energizes. He’s a fighter. I […]
‘Dunne is a good fit’ – Red Bull boss drops hint over Irish star
With the dust having settled on McLaren's sudden release of Alex Dunne, Sky Sports F1 assess how the young Irish star becoming a free agent could impact the driver market.Ahead of last weekend's Singapore Grand Prix, a McLaren announcement came from nowhere stating that the team had ended its contract with the 19-year-old, who had been part of their driver development programme for the last two years. Given his impressive F1 debut in Austrian Grand Prix practice in June and a solid showing this year in Formula 2, Dunne seemed an ideal candidate for McLaren to keep hold of in the event they were to lose either Oscar Piastri or Lando Norris at some point in the next few years.Therefore, attention quickly switched to what could have been behind the highly-rated Dunne's release, with it only being a matter of […]
Today on Sky Sports Racing: Persian War showdown headlines jumps return at Chepstow
All eyes will be on South Wales this afternoon as Chepstow kicks off its National Hunt season with a quality eight-race card.3.43 Chepstow - Queensbury Boy and Sticktotheplan headline Persian War fieldThe jumps are back, and all eyes will be on Queensbury Boy as he heads the market for this Grade 2 Persian War Novices' Hurdle at Chepstow. The Harry Derham-trained six-year-old has won two of his three starts over hurdles and ended last season with a fifth in Grade 1 company at Punchestown. His trainer reports he is in great spirits, and he might be tough to beat under new pilot Paul O'Brien. Owner and former jockey David Maxwell has talked up his chances in the media during recent weeks, and all eyes will be on Monmouthshire to see if the hype is justified.Sticktotheplan brings in some useful Irish […]
Related
KOMENTÁŘ: Karabec na lavičce jako symbol chybějící odvahy. Hašek zradil svá slova
Shrňme si na úvod fakta.Nároďák potřebuje dát gól. Hraje bezbrankový zápas, v němž remíza z jeho pohledu nic neřeší. Pro úspěšnou resuscitaci byť jen mírných nadějí na přímý postup na MS musí favority z Chorvatska porazit. Nutně. Vytvořit tlak a doufat v jejich ztrátu (nejspíš v Černé Hoře). Díky tomu by se posunul na první flek. Případná prohra s Chorvaty? Stačí porazit Gibraltar a druhé místo je naše. Asi jen blázen (nebo fakt velký faerský vlastenec) by předpokládal, že Faerské ostrovy přehrají jak český tým, tak později právě Chorvaty. Přičemž pouze tento scénář by mohl v případě výhry se slaboučkým Gibraltarem sesunout Čechy na třetí flek.Nároďák má na hrotu dvoumetrového Tomáše Chorého. Asi není třeba dlouze popisovat, že tenhle habán se ve vzduchu hodí.Nároďák má na lavičce Adama Karabce. Borce, který od přesunu do Lyonu prakticky jen kropí centry levačkou do vápna. Zatraceně nebezpečné, nutno dodat.Hašek před zápasem tvrdí […]
Chytil dvakrát skóroval za Vancouver, Nečas přispěl k těsné výhře Colorada
Boston - Chicago 4:3 v prodl. (1:1, 1:1, 1:1 - 1:0)Branky: 4. Mittelstadt, 30. Jeannot, 41. E. Lindholm (ZACHA, PASTRŃÁK), 63. Minten - 9. Bedard, 23. Crevier, 43. Burakovsky. Hvězdy zápasu: 1. Minten, 2. E. Lindholm (oba Boston), 3. Burakovsky (Chicago).Buffalo - NY Rangers 0:4 (0:1, 0:0, 0:3)Branky: 12. Lafrenière, 55. Soucy, 58. J. Miller, 58. Fox. Hvězdy zápasu: 1. Šesťorkin, 2. Lafreniére, 3. Soucy (všichni NY Rangers).Florida - Philadelphia 2:1 (0:0, 1:1, 1:0)Branky: 26. Lundell, 43. Marchand - 38. Cates. DANIEL VLADAŘ odchytal za Philadelphii 58:46 minut, inkasoval dvě branky z 34 střel a úspěšnost zákroků měl 94,1 procenta. Hvězdy zápasu: 1. Marchand, 2. Lundell, 3. Bobrovskij (všichni Florida).Pittsburgh - NY Islanders 4:3 (1:1, 2:2, 1:0)Branky: 4. Malkin, 26. Brunicke, 29. Crosby, 55. Brazeau - 13. Drouin, 25. Palmieri, 40. Šabanov. Hvězdy zápasu: 1. Malkin, 2. Brunicke, 3. Brazeau […]
ARD, ZDF oder RTL? – So sehen Sie Deutschland – Luxemburg live im TV
Deutschland will den nächsten Sieg.In der WM-Quali geht's für das DFB-Team und Bundestrainer Julian Nagelsmann (38) Freitagabend gegen Luxemburg. Nach einem 0:2 in der Slowakei und einem 3:1 gegen Nordirland sollen jetzt die nächsten Punkte in Gruppe A her. Der Gegner weiß aber, was ihn erwartet.Mehr zum Thema<!-->[-->Luxemburgs Trainer Jeff Strasser (51): „Julians Mannschaften haben immer eine Handschrift. Unter ihm will das Team dominieren, das prägende Element ist das Spiel mit dem Ball.“Und: „Ich schätze ihn, und wir haben uns zehn Jahre lang nicht gesehen. In erster Linie aber ist es ein Qualifikationsspiel, etwas Ernstes also.“Luxemburg verlor bisher beide WM-Quali-Spiele. Zum Start gab es ein 1:3 gegen Nordirland, danach ein 0:1 gegen die Slowakei. Jetzt kündigt er an: „Ich komme ja nicht zum Klassentreffen, sondern wir wollen ein gutes Spiel machen.“ Verhältnis zwischen Nagelsmann und Neuer: „Wie man hört, ist […]
‘He’s a Beast’: Hard-Charging Cam Skattebo Sparking The Revived Giants
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Jaxson Dart has lit a fire underneath the Giants’ franchise. But it’s Cam Skattebo that’s providing the spark.The rookie running back with a nose for contact has been the kind of lightning bolt that the Giants have been missing for a while. He showed his power again on Thursday night when he rushed for 98 yards and three touchdowns in the Giants’ shocking, 34-17 upsets of the Philadelphia Eagles.But it’s not the numbers that have turned the 5-foot-10, 215-pound wrecking ball into an instant crowd favorite. It’s his powerful, hard-nosed, and maybe even reckless style where almost every run he has turns into a potential car wreck — one that he somehow always survives."He’s a beast," Giants edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux told me after the game. "He’s a f—ing beast. He energizes. He’s a fighter. I […]
Parker would risk Usyk shot and fight Itauma in December
Joseph Parker would be willing to put a mandatory shot at Oleksandr Usyk at risk to box Moses Itauma immediately after his upcoming fight with Fabio Wardley.Parker has suggested he's open to fighting Itauma in December if he comes through unscathed against Wardley later this month. Itauma is due to box in December, but is waiting for his next opponent to be confirmed.Parker fights Wardley at the O2 Arena in London, so boxing two months later would be an incredibly fast turnaround for a modern heavyweight. Spreaker This content is provided by Spreaker, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Spreaker cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at […]
Today on Sky Sports Racing: Persian War showdown headlines jumps return at Chepstow
All eyes will be on South Wales this afternoon as Chepstow kicks off its National Hunt season with a quality eight-race card.3.43 Chepstow - Queensbury Boy and Sticktotheplan headline Persian War fieldThe jumps are back, and all eyes will be on Queensbury Boy as he heads the market for this Grade 2 Persian War Novices' Hurdle at Chepstow. The Harry Derham-trained six-year-old has won two of his three starts over hurdles and ended last season with a fifth in Grade 1 company at Punchestown. His trainer reports he is in great spirits, and he might be tough to beat under new pilot Paul O'Brien. Owner and former jockey David Maxwell has talked up his chances in the media during recent weeks, and all eyes will be on Monmouthshire to see if the hype is justified.Sticktotheplan brings in some useful Irish […]
Be the first to leave a comment