On Saturday night the rematch of last year’s championship game matchup featured nothing short of a thriller between the league’s division leaders, as the Birmingham Stallions (6-2) rallied late to earn a 27-24 victory over the Philadelphia Stars (4-4). Stars straight down the field.
On the opening drive, the Stars wasted no time getting points on the board. Featuring three plays of more than 13 yards, Philadelphia drove 62 yards, resulting in a one-yard touchdown from Case Cookus to Ryan Izzo.
Back And Forth
The Stallions answered Birmingham answered Philly’s touchdown with their own after a lengthy 11-play drive completed by Alex McGough’s 17-yard touchdown to Davion Davis, evening the game at 7-7. Big turnover. Birmingham’s Alex McGough fumbled a fake handoff and Philadelphia’s Adam Rodriquez recovered, putting the Stars in great field position, on the Stallions’ 46-yard line with just over two minutes until halftime. Cookus to Coleman! A duo we’ve seen many times this season, Cookus found Corey Coleman on a slant route for a 24-yard touchdown – Cookus’ second of the day.
Philly led 14-7 at halftime. A costly Stallions turnover Right when the Stallions were in scoring position to potentially take the lead, Cj Marable fumbled the ball, recovered by Philly on their own 4-yard line. BIG gain for Davis. McGough found Davis downfield for a 71-yard gain, setting the Stallions up in scoring position. Stallions take the lead. Shortly following the 71-yard gain, McGough found Jace Sternberger for an 11-yard touchdown, giving the Stallions the lead early in the fourth, 17-14.
Second Half
Stars tied it up after 19 plays, 142 yards, and 12 minutes, the Stars had to settle for a field goal, tying things up at 17 apiece. Birmingham regains the lead After a lengthy Philly drive, Birmingham answered with a 41-yard Brandon Aubrey field goal, regaining their lead, 20-17. Cookus works his magic.
Cookus found Devin Gray 28 yards, then hit Devon Williams for a seven-yard touchdown, Cookus’ third TD of the day, putting the Stars back on top, 24-20 with 3:10 left in the game.
McGough gets the last laugh in a back-and-forth second half, Alex McGough found La’Michael Pettway for a seven-yard touchdown, putting Birmingham up 27-24 with 25 seconds left to play. Stars now fall to 4-4 and will face the New Jersey Generals for the second time this season. The Stars still hold the lead in the North Division as the 2023 USFL season heads down the stretch.
Matt Bednarczyk is your host of Talking Philly Sports With Matty B. He is a proud retired US Army Sergeant First Class, he is also a combat veteran with over 80 months served in Afganistan, and Iraq . Huge Hockey Fan. Matt is a lifelong 4 for 4 Philly sports fan. Born and raised on the Mayfair and Tacony neighborhood lines of Northeast Philly. He brings over 40 years of Philadelphia Sports passion and provides a realistic look at our Major Sports Teams and the most passionate sports fans on the planet. Look for his show live on Edge of Philly Sports.
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