Highlights of the 2023 USFL Championship Game: The Stallions are champions again!

The Birmingham Stallions defeated the Pittsburgh Maulers in the 2023 USFL Championship Game to win the big silver football trophy for the second year in a row.

The Stallions, led by Alex McGough, continued to dominate, going 8–2 in the regular season. new orleans breakers to earn a chance to defend their title in the South Division Championship Game. Crowned MVP of the USFL on Friday, McGough led the league in touchdown passes (20).

He turned it around again on Saturday, throwing for four touchdowns to lead the Stallions to a 28–12 victory. Deon Cain, who caught four passes for 70 yards and three of them a touchdown, was named the game’s MVP.

The Stallions defense held Pittsburgh to only 202 yards of total offense.

It all took place at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. Here are the top moments!

Final: Birmingham Stallions 28, Pittsburgh Maulers 12

determination

Facing third down and second on the opening possession of the game, Maulers quarterback Troy Williams passed the ball to fullback Mason Stokke, who ran through a pair of tackle attempts for a first down.

riding

Pittsburgh reached the Birmingham 2-yard line, but an illegal shift penalty halted the drive. The Maulers later settled for a 37-yard field goal from kicker Chris Blewitt.

no sir!

Birmingham got the ball in Pittsburgh territory before facing fourth and one. Quarterback Alex McGough got the call on the run and was stopped short of the line to regain the lead. The Maulers were ahead 3–0 at the end of the first quarter.

bow and arrow

One play after McGough’s first down on the field, the Birmingham quarterback unloaded on a downfield pass to wide receiver Davion Davis, who reached for a 42-yard touchdown grab.

another 3-pointer

With 3:01 remaining in the second quarter, Blewitt kicked a 36-yard field goal for the Maulers.

repin it

After Pittsburgh got their second field goal, Birmingham hit the ground running with a passing game.

McGough threw a pass to tight end Jace Sternberger, who went through several tackle attempts for a 34-yard pickup, followed by a 12-yard completion to fellow tight end La’Michael Pettway. Two plays later, wide receiver Deon Cain pulled off a toe-tap grab. Cain then caught a 3-yard touchdown pass from McGough.

from the deep!

A taunting penalty on Stallions cornerback Nate Brooks gave the Maulers their first down in Birmingham territory just before halftime. Two plays later, Blewitt kicked a 55-yard field goal for the Maulers, who trailed 14–9 at halftime.

pick up where they left off

The Stallions drove down the field with a game on the opening play of the second half. Then McGough hit Cain near the pylon for a 20-yard touchdown, his second scoring connection of the game.

Second

Pittsburgh’s ensuing drive stalled, but Blewitt was able to save it with a 51-yard field goal.

Mistake!

On third-and-goal, McGough continued to run out of time but ran backwards, and Maulers linebacker Reuben Foster eventually knocked the ball out of the quarterback’s possession. Defensive lineman Olive Sagapolou picked up the loose ball and ran it into Birmingham territory. After replay review, Sagapolu was penalized for an illegal forward handoff. The Maulers took over at the Stallions’ 33-yard line and trailed 21–12 at the end of the third quarter.

unable to avail

The Maulers struggled moving the ball after the turnover, and Blewitt subsequently missed a 48-yard field goal with 13:01 remaining in the fourth quarter.

it somehow got caught

Birmingham went three-and-out after missing a field goal, but then Pittsburgh turned it over in their own territory. Two plays later, the Stallions were up by two points.

Moving to his right, McGough threw a ball deep into the end zone, and Cain hauled in a 40-yard touchdown reception, his third of the game.

setting the stage

Both teams were primed for success ahead of Saturday’s title match, which is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET.

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