Stallions vs. Defenders highlights: DC pulls off upset in season opener

In the end, DC came out on top with the home win. Birmingham now has as many losses in 2025 as it had all of 2024.

The Defenders made it a seven-point game, 18-11, with a 50-plus-yard field goal late in the final frame.

The Defenders added another field goal early in the fourth quarter to make it a four-point game, 15-11. 

Elsewhere, the beloved UFL beer snake continued to grow!

The Stallions were able to get to midfield on their first possession of the second half but went the wrong way. QB Alex McGough took a six-yard loss on second-and-6 before tripping while scrambling on third down for an 18-yard loss.

The Defenders punted after five plays on the ensuing drive, but they wound up with the ball again not long after. Three plays into the next possession, McGough's deep pass was intercepted by DC cornerback Deandre Baker. The play gave the Defenders the ball at their own 22-yard line with just over four minutes remaining in the third quarter.

After the interception on their penultimate possession of the second half, the Defenders were able to redeem themselves right before halftime. QB Jordan Ta'amu strung together an impressive drive, which ended with him throwing an eight-yard pass to Chris Rowland for a touchdown to give them a 12-11 lead with eight seconds remaining in the first half. They weren't able to convert on the ensuing try.

Defenders fans didn't waste any time getting up the first beer snake of the season, which has quickly become a beloved UFL tradition.

The Defenders were trying to cut into the Stallions' lead in the late stages of the second half. However, when they were facing a third-and-11 with 3:16 remaining at the Stallions' 30-yard line, Jordan Ta'amu's screen pass was picked.

After the Defenders took a 6-3 lead in the first quarter with their second field goal of the day, the Stallions responded with a score that gave them the lead. RB C.J. Marbale took a screen pass 12 yards for a touchdown before the Stallions scored a two-point try to go up 11-6 in the first minute of the second quarter. 

The Stallions' quest to win their fourth consecutive pro spring football title didn't get off to a strong note. Ricky Person Jr. fumbled on the game's opening possession while trying to pick up a first down on a fourth-and-1 carry.

The Defenders were able to kick a field goal on the ensuing drive, taking an early 3-0 lead. The Stallions responded with a field goal of their own, however, making it a 3-all game roughly halfway through the first quarter.

Headed into Sunday's tilt, both squads are dealing with a coaching switch up. 

The Stallions are embarking on a season without celebrated general manager Zach Potter. Birmingham lost the engineer of the most talented roster in the UFL when Potter took a job as GM of the Sacramento State college football program this offseason. Only 24 years old, Potter was one of the best talent evaluators in the league, consistently ahead of the curve in recruiting and signing the best talent. 

Just last week, former Defenders head coach Reggie Barlow took the head coaching job at Tennessee State. Quarterbacks coach Shannon Harris was named the interim head coach for the Defenders. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams will remain with the team — for now; he's rumored to be joining Barlow at Tennessee State.

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Keep an eye out for former USFL MVP Alex McGough and Matt Corral, who helped the Stallions win the inaugural UFL title last season. The pair split reps in practice leading up to UFL Kickoff Weekend. A seventh-round selection by the Seattle Seahawks in the 2018 NFL Draft, McGough most recently spent time on the Green Bay Packers' practice squad (2023-24). The FIU product completed 67.4% of his passes for 2,015 yards and 20 touchdowns to lead Birmingham to the USFL title game two years ago. Corral was the Carolina Panthers' 2022 third-round pick. 

Other Stallions to watch include explosive defensive tackle Carlos Davis, who led Birmingham with 7.0 sacks in 2024 en route to earning a spot on the inaugural All-UFL defensive team, safety A.J. Thomas and tight ends Jace Sternberger and Jordan Thomas. 

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More players to watch include Defenders quarterback Jordan Ta’amu and cornerback Kelvin Joseph, who recently spent time with the Dallas Cowboys. However, the Defenders' defensive unit is led by Deandre Baker, one of the top cover corners in the league. Baker is a former first-round selection by the New York Giants (2019) and was an All-UFL selection on defense for the Defenders under the direction of defensive coordinator Gregg Williams last season.

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