The San Antonio Brahmas continued their three-game win streak, slaying the undefeated Birmingham Stallions in a 18-9 victory Saturday afternoon at the Alamodome.
“Our team stepped up, all sides of the ball played very well,” coach Wade Phillips said. “We out rushed the team that was leading the league; just an overall outstanding game.”
Running back Anthony McFarland Jr. got the Brahmas (7-2) offense out to a fast start with a couple of big runs to bring San Antonio to the Stallions’ 35 yard line. A staunch pass rush by the Stallions (8-1) forced quarterback Quinten Dormady to fumble, turning the ball over.
Back in Stallions territory, a trick play caught Brimingham off guard when Dormady tossed a pass to receiver Jontre Kirklin, who connected with receiver Justin Smith for a wide open 36-yard touchdown for the game’s first score. The Brahmas defense held the Stallions on third down stopping their short-yardage triple option formation.
A 17-yard rush by quarterback Adrian Martinez brought the Stallions into Brahmas’ territory for the first time, but a pass intended for tight end Jordan Thomas sailed left, trotting out the Brimingham kicking unit. Kicker Ramiz Ahmed’s 34-yard field goal was good, trailing the Brahmas 6-3.
Returning from his week three injury, quarterback Chase Garbers found Kirklin for a big 34-yard catch and run to set up running back Morgan Ellison for the one yard touchdown extending the Brahmas lead 12-6 late in the second.
“We kinda weaned [Chase Garbers] in to get the rust off,” Phillips said. “Well he got the rust to come off pretty quickly.”
Pinned on their own three yard line with two minutes left in the half, Garbers reached Smith for a 10 yard gain. On the next play, Kirklin caught the ball on the sideline for a gain of 20 to set up kicker Ryan Santoso for a 53-yard attempt. Santoso’s kick missed; hitting the left goal post closing the half with a 12-6 lead.
The Stallions came out of the half with a large 49-yard gain to bring them into the Brahmas red-zone. The Brahmas super challenged the spot but the play was upheld, setting up Martinez for a 15-yard touchdown pass inching away at their deficit 12-9.
After a long 11-play drive, Ellison drove into the endzone on a nine yard rushing touchdown to extend the Brahmas lead 18-9. At the two minute warning, the Stallions began to drive down the field. While being pressured, Martinez scrambled for 16 yards. Martinez then found receiver Jace Sternberger for a 15-yard gain to bring Birmingham to the Brahmas’ 30 yard line. Surveying towards the end zone, Martinez’s pass was intercepted by safety Teez Tabor giving the Stallions their first loss since week five of last season.
The Brahmas defense held the UFL’s leading offense to just a single touchdown and held Martinez, the UFL’s leading rusher to 56 yards, sacking him three times and captured a single interception. Ellison finished the afternoon with 30 yards on 12 attempts for a pair of touchdowns. Kirklin led the receiver room with 66 yards on seven targets and a single passing touchdown.
“The next game is always the biggest game, we have plenty more,” safety Jordan Mosley said. “When we come back Monday, it’s right onto St. Louis.”
The Brahmas will face the St. Louis Battlehawks for their final regular season game 3 p.m. Saturday at The Dome at America’s Center.
