UFL roundup: Stallions stun Roughnecks with record comeback

Field Level Media|published: Sun 11th May, 20:02 2025

UFL: Birmingham Stallions at DC Defenders

Mar 30, 2025; Washington, D.C., USA; Birmingham Stallions guard Cole Schneider (56) prepares before the play in the fourth quarter against the DC Defenders at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Emily Faith Morgan-Imagn Images

Trailing by 19 just before halftime, the Birmingham Stallions reeled off 27 consecutive points to pull off a 33-25 victory over the visiting Houston Roughnecks on Sunday afternoon and set the UFL record for largest comeback win.

Backup quarterback J'Mar Smith stepped in for injured starter Case Cookus and directed a 75-yard scoring drive that gave the Stallions (5-2) the lead for good. Cookus completed 17 of 34 passes for 199 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Smith hit 3 of 5 passes for 63 yards and plunged in for a 1-yard score with 1:55 to go that gave Birmingham a 27-25 lead.

Houston's Jalan McClendon completed 15-of-23 passes for 167 yards and one touchdown while Zaquandre White rushed nine times for 69 yards and two scores. McClendon's 11-yard touchdown strike to Keke Chism, then McClendon's one-point conversion rush, gave Houston (3-4) a 25-6 lead with 5:54 left in the first half.

Battlehawks 19, Showboats 9

Max Duggan threw for 158 yards, rushed for 57 more and accounted for two touchdowns as St. Louis led the entire way for the win at Memphis.

Duggan's 7-yard run and Rodrigo Blankenship's 53-yard field goal gave the Battlehawks (5-2) a 10-0 lead late in the first quarter. Showboats QB Dresser Winn's 5-yard touchdown pass to Jonathan Adams cut the margin to 10-6, but Duggan tossed a 13-yard scoring pass to Jahcour Pearson to push St. Louis' lead to 16-6 at the half.

Winn completed 21 of 35 passes for 196 yards for the Showboats (1-6). Adams caught four passes for 69 yards while Deneric Prince rushed 17 times for 44 yards and made a six catches for 14 yards.

--Field Level Media