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Fox News
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
UFL 2025: Best hot mic moments from Week 9
Week 9 of the 2025 UFL season featured some more compelling football. The St. Louis Battlehawks began the week by dominating the San Antonio Brahmas on the road on Friday night in a 39-13 victory on FOX. On Saturday, the Birmingham Stallions squeaked out a four-point win over the Michigan Panthers, while the Arlington Renegades beat the Memphis Showboats by double digits. Rounding out the weekend, the Houston Roughnecks got a stunning, three-point win over the DC Defenders on Sunday. [MORE: What is the UFL? Everything to know about the 2025 United Football League] That said, here are the best hot mic moments from Week 9! After getting off a pass, Stallions quarterback J'Mar Smith took a hit from Panthers defensive lineman Taylor Stallworth. But after the hit, Smith expressed to Stallworth that he has to "hit harder than that." J'Mar Smith ran over Panthers defensive back D.J. Miller Jr. and let him know about it with some choice words. Michigan drew first blood against Birmingham early in the second quarter when quarterback Danny Etling hooked up with wide receiver Siaosi Mariner for a 33-yard touchdown. After the scoring play, evil laughter could be heard. J'Mar Smith was emphatic after a successful one-point conversion with his legs in Saturday's tilt. Toa Taua put Michigan back in front with a 2-yard touchdown run with 7:47 remaining in the fourth quarter. After the score, Danny Etling wanted the Panthers to "meet" the running back in the end zone. After reeling in a completion, Battlehawks running back Jacob Saylors refused to go down and picked up some extra yards despite multiple defenders trying to take him down. Saylors proclaimed the play to be a "mic drop." Prior to taking a hit, Battlehawks quarterback Max Duggan got off a pass, but then he had to ask his teammates what happened on the play. After hearing the good news that wide receiver Jahcour Pearson came down with the reception, Duggan claimed it to be "good s---." Stallions head coach Skip Holtz was trying to get his team in the game, stressing that they had to "get up" because there was "a game to play." Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
Reuters
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Battlehawks take XFL Conference lead with rally against Stallions
May 17 - The St. Louis Battlehawks scored 16 fourth-quarter points to rally for a 29-28 victory over the visiting Birmingham Stallions on Saturday that earned a half-game lead over the DC Defenders in the XFL Conference. In a battle of first-place teams, the Stallions (5-3) jumped out to a 9-0 lead sparked by J'Mar Smith's 65-yard touchdown pass to Deon Cain on the game's first play from scrimmage. Cain had a huge day with two touchdown catches totaling 115 yards. Smith threw for 262 yards and three scores, but also tossed an interception. Quarterback Max Duggan kept St. Louis (6-2) in the game with his legs, running for 54 yards and two first-half touchdowns to erase the early deficit and provide St. Louis a 13-12 halftime lead. Cain raced 50 yards for his second score and a field goal gave Birmingham a 21-13 lead going into the fourth. St. Louis' Jacob Saylors, who finished with 118 yards on the ground, completed the comeback with 3:03 to go. First, he rushed for a 1-yard touchdown to tie things up, then he went up the middle for the 1-point conversion to give the Battlehawks the 29-28 lead. Birmingham drove into St. Louis territory, but a lost fumble in the final minute ended the Stallions' chances. St. Louis maintained its hold on first place in the XFL Conference. Despite the loss, Birmingham clinched a spot in the USFL Conference title game against the Michigan Panthers (6-2). They'll meet June 8 at Birmingham's Protective Stadium for the right to play in the UFL title game. --Field Level Media
Fox News
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
J'Mar Smith rallying Stallions to comeback win tops UFL storylines from Week 7
The defending champions returned to their winning ways for a second week in a row, and a familiar face helped lead the Birmingham Stallions to a 33-25 comeback victory over the Houston Roughnecks in Week 7. Second-string quarterback J'Mar Smith replaced starter Case Cookus late in the fourth quarter after the Northern Arizona product took a big hit that resulted in an elbow injury to his throwing arm. [MORE: What is the UFL? Everything to know about the 2025 United Football League] Smith had not played in a game since 2023 and had retired from professional football. However, Smith was brought back a few weeks ago to serve as the team's emergency third-string quarterback after Alex McGough, Matt Corral and Andrew Peasley were all sidelined due to injuries. Smith played for Birmingham head coach Skip Holtz in college at Louisiana Tech and helped lead the Stallions to the USFL Championship Game in 2022. "I always wanted J'Mar on this roster," Holtz said. Birmingham trailed 25-6 in the first half but scored 27 unanswered points to earn the big win. Smith scored the game-winner, rolling to his right and scrambling to the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown when all his receivers were covered. Smith finished 3 of 5 for 63 yards in relief of Cookus. The 19-point comeback was the largest in UFL history. "Just getting back out there was the main thing for me," Smith said. "It [has] been a long time coming. I know the offense pretty well. Me and Coach Holtz have been together for a while, so it's just knowing what he wants, going out there and executing." With the win, the Stallions (5-2) remain tied atop the USFL Conference with the Michigan Panthers (5-2), who narrowly defeated the Arlington Renegades (3-4) at Choctaw Stadium, 25-24. The DC Defenders (5-2) held off the San Antonio Brahmas (1-6) in the opening game of the weekend, 32-24, while the St. Louis Battlehawks (5-2) closed things out with a 19-9 road victory over the Memphis Showboats (1-6). The Brahmas and the Showboats have been eliminated from playoff consideration. Here's a look at other storylines from Week 7: The top rushing team in the UFL a year ago, the Stallions struggled to get things going on the ground through the first half of this season. However, Birmingham found a rhythm running the football against the Roughnecks, finishing with 142 rushing yards as a team. Ricky Person Jr. led Birmingham with 60 yards on the ground and a score. "I'm really proud of the way we ran the ball today," Holtz said. "I thought both tailbacks ran the ball hard and did some good things on offense." And because the Stallions scored more than 30 points for the first time this season, Holtz said he'll make good on a bet with his wife Jennifer and shave the beard he's been growing since the start of the year. Duggan had his best game since taking over for an injured Manny Wilkins in Week 5. The TCU product completed 15 of 23 passes for a total of 158 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown pass to Jacour Peason on a corner route. Duggan also ran for a game-high 57 yards and a score. However, the Battlehawks were led by their defense. St. Louis has given up just one touchdown in two games and held the Showboats' offense to 4.2 yards per play. "On defense, we've been just relentless," St. Louis pass rusher Travis Feeney said. "A bend but don't break mentality. … At the end of the day, our defense has to beat the other team's defense, and that's the biggest thing." Winners of three straight, the Battlehawks will face another tough test when they host the Stallions at The Dome at America's Center on Saturday (4 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app). QB Jordan Ta'amu had another big day, completing 19 of 24 passes for 278 yards, three scores and no interceptions. Those numbers include a 76-yard touchdown strike to his former teammate at Ole Miss in receiver Braylon Sanders. Ta'amu remains the league leader in passing yards (1,750) and passing touchdowns (14) through Week 7. However, the momentum-changing play came on defense for the Defenders when linebacker Anthony Hines picked up a fumble by San Antonio QB Kevin Hogan after he ran into left tackle Willie Tyler while trying to evade pressure. Hines corralled the loose ball and returned it 51 yards to tie the game at 12-all to end the half. Hines finished with nine tackles, while teammate defensive tackle Joe Wallace contributed six tackles and two sacks. With San Antonio running back Anthony McFarland out due to a shoulder injury, his replacement Jashaun Corbin put in some work, finishing with 109 rushing yards on nine carries — including a stunning 57-yard touchdown run. With a handful of family and friends in attendence, Taua delivered on Mother's Day weekend. The Nevada product tied the game on a 1-yard plunge as time expired and then won the game on another grinding run from two yards out for the one-point conversion and the victory. Taua finished with 70 scrimmage yards. QB Bryce Perkins also had another big day, totaling 231 passing yards and 68 rushing yards. "I'm just proud to be a part of these moments … and for the guys trusting me and having faith," Taua said. "There's never a dull moment in the game. We all looked at each other and said we're going to get another [opportunity] here, and we're going to capitalize. Just be ready. "It's one of those moments where you look at everyone in the huddle and say, 'Let's go win this ball game.'" Arlington QB Luis Perez threw for a league-high 314 passing yards in the loss. Tyler Vaughns finished with a game-high 127 receiving yards on nine receptions and a touchdown. Rams Pro Bowl receiver Nacua was at Choctaw Stadium to watch his older brothers play over the weekend. Michigan safety Kai Nacua finished with a tackle and a pass breakup, while brother Samson Nacua totaled 35 kick return yards, although he did have a fumble. "I would say the two words would be love and competitiveness, for sure," Puka Nacua said when asked to describe what it was like growing up in the Nacua household. "I think competitiveness came first — we were fighting … to see who was going to be the best football player, the best basketball player. And then my mom was our head coach and the general manager. She made sure there was love at the dinner table, so we had the perfect balance of both." Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for more than a decade, covering the Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him at @eric_d_williams. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
Reuters
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
UFL roundup: Stallions stun Roughnecks with record comeback
May 12 - 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
