The Columbus Aviators host the Birmingham Stallions in a critical Week 9 rematch at Historic Crew Stadium. Columbus was shut down 3-14 last week in Birmingham and now desperately needs a win to stay alive in the playoff hunt. Birmingham currently sits in the final playoff spot and will look to sweep the season series and pull further ahead in the standings.
Game Details:
Date/Location: Saturday, May 23 / Historic Crew Stadium, Columbus, OH
Kickoff Time: 3:00 PM ET, 12:00 PM PT
Channel: ABC
Theme Night: Hats Off to Heroes | Hat Giveaway
First 5,000 fans receive an Aviators hat (honoring military & first responders)
Odds:
Spread: Columbus +1.5 (-110), Birmingham -1.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Columbus +110, Birmingham -130
Over/Under: 43.5 (Over -110, Under -110)
Columbus Aviators (2-6):
Columbus had a very rough afternoon in Birmingham last week, managing just 3 points in a 14-3 loss. The offense continues to struggle getting into gear in the passing game, and last week the team struggled on the ground as well. Jalan Morton will get the start at quarterback Saturday to try to spark the offense after Jalan McClendon had 151 yards passing and 2 interceptions.
Birmingham Stallions (4-4):
Birmingham enters this rematch holding the final playoff spot after a 14-3 home win over Columbus. Dorian Thompson-Robinson completed 12 of his 20 passes for 1126 yards and a touchdown with 1 interception last week. Birmingham struggled in pass protection and getting the run game going last week, and only put up 144 yards of total offense. It was the Birmingham defense and special teams that won the game for the team, holding Columbus to just 3 points and 188 yards. On special teams, Steven Gilmore blocked a field goal and returned it for a touchdown.
Aviators Keys to the Game
Protect the Football
There have been too many turnovers for Columbus over the season.
Get the Run Game Going Again
Last week, Columbus really struggled to create holes against Birmingham’s line as running backs Zaquandre White and John Lovett both had under 1.5 yards per carry. Toa Taua rushed times for 14 yards (2.8 average).
Pressure DTR
Columbus’ pass rush had a great game last week in the pass rush getting very frequent pressure on Doriant Thompson-Robinson. DTR was clearly frustrated by his protection last week.
At times, Columbus would lineup mid-season acquisition defensive ends Jacoby Windmon and Celestin Haba on the edge and put defensive ends Kenny Willekes and Ron Stone Jr. on the interior. It was an interesting package to put all edge rushers on the line for some plays, but there was one where all 4 of them were in position to apply pressure.
Keep Stopping the Run
Last week, the Aviators held Birmingham to 49 rushing yards on 20 carries (2.5 average).
Aviators to Watch
2 QB Jalan Morton
Morton will get his first start of the season Saturday. The Prairie View A&M product has been with teams at the NFL, CFL, UFL, and indoor level. He played in the AF1 with the Southwest Kansas Storm in 2025, where he threw for 2,314 yards and 40 touchdowns with 15 interceptions.
35 Toa Taua
Taua rushed 5 times for 14 yards last week. He’s been a bit underutilized this season after leading the UFL in rushing touchdowns with 6 last season.
Taua has a bit of a battering ram style of running that could be good to lean into after Zaquandre White was stopped frequently last week.
45 DE Celestin Haba
Haba had a very strong game, recording 4 total tackles, including 2 sacks and 2 solo run stops. He had 5 additional pressures past a blocker last week by my count, including 2 QB hits.
0 DE Jacoby Windmon also had a sack last week.
48 DE Kenny Willekes
Willekes had 7 total pressure past a blocker last week by my count and was in on 5 total tackles, including 2 solo run stops and 2 shared run stops. Ron Stone Jr was also effective, recording 4 tackles with 3 shared run stops while generating pressure on 3 plays.
21 CB D.J. Miller Jr.
Miller Jr. had 1 tackle last week when a target came his way for a 3-yard completion. The only other target he faced, he intercepted. He has 2 interceptions in the last 2 games.
Stallions to Watch
20 LB Tae Crowder
Crowder had 11 total tackles last week, including a solo run stop and 3 shared run stops. He faced 11 targets in coverage, resulting in a 4-yard completion and an interception.
22 CB Steven Gilmore
Last week Gilmore had 3 tackles, including a solo run stop and 2 shared run stops. He faced 2 targets downfield, allowing 1 reception for 6 yards, and read a screen play perfectly and jumped in for an interception. He also blocked a field goal and returned it for a touchdown.
96 DT T.J. Carter
Carter had 4 tackles last week, including a shared run stop and a sack. He had 4 additional pressures past a blocker.
99 DE Isaac Ukwu
Ukwu had 1 tackle last week, which was a shared run stop. He had the most pressure generated by my count last week for Birmingham, with 6 past a blocker. He was even used at times to drop back in coverage and faced 2 targets, which went for 9 yards and 4 yards respectively.
31 LB Kyahva Tezino
Tezino had 5 total tackles last week, including a shared run stop. He faced 3 targets in coverage, which went for 2 yards, an incompletion, and 5 yards.
Depth Charts, Injuries, Inactives
Score Prediction:
I am predicting the Aviators to win 20-14.