Playing in their home opener in front of the third largest UFL crowd of the season (18,340), the Birmingham Stallions reminded all who were on hand as well as a national television audience why they entered Saturday’s game with a 1-2 record. They’re not a good football team.
The Storm controlled the game from the outset, dominating both lines of scrimmage from the opening whistle until the final miserable seconds ticked off the fourth quarter clock.
When the smoke cleared and the dust settled in the game’s bleak and somber aftermath, first year head coach A.J. McCarron didn’t mince words. “It’s on me. I’m the head coach.”
CHORUS OF BOOS EVIDENT OF FAN FRUSTRATION
More than once, the large contingent at Protective Stadium who showed up to watch their Stallions show out, instead unleashed something no home team or head coach wants to hear, loud and statement making rounds of very audible boos.
FIRST QUARTER TD WAS ALL THE SCORING ORLANDO WOULD NEED TO CLINCH A WIN ON THE ROAD TO REMAIN UNBEATEN
Jack Plummer’s 3-yard touchdown pass to Cam Camper with 1:59 left in the first quarter put the Storm on top to stay. Field goals of 19,46, and 45 yards made by Michael Lantz provided the game’s only other points.
BIRMINGHAM 1-11 ON THIRD DOWNS
McCarron pulled starting quarterback Matt Corral in the third quarter in favor of Michael Hiers, who didn’t fare much better. Three times, Stallions drives ended on fourth down, including a back of the end zone pass that was hauled in by tight end Jordan Thomas that was ruled out of bounds.
STALLIONS OFFENSE LIMITED TO JUST 166 YARDS
Birmingham’s offensive woes continued to play out yesterday. The Stallions manufactured only 166 total yards on the day. Numerous times Corral was harassed by the Orlando defense, as the Birmingham line provided little time for either quarterback.
BIRMINGHAM SEASON ON THE BRINK OF POST SEASON ELIMINATION
With their 1-3 start, the Stallions are staring elimination from postseason play squarely in the face. Birmingham does not appear to be a team that resembles in any way one in which finishing at least 6-4, which is likely the record needed to qualify for the four team playoff, can attain.
For the Stallions to reach 6-4, they would have to finish regular season play 5-1, and the team that played Orlando yesterday doesn’t appear good enough to pull off that feat.
McCARRON BLUNT IN POST GAME PRESSER
“I’ll keep it short and sweet,” McCarron told reporters. “Embarassing, simple as that.” “I’m sorry, it won’t happen again.” A bold statement for McCarron to make in light of how poorly his team is playing right now.
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