Highlights:
* Dresser Winn led Memphis with 235 passing yards and a touchdown in the Showboats’ first road victory
* Dee Anderson caught 4 passes for 93 yards and a crucial touchdown for Memphis
* Showboats improve to 1-4 while Birmingham Stallions drop to 3-2 in the USFL Conference
Results
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | TD | T | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEM | 11 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 4 | — | 24 | Win |
| BIRM | 0 | 3 | 6 | 11 | 0 | — | 20 | Loss |
Game Recap
The Memphis Showboats secured their first win of the 2025 UFL season with a dramatic 24-20 overtime victory against the Birmingham Stallions at Protective Stadium. After trailing for much of the game, the Stallions mounted a fourth-quarter comeback to force overtime, but Memphis ultimately prevailed to improve to 1-4 while Birmingham falls to 3-2.
Game Highlights Video:
Watch the full game highlights above to catch all the key plays from Showboats vs Stallions.
Memphis Showboats Performance
The Showboats came out strong, building an early 17-3 lead through three quarters before withstanding Birmingham’s late rally. Quarterback Dresser Winn was efficient throughout, completing 17 of 29 passes for 235 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions.
Top Offensive Players:
* Dresser Winn: QB – 17/29, 235 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT
* Deneric Prince: RB – 12 carries, 59 yards; 1 reception, 6 yards
* Dee Anderson: WR – 4 receptions, 93 yards, 1 TD
* Kwamie Lassiter II: WR – 5 receptions, 65 yards
* Isaiah Washington: WR – 5 receptions, 42 yards
Top Defensive Players:
* Andrew Dowell: LB – 5 tackles
* Steele Chambers: LB – 5 tackles
* Eli Walker: DB – 5 tackles, 1 interception
* P.J. Hall: DL – 3 tackles, 1 sack
* Mark Gilbert: DB – 3 tackles
Birmingham Stallions Performance
The Stallions struggled offensively for most of the game before finding their rhythm in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Case Cookus showed flashes of brilliance with his arm and legs, but an interception proved costly in the close contest.
Top Offensive Players:
* Case Cookus: QB – 15/33, 145 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT; 6 carries, 83 rushing yards
* Ricky Person Jr.: RB – 8 carries, 41 yards
* Deon Cain: WR – 5 receptions, 50 yards
* C.J. Marable: RB – 8 carries, 24 yards; 4 receptions, 21 yards
* Jordan Thomas: TE – 1 reception, 33 yards, 1 TD
Top Defensive Players:
* Madre Harper: DB – 3 tackles
* Steven Gilmore: DB – 3 tackles
* Tre Norwood: DB – 3 tackles
* Chapelle Russell: LB – 3 tackles
* DeMarquis Gates: LB – 3 tackles
UFL Scores and Standings Update
With this result, the UFL standings continue to take shape in week 5. In the USFL Conference, the Michigan Panthers lead with a 3-1 record, followed by the Birmingham Stallions at 3-2. The Houston Roughnecks sit at 1-3, while the Memphis Showboats improve to 1-4 with today’s victory. In the XFL Conference, the D.C. Defenders and Arlington Renegades share the top spot at 3-1, followed by the St. Louis Battlehawks at 2-2 and the San Antonio Brahmas at 1-3.
This overtime thriller showcased the competitive balance within the UFL, as the previously winless Showboats managed to defeat one of the league’s top teams on the road. The resilience shown by Memphis, particularly on defense with timely stops and an interception, demonstrates that no team can be overlooked in this inaugural UFL season.
Can the Showboats build on this momentum to climb back into contention in the USFL Conference? Will the Stallions regroup quickly to maintain their position near the top of the standings? What are your thoughts on this game? Share your comments below.
4 Comments
by 4th&long
As well as Memphis played on Off and Def it was that ST missed FG return that was the difference in the game. Sans MIch game wk 4 they haven’t played poorly. I’m surprised with a QB chg that they gelled this quickly.
Birm was in FG range (may have been the third) and Case and off found a way to get out of that range. I knew then it was costly, was too close a game to not ensure you get the 3 points.
Holtz has played smart conservative – low risk Football this year and its paid off. Yet he made some risky plays (the long FG and not running when in FG position and losing yards) that cost him a win here. Granted it was Case’s first start.
Best part – really fun exciting game all round! Gotta love it. May get lost in Draft hype with Shaduer Sanders falling back but I watched most the game on the big screen starting on the PC for draft.
by Ken Granito
I am surprised to read this 4th & Long. You seem to always make sure the right thing happens to make sure the league is something you can believe in, but you didn’t notice the complete ignorance of the UFL when it comes to penalties. The LT spot held Bradley Anae on almost every passing play in the 1st half. Then they had the nerve to call holding on the Stallions left tackle. You can watch the game again on Ondemand for Fox if you don’t believe me. Additionally, I looked at the box score. They took all mention of penalties off the FOX Sports boxscore. Previously they showed both penalties & yards, but they realized it could be argued against so they made it penalties and took away the yards. I guess they don’t want to advertise what they are doing. It is traditionally on there in every other REAL football box score, when talking team stats. Truth is of importance to me. I don’t know how many Friday Night Lights fans there are out there, but as a rule “I say what I mean”, pretty much the Eric Taylor way. I was going to buy a New Era Panthers cap today, but I am not. I have watched my last UFL game for 2025, but will try again in 2026. I honestly have better things to do with my time than be lied to and cheated. Please everyone, watch last night’s game on On Demand, first half. Look at it even-keeled. My girlfriend caught many of the holds too, so I am not crazy. They were actually so ridiculous the left tackle realized he could do whatever he wanted to and was never going to be called. When you can disregard the rules you can figuratively do anything.
Mark Perry. You have been arguing for weeks that the league should have been called the XFL and not the UFL. Overall, I didn’t really think that was right. I think people should be smart enough to see the XFL and USFL merged to become the UFL. Fair for all sides and I say that as a USFL fan. Right now, I could care less. The league is a joke. ESPN does not report it because they report on sports. I hope if they put a team in Jersey now, I hope it is the Guardians. The USFL thing was beautiful in the 1980s and the 2022 iteration was really good. I tried to be a positive for this league. The working man’s league, where they earn what I earn. Instead it has become the XFL, whereby football doesn’t matter and scripts are part of the game. At least in the NFL, they try to make their fixes look better. The UFL just thinks we are all SO dumb and maybe they are right. All I know is that I am done. I don’t enjoy watching a game and being lied to. I get that enough at work. I do so many other things, like bicycle ride, play volleyball, softball, hang with my girl and the millions of things around my house to do. Good-bye UnFootball League. One last thing. As you all keep to the ship, do the league a favor and EVERYONE that you could think of should boycott next Friday’s game. Really get those TV numbers down. Maybe, then FOX will say how they really need to start paying attention as their advertisers will question the league. This is OUR chance to fix the UFL. If the league goes away, it doesn’t really matter we really aren’t missing that much. Believe me……even the guys who call the game get it wrong SO much. It was nice having Mark Sanchez calling yesterdays game. He might not know all the people, but he knows much of the football. Maybe the league should review the game with him and see if he can explain to them, why they lost one of their very best fans in the NJ area.
by Ken Granito
I truly feel 2025 will be Skip Holtz last season in the UFL. Just better to be elsewhere.
by Ken Granito
It’s more like 50/50, but if I had to bet she would be gone.