The Maulers tried to play their game to stay with the Stallions in the 2023 USFL championship game, but in the end, the defending champs were too much.In a game where the Maulers made it a point of emphasis to control the clock, the Stallions' ability to put up points in bunches sunk the game plan.Pittsburgh held onto the ball for 33:12, but Alex McGough's four touchdown pa ses three of them to Deon Cain led Birmingham to a 28-12 victory. It was a nearly perfect game for McGough, the USFL MVP, after he was similarly dominant in the South Division championship game the week before. In this showdown, McGough went 18 of 25 Mark Fayne Jersey for 243 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions.MORE:The final nail in the coffin came in the fourth quarter. Maulers coach Ray Horton went for it on fourth down from his 40-yard line with 7:30 left and his team trailing by nine points. Troy Williams' pa s fell harmle sly at the feet of Bailey Gaither. The Stallions almost nearly immediately converted the turnover on down into points on the ensuing drive.The Maulers' defense made a few big plays in the game, from a fourth-down stop on the Stallions' first po se sion to a fumble recovery on a third-and-goal that would have resulted in a touchdown return had there not been an illegal handoff. The offense, however, never really got into rhythm, and the Maulers had to settle for four Chris Blewitt field goals.MORE:The Stallions have been a dominant force since the USFL was relaunched in 2022. Skip Holtz's squad has lost just three of 24 games, counting the postseason. Holtz and McGough sent that me sage home at the end when, instead of lining up in victory formation, McGough ripped off a huge run before the Stallions finally knelt on the ball.That kind of cockine s works for back-to-back champions. The Stallions are the team to beat, and whoever does it first will have serious bragging rights. Until then, it's the Stallions' league and everyone else is just playing in it.The Sporting News tracked live updates from Saturday's USFL championship game between the Stallions and Maulers.1234FStallions0147728Maulers363012(.)Fourth quarter10:50 p.m. --Coming out of the two-minute warning, McGough hits La'Michael Pettway for a first down that should seal it. Stallions can just run down the clock, and the Birmingham is going to win its second straight championship amid McGough's stat padding runs.10:45 p.m. --Game. Set. Match. Williams gets sacked again and fumbles, and the Stallions recover for what looks to be the dagger. Just a complete breakdown from the Maulers in the end, but that one was all Williams.10:42 p.m. --Hyman makes another nice catch on third down, but Williams takes a sack for the second straight first down. The Maulers line is falling apart and the Stallions smell blood.10:39 p.m. --Once again the Stallions force fourth down and this time the Maulers have to go for it. Brooks almost had a pick six. Fourth-and-3. Williams runs out of the blitz and runs down to the Stallions 35-yard line. Big-time play there as time ticks, 4:30 left.What a snag x Pittsburgh Maulers (@USFLMaulers) Stallions 28, Maulers 1210:33 p.m. --Could that be the dagger? McGough to ses one into triple coverage downfield and Deon Cain hauls it in for yet another touchdown. The Maulers immediate pay the price, and while this game isn't over, the Maulers are now looking for a miracle. Four touchdown pa ses for McGough.MONEY SHOT! ONCE MORE FOR THE TD!: & Birmingham Stallions (@USFLStallions) 10:29 p.m. --Williams narrowly avoids another sack there and shovels the ball away, but the Maulers end up well short of the first. They're going for it on fourth-and-8 with 7:30 left. Williams heaves one deep and it falls to Gaither's feet. Brutal turnover on downs there with a lot of time left against a very good offense.10:27 p.m. --After a sack Williams hits Stokke over the middle to make it third-and-10. Big play here, but not quite the end-all-be-all from the Maulers.10:25 p.m. --Good start to this drive for the Maulers, as they pick up a few first downs to get out near the 40-yard line. 9:30 left in the game, they'll want to have some urgency.10:20 p.m. --The Maulers defense got the Stallions into a key third-and-12 and McGough threw a heave downfield that was broken up. Really nice stand from Pittsburgh after that brutal series of events cost it points. Maulers should get the ball back.10:15 p.m. --The Stallions hold the Maulers on the other side of the quarter and Blewitt's kick stays wide left. Despite the ma sive play, it's still a nine-point game, and things look bleak right now if you're a Maulers fan.Third quarter10:10 p.m. --The quarter ends there, and the Maulers are in busine s and alive. It has to start with another touchdown out of the break.10:09 p.m. --Bit of a buzzkill, as the Maulers get hit with an illegal handoff and it comes back Andrej Sekera Jersey to the 34. Either way, points stay off the board for Birmingham and that's key.HUGE TURNOVER!!! The touchdown does not stand, but the ball is ours! : | Pittsburgh Maulers (@USFLMaulers) 10:05 p.m. --WHAT A TURNAROUND. After a long delay due to an injury from Ricky Person Jr., McGough gets caught trying to do WAY too much and gets stripped on third-and-goal after scrambling backwards nearly 30 yards! The Maulers recover and score to bring Pittsburgh closer. Just an unbelievable play and momentum swap here.10 p.m. --Sternberger's hands are so good. McGough nearly mi sed low there but the tight end plucked it off the turf for a big catch and run.9:57 p.m. --The Stallions get another first down on the sideline, and the Maulers just seem to losing players right now. This has been a rough half defensively, if they're going to turn it around, it might have to be on the next set of downs.Stallions 21, Maulers 129:52 p.m. --The Maulers' struggles continue. They cro s midfield and again stall out. Blewitt does hit another 51-yarder to make sure the Maulers don't come up empty. But impre sive as he's been, the Maulers keep trading field goals for touchdowns.Chris Blewitt is now 4/4 tonight : | Pittsburgh Maulers (@USFLMaulers) Stallions 21, Maulers 99:47 p.m. --Touchdown is confirmed, and the Stallions convert the extra point. Great drive there from Birmingham.ADD IT TO THE TALLY FOR ! STALLIONS WITH ANOTHER TD! : & Birmingham Stallions (@USFLStallions) 9:45 p.m. --There it is. No sooner is that typed than McGough finds Deon Cain in one-on-one coverage on the outside for a touchdown. Absolutely surgical drive there from the Stallions, and that should throw up some serious flags for the Maulers.9:43 p.m. --The dominance continues, as this time Marable breaks off a big run to get to the 23-yard line. The Maulers are going to have to adjust somehow, and it might include stacking the box. That's risky against this offense.9:42 p.m. --The Stallions running game is looking awfully dangerous. Person breaks off a few big runs to bring Birmingham near midfield. Completely different look from the Stallions in this half so far as Person now drives over midfield.9:40 p.m. --We're back after the half, and the Stallions are called for holding on the opening kickoff of the half. They will start at their own 27-yard line with the lead.HalftimeThis has been a solid game. Both teams are playing well within their identities. Alex McGough is generating the chunk plays he's known for and the Maulers are nickel-and-diming the Stallion defense the way they know how. Things obviously favor the Stallions right now -- the team that doesn't settle for field goals tends to come out on top -- but the Maulers are very much alive and are a stop and a long drive away from taking momentum back.Second quarter9:26 p.m. --Brooks and the Stallions pay the price. Blewitt nails a 55-yard kick to make it a 14-9 game heading into the half. Huge leg for him and the Maulers are in it.55 yards? No problem for Chris Blewitt! : | Pittsburgh Maulers (@USFLMaulers) 9:23 p.m. --The Stallions get a brutal taunting call after stopping the Maulers on third down. Brooks had a nice breakup but got up pointing. The Stallions run a quick play for six and they may try to get Blewitt on the field for a long field goal with five seconds left.Stallions 14, Maulers 69:17 p.m. --Kind of a nightmare scenario there for Pittsburgh. Birmingham drives all the way down and scores on an in route to Deon Cain, who catches it behind a Pittsburgh Benoit Pouliot Jersey defender with his back turned. The Stallions also get the ball back after the half.YEAH BUDDY!!! ready for it in the endzone! ANOTHER TOUCHDOWN! : & Birmingham Stallions (@USFLStallions) 9:15 p.m. --Perfect execution from the Stallions there. McGough hits Sternberger on a quick-hitter and the Stallions get the ball all the way down to the Pittsburgh 29-yard-line. Complete breakdown from a defense that doesn't break down often.STERNBERGER WITH THE GAINS! x : & Birmingham Stallions (@USFLStallions) 9:12 p.m. --Now at the two-minute warning, the Stallions have the lead and a third down incoming. Pittsburgh logged a sack but McGough made the yardage up and more with a nice scramble.Stallions 7, Maulers 69:06 p.m. --The Stallions have contained Williams very well. Blewitt puts another field goal through from 36 yards out, and the Maulers draw to within one. Pittsburgh can't keep settling for field goals, but the Stallions are awfully good when the field shrinks.3 more on the board from Chris Blewitt | Pittsburgh Maulers (@USFLMaulers) 9:03 p.m. --This time it's Groshek powering forward for a first. One man to beat and he runs through him. They're just getting what they need, nothing more nothing le s, and the Maulers are knocking on the door in the red zone again.Let's go ! : | Pittsburgh Maulers (@USFLMaulers) 9:01 p.m. --Credit to Pittsburgh. Maulers convert yet another third down on a buttonhook to Hyman. This has not been a strong point for them this year, but they're making it one so far tonight.Keep moving those sticks ! : | Pittsburgh Maulers (@USFLMaulers) 8:59 p.m. --A bit of che s in this matchup. The Maulers are playing a fundamentally slower game, and they aren't coming out of that. The risk they run is if the Stallions put points up in bunches as they're want to do, the Maulers could find themselves in a very tough spot. Of course, as that's happening Williams puts a ball right on Hyman in the end zone but it pops out of his hands. Brutal play there for Pittsburgh, Maulers have to recover.Stallions 7, Maulers 38:54 p.m. --Stallions take the top off on the next play! McGough finds Davion Davis for a touchdown to top off an 85-yard drive. Perfect pa s and the Stallions score in under five minutes to take the lead.TOUCHDOWN STALLIONS!! Giddy Up, ! Birmingham Stallions (@USFLStallions) 8:52 p.m. --McGough has a nice run that ends in a le s than graceful hurdle and first. He got slapped in the helmet while still in the pocket and the Maulers got hit by a facemask, so the Stallions are going to get 15 more to get into Pittsburgh territory.The leaps from are something : & Birmingham Stallions (@USFLStallions) 8:50 p.m. --McGough finds Marable on second down and the running back danced his way out of a first down. Stallions hurry it up and Marable converts for the first, good use of tempo again from Birmingham.8:46 p.m. --Maulers narrowly avoid disaster... Twice. After a Troy Williams fumble on third down is recovered by Pittsburgh, Andrew Ference Jersey the Stallions nearly block the ensuing punt. As things stand, the Stallions get the ball back inside their own 20.First quarter8:40 p.m. --More of the same for the Maulers. Lose first down. Win second. Williams hits Isiah Hennie on second-and-13 after a busted screen pa s and picks up the first down. Big gain and the first quarter ends with a Maulers lead and some dominant time of po se sion.8:36 p.m. --Huge stand from the Maulers! True to their name, Reuben Foster stuff McGough on a power run play, and they get the ball back on downs. Great pursuit there to get the ball back.Defense wins Championships Pittsburgh Maulers (@USFLMaulers) 8:34 p.m. --McGough finds Marable on the outside and Marable is shoved out of bounds for fourth-and-1. Skip Holtz is keeping the offense on the field, but he takes a timeout late in the clock.8:32 p.m. --The Stallions are running their offense in tempo to start the game. Alex McGough finds Jace Sternberger for a big gain early as Birmingham looks to send a me sage. A long incompletion puts McGough in second-and-10, and McGough's next pa s attempt is nearly intercepted by Gibson. Good defense on these first two downs.FIRST DOWN VIBES!! to for the gain!: & Birmingham Stallions (@USFLStallions) Maulers 3, Stallions 08:28 p.m. --Chris Blewitt hits the field goal from 37 yards out despite the penalty, and the Maulers top off a nine-and-a-half minute drive with a field goal to make it 3-0.Chris Blewitt gets us on the board first : | Pittsburgh Maulers (@USFLMaulers) 8:26 p.m. --After getting into third down, Williams airmails a pa s to Hyman on the fade. The Maulers get hit with a personal foul after the play as well, complicating the field goal a hair.That elite defense from our helmet cam Birmingham Stallions (@USFLStallions) 8:25 p.m. --Bad mistake from Pittsburgh. They get hit with an illegal formation on first down and will now have first-and-goal from the seven. Frustrating for a coach.8:23 p.m. --The Maulers run a nifty motion to get Isiah Hennie the ball on the outside. Nice clearout play by the Maulers to pick up a first and get first-and-goal on the two.8:20 p.m. --Brutal mistake here from the Stallions. Williams scrambled on third-and-12 and gave himself up, but the Stallions laid a lick on him as he gave himself up. Stallions get hit with a personal foul, and the drive continues after Williams gave himself up well before the marker.8:15 p.m. --On two straight sets of downs the Maulers have lost first down and Williams has helped them win second down. This time it's a six-yard well-timed out route, and Mason Stokke absolutely hammers ahead on third down to pick up the first. Two key broken tackles net the Maulers a first down and they're in busine s.Way to fight for those yards ! : | Pittsburgh Milan Lucic Jersey Maulers (@USFLMaulers) 8:14 p.m. --Williams has no problem tucking and running. On second down he didn't like what he saw downfield and decided to roll out toward the sideline. He then hands off to Groshek on third-and-1 and picks up the first Mauler first down of the day.8:12 p.m. --Josh Simmons returns to his own 29 for the Maulers, and Troy Williams will take the field for the Maulers.8:09 p.m. --Indeed, the haze appears to have cleared up for the coin to s. The Maulers call heads on the to s and Birmingham wins it. They will defer and Pittsburgh will get the ball first.8:07 p.m. --Jacob Camenker reports from the site the haze is because some overly ambitious fireworks. It should clear away.8:05 p.m. --There's a low haze hanging over the field here before we get started, which is an interesting development. It's extremely visible on camera, we'll see if it affects gameplay.8 p.m. --The USFL championship is right around the corner! Will the Stallions defend their title? Or will the Maulers pull off what would be a huge upset?7:16 p.m. --The Stallions and Maulers have both arrived at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio in preparation for the USFL championship!They call us ranch cuz we be dre sing Birmingham Stallions (@USFLStallions) Giddy down Pittsburgh Maulers (@USFLMaulers) Kickoff:8 p.m. ETThe USFL championship game between Birmingham and Pittsburgh will kick off at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 1. The game will be played at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Field Stadium in Canton, Ohio. The Maulers played their "home" games in Canton, one of the USFL's four hub cities, during the season.TV channel:NBCLive stream: Peacock,USFL fans will be able to watch Saturday's season finale on NBC. They'll also have the option to live stream the contest through Peacock or with.
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