The Birmingham Stallions (2-4) visited Inter&Co Stadium on Sunday afternoon to conclude Week 6 in a rematch against the Orlando Storm (4-2).
These two teams met a couple of weeks ago, where the Storm shut out the Stallions 16-0. A day after the shutout, the Stallions and Storm made a trade with quarterback Matt Corral and defensive end Amani Bledsoe going to Orlando, while the Stallions acquired quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Unlike their matchup a couple of weeks ago, this game was close from start to finish.
In the first quarter, Birmingham defensive lineman Olakunle Fatukasi recovered the football on a botched snap by Orlando at the 26-yard line. On the second play, quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson threw a 56-yard pass to Jaydon Mickens at the 11-yard line. On the next play, Birmingham running back Snoop Conner followed his left guard on his way to scoring an 11-yard touchdown for a 7-0 lead that took three plays for 74 yards.
After Birmingham’s defense stopped Orlando on fourth down, the offense had the ball on the 48-yard line. On the second play, quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson threw a short pass to Justyn Ross for a gain of 19 yards, plus a roughing the passer penalty on Orlando, which moved the ball to the 12-yard line. Three plays later, Thompson-Robinson threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Justyn Ross for a 14-0 lead to cap off a five-play drive for 48 yards.
Orlando returner Chris Rowland returned a kickoff for 36 yards to the 49-yard line. On the third play, quarterback Jack Plummer threw a short pass to Steven Stilianos for 28 yards to the seven-yard line. Two plays later, Plummer threw a three-yard touchdown pass to Chris Rowland. The Storm trailed the Stallions 14-7 to end the first quarter, which took five plays for 51 yards.
In the second quarter, Orlando got the ball back at the 27-yard line. They moved the ball to the five-yard line, where Jack Plummer threw a touchdown pass to K.J. Hamler, and the game was tied 14-14 to cap off a nine-play drive for 68 yards.
When Birmingham got the ball back on the 35-yard line, the offense moved the ball to the five-yard line. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Birmingham backed them up to the 20-yard line. Kicker Anders Carlson made a 38-yard field goal for a 17-14 lead. Orlando and Birmingham did not score any more points in the first half. The Stallions led the Storm 17-14 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Birmingham’s defense would recover two fumbles, one by a botched snap and another by running back Jashaun Corbin that was forced out by Kyahva Tezino. Despite the two turnovers, Birmingham was unable to score on one of those plays. They had the ball on the 34-yard line heading into the fourth quarter with a 17-14 lead.
In the fourth quarter, Birmingham kicker Anders Carlson made a 48-yard field goal for a 20-14 lead. Later, Orlando quarterback Jack Plummer threw a 34-yard pass to Chris Rowland. The Storm moved the ball to the 17-yard line before kicker Michael Lantz made a 35-yard field goal. The Storm trailed the Stallions 20-17.
Late in the game, Orlando did not go for a 4th and 2 play, and punted the ball back to Birmingham. The Stallions were able to keep Orlando’s offense on the sidelines as they ended a four-game losing streak in a 20-17 win over the Storm.
Birmingham’s offense had 367 yards (271 passing yards, 103 rushing yards), 17 first downs, 2 for 3 in the redzone, and the team was penalized six times. Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson completed 19 of 27 passes (70.4%) for 271 yards, one touchdown, and six carries for 12 yards. Running back Snoop Conner had 16 carries for 61 yards and one rushing touchdown.
Wide receiver Justyn Ross made seven catches for 135 yards and one touchdown, while Jaydon Mickens made four catches for 75 yards. The defense made 55 tackles, four tackles for loss, five pass breakups, one forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries.
Orlando’s offense had 396 yards (324 passing yards, 72 rushing yards), 20 first downs, 2 for 4 in the redzone, and the team was penalized times. Quarterback Jack Plummer completed 26 of 37 passes (70.3%) for 324 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Jashaun Corbin had 13 carries for 53 yards.
Wide receiver K.J. Hamler made eight catches for 113 yards and one touchdown, while Chris Rowland made four catches for 42 yards and one touchdown. The defense made 58 tackles, seven tackles for loss, one sack, and three pass breakups.
Next Saturday, the Birmingham Stallions host the Dallas Renegades at 8 pm on ESPN, while the Orlando Storm visit the Houston Gamblers on Sunday at 6 pm on FS1.
