Matt Corral stayed ready, keeping his wits even as his positional rival — Adrian Martinez — raced to a likely regular season MVP award with the Stallions.
On Saturday, his patience paid off.
Corral put on a show in relief, completing 9-of-11 passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns after supplanting Martinez in the second half. Birmingham needed every bit of his production, too. Fueled by Corral's second-half showing, the Stallions advanced to the UFL Championship, outlasting USFL foe Michigan, 31-18.
It was a tale of two halves for Birmingham, who limped to just six points in the first half. The verve that had defined Martinez's performances for much of the campaign had given way to inefficiency.
The Panthers capitalized on his foibles, racing out to an 18-3 lead at one point. Martinez temporarily broke out of his stupor with a 50-yard offering to Jordan Thomas, but by in large, he struggled.
After a pair of early third quarter turnovers by Martinez, head coach Skip Holtz made the switch. In came Corral, the former Ole Miss standout who entered the campaign the likelier of the two to receive the starting role.
Despite an opening-drive interception, Corral found his mark.
All that amounted to a sizable turnaround for the Stallions. They scored 28 unanswered points to vanquish Michigan's stout defense. Now, they await the XFL Conference championship matchup against the Brahmas and the Battlehawks. With wins in all but one of their games this season, it's hard to imagine Birmingham won't be the favorite in that game, either.
The Sporting News tracked live updates from Saturday's USFL Conference championship game between the Panthers and Stallions. Below are thehighlights and live results as two of the USFL's best sides jostled for a spot in spring football's title game.
STREAM:Watch the UFL playoffs live on Fubo
Panthers vs. Stallions live score
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panthers | 12 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| Stallions | 0 | 12 | 6 | 13 | 31 |
Panthers vs. Stallions updates, highlights from UFL playoff game
(All times Eastern)
End of fourth quarter: Stallions 31, Panthers 18
6:14 p.m.: INTERCEPTION!The Stallions have one foot in the UFL Championship. Etling's third interception of the game seemingly draws this game to a close.
— United Football League (@TheUFL) June 8, 2024PICKED OFF AGAIN
The @USFLStallions shut down the long ball on 4th & 9 ❌ pic.twitter.com/wKQKGOiwMe
6:07 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN!Birmingham punches it in! Corral finds Person, who slips into the end zone for the score! That might be enough for the Stallions to punch their ticket to the UFL title game. 28 unanswered points will do that for you!
— United Football League (@TheUFL) June 8, 2024RICKY PERSON JR.
The @USFLStallions extend their lead 🔥🐎 pic.twitter.com/JSMC5l6lZd
Stallions 31, Panthers 18
6:01 p.m.:The Stallions looking in good stead to add some more points to their account. They just cut through Michigan's defense to get into the red zone as Sternberger found a pocket of space and made magic happen. Clock dwindling and Birmingham finally looks in control.
5:52 p.m.: BLOCKED FIELD GOAL!JoJo Tillery swats Bates' effort away as the Stallions keep their six-point advantage intact!
— United Football League (@TheUFL) June 8, 2024BLOCKED ✋😤
The @USFLStallions with ANOTHER massive play in the second half pic.twitter.com/c493zrXs5T
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5:45 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN!Corral hits Amari Rodgers for the score as Birmingham takes its first lead of the game!
— United Football League (@TheUFL) June 8, 2024THE STALLIONS TAKE THE LEAD 🔥
And for the first time today the @USFLStallions have the lead! 🐎 pic.twitter.com/nSRcNdLMiv
Stallions 24, Panthers 18
5:43 p.m.:Corral finding his footing after some initial wobbles when he first supplanted Martinez. He's brought the Stallions deep into the red zone after placing an arrow into Gary Jennings Jr. for 43 yards.
End of third quarter: Panthers 18, Stallions 18
5:32 p.m.: PICK-SIX!Etling decided to give out another gift, tossing another balloon to Daniel Isom. The former Ram proceeds to take it the distance, strutting 48 yards to the house. Birmingham misses out on the one-point PAT. The SIXTH turnover of the quarter. I've never seen something like this.
— United Football League (@TheUFL) June 8, 2024ANOTHER INTERCEPTION AND A PICK SIX 😱
What. Is. Happening. 🤯
The @USFLStallions tie it up! pic.twitter.com/v9hdUENg7Y
Panthers 18,Stallions 18
5:30 p.m.: INTERCEPTION!Matt Corral hands the ball back to the Panthers two plays later. That's the fifth turnover of the day. How?!!!?
— United Football League (@TheUFL) June 8, 2024ANOTHER INTERCEPTION
Matt Corral throws the INT and the @USFLPanthers take it right back once again! pic.twitter.com/3MPwafSCiD
5:28 p.m.: INTERCEPTION!Stallions nab their second takeaway of the period, with Ike Brown ripping the ball out of the sky.
— United Football League (@TheUFL) June 8, 2024INTERCEPTED
The Panthers give the ball right back to the @USFLStallions 😱 pic.twitter.com/zciuERKrZc
5:10 p.m.:Things remain as chippy as ever, with both sides turning the ball over in the third frame. As a result, we have reached a standstill; neither side has netted a point this period, although scoring chances have unveiled themselves, be that through fake punt or timely takeaway.
End of second quarter: Panthers 18, Stallions 12
4:45 p.m.: FIELD GOAL!The Stallions pull even closer to the Panthers after hitting another field goal. The lead sits at just six!
Panthers 18, Stallions 12
4:32 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN!Martinez hits Jordan Thomas for a 50-yard score as the Stallions close the gap on their adversary!
Panthers 18, Stallions 9
4:30 p.m.: FIELD GOAL!Bates buries another lengthy kick. That's his fourth of the day.
Panthers 18, Stallions 3
4:15 p.m.: FIELD GOAL!Bates does it again. Sinks his third of the day to create some more cushion for the Panthers.
Panthers 15, Stallions 3
4:10 p.m.:Nate McCrary is making his impact felt in the trenches, slaloming through the trees to bring Michigan on the cusp of the red zone.
4:05 p.m.: FIELD GOAL!The Stallions get on the board courtesy of a chip shot field goal. A fair few explosive plays for Birmingham; showing signs of the team it proved itself to be during the regular season.
Panthers 12, Stallions 3
4:00 p.m.:Well, you can see why Birmingham's boss is so confident. The Stallions are racing down the field, putting themselves on the brink of the end zone afterJace Sternberger strides down the field for 38 yards.
3:58 p.m.:Stallions boss Skip Holtz appears undeterred by the prospect of mounting a momentous comeback here:
"It's a 60 minute game. We just have to keep playing."@colecubelic talks with @USFLStallions head coach Skip Holtz about the teams start to the USFL Conference Championship pic.twitter.com/jApbhLfxvb
— United Football League (@TheUFL) June 8, 2024
End of first quarter: Panthers 12, Stallions 0
3:50 p.m.: FIELD GOAL!A bit of hysterics as the Panthers' latest drive comes to a close, with plenty of pushing and shoving following what appeared to be a routine hit. Nevertheless, Bates struts to the spot and lines his effort into the middle of the target. Michigan is in control early.
POV: you're a referee trying to break up the play 🎥👀 pic.twitter.com/LVViiteo36
— United Football League (@TheUFL) June 8, 2024
— Michigan Panthers (@USFLPanthers) June 8, 2024JAKE. BATES. 🔥
It’s 12-0 Panthers ‼️ pic.twitter.com/cPAEvSD1jR
Panthers 12, Stallions 0
3:34 p.m.:CJ Marable bursts through the mire to pick up the first down as the Stallions begin to show signs of life in the backfield. They're making their way down the field slowly but surely.
3:32 p.m.: FIELD GOAL!Kicking supernova Jake Bates sinks from distance as the Panthers' lead grows to two possessions.
— United Football League (@TheUFL) June 8, 2024The 53-yard field goal is GOOD 🙌
Jake Bates puts the @USFLPanthers up by 9 🐾 pic.twitter.com/rqcGbYiQYV
Panthers 9, Stallions 0
3:26 p.m.: TURNOVER ON DOWNS!After a brief foray into midfield, RB Ricky Person Jr. was denied by the crunch of Michigan's defensive line. The Panthers find themselves in prime real estate as they look to add onto their lead.
— United Football League (@TheUFL) June 8, 2024SHORT BY INCHES 😳
The @USFLPanthers shut down the Stallions on 4th down 💪🔒 pic.twitter.com/xKZdsN0h10
3:20 p.m.:Martinez and the Stallions take the field as they attempt to respond to the Panthers' score with one of their own.
3:17 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN!Siaosi Mariner trots into the end zone after evading his marker via the slant route. The Panthers strike first!
— United Football League (@TheUFL) June 8, 2024THE PANTHERS STRIKE FIRST ⚡️
Siaosi Mariner hit the jets to put the @USFLPanthers on top 🐾 pic.twitter.com/IP2AdGnjPZ
Panthesr 6, Stallions 0
3:13 p.m.:The ball is kicked off. And away we go. Impressive return by the Panthers as they'll start their possession at the 40!
2:05 p.m.:Whether the NFL, WNBA, Premier League or the UFL, it seems pregame fits are universal. Here's the USFL Conference's best looks ahead of Michigan's clash with Birmingham.
arriving in styleeee 😮💨😮💨@USFLStallions x @USFLPanthers pic.twitter.com/aAkqxJYGqU
— United Football League (@TheUFL) June 8, 2024
Panthers vs. Stallions start time
- Date:Saturday, June 8
- Kickoff:3p.m. ET
The clash between conference foes Michigan and Birmingham will kick off at 3 p.m. ET from Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama.
What channel is Panthers vs. Stallions on today?
- TV Channel:ABC
- Live stream:ESPN+,Fubo
Saturday's UFL playoff action between the Panthers and Stallions will be broadcast on ABC.
Cord cutters can catch all the action on ESPN+ orFubo, which comes with a free trial for new subscribers.
UFL playoff bracket
USFL Conference championship
Saturday, June 8
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Location | TV | Live stream |
| Michigan Panthers vs. Birmingham Stallions | 3 p.m. | Birmingham | ABC | ESPN+,Fubo |
| San Antonio Brahmas vs. St. Louis Battlehawks | 7 p.m. | St. Louis | Fox | Fubo |
Sunday, June 16
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Location | TV | Live stream |
| TBD vs. TBD | 5 p.m. | St. Louis | Fox | Fubo |
