The UFL | Houston Roughnecks (1-7) vs. Birmingham Stallions (8-0)

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – The Houston Roughnecks headed east to take on the undefeated Birmingham Stallions on a cool May night at Protective Stadium.

The Roughnecks are now 1-7 on the season and sit in fourth place in the USFL conference.

The game started slowly for the Roughnecks. After the first offensive drive ended with an interception, the Stallions quickly made it 12-0 thanks to two touchdowns from Birmingham quarterback Adrian Martinez. Houston was able to respond quickly, thanks to a 37-yard touchdown run by Roughnecks RB Mark Thompson. The first quarter ended 12-8 in favor of the home team.

After the Stallions added a field goal from K Ramiz Ahmed, the Roughnecks stalled until S Donald Rutledge Jr. threw a big interception to set up another Mark Thompson touchdown to make it 15-14. However, Adrian Martinez found the end zone again and it was 21-14 as both teams went into the locker room for halftime.

The Stallions started the second half like they ended the first, as Adrian Martinez found WR Amari Rodgers for the 10-yard touchdown pass to make it a 14-point game. The Roughnecks, however, were able to answer thanks to the legs of quarterback Nolan Henderson as he ran for his first touchdown of the season to make the score 28-20. Adrian Martinez responded by doing the same, making the score 35-20 heading into the fourth quarter.

Houston added another score late, as quarterback Reid Sinnett found TE Braedon Bowman to cut the deficit by seven. However, it was too little, too late, as the Stallions cruised to victory in a close 35- 28. The Roughnecks will return home to Rice Stadium next Sunday, May 26, to host their USFL conference opponents, the Michigan Panthers (6-2). The game will be broadcast on FOX and kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. CT.

POST-GAME NOTES

• RB Mark Thompson made his biggest impact of the season tonight, rushing for two touchdowns.
• S Donald Rutledge Jr. led the defense with eight tackles, an interception and a pass breakup
• S Markel Roby also had his best performance of the season, making 10 tackles and a pass breakup.