Undefeated Birmingham Stallions Defeat Pittsburgh Maulers 26-16

The Pittsburgh Maulers played an impressive first half, but could not hold on in the second half against the Birmingham Stallions. 

The Maulers (1-6) faced the undefeated Stallions (7-0) on Sunday afternoon and put up a tough fight the entire game before falling in Week Seven 26-16. 

Pittsburgh started the game on a three and out before Birmingham went down the field on nine plays, for 69 yards and converted a 27-yard field goal by Brandon Aubrey, who was four-for-four on field goals.

The Maulers responded right back on their next possession. On the back of running back Madre London, Kirby Wilson’s squad took its first lead 7-3 on a four-yard London touchdown run with 3:10 remaining in the first quarter.

Three totaled punts followed, two for the Stallions and one for the Maulers, before chaos ensured for the Pittsburgh offense.

Birmingham sacked Pittsburgh quarterback Vad Lee, which forced him to fumble on 3rd-and-3 and allowed Birmingham to recover. 

The Stallions could not take advantage and punted three plays later thanks to the Maulers defense pushing them back eight yards from the original line of scrimmage.

Both squads tacked on field goals to end the half, with Pittsburgh holding a 10-6 lead against the host team.

Birmingham received the second half kickoff and scored five plays later from 75-yards out. On 4th-and-5, Bobby Holly rushed for a 52-yard scamper to the end zone and put the Stallions ahead 13-10. 

The Maulers defense forced a turnover on a J’Mar Smith pass intercepted by Bryce Torneden at the Pittsburgh 43-yard line.

Pittsburgh responded with a Ramiz Ahmed 43-yard field goal to tie the game 13-13 and 4:14 remaining in the 3rd quarter. 

Birmingham kicked a field goal of their own, from 43 yards away, to take the lead 16-13 at the end of the 3rd.

The Stallions offense continued to move down the field with ease, as CJ Marable scored for a five-yard touchdown with 8:36 left in the game and Birmingham leading 23-13.

Both teams added on a field goal, and Birmingham held on to their lead to remain undefeated and prevent Pittsburgh from its second win.

Lee threw for only 58 yards with new signing and former Slippery Rock quarterback Roland Rivers completed three passes on nine attempts. 

London rushed for 99 yards on 18 carries and former Thomas Jefferson High School linebacker Zane Zandier made five total tackles and one for a loss.

The Maulers play the New Jersey Generals (6-1) on Friday at 8 p.m. on USA. New Jersey defeated the Maulers 21-13 on May 7.