Stallions Defeat Generals In USFL Opening Game: Analysis & Reaction
The USFL is underway! The kickoff to the inaugural season is here, with the New Jersey Generals taking on the Birmingham Stallions from Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama.
OutKick has you covered throughout the game with updates and live reactions from social media.
FINAL SCORE: Birmingham Stallions 28 New Jersey Generals 24
LIVE Analysis & Reaction
Game. Set. Match. The Birmingham Stallions have defeated the New Jersey Generals in the first game of the 2022 USFL season, 28-24. If you're the USFL, you can't ask for a better game. Great crowd, innovative in-game broadcast and a comeback win for the hometown team. Just fantastic stuff all around.
TOUCHDOWN STALLIONS!! They take their first lead of the game, 28-24 with just 23 ticks remaining. Quarterback J'Mar Smith scampers in two yards out. What. A. Game.
Darn right it is.
WOW. Generals kicker Nick Rose, who missed two gimmes earlier, steps up and makes a 47-yarder to give New Jersey a three-point lead. Gutsy call from head coach Mike Riley pays off.
The USFL is a very PHYSICAL brand of football. 24 consecutive rush attempts for the Generals.
Seal of approval from OutKick's head NFL reporter...
Tie game!!! Stallions tight end Cary Angeline for a 28-yard score. Could we see overtime in the first game? Here's a breakdown of overtime rules if we get there:
Very interesting dynamic here. You have a two-quarterback system between Luis Perez and DeAndre Johnson working to perfection and we have sideline reporter Brock Huard doing an interview with both as they review coverages on the tablets. Fascinating stuff and very innovative.
Generals move back in front after a four-yard rushing score from quarterback DeAndre Johnson. He's been very impressive with nine carries for 66 yards.
Great point here from Fox Sports' RJ Young. The USFL is really granting players opportunities from schools you might not've heard of.
Helmet cam takin' us back to NFL 2K5. Real ones know.
Folks, we have a game. Headed to the fourth quarter knotted up at 14 after a three-yard rushing score from Stallions running back CJ Marable. Nine-play, 8-yard drive. Buckle up, should be a fun final quarter.
You really can tell how hard it is to communicate play calls when a crowd gets loud. Mike Riley shouted it three times to DeAndre Johnson and they couldn't get lined up before having to take a timeout.
Now this. This is awesome stuff. We're listening to Mike Riley and quarterback DeAndre Johnson communicate each play call, with Riley sort of commentating each play. Curt Menefee and Joel Klatt are completely silent. Just pure football with all the sounds.
Third quarter underway, J'Mar Smith under center for the Stallion. Alex McGough is OUT with an ankle injury. Great point from Joel Klatt. You can loudly hear the crack of the pads, every call in the huddle and more on the telecast. Really cool stuff.
Halftime from the opening game of the 2022 USFL season. Compelling game, Birmingham's offense still working out its kinks. Just 82 total yards to New Jersey's 224. The Luis Perez to Randy Satterfield connection has been phenomenal.
DEFENSE has arrived in this one. Stallions linebacker Scooby Wright III, who was a tackling machine at Arizona forces a fumble and the home crowd loves that one!
Generals receiver Randy Satterfield making his claim to be the USFL's most talented player. Four receptions for 99 yards and a score. Not bad.
Good look at that second touchdown pass from Luis Perez to tight end Braedon Bowman.
Game has settled down after a fast start and found its pace. After the first quarter took about an hour to finish, just 6:13 remaining in the second quarter after about 20 minutes.
Another cool wrinkle. We're currently watching and listening to Generals quarterback breaking down his second touchdown of the game on the bench tablet. Something you don't see in the NFL.
Early candidate for star of the USFL: Stallions linebacker DeMarquis Gates. Racking up sacks with a floss pick in his mouth!
Lots of new quirks that make the USFL unique, including the drone cam and players/coaches being mic'ed up all game long. Good example there as Stallions quarterback Alex McGough was shaken up on the bench. Broadcast team cuts to McGough on the sideline who provides his own injury report.
One quarter down and the USFL is the No. 1 trend on Twitter. Easy to see why.
How about that! A one-handed, 35-yard score from Osirus Mitchell... atta way to make a name for yourself! A FAST start from both offenses on a perfect night in Birmingham.
Coach JB seems to love the kickoffs from the 25-yard line...
Well we're certainly wasting zero time bringin' the action tonight, eh! Gotta love a 49-yard bomb to start it off. And a touchdown on the opening drive. A GREAT way to start for the USFL.
Follow Nick Geddes on Twitter @NickGeddesNews and on Instagram @nick.geddes.