In a lopsided matchup, the Houston Roughnecks are dealt yet another loss.

HOUSTON, TEXAS – In their first of two contests against the undefeated Birmingham Stallions, the Houston Roughnecks battled to the end but would leave the stadium with another notch in the loss column following the final score of 32-9.  

Returning to the field after a short week, the Roughnecks aimed to keep their winning streak going in Week 5. But with an opponent such as the USFL Conference leading Stallions, the cards may have been stacked against them. Within the first 6 minutes of the match, Birmingham would put the first set of points on the board, succeeding a 6-yard touchdown by RB Ricky Person, bringing the score to 6-0. With no luck, Houston would go into the second set of fifteen scoreless as they ran a total of 12 plays in the first quarter, yielding any results. 

The Roughnecks would start the second quarter off with a 36-yard field goal by P J.J. Molson, putting up a score of 6-3. But even with a score on the board, second proved to be the round in which the Stallions would plant their flag at Rice University. As a result of RB Larry Rountree’s 5-yard rushing, TE Jace Sternberger’s 27-yard receiving, RB Ricky Person’s 2-yard rushing touchdowns, coinciding with a successful 2-point conversion, Birmingham would outscore Houston 20-3. The Roughnecks would only let 12 of these points go unanswered as QB Reid Sinnett would connect with TE Braedon Bowman for a 1-yard touchdown for a score of 26-9 going into halftime. 

The start of the second half would create a slower pace for the matchup as the Stallions would record the only score of the quarter with a 37-yard field goal by PK Ramiz Ahmed, increasing their lead to 29-9. Although the hometown boys continued to fight on both sides of the ball, they would go quietly into the fourth still seeking to put a dent into the Stallions’ dominance. 

Within the first 2 minutes of the final set of fifteen, Birmingham would once again see the endzone following a 27-yard field goal by PK Ramiz Ahmed. A series of defensive penalties by the Stallions could have set the Roughnecks up big to score, but the offensive could not capitalize on the momentum. Houston would see a change at QB during their second drive of the quarter as Nolan Henderson would replace Reid Sinnett. In his first drive of the game, Henderson would be intercepted on a deep pass at the Birmingham endzone–sealing their fate ahead of the two-minute warning. 

Unable to capitalize off their first win of the season, the Roughnecks will pack their bags and travel North to take on the XFL Conference’s number one seed, the St. Louis Battlehawks. The game will take place on Saturday, May 4 at The Dome at America’s Center. Game 6 will air on FOX at 2pm CT. 

POST GAME NOTES: 

• TE Braedon Bowman recorded the only touchdown for the Roughnecks. 
• DE Chris Odom led the defense with the only sack for the team. 
• WR Justin Hall recorded a game high of 93-yards.