Roughnecks Fall as Stallions Remain Undefeated
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by Colin Spaulding
BIRMINGHAM, AL – The Houston Roughnecks headed east to face the undefeated Birmingham Stallions on a cool May night at Protective Stadium.
The Roughnecks are now 1-7 on the season and are in fourth place in the USFL conference.
The game started off slow for the Roughnecks. After the first offensive drive ended in an interception, the Stallions jumped out to a quick 12-0 thanks to two touchdown throws by Birmingham QB 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 side.
After the Stallions added a field goal from K Ramiz Ahmed, the Roughnecks stalled until S Donald Rutledge Jr. came up with a big interception to set up yet another Mark Thompson touchdown run to make it 15-14. However, Adrian Martinez found the endzone once more and it was 21-14 as both teams went into the locker rooms for halftime.
The Stallions began the second half the way 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 through the legs of QB Nolan Henderson as he ran for his first touchdown of the season to make it 28-20. Adrian Martinez answered by doing the same, making it 35-20 heading into the fourth quarter.
Houston added another score late, as QB Reid Sinnett found TE Braedon Bowman to cut the deficit by seven. However, it was too little too late, as the Stallions took the victory in a close game 35-28. The Roughnecks will return home to Rice Stadium next Sunday, May 26 to welcome USFL conference opponents, the Michigan Panthers (6-2). The game will air 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 break up
- S Markel Roby also had his best performance of the season, posting 10 tackles and a pass break up.