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Adam Cairns / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Stallions Stay On Top: Unlocking The UFL

Originally posted on The Forkball | By Julie Miller | Last updated Apr 22, 2025 9:49 AM ET

Another week means another amazing article from yours truly about the UFL. The Birmingham Stallions typically stampede all over their opponents, and the Houston Roughnecks entered the true crime consciousness when Damon Arnette signed with them in December. The former NFL player has not played a single snap, it seems, but we can’t have everything as UFL fans. Let’s talk about the teams face-off in Houston, Texas, on April 19th.

Houston Hot Goss

We start with a little bit of hullabaloo because we don’t have our typical quarterbacks starting. Alex McGough is still recovering from the chicken as the UFL’s Tommy Cutlets, so we have the aptly named Matt Corral at the helm. Houston is done thanking Anthony Brown, who helped them get their first win of the season last year. Instead, we have wild card Nolan Henderson leading the pack.

Out of the Gate Running

It’s unclear why we focus on the quarterbacks so much when in the UFL the only position that truly matters is the kicker. All hail Harrison Mevis, the kicker of the Birmingham Stallions, who secured the first three points on the board in the first quarter.

Heading into the second quarter, we have a TD. We almost had to stop our beer snaking out of shock when there was a touchdown before the fourth quarter. Fans who read my coverage of the Stallions last week know just how much of a gift that is. In what has been described as a moonball by some, which is disrespectful to Russell Wilson, Matt Corral once again remembered the concept of passing to your own team. Wide receiver Davion Davis did the majority of the work, getting the TD and the two-point conversion, leaving the team 11-0.

Woah There, Buddy

The second quarter only gets spicier from here. Nolan Henderson called the defense a horseface and had to go to the tent after getting a little banged up in the name of success. A touchdown that stung a little. 11-7 sounds a whole lot better than a shutout. Anthony Brown got passed over for another QB, and we see Jalen McClendon for the first time. He did well considering the team got a field goal out of his first drive, leading the team to finish off the second quarter with a score of 11-10.

Just kidding—the Stallions are giving their fans a gift after last week’s performance. In a rousing performance by Matt Corral, who hasn’t thrown an interception yet, the team sneaks in another TD, leaving the score 17-10. It’s not the Roughnecks fault; they thought it was already time to do tea and crumpets in the locker room during halftime.

Houston Drills

After second breakfast, Houston is back at it. They said, “Hey, horsey, horsey, watch this” in the third quarter as new QB Jalen McClendon distracted the defense with a fake hand-off long enough to run in the ball himself. He’s so good at getting points he can almost be named a kicker. But not quite, because no one can quite reach the status of a UFL kicker.

The Stallions’ Harrison Mevis proved his elite status by getting back-to-back field goals in the fourth quarter. 23-16 had Birmingham neighing back at their haters. Houston was powerless to recover, and the Stallions trotted off with their win. It’s ok, Jalen McClendon. You’re doing better than 90% of UFL quarterbacks and many NFL ones. Next week will absolutely be your week. You almost beat the best team in the league with the help of your kicker!

Final Thoughts

Watch out, Birmingham Stallions—Jalen McClendon almost had you tucking your tail back to the stable. This just might be the thing for the Houston Roughnecks to catch their stride and climb the ranks. Next week should be an easy team to make horse meat out of. Birmingham stayed strong for now—they’ll need to pony up, or they could be the first team this season to lose to the Memphis Showboats. Catch all of our fantastic UFL coverage at The Forkball here!

This article first appeared on The Forkball and was syndicated with permission.

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