The Birmingham Stallions continued their unbeaten run in the United Football League (UFL) with a commanding 32-9 victory over the Houston Roughnecks at Rice University. Led by the impressive performance of quarterback Adrian Martinez, who was named Player of the Game, the Stallions proved too much for the Roughnecks to handle.

Martinez had a stellar outing, completing 11 of 20 passes for 155 yards and rushing for a league-record 138 yards. His dual-threat abilities were on full display as he consistently kept the Roughnecks’ defense on their heels. Martinez’s performance was complemented by the strong play of running back Larry Rountree III, who made an immediate impact in his Stallions debut, rushing for 50 yards and a touchdown on just a few carries, including a 30-yard burst on his first play from scrimmage.

The Stallions’ offense showcased its depth and versatility, with tight end Jace Sternberger leading the receiving corps with 46 yards and a touchdown, followed by Deon Cain and Marlon Williams, who contributed 33 and 22 receiving yards, respectively.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Stallions continued to dominate, maintaining their status as the league’s top drive-stopping unit. Mark Gilbert led the way with 11 tackles, while veteran DeMarquis Gates recorded seven tackles. Kenny Robinson Jr. made his presence felt with six tackles, one for loss, and two passes defended. The Stallions’ pass rush, which leads the league with 18 sacks, consistently pressured the Roughnecks’ quarterbacks throughout the game.

The Roughnecks, coming off their first win of the season in Week 4, struggled to find their footing against the undefeated Stallions. Houston found themselves trailing 6-0 early in the first quarter after a Ricky Person Jr. touchdown run. The Roughnecks managed to get on the board in the second quarter with a 36-yard field goal by J.J. Molson, but the Stallions responded with a flurry of touchdowns, including scores by Larry Rountree III, Jace Sternberger, and another by Ricky Person Jr., along with a successful two-point conversion. By halftime, the Stallions had built a commanding 26-9 lead, with the Roughnecks’ lone touchdown coming on a 1-yard pass from Reid Sinnett to Braedon Bowman.

The second half saw the Stallions extend their lead with two field goals by Ramiz Ahmed, while the Roughnecks struggled to mount a comeback. Houston’s offense, led by quarterback Reid Sinnett, failed to capitalize on opportunities created by defensive penalties committed by the Stallions. The Roughnecks even turned to backup quarterback Nolan Henderson late in the game, but an interception in the end zone sealed their fate.

Despite the loss, there were a few bright spots for the Roughnecks. Tight end Braedon Bowman recorded the team’s only touchdown, while wide receiver Justin Hall led all players with 93 receiving yards. Defensively, Chris Odom registered the Roughnecks’ lone sack.

With the win, the Birmingham Stallions improved to 5-0 on the season, solidifying their position as the team to beat in the UFL. The Stallions will look to keep their unbeaten streak alive when they face the Memphis Showboats in Week 6.

As for the Houston Roughnecks, they will aim to bounce back from this setback as they travel to take on the St. Louis Battlehawks, the top team in the XFL Conference. The Roughnecks will need to regroup and find a way to generate more consistency on both sides of the ball if they hope to pull off an upset against the high-powered Battlehawks.

The UFL’s inaugural season continues to deliver exciting matchups and showcase the league’s talented players. As the playoff race heats up, every game takes on added significance, and teams will be battling hard to secure their spot in the postseason. The Birmingham Stallions have established themselves as the frontrunners, but the competition remains fierce, and anything can happen on any given week in the UFL.