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Stallions vs. Breakers final score, results: Alex McGough dominant as Birmingham returns to USFL championship game

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Nick Brinkerhoff
• 14 min read
Alex McGough, Stallions
(Getty Images)

Remember the name — Alex McGough. 

Sunday night’s USFL South Division title game was supposed to feature the Breakers and Stallions for the second year in a row. Instead, it was a 60-minute highlight reel of McGough, the Stallions quarterback and likely league MVP, in his team's 47-22 blowout victory. 

MORE: Watch USFL playoff games live with Fubo (free trial)

The Breakers led in the first quarter, but John DeFilippo’s group couldn’t keep up with the hometown Stallions. A league that relies on hub cities had a chance to showcase the fans in Birmingham, who came out to support their team.

McGough stole the show on the field with 310 yards passing, 84 yards rushing and five total touchdowns. Has he played his way into an NFL training camp opportunity? With the game lacking competition, the Fox broadcast crew spent most of the fourth quarter debating the possibility. 

The game was being billed as a matchup of the USFL’s best. If that’s the case, then the Stallions shouldn’t have any difficulty hoisting the championship trophy for the second year in a row. They’ll take on the North Division champion Maulers in the championship game on Saturday, July 1, in Canton, Ohio. With no resistance from New Orleans on Sunday night, they should be well-rested, too. 

MORE: Troy Williams lifts Maulers past Panthers and into USFL championship game

The Sporting News tracked live updates and highlights from Sunday's USFL playoff game between the Stallions and Breakers. Follow along below to see how the action unfolded. 

Stallions vs. Breakers live score

  1 2 3 4 F
Breakers 7 0 0 15 22
Stallions 9 17 14 7 47

Stallions vs. Breakers updates, highlights from USFL playoff game

(All times Eastern)

10:10 p.m. — The Stallions win the division! A night to forget finally comes to an end for the Breakers. Birmingham will travel to Canton for a date with Pittsburgh in the championship game. 

10:02 p.m. — And that should officially do it from Birmingham. The Breakers turn it over on down and McGough is done for the day. 

9:55 p.m. — Now the Breakers convert the alternate kickoff and get to retain possession, down 25. 

Stallions 47, Breakers 22

9:51 p.m. — Touchdown, Breakers. We've reached the portion of the program where everyone is protecting themselves from injury, hoping the clock speeds up. More importantly, the Breakers were successful on the three-point conversion — the first in the league this season. 

Stallions 47, Breakers 13

9:41 p.m. — TOUCHDOWN! Birmingham keeps pouring it on with yet another score. 

Stallions 40, Breakers 13

9:31 p.m. — TOUCHDOWN! New Orleans finally finds the end zone for the first time since their second possession of the game. The three-point conversion attempt fails so the deficit remains at 27. 

End of third quarter: Stallions 40, Breakers 7

9:26 p.m. — The third quarter ends with New Orleans driving. The only intrigue left in this one is whether Birmingham pulls their starters. 

9:24 p.m. — FUMBLE! The Stallions scoring streak will end at seven possessions thanks to a turnover. 

9:17 p.m. — Turnover on downs for New Orleans. It might be time to start running the clock out. 

Stallions 40, Breakers 7

9:09 p.m. — TOUCHDOWN! McGough breaks through and takes it in himself. Make it seven-for-seven for the offense. Will they fail to score on a possession tonight?

9:08 p.m. — Welcome back to the red zone — red team.

9:05 p.m. — INTERCEPTED! Bethel-Thompson with another interception — and another for Brian Allen too. It's been a poor showing for the away side. 

Stallions 33, Breakers 7

8:56 p.m. — TOUCHDOWN! CJ Marable finishes off another touchdown drive for Birmingham and this one is a rout. It's almost like the Breakers aren't even on the field. Total demolition. 

8:54 p.m. — And just like that, Birmingham has already marched to the New Orleans side of the field thanks to, you guessed it, Alex McGough. 

8:52 p.m. — The second half has kicked off in Birmingham as the Stallions get the ball to start. 

8:43 p.m. — While we await the second half kickoff, take a look at this cool moment on the Stallions sideline. This level of access is great for fans — to see what goes on behind the scenes. 

End of first half: Stallions 26, Breakers 7

8:38 p.m. — Last chance for the Breakers and Bethel-Thompson overthrows everyone. New Orleans has to regroup at the half. With the way McGough is playing though, it might not matter. 

Stallions 26, Breakers 7

8:36 p.m. — TOUCHDOWN! Davion Davis again! McGough finds the receiver for six with a great play design to beat the blitz. They will get the ball to start the second half and it'll be a long road back for the Breakers. 

8:33 p.m. — First and goal with under a minute to go for the Stallions.

8:31 p.m. — Alex McGough is playing a dominate game tonight. He's placed the entire Birmingham roster on his back and is carrying them right now. The numbers may not be impressive, but the eye test would say otherwise. 

8:29 p.m. — Davion Davis, have yourself a day! He hauls in a strike from McGough to flip the field. Once again, the Stallions are threatening to score as the half nears its conclusion. 

8:26 p.m. — We have reached the two-minute warning in Birmingham with the Stallions firmly in control. 

8:23 p.m. — What can McGough do for you? On third and long, come up with a remarkable throw for a first down to Deon Cain. That was a pretty play that will go on the highlight reel. 

8:18 p.m. — New Orleans can't convert a crucial third down and is forced to punt again. On what could've been their last possession of the first half — they really needed to put points on the board. 

8:14 p.m. — New Orleans is capable of scoring, but their defense allowing the Stallions to score on each possession is a recipe for disaster. It could get late quickly on the Breakers sideline if they don't figure it out soon. 

Stallions 19, Breakers 7

8:12 p.m. — TOUCHDOWN! Davion Davis hauls in the McGough pass and takes the slant all the way for six. Bad tackling from the Breakers and great footwork from Davis puts Birmingham up by 12. 

8:10 p.m. — A 23-yard catch and run for No. 23, Ricky Person Jr. becomes 38 yards thanks to a facemask penalty being added on at the end. Big mistake from the New Orleans defense. 

8:08 p.m. — The Stallions offense begins their fourth possession after they scored on their first three. 

8:04 p.m. — There's been a lot of talk about the "bend, but don't break" defense for the Stallions. They haven't been bending in recent drives. A quick possession ends in another punt for New Orleans. 

Stallions 12, Breakers 7

7:58 p.m. — Another drive stalls for Birmingham. Aubrey knocks another field goal through to push the lead to five. 

7:56 p.m. — There isn't a lot of resistance from the New Orleans defense. The Stallions are getting whatever they want right now. 

7:55 p.m. — McGough is fine after that scare. 

7:54 p.m. — The drive starts with a big throw from McGough. On the next play, the QB gets his helmet ripped off with a facemask penalty and is forced to leave for a play. It's getting chippy in Birmingham. 

7:49 p.m. — The drive ends quietly for the Breakers, who are forced to punt. McGough and the Stallions go back to work.

End of first quarter: Stallions 9, Breakers 7

7:44 p.m. — We've reached the end of the opening quarter with the Stallions holding a two point advantage. It was a fun 15 minutes in Birmingham.

7:42 p.m. — Nearly intercepted! Bethel-Thompson didn't see the linebackers lurking over the middle, but gets away with it as the ball hits the turf. 

Stallions 9, Breakers 7

7:37 p.m. — TOUCHDOWN! McGough finds Sternberger again and he walks into the end zone so Birmingham jumps back out in front. Aubrey misses the extra point though — his first of the season — so the lead is only two. 

7:33 p.m. — McGough connects with his tight end Jace Sternbeger for a big gain to flip the field. After a big run from CJ Marable, Birmingham is already in the red zone. 

7:32 p.m. — Drive No. 2 begins for Birmingham. Can they respond after their opening drive stalled?

Breakers 7, Stallions 3

7:29 p.m. — TOUCHDOWN! Bethel-Thompson finds Jonathan Adams in the end zone for the Breakers TD. That was an impressive response after the turnover. 

7:28 p.m. — And there's the deep shot! Bethel-Thompson fires one down the sideline to set up first and goal for New Orleans. 

7:26 p.m. — The Breakers are finding success in the running game so far and that has them on the Stallions side of the field already. New Orleans should have plenty of opportunities to take a deep shot at some point when Birmingham's safeties move in. 

Stallions 3, Breakers 0

7:19 p.m. — Birmingham gets a nice first possession from quarterback Alex McGough, but the drive stalls and they'll settle for three. Brandon Aubrey knocks it through from 41 yards out to give the Stallions the early lead. 

7:16 p.m. — INTERCEPTED! A promising opening drive for the Breakers ends in disaster as Bethel-Thompson's receiver slips and the ball ends up in the hands of Brian Allen. He gets a good return out of the play and sets up the Stallions nicely for their first possession. 

7:13 p.m. — McLeod Bethel-Thompson leads his Breakers offense onto the field and we are officially underway.

7:11 p.m. — New Orleans has won the toss and elects to receive. It's playoff football time in Birmingham!

7:08 p.m. — It appears to be a much better crowd on hand for tonight's matchup. Most of them are wearing red — an indication that playing in the team's home market is good for business. 

7:02 p.m. — Curt Menefee and Joel Klatt will have the call on the Fox broadcast as the Stallions hope to continue their quest to become back-to-back champions. 

7 p.m. — The two best teams in the USFL are ready to rock and roll in Birmingham. Kickoff is only moments away. Who will join the Maulers in Canton next week?

6:40 p.m. — Here's a look at which players won't be on the field today. 

6:35 p.m. — It's time to arrive, which means some fashion statements will be made. Some Stallions decided to go with a Savannah Bananas look before today's action. 

6:25 p.m. — Birmingham is going with the home red jerseys for tonight's game, which is always a good look. 

6:15 p.m. — With kickoff less than an hour away, here's your chance to let the social media teams hype you up.

Stallions vs. Breakers start time

  • Date: Sunday, June 25
  • Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET

The USFL playoff matchup between the Stallions and Breakers will kick off at 7 p.m. ET from Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Ala. 

What channel is Stallions vs. Breakers on today?

Sunday's USFL playoff action between the Stallions and Breakers will be broadcast on Fox.

Cord cutters can catch all the action on the Fox Sports App, FoxSports.com, or Fubo, which comes with a free trial for new subscribers.

MORE: What you need to know about the 2023 USFL playoff schedule

Division championships

Saturday, June 24

Matchup Time (ET) Location TV Live stream
Pittsburgh Maulers 31, Michigan Panthers 27 8 p.m. Canton NBC Peacock, Fubo

Sunday, June 25

Matchup Time (ET) Location TV Live stream
New Orleans Breakers vs. Birmingham Stallions 7 p.m. Birmingham Fox Fubo

Saturday, July 1

Matchup Time (ET) Location TV Live stream
Pittsburgh Maulers vs. TBD 8 p.m. Canton NBC Peacock, Fubo
Author(s)
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Nick Brinkerhoff
Nick Brinkerhoff is an editorial intern at The Sporting News.
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