Houston Gamblers upset Birmingham Stallions, to end their playoff hopes

In a decisive matchup, the Houston Gamblers (4-6) knocked off the Birmingham Stallions (4-6) 26-13 on their home turf, ending Birmingham’s playoff aspirations. With a record-setting rushing attack, the Gamblers amassed 277 yards on the ground, showcasing their dominance throughout the game.

First Half Dominance

The Gamblers opened the game with a trick play that backfired when receiver Jontre Kirklin threw an interception to Tre Norwood. However, Houston quickly regrouped, with quarterback John Rhys Plumlee leading the charge. He showcased his dual-threat ability, scrambling for a 12-yard gain and later a 19-yard run, setting up a short field goal by John Hoyland to give Houston a 3-0 lead.

Defensively, Houston was relentless. Malik Fisher recorded his 7.5th sack of the season, helping to force a quick three-and-out for the Stallions. Plumlee continued to shine, connecting with Armani Rogers for a diving catch before finding JaVonta Payton for a crucial first down. Running back Marcus Major capped off the drive with a one-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 10-0.

The Stallions struggled offensively in the second quarter, with kicker Ander Carlson missing a 53-yard field goal attempt. Meanwhile, Houston‘s ground game exploded, highlighted by a 43-yard run from Kirk Merritt. Plumlee then scored on an 11-yard read-option keeper, giving the Gamblers a commanding 17-0 lead at halftime.

Defensive Turnaround and Late Push

Birmingham needed a spark in the second half, and their defense delivered. Alex Cook intercepted a Plumlee pass and returned it 70 yards for a pick-six, cutting the deficit to 17-7. This marked Cook’s second consecutive game with a defensive score, showcasing his resilience despite playing with a club on his hand after a thumb injury.

However, any momentum the Stallions gained was quickly extinguished. Major broke free for a 72-yard touchdown run, the longest rush in the UFL this season, restoring Houston’s lead to 23-7.

Birmingham finally found the end zone in the fourth quarter when Dorian Thompson-Robinson connected with Kyric McGowan for a six-yard touchdown pass, narrowing the score to 23-13. But Houston responded immediately with a 46-yard field goal from Hoyland, pushing the lead back to 26-13.

Game Conclusion

The Gamblers‘ defense held strong in the final minutes, shutting down the Stallions and officially eliminating them from postseason contention. Despite the loss, linebacker Tae Crowder made history by breaking the UFL single-season tackles record, finishing the year with 83 tackles.

Houston’s rushing attack was the star of the day, with Major leading the way with 80 yards, Plumlee adding 77, Jalen White contributing 66, and Kirk Merritt chipping in 54. With this victory, the Gamblers finished the 2026 season with a 4-6 record, while the Stallions were left to ponder what could have been.