Maulers fall to 1-6 after loss to Birmingham Stallions

The Pittsburgh Maulers were unable to solve the best team in the USFL on Sunday, falling to the unbeaten Birmingham Stallions, 26-16, at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Ala.

The Maulers (1-6) took a 7-3 first-quarter lead and were ahead 10-6 at halftime, but the Stallions (7-0) used a 20-6 run in the second half to take control and seal the victory.

Madre London ran for 99 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries for the Maulers. Ramiz Ahmed also connected on field goals of 43, 43 and 58 yards.

The Maulers’ passing game was held to just 83 yards. Vad Lee completed 6 of 14 passes for 58 yards, and Roland Rivers hit on 3 of 9 passes for 25 yards.

After the Stallions took a 3-0 lead on Brandon Aubrey’s 27-yard field goal, the Maulers answered with a 10-play, 71-yard drive, capped by London’s 4-yard TD run to make it 7-3.

Before halftime, the teams exchanged field goals, and the Maulers entered the break ahead 10-6.

Birmingham went ahead 13-10 to start the third quarter when Bobby Holly ran 52 yards on a fake punt to put the Stallions ahead 13-10.

The teams again exchanged field goals at the end of the third quarter as Birmingham led 16-13.

The Stallions added to their lead in the fourth quarter with an 11-play drive that covered 79 yards. C.J. Marable capped the drive with a 5-yard TD run.

The Maulers got a field goal on the ensuing drive, but turned the ball over on downs and missed a field goal on two subsequent drives to end the game.

Birmingham clinched a playoff berth with the victory.