Salt Lake Stallions Fall Late To Birmingham Iron

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Salt Lake Stallions led for most of the game because of their defensive performance but the Birmingham Iron pick up the 12-9 win.

Missed field goals and costly turnovers was the difference in the game for the Stallions. In just their second game, Salt Lake leaned on their third quarterback.

Salt Lake Defense Leads To Early Lead

The Stallions started former Arkansas quarterback Austin Allen since Josh Woodrum was ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Salt Lake’s first offensive possession was a three-and-out and was forced to punt.

Birmingham had a chance to put points on the board but Nick Novak was short on a 53-yard field goal.

On the second play of the second possession for the Stallions, running back Matt Asiata fumbled the ball that was recovered by the Iron.

With 5 minutes left in the first half, Salt Lake recovered a muffed punt that was given away by Birmingham.

With the great field position, Salt Lake was able to score first as running back Joel Bouagnon ran the ball into the end zone from four yards out. The Stallions couldn’t get the two-point conversion but held a 6-0 lead with two minutes left in the first half.

Just one minute left in the second quarter, the Stallions stopped a fake punt by the Iron. Taylor Bertolet hit a 53-yard field goal to take a 9-0 lead with 20 seconds left.

That was the score at the halftime break.

Miscues Cost Stallions The Game

The Stallions got the ball back after former Ute Trevor Reilly forced a fumble and Salt Lake took over with 7 minutes left in the third quarter.

Salt Lake couldn’t capitalize as Bertolet missed a 50-yard field goal.

Birmingham picked up a fumble that bounced into the end zone by the Stallions and was ruled a touchdown. Salt Lake stopped the two-point conversion by the Iron and the Stallions had a 9-6 lead with over two minutes left in the third quarter.

Another missed field goal for the Stallions, this time from 55-yards out. Bertolet made the first one from 50-yards away, but it was called off due to a delay of game penalty. Score is still 9-6 with 13 minutes left in the game.

After reaching the goal line, the Iron punch in the go-ahead touchdown from three yards out by running back Trent Richardson. They weren’t able to connect on the two-point conversion but took their first lead of the game, 12-9 with 4 minutes left in the game.

Salt Lake had the ball at midfield on fourth down with four yards to go when Allen’s pass to former Utah tight end Anthony Denham was broken up by Birmingham.

After the play, the Stallions kept the ball after the Iron was pentalized for unsportsmanlike conduct. Salt Lake attempted a 48-yard field goal but missed it wide right.

Final from Alabama. pic.twitter.com/ZOejRXAfCY

— Salt Lake Stallions (@aafstallions) February 16, 2019

Up Next

The Stallions fell to 0-2 on the season. They will look for their win in team history in their inaugural home opener on Saturday at 1 p.m. in a rematch with the Arizona Hotshots. The game will be played at Rice Eccles Stadium.