ST. LOUIS — A dream season for the San Antonio Brahmas came to an end with a 25-0 loss to the Birmingham Stallions in the 2024 United Football League Championship at The Dome of Americas Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
“We had a good season,” San Antonio Brahmas head coach Wade Phillips said. “Obviously we lost this game but I’m still really proud of my guys. They were underdogs all season and followed through to make the championship game.”
Birmingham used their tough nosed defense and 2024 MVP quarterback Adrian Martinez to shut down the San Antonio offense. The Stallions took the lead for good late in the second quarter when Martinez found Gary Jennings for an 8-0 advantage going into the second half.
Martinez led the Stallions on the opening drive of the second half, driving 64 yards and capping it off with an 11-yard score to extend Birmingham’s lead to 16-0. San Antonio’s struggles on offense was evident all game long when quarterback Chase Garbers completed a pass to Jontre Kirklin, who fumbled the ball for the second time.
Kirklin’s fumble set up Birmingham in solid field position as Martinez drove his team 24 yards for a third straight touchdown drive, finishing it off with a quarterback sneak from the 1-yard line to make it 22-0.
The Stallions added on a field goal to make it 25-0 late in the fourth quarter.
Garbers finished the game by completing 18 of 26 passes for 116 yards before being benched for Quinten Dormady, who ended the game by hitting 6 of 9 attempts for 58 yards.
“He [Garbers] broke his hand early in the season but got himself back and played really well,” Phillips said.
The Brahmas finished the game with 208 yards of offense but could never develop any consistency to get points. San Antonio’s offense drives had six punts, two lost fumbles and two turnovers on downs.
San Antonio ended the season in disappointing fashion after making the playoffs in their second campaign following a 3-7 run a year ago. Phillips used his legendary coaching style to turn the team around to go 7-3 in the regular season and make the championship game.
“It was a great season but a bad game, Phillips said. “Birmingham outplayed us today.”
