Steve Irvine’s Stallions vs Battlehawks Preview
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - April 11, 2026
By Steve Irvine
BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS AT ST. LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS
Kickoff time, site: 2 p.m. CDT, The Dome at America’s Center, St. Louis, Mo.
TV: ABC
Records: Birmingham (1-1); St. Louis (1-1)
Coaches: AJ McCarron (Birmingham); Ricky Proehl (St. Louis).
THREE THINGS TO WATCH WHEN THE STALLIONS HAVE THE FOOTBALL
Can the Stallions get the running game going? The Stallions average 86.5 yards per game through two games, which is fifth best in the UFL. That is below the expectations for a backfield filled with talent. Anthony McFarland Jr. and Snoop Conner combined for 149 yards on 45 carries thus far. Last week, in the loss to the Houston Gamblers, the Stallions had just 62 rushing yards.
Will quarterback Matt Corral avoid the interceptions? Corral played a clean game in the season opener and the Stallions found a way to beat the Louisville Kings on the road. Corral threw a pair of interceptions last week and the Stallions came up short in Houston. Staying away from the turnovers is important in Sunday’s game.
Will noise be a factor for the Stallions offense? No one has to explain to AJ McCarron how loud it can get in St. Louis. Obviously, he enjoyed the noise during his two seasons at the Battlehawks quarterback. He also probably has some ideas on how to handle it on the opposing side.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH WHEN THE BATTLEHAWKS HAVE THE FOOTBALL
Can the Battlehawks get the running game going? The Battlehawks average a pedestrian 55.5 yards per game on the ground thus far. St. Louis only ran the ball 43 times in the first two weeks. The Louisville Kings were the lone UFL team to have less rushing attempts in their first two games. It will be interesting to see if the Battlehawks change the plan against a Birmingham team that was gashed for more than 160 yards last week against the Houston Gamblers. That same Gamblers team managed just 77 yards on 21 carries in a 45-7 loss to the DC Defenders on Saturday.
Will conversion downs be a problem for the Stallions once again? Opponents converted 44 percent of third down conversions against the Stallions thus far and were successful on both fourth down attempts. Obviously, none stung more than the 4th-and-16 conversion by the Louisville Kings during last week’s game-winning field goal drive. It’s imperative that the Stallions get off the field when given the chance against the Battlehawks.
Can the Stallions find a way to make Brandon Silvers uncomfortable? Birmingham has a UFL worst one sack over two games. Give Silvers time to find Hakeem Butler and the other receivers and it could be a long afternoon for the Stallions defense.