Stallions vs. Breakers live score, updates, highlights from USFL playoff game

By | June 25, 2023
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The Birmingham Stallions and New Orleans Breakers have been waiting all day for Sunday night — minus the Carrie Underwood cameo, of course. 

Round one of the USFL playoffs concludes with a matchup under the lights in Birmingham, featuring the league’s two best teams. Depending on how the action shakes out over the next week, this battle for the South Division championship might also double as the unofficial USFL title game, too.

The southern United States is a hotbed for football stars, so it comes as no surprise that this upstart league features its top teams in those regions. While we wait for the Crimson Tide to kick off their season in a few months, the Stallions have a chance to cement themselves in the hearts of the Alabama faithful — ironically by slowing down the USFL’s tide. 

MORE: Watch USFL playoff games live with Fubo (free trial)

New Orleans has come in waves this season, like any day at the beach. Their 4-0 start to the season was later met with a three-game losing streak, and then finally a three-game winning streak to close the regular season. 

But the good news in New Orleans comes in the form of recent matchups against Birmingham. The Stallions might be playing in their home city, but the Breakers are one of two teams to figure out how to defeat them.

Each team has emerged with a win, but a look beneath the surface indicates a Breakers group that holds the edge in total yards, time of possession and total plays. Outside of the turnovers in Week 7, New Orleans has the recipe to win. It starts and ends with protecting the football.

The Sporting News is tracking live updates and highlights from Sunday’s USFL playoff game between the Stallions and Breakers. Follow along below. 

Stallions vs. Breakers live score

  1 2 3 4 F
Breakers 7 0      
Stallions 9 17      

Stallions vs. Breakers updates, highlights from USFL playoff game

(All times Eastern)

Stallions 33, Breakers 7

8:56 p.m. — TOUCHDOWN! CJ Marable finishes off another touchdown drive for Birmingham and this one is a rout. It’s almost like the Breakers aren’t even on the field. Total demolition. 

8:54 p.m. — And just like that, Birmingham has already marched to the New Orleans side of the field thanks to, you guessed it, Alex McGough. 

8:52 p.m. — The second half has kicked off in Birmingham as the Stallions get the ball to start. 

8:43 p.m. — While we await the second half kickoff, take a look at this cool moment on the Stallions sideline. This level of access is great for fans — to see what goes on behind the scenes. 

End of first half: Stallions 26, Breakers 7

8:38 p.m. — Last chance for the Breakers and Bethel-Thompson overthrows everyone. New Orleans has to regroup at the half. With the way McGough is playing though, it might not matter. 

Stallions 26, Breakers 7

8:36 p.m. — TOUCHDOWN! Davion Davis again! McGough finds the receiver for six with a great play design to beat the blitz. They will get the ball to start the second half and it’ll be a long road back for the Breakers. 

8:33 p.m. — First and goal with under a minute to go for the Stallions.

8:31 p.m. — Alex McGough is playing a dominate game tonight. He’s placed the entire Birmingham roster on his back and is carrying them right now. The numbers may not be impressive, but the eye test would say otherwise. 

8:29 p.m. — Davion Davis, have yourself a day! He hauls in a strike from McGough to flip the field. Once again, the Stallions are threatening to score as the half nears its conclusion. 

8:26 p.m. — We have reached the two-minute warning in Birmingham with the Stallions firmly in control. 

8:23 p.m. — What can McGough do for you? On third and long, come up with a remarkable throw for a first down to Deon Cain. That was a pretty play that will go on the highlight reel. 

8:18 p.m. — New Orleans can’t convert a crucial third down and is forced to punt again. On what could’ve been their last possession of the first half — they really needed to put points on the board. 

8:14 p.m. — New Orleans is capable of scoring, but their defense allowing the Stallions to score on each possession is a recipe for disaster. It could get late quickly on the Breakers sideline if they don’t figure it out soon. 

Stallions 19, Breakers 7

8:12 p.m. — TOUCHDOWN! Davion Davis hauls in the McGough pass and takes the slant all the way for six. Bad tackling from the Breakers and great footwork from Davis puts Birmingham up by 12. 

8:10 p.m. — A 23-yard catch and run for No. 23, Ricky Person Jr. becomes 38 yards thanks to a facemask penalty being added on at the end. Big mistake from the New Orleans defense. 

8:08 p.m. — The Stallions offense begins their fourth possession after they scored on their first three. 

8:04 p.m. — There’s been a lot of talk about the “bend, but don’t break” defense for the Stallions. They haven’t been bending in recent drives. A quick possession ends in another punt for New Orleans. 

Stallions 12, Breakers 7

7:58 p.m. — Another drive stalls for Birmingham. Aubrey knocks another field goal through to push the lead to five. 

7:56 p.m. — There isn’t a lot of resistance from the New Orleans defense. The Stallions are getting whatever they want right now. 

7:55 p.m. — McGough is fine after that scare. 

7:54 p.m. — The drive starts with a big throw from McGough. On the next play, the QB gets his helmet ripped off with a facemask penalty and is forced to leave for a play. It’s getting chippy in Birmingham. 

7:49 p.m. — The drive ends quietly for the Breakers, who are forced to punt. McGough and the Stallions go back to work.

End of first quarter: Stallions 9, Breakers 7

7:44 p.m. — We’ve reached the end of the opening quarter with the Stallions holding a two point advantage. It was a fun 15 minutes in Birmingham.

7:42 p.m. — Nearly intercepted! Bethel-Thompson didn’t see the linebackers lurking over the middle, but gets away with it as the ball hits the turf. 

Stallions 9, Breakers 7

7:37 p.m. — TOUCHDOWN! McGough finds Sternberger again and he walks into the end zone so Birmingham jumps back out in front. Aubrey misses the extra point though — his first of the season — so the lead is only two. 

7:33 p.m. — McGough connects with his tight end Jace Sternbeger for a big gain to flip the field. After a big run from CJ Marable, Birmingham is already in the red zone. 

7:32 p.m. — Drive No. 2 begins for Birmingham. Can they respond after their opening drive stalled?

Breakers 7, Stallions 3

7:29 p.m. — TOUCHDOWN! Bethel-Thompson finds Jonathan Adams in the end zone for the Breakers TD. That was an impressive response after the turnover. 

7:28 p.m. — And there’s the deep shot! Bethel-Thompson fires one down the sideline to set up first and goal for New Orleans. 

7:26 p.m. — The Breakers are finding success in the running game so far and that has them on the Stallions side of the field already. New Orleans should have plenty of opportunities to take a deep shot at some point when Birmingham’s safeties move in. 

Stallions 3, Breakers 0

7:19 p.m. — Birmingham gets a nice first possession from quarterback Alex McGough, but the drive stalls and they’ll settle for three. Brandon Aubrey knocks it through from 41 yards out to give the Stallions the early lead. 

7:16 p.m. — INTERCEPTED! A promising opening drive for the Breakers ends in disaster as Bethel-Thompson’s receiver slips and the ball ends up in the hands of Brian Allen. He gets a good return out of the play and sets up the Stallions nicely for their first possession. 

7:13 p.m. — McLeod Bethel-Thompson leads his Breakers offense onto the field and we are officially underway.

7:11 p.m. — New Orleans has won the toss and elects to receive. It’s playoff football time in Birmingham!

7:08 p.m. — It appears to be a much better crowd on hand for tonight’s matchup. Most of them are wearing red — an indication that playing in the team’s home market is good for business. 

7:02 p.m. — Curt Menefee and Joel Klatt will have the call on the Fox broadcast as the Stallions hope to continue their quest to become back-to-back champions. 

7 p.m. — The two best teams in the USFL are ready to rock and roll in Birmingham. Kickoff is only moments away. Who will join the Maulers in Canton next week?

6:40 p.m. — Here’s a look at which players won’t be on the field today. 

6:35 p.m. — It’s time to arrive, which means some fashion statements will be made. Some Stallions decided to go with a Savannah Bananas look before today’s action. 

6:25 p.m. — Birmingham is going with the home red jerseys for tonight’s game, which is always a good look. 

6:15 p.m. — With kickoff less than an hour away, here’s your chance to let the social media teams hype you up.

Stallions vs. Breakers start time

  • Date: Sunday, June 25
  • Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET

The USFL playoff matchup between the Stallions and Breakers will kick off at 7 p.m. ET from Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Ala. 

What channel is Stallions vs. Breakers on today?

Sunday’s USFL playoff action between the Stallions and Breakers will be broadcast on Fox.

Cord cutters can catch all the action on the Fox Sports App, FoxSports.com, or Fubo, which comes with a free trial for new subscribers.

MORE: What you need to know about the 2023 USFL playoff schedule

Division championships

Saturday, June 24

Matchup Time (ET) Location TV Live stream
Pittsburgh Maulers 31, Michigan Panthers 27 8 p.m. Canton NBC Peacock, Fubo

Sunday, June 25

Matchup Time (ET) Location TV Live stream
New Orleans Breakers vs. Birmingham Stallions 7 p.m. Birmingham Fox Fubo

Saturday, July 1

Matchup Time (ET) Location TV Live stream
Pittsburgh Maulers vs. TBD 8 p.m. Canton NBC Peacock, Fubo

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