Birmingham quarterback Matt Corral (center) on the move. Corral and the Stallions beat Arlington, 27-14, on Saturday in the first-ever United Football League game, at Arlington’s Choctaw Stadium. Four games are planned this Saturday, as the Stallions will be among four teams attempting to get to 2-0. (Photo by ALEX NABOR – THE FOOTBALL BEAT)
EDITOR’S NOTE: After a good slate of first-week games, the UFL resumes on Saturday. But THE FOOTBALL BEAT staff was collectively in Arlington, Texas last weekend for the Birmingham-Arlington game, and we’ll be across the UFL landscape this weekend, as well. Enjoy these photos by photographers Alex Nabor and Jenna Hagler-Lucas, and check out the rest of our UFL coverage on thefootballbeat.com!
Actor, former football player and part-time wrestling mega-star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is a partner in UFL ownership, and greeted the crowd at Choctaw Stadium prior to the Arlington-Birmingham game, then met briefly with media. (Photo by ALEX NABOR)
Johnson welcomed kids from a youth football team, prior to kickoff in Arlington (Photos by JENNA HAGLER-LUCAS)
Arlington running back Leddie Brown (4, above)) is surrounded by Birmingham defenders. (Photo by ALEX NABOR)
Birmingham (and former Texas A&M) tight end Jace Sternberger (12) tries to haul in a pass, in the middle of a crowd. (Photo by JENNA HAGLER-LUCAS)
Stallions running back Ricky Person scored against Arlington. (Photo by ALEX NABOR)
There was a crowd of about 14,153 in Arlington for the first game under the UFL banner, following the merger of the XFL and the USFL. That was also the highest-attended game the first week, and the highest attendance for a spring league game (UFL, XFL or otherwise) in Arlington Renegades history. The second-highest was in San Antonio, whose Brahmas beat the D.C. Defenders in front of a crowd of 13,164. Grand total for attendance for opening weekend was 45,918, according to the Pro Football News Network. (Photo by JENNA HAGLER-LUCAS)
Birmingham cornerback Mark Gilbert (28) picks off a pass intended for Javonta Payton. (Photo by JENNA HAGLER-LUCAS)
Stallions tight end Jace Sternberger (center) looks for running room after a catch. (Photo by ALEX NABOR)
Birmingham running back C.J. Marable (11) gets into the end zone. (Photo by JENNA HAGLER-LUCAS)
UFL co-owner Dany Garcia (left) and Russ Brandon, the president of the league, talk with the media just before opening day kickoff. (Photo by ALEX NABOR)
Arlington receiver Devontay Burnett (21) has nothing but running room here. (Photo by ALEX NABOR)
