They did so by obtaining the No. 6 seed, clinching a first round bye, matching them up with the winner of Mississippi State and Texas A&M in the second round. That will be the last game of the day on Wednesday, with the time currently listed as TBD, but the game before is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m.
Auburn won two out of three against Mississippi State when the two teams met at Plainsman Park in April, but the Tigers didn’t face Texas A&M during the regular season. If Auburn wins that game, it will face No. 3 seed LSU in the quarterfinals on Friday, a team Auburn swept during the regular season.
Auburn’s second round game will be televised on SEC Network and all of the tournament games will be played at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.
The full 2025 SEC baseball tournament bracket was released late Saturday.
The tournament runs Tuesday through Sunday (May 20-25) at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium. This year’s tournament will feature a single-elimination format, with seeds 5-8 receiving a bye to the second round and seeds 1-4 receiving a double bye to the quarterfinals.
Alabama is the No. 9 seed and plays Missouri on Tuesday, while Auburn is the No. 6 seed and faces the Mississippi State-Texas A&M winner on Wednesday. Texas is the No. 1 seed for this year’s tournament and gets a bye all the way to Thursday.
Here’s the complete 2025 SEC baseball tournament schedule (all times Central):
Tuesday, May 20
Game 1: No. 9 Alabama vs. No. 16 Missouri, 9:30 a.m., SEC Network
Game 2: No. 12 Oklahoma vs. No. 13 Kentucky, approximately 1 p.m., SEC Network
Game 3: No. 10 Florida vs. No. 15 South Carolina, 4:30 p.m., SEC Network
Game 4: No. 11 Mississippi State vs. No. 14 Texas A&M, approximately 8 p.m., SEC Network
Wednesday, May 21
Game 5: No. 8 Tennessee vs. Winner Game 1, 9:30 a.m., SEC Network
Game 6: No. 5 Georgia vs. Winner Game 2, approximately 1 p.m., SEC Network
Game 7: No. 7 Ole Miss vs. Winner Game 3, 4:30 p.m., SEC Network
Game 8: No. 6 Auburn vs. Winner Game 4, approximately 8 p.m., SEC Network
Thursday, May 22 (quarterfinals)
Game 9: No. 1 Texas vs. Winner Game 5, 3 p.m., SEC Network
Game 10: No. 4 Vanderbilt vs. Winner Game 6, approximately 6:30 p.m., SEC Network
Friday, May 23 (quarterfinals)
Game 11: No. 2 Arkansas vs. Winner Game 7, 3 p.m., SEC Network
Game 12: No. 3 LSU vs. Winner Game 8, approximately 6:30 p.m., SEC Network
Saturday, May 24 (semifinals)
Game 13: Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 10, noon, SEC Network
Game 14: Winner Game 11 vs. Winner Game 12, approximately 3:30 p.m., SEC Network
A report from the National Weather Service was issued on Saturday at 7:02 p.m. for strong thunderstorms until 7:45 p.m. for Butler, Crenshaw and Covington counties.
The storms are anticipated to bring penny-sized hail (0.75 inches) and wind gusts of up to 50 mph.
“At 7:01 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm over Georgiana, or 16 miles southwest of Greenville, moving southeast at 25 mph,” says the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.”
Locations impacted by the alert include McKenzie, Dozier, Gantt, Georgiana, Heath and Brantley.
The weather service comments, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.”
Lightning on the horizon: Expert safety measures for thunderstorms
Lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times each year, with the bulk of these electrical discharges occurring during the summer months. Tragically, lightning claims the lives of about 20 individuals annually, as reported by the weather service. The risk of lightning-related incidents escalates as thunderstorms draw near, reaching its peak when the storm directly looms overhead. However, it gradually recedes as the tempest moves away.
To protect yourself during a thunderstorm, take these recommendations into consideration:
Lightning safety plan:
When venturing outdoors, it’s vital to establish a clear plan for seeking shelter in case of lightning.
Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s a clear indication of nearby lightning.
Seek a safe place to shelter, preferably indoors.
Indoors safety measures:
Once you’re indoors, avoid using corded phones, electrical devices, plumbing fixtures, and stay away from windows and doors.
Lightning can follow conductive pathways, and these precautions reduce the risk of electrical surges.
Wait for the all-clear:
After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
It’s important to remember that lightning can strike even when a storm seems to have passed, so exercise caution.
When indoor shelter isn’t available:
If you find yourself outdoors without access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety:
Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, which expose you to greater lightning risk.
Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In wooded areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
If you’re in a group, ensure that individuals are spaced out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If no alternative exists, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. Remember that a tent offers no protection against lightning.
Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. Although water and metal do not attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.
In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, preparedness and vigilance are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of lightning-related incidents and prioritize your safety.
Navigating rainy roads: Safety tips for wet weather
Rain can turn roads into hazards. Stay informed and follow these tips from the weather service to ensure safety during heavy rainfall:
Beware of rapid water flow:
In heavy rain, refrain from parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a grave danger.
Maintain safe driving distances:
Adhere to the two-second rule for maintaining a safe following distance behind the vehicle in front of you. In heavy rain, allow an additional two seconds of distance to compensate for reduced traction and braking effectiveness.
Reduce speed and drive cautiously:
On wet roads, reducing your speed is crucial. Ease off the gas pedal gradually and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.
Choose your lane wisely:
Stay toward the middle lanes – water tends to pool in the outside lanes.
Prioritize visibility
Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by activating your headlights. Be particularly vigilant for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.
Watch out for slippery roads:
Be extra careful during the first half hour after rain begins. Grime and oil on the road surface mix with water to make the road slippery.
Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:
Large trucks and buses can reduce your visibility with tire spray. Avoid tailgating and pass them swiftly and safely.
Mind your windshield wipers:
Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely limits your sight, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or protected spots.
If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes. Keep your headlights on and turn on emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.
In the face of heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to stay informed about weather conditions and heed guidance from local authorities for a secure journey.
Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
The National Weather Service issued a report at 6:37 p.m. on Saturday for strong thunderstorms until 7:15 p.m. for Coffee, Dale, Henry and Houston counties.
The storms are packing wind gusts of up to 40 mph and pea-sized hail (0.25 inches).
“At 6:36 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm over Newton, or near Ozark, moving east at 25 mph,” says the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.”
Locations impacted by the alert include Daleville, Headland, Dothan, Enterprise, Fort Rucker, Ozark, Midland City, Kinsey, Level Plains, Cowarts, Newton, Webb, Pinckard, Clayhatchee, Grimes, Newville, Napier Field, Hunt Field, Waterford and Hooper Stage Field.
The weather service states, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.”
When lightning looms: Expert safety tips for thunderstorms
Lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times each year, with the bulk of these electrical discharges occurring during the summer months. Tragically, lightning claims the lives of about 20 individuals annually, as reported by the weather service. The risk of lightning-related incidents escalates as thunderstorms draw near, reaching its peak when the storm directly looms overhead. However, it gradually recedes as the tempest moves away.
To ensure your safety during a thunderstorm, keep these recommendations in mind:
Lightning safety plan:
When venturing outdoors, it’s crucial to have a lightning safety plan in place.
Monitor the sky for threatening signs and listen for the sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s an indication that lightning is nearby.
Seek a safe place to shelter, preferably indoors.
Indoors safety measures:
Once you’ve found shelter indoors, abstain from using corded phones, electrical appliances, or plumbing fixtures, and refrain from approaching windows and doors.
Lightning can follow conductive pathways, and these precautions reduce the risk of electrical surges.
Wait for the all-clear:
After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
It’s important to remember that lightning can strike even when a storm seems to have passed, so exercise caution.
When indoor shelter isn’t available:
If you find yourself outdoors without access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety:
Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, as they expose you to greater lightning risk.
Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In forested areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
If you’re in a group, ensure that individuals are spaced out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If you have no alternative, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. It’s crucial to note that a tent provides no protection against lightning.
Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. Although water and metal do not attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.
In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, vigilance and preparedness are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the chances of lightning-related accidents and prioritize your safety.
Driving through downpours: Safety guidelines for wet roads
When heavy rain sets in, the risk of flooding and hazardous driving conditions rises. Whether it’s prolonged rainfall or rapid runoff, being prepared is essential. Here are some valuable safety tips from the weather service to ensure you stay safe in heavy rain:
Beware of rapid water flow:
Avoid parking or walking in close proximity to culverts or drainage ditches, as the swiftly moving water during heavy rain can potentially carry you away.
Maintain safe driving distances:
Adhere to the two-second rule for maintaining a safe following distance behind the vehicle in front of you. In heavy rain, allow an additional two seconds of distance to compensate for reduced traction and braking effectiveness.
Reduce speed and drive cautiously:
If it is raining and the roads are wet, slow down. Take your foot off the accelerator and let your speed drop gradually. Never use the brakes suddenly because this may cause the car to skid.
Choose your lane wisely:
Stick to the middle lanes to minimize the risk of hydroplaning. Outer lanes are more prone to accumulating water.
Visibility matters:
Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by turning on your headlights. Watch out for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.
Watch out for slippery roads:
The initial half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mixture of rain, grime, and oil. Exercise heightened caution during this period.
Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:
Don’t follow large trucks or buses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision. Take care when passing them as well; if you must pass, do so quickly and safely.
Mind your windshield wipers:
Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely impairs your vision, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or sheltered spots.
When stopping by the roadside is your only option, position your vehicle as far off the road as possible, ideally beyond guardrails. Keep your headlights on and activate emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.
In the face of heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to stay informed about weather conditions and heed guidance from local authorities for a secure journey.
Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
Despite trading paint with Goal Oriented at the top of the stretch, even-money favorite Journalism won the 150th Preakness Stakes on Saturday at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.
With Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty skipping the Run for the Black-Eyed Susans, the Triple Crown was not in play, and for the seventh straight year, the Preakness Stakes had a different winner than the Kentucky Derby.
Journalism had been the betting favorite for the Kentucky Derby, too, but finished 1.5 lengths behind Sovereignty.
To win the Preakness Stakes, Journalism had to overcome contact as Goal Oriented and Clever Again squeezed the top of the stretch. The colt bounced off to run down Gosger, a 15-1 long shot that had taken the lead from Clever Again six furlongs into the 9.5-furlong race.
Clever Again had set the pace from the gate until Gosger went past on the outside.
Journalism paid $4.00 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.40 to show.
Gosger paid $9.00 to place and $5.40 to show.
Sandman paid $3.60 to show.
The $2 exacta paid $33.80.
The $1 trifecta paid $73.50.
The $1 superfecta, with fourth-place finisher Goal Oriented joining the top three, paid $303.40.
Journalism’s victory was worth $1.2 million of the $2 million purse. The colt followed his father to victory in the Preakness Stakes. Curlin won the race in 2007.
Journalism had gone to the Kentucky Derby as the champion of the Santa Anita Derby and has five victories, one second and one third in seven races.
Trainer Michael McCarthy has his second Preakness Stakes winner, after saddling Rombauer in 2021. For jockey Umberto Rispoli, the Preakness Stakes was his first.
The final leg of the Triple Crown trail, the 157th Belmont Stakes, will be contested on June 7 at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. The race is being contested at Saratoga due to renovations at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.
The 2026 Preakness Stakes will be run at Laurel Park in Baltimore while Pimlico Race Course is being renovated.
The order of finish for the 150th Preakness Stakes was:
1. Journalism
2. Gosger
3. Sandman
4. Goal Oriented
5. Heart of Honor
6. River Thames
7. Pay Billy
8. American Promise
9. Clever Again
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.
The final regular season series of the season was an opportunity for Auburn baseball to play its way into a favorable Southeastern Conference tournament path and potentially more.
Instead, the Tigers’ postseason path is a little murkier, losing a shot at the double bye in the SEC tournament and likely sitting right near the cutline for a top eight seed in the NCAA tournament.
Ole Miss took the series from Auburn, winning games one and two. The Rebels did so by scoring 32 combined runs over the weekend, the most Auburn has given up in a series this season.
Here are three takeaways from the series loss to Ole Miss:
Poor pitching weekend
Auburn ace Sam Dutton has been one of the shining stars during the Tigers 2025 campaign. He came into the Ole Miss series with a 2.86 earned run average and had been Auburn’s Game 1 starter for the majority of the season.
Against the Rebels, it was the second consecutive weekend in which he underachieved by his 2025 standards. Dutton started Game 2 and gave up a season-high seven earned runs, surpassing the season high of five earned runs he allowed last weekend against South Carolina.
His poor start through three innings led to Ole Miss putting 15 runs on the Tigers Friday night, a rare instance in which Auburn scored double-digit runs, but lost.
Mediocre is probably a better word to describe Auburn’s pitching in Game 1. The Tigers gave up nine runs, but only five were earned as four of Ole Miss’ runs in the seventh inning were unearned.
Thursday night starter Cam Tilly gave up four runs on four hits in five innings of work, striking out five and walking one.
Auburn allowed another eight runs in Game 3, but Ryan Hetzler‘s performance was a bright spot for the staff. He pitched five innings out of the bullpen allowing just one run to set up the comeback win, as Auburn scored 10 unanswered runs to win the game 13-8.
The offense did its part
While Auburn’s pitching staff struggled, the hitters did their part to keep the series competitive and take Game 3.
The Tigers’ bats had been hot the last few weekends, and that continued after they were shut down by Ole Miss ace Hunter Elliot in Game 1.
Auburn found itself trailing 10-2 going into the sixth inning of Game 2, but the Tigers scored nine runs over the final four innings to keep the game competitive. Home runs from Eric Snow, Cooper McMurray and Ike Irish helped lead the charge.
Irish was especially impressive throughout the series, going 6-for-14 from the plate with three home runs and four RBI. He leads the team in both home runs (16) and batting average (.354), and 12 of his 16 home runs have come on the road.
In Game 3, the offense again heated up late in the game, turning a five-run deficit into a five run lead by the time the game ended. It came from a balanced attack, with six Auburn batters driving in at least one run.
Irish hit another home run in that game, but the onslaught came in a five-run sixth inning that featured contributions from Eric Guevara, McMurray and Lucas Steele.
Postseason outlook changes
Going into the weekend, Auburn had a real chance at not just a double bye in the SEC tournament, but a top eight seed in the NCAA tournament which would give the Tigers homefield advantage in the regional and super regional rounds.
Two losses later, and one of those things is officially out of the picture, and the other is very much up in the air. The series loss puts Auburn at 17-13 in SEC play to end the regular season, meaning it will be No. 6 seed in the SEC tournament.
Earning a top eight seed isn’t impossible, but it just became a lot less likely. It’s hard to predict how exactly the committee will judge Auburn, but it could take a big win or two in Hoover to get back in position for a top eight seed.
Auburn’s status as a region host is still safe, but making a run to the College World Series becomes much easier when the path runs entirely through your home stadium.
An updated severe thunderstorm warning was released by the National Weather Service on Saturday at 6:36 p.m. in effect until 7 p.m. for Butler and Conecuh counties.
The storms may bring wind gusts of up to 60 mph and quarter-sized hail (1 inch).
“At 6:36 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located 10 miles west of Georgiana, or 18 miles north of Evergreen, moving southeast at 25 mph,” states the weather service. “Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.”
The weather service adds, “For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.”
When lightning looms: Expert safety tips for thunderstorms
Lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times each year, with the bulk of these electrical discharges occurring during the summer months. Tragically, lightning claims the lives of about 20 individuals annually, as reported by the weather service. The risk of lightning-related incidents escalates as thunderstorms draw near, reaching its peak when the storm directly looms overhead. However, it gradually recedes as the tempest moves away.
To ensure your safety during a thunderstorm, consider the following recommendations:
Lightning safety plan:
When venturing outdoors, it’s crucial to have a lightning safety plan in place.
Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s a clear indication of nearby lightning.
Seek a safe place to shelter, preferably indoors.
Indoors safety measures:
Once you’ve found shelter indoors, abstain from using corded phones, electrical appliances, or plumbing fixtures, and refrain from approaching windows and doors.
Lightning can follow conductive pathways, and these precautions reduce the risk of electrical surges.
Wait for the all-clear:
After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
It’s important to remember that lightning can strike even when a storm seems to have passed, so exercise caution.
When indoor shelter isn’t available:
If you find yourself outdoors with no access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety:
Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, which expose you to greater lightning risk.
Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In forested areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
If you’re with a group, ensure individuals are spread out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If you have no alternative, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. It’s crucial to note that a tent provides no protection against lightning.
Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. Although water and metal do not attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.
In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, preparedness and vigilance are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of lightning-related incidents and prioritize your safety.
Navigating rainy roads: Safety tips for wet weather
When heavy rain pours, the risk of flooding and treacherous roads rises. Here’s your guide from the weather service to staying safe during downpours:
Beware of swollen waterways:
In heavy rain, refrain from parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a grave danger.
Maintain safe driving distances:
The two-second rule for following distance is your ally in heavy rain. Extend it to four seconds to ensure safe spacing in adverse conditions.
Slow down and stay cautious:
If it is raining and the roads are wet, slow down. Take your foot off the accelerator and let your speed drop gradually. Never use the brakes suddenly because this may cause the car to skid.
Choose your lane wisely:
Stick to the middle lanes to minimize the risk of hydroplaning. Outer lanes are more prone to accumulating water.
Visibility matters:
Turn on your headlights and be careful of other vehicles to the rear and in blind spot areas as they are especially difficult to see through rain-spattered windows.
Watch out for slippery roads:
The initial half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mixture of rain, grime, and oil. Exercise heightened caution during this period.
Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:
Large trucks and buses can reduce your visibility with tire spray. Avoid tailgating and pass them swiftly and safely.
Mind your windshield wipers:
Heavy rain can overload the wiper blades. When visibility is so limited that the edges of the road or other vehicles cannot be seen at a safe distance, it is time to pull over and wait for the rain to ease up. It is best to stop at rest areas or other protected areas.
When stopping by the roadside is your only option, position your vehicle as far off the road as possible, ideally beyond guardrails. Keep your headlights on and activate emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.
In the face of heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to stay informed about weather conditions and heed guidance from local authorities for a secure journey.
Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
The Tigers responded, though, winning 11-3 to keep the season alive and set up a rematch with USF. The win was fueled by a six-run fifth inning, in which Amelia Lech and AnnaLea Adams hit home runs.
It was Lech’s third of the regional, after she blasted two balls over the fence against USF to keep the Tigers in the game. She added one RBI on the home run, but Adams led the way with three RBI, finishing the game 3-for-4 at the plate. Two of those RBI came on her home run in the fifth inning.
SJ Geurin earned the win for Auburn in the circle, pitching three shutout innings and striking out two batters. It was a nice bounce back game for her after giving up nine earned runs in the regional opener.
Robert Morris got out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning, but Auburn never trailed again after that. The Tigers immediately responded with five runs in the second inning, with all 11 runs coming in the second and fifth innings.
Auburn’s rematch with USF will be another elimination game, and the winner of that will take on Florida State needing two wins to advance to the super regional round.
First pitch of the rematch between the Tigers and Bulls is set for approximately 35 minutes after the conclusion of Auburn’s win over Robert Morris. The game will be streaming on ESPN+.
The Birmingham Stallions came up short in a 29-28 loss to the St. Louis Battlehawks on Saturday to reach three losses in a season for the first time in franchise history.
But Birmingham still qualified for the United Football League‘s 2025 playoffs because the Houston Roughnecks also lost on Saturday 30-18 to the Michigan Panthers.
In his first start of the season, Stallions quarterback J’Mar Smith threw three long touchdown passes at the Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis. On the field after injuries in the first seven games to starting QBs Alex McGough, Matt Corral and Chase Cookus, Smith connected with wide receiver Deon Cain for 65 and 50 yards and wide receiver Cade Johnson for 47 yards.
The first touchdown to Cain produced the first points of the game with 11:01 left in the first quarter. The second touchdown to Cain returned the Stallions to the lead at 18-13 with 13:05 left in the third quarter. The touchdown to Johnson, which featured a one-handed, over-the-shoulder catch while battling a defender, also regained the lead for Birmingham at 28-22 with 5:21 to play.
But the fourth lead change of the second half turned out to the final one of the game as St. Louis went 65 yards in five plays. After a 28-yard pass from quarterback Max Duggan to wide receiver Hakeem Butler, running back Jacob Saylors covered the final 28 yards to the end zone on three consecutive carries, then punched in the 1-point conversion run to give the Battlehawks a one-point lead with 3:03 to play.
“A heavyweight fight,” Birmingham coach Skip Holtz said. “Two teams battling it out toe-to-toe; two teams standing in the middle of the ring slugging it out. I give coach (Anthony) Becht and his team an awful lot of credit. I thought they did the things they needed to do to win today. Looking at our football team, I’m proud of the way that they competed, proud of the way that they fought. As someone said, ‘You didn’t lose; you ran out of time.’”
Holtz wanted the Stallions to reach the St. Louis 40-yard line on their final possession to give kicker Harrison Mevis the opportunity to win the game with a field goal. And Birmingham hit exactly that mark when Smith completed a 4-and-11 throw for 11 yards to tight end Jace Sternberger with 65 seconds remaining.
But then right tackle Barry Wesley got a false-start penalty followed by a mishandled snap and a fumble by running back C.J. Marable that Battlehawks cornerback Myles Jones recovered with 16 seconds to play.
Birmingham’s third-quarter comeback had been sparked by two takeaways. Safety AJ Thomas picked off St. Louis quarterback Max Duggan before Cain’s second touchdown pass, and linebacker Kyahva Tezino recovered a fumble at the Stallions 20-yard line forced by cornerback Daniel Isom. Mevis’ ensuing 36-yard field goal put Birmingham ahead 21-13 with 2:37 left in the third quarter.
But linebacker Callahan O’Reilly picked off a pass by Smith and returned the interception 18 yards for a touchdown that put the Battlehawks on top 22-21 with 13:37 to play.
Smith completed 14-of-27 passes for 262 yards with three touchdowns and one interception and led Birmingham with 45 yards on 10 rushing attempts.
Duggan had only 110 passing yards, but he ran 11 times for 54 yards and two first-half touchdowns. The first touchdown ended a series during which the Birmingham defense got three penalties. The second TD gave St. Louis a 13-9 lead and came after a sack by outside linebacker Travis Freeney produced a fumble that outside linebacker Pita Taumoepenu returned 15 yards to the Birmingham 7-yard line.
Saylors ran for 118 yards and one touchdown on 16 carries as St. Louis totaled 173 yards on the ground to improve to 6-2.
The loss left Birmingham with a 5-3 record. But with the Roughnecks dropping to 3-5 with two weeks remaining in the regular season, the Stallions secured a playoff berth on Saturday thanks to their series sweep of Houston.
Birmingham has fielded a championship team in each of the past three seasons, winning the USFL titles in 2022 and 2023 and the UFL crown in 2024.
“I don’t think the accomplishment of getting into the playoffs for four years in a row has really sank in yet because of the stain of the loss that we suffered today,” Holtz said. “… We bought ourselves an opportunity. Once you get in, anybody can win it, and we got to keep growing.”
By improving to 6-2, Michigan took a one-game lead over Birmingham at the top of the USFL Conference. The Panthers and Stallions will square off at 2 p.m. CDT Saturday at Protective Stadium in Birmingham in Week 9 game.
The Stallions defeated Michigan 21-12 on April 4. But while Holtz was speaking about the importance of regaining homefield advantage in the UFL playoffs by beating Michigan, the league announced the USFL Conference Championship Game would be played on June 8 at Protective Stadium even if Panthers win next week’s game to secure a first-place finish in the conference. The UFL said a scheduling conflict would not allow the Panthers to play at Ford Field in Detroit on June 8.
Birmingham Stallions quarterback J’Mar Smith passes during a United Football League game against the St. Louis Battlehawks on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis.(Photo by Rick Ulreich/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.
The second jewel in horse racing’s Triple Crown will be won on Saturday with the running of the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore, Maryland. Racing fans can get a head start on the action by registering with today’s FanDuel Racing promo code (no code required) to grab a $500 no sweat bet for the race.
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You can use this racing credit on other races. If you win bets with the racing credit, only the profit from the bets is added to your account. Use the full amount within seven days of receipt, or it will expire.
FanDuel Racing promo code: Bet $5, Get a $200 bonus if you win
FanDuel Racing is separate from FanDuel Sportsbook, so you’ll need another account to bet on something other than horse racing. The great part about that is that there is another bonus available.
Sign up using our FanDuel Racing promo code (no code required) to claim the welcome offer. Once you register and deposit at least $5, place a $5 wager on any game. If that wager wins, you’ll receive a $200 bonus to use on more sports bets.
FanDuel existing user promos
While the FanDuel Sportsbook and FanDuel Racing welcome bonuses greet you at the start of your journey, plenty of other promos stick with you long after. Here are a few examples of what is available on each platform.
FanDuel Racing promos
Money back special: Get a refund on your win bets for select races and up to $10 back if your horse finishes second or third.
FanDuel Race of the Day: Each weekday, FanDuel Racing features a top race. If you bet on a horse in that race to win but it finishes second or third, you’ll receive a bonus bet of up to $5.
FanDuel Sportsbook promos
Profit boosts: Get enhanced odds on select betting markets.
No sweat bets: If your bet loses, receive a bonus bet to try again with house money.
Referral bonus: Invite your friend and you’ll each get a $75 bonus ($50 sportsbook + $25 casino).
Daily shuffle: In this free contest, you pick a prop every day with a chance to win prizes the more you get correct.
How to use your FanDuel Racing no sweat bet for the Preakness
Best bet: Journalism to win (8-to-5 odds)
Journalism went off as a 3-to-1 favorite to win the Kentucky Derby and finished second to Sovereignty. Journalism had dominated the competition before the Derby, and the only knock on him was that he had not won in a crowded field.
Although Journalism didn’t win the Derby, he did well in a 19-horse field, proving that he is a force to be reckoned with no matter how many horses are in the race.
Well, the Preakness will have nine horses entered, meaning Journalism will have much more room for one of his usually strong stretch runs. Don’t think twice, let Journalism write your winning story on Saturday.