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General

Birmingham Stallions turn back Houston Roughnecks for third straight UFL victory

Safety JoJo Tillery intercepted a pass at the Birmingham 31-yard line with 22 seconds to play to seal the Stallions’ 23-16 victory over the Houston Roughnecks in a United Football League game on Saturday night.

“JoJo broke up and made a great play on the ball,” Stallions coach Skip Holtz said.

The veteran defensive back’s takeaway was the final of the Birmingham defense’s big plays in the second half in Houston.

After Houston defensive back Rayshad Williams’ interception put the Roughnecks on the Stallions 37-yard line for their second third-quarter possession, Birmingham defensive end Willie Yarbary stopped a fourth-and-1 quarterback sneak.

After quarterback Jalan McClendon ran 11 yards for a touchdown to pull Houston within one point in the third quarter, the Stallions stopped a 1-point conversion run to keep a 17-16 lead.

After Birmingham wide receiver Deon Cain fumbled away the ensuing kickoff at the 25-yard line, the Stallions defense held, and Roughnecks kicker Chris Blewitt missed a 47-yard field-goal attempt with 37 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

On Houston’s first fourth-quarter possession, defensive end Bradlee Anae came through with the Stallions’ only sack of the game to force a punt.

“I thought the defense did a great job,” Holtz said.

Birmingham finished the game with its third quarterback, Case Cookus, on the field. After a 45-yard punt by Troy alumnus Mike Rivers pinned the Stallions on their 1-yard line with 6:07 remaining, QB Matt Corral got hurt on a keeper on Birmingham’s first snap of the possession.

Cookus came on for his first action of the season, and his 36-yard completion to wide receiver Davion Davis on a third-down throw allowed the Stallions to run an extra 2:51 off the clock before Harrison Mevis drilled his third field goal of the game. Mevis’ 50-yarder with 1:16 to play stretched Birmingham’s lead to seven points.

“He’s been money,” Holtz said of “The Thicker Kicker.”

Corral took over the QB duties when the Stallions lost Alex McGough on the first snap of their second game.

Corral connected with Davis on a 26-yard touchdown and a 2-point conversion with 14:52 left in the first half and Cain on a 50-yard touchdown with 1:09 remaining in the second quarter as Birmingham took a 17-10 halftime lead.

After completing 10-of-17 passes for 171 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the first half, Corral was 4-of-8 for 24 yards with no touchdowns and one interception in the second half.

Holtz said the Birmingham offense “was making the routine play” in the first half, but that didn’t happen as much in the second half.

Houston lost starting quarterback Nolan Henderson when he sustained a shoulder injury on a hard hit by linebacker Chapelle Russell in the second quarter. But McClendon provided an immediate spark with the Roughnecks trailing 11-0.

Holtz called the loss of Henderson “a bump in the road” for the Roughnecks, “but what a pleasant bump it was” for Houston.

In his first action of the season, McClendon completed 22-of-31 passes for 236 yards with no touchdowns and one interception as Houston cut Birmingham’s lead to 11-10 with 1:24 left in the first half and 17-16 with 3:10 left in the third quarter.

The Stallions entered Saturday night’s game next-to-last in the UFL in rushing but picked up 127 yards on the ground before Cookus lost 1 on a game-ending kneel-down. Corral ran for 52 yards on 10 carries, and running backs C.J. Marable had 47 yards on 11 carries and Larry Rountree III had 28 yards on seven carries.

The Stallions take a three-game winning streak into their fifth game of the season against the Memphis Showboats at 7 p.m. CDT Friday at Protective Stadium in Birmingham. FOX will televise the game.

Birmingham Stallions wide receiver Deon Cain returns a kickoff during a United Football League game against the Houston Roughnecks on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at TDECU Stadium in Houston.(Photo by Maria Lysaker/UFL/Getty Images)

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.

General

Comic star’s White House visit with Trump turned into parody movie poster

The White House’s official social media commemorated Donald Trump’s visit with Vince Vaughn by sharing a parody poster for Vaughn’s 2005 comedy “Wedding Crashers.”

Friday, the “Swingers” star stopped by the Oval Office to meet with the POTUS.

Following their chat, the official White House X and Instagram accounts shared a spoof “Wedding Crashers” poster titled “White House Crashers.” It featured a photo of Vaughn with Trump in the place of Owen Wilson.

The caption of the posts read, “President Donald J. Trump & Vince Vaughn in the Oval Office.” No details were shared about the purpose of the visit, nor was Vaughn on Trump’s list of scheduled guests.

While it’s impossible to say if the “Bad Monkey” star voted for Trump, Vaughn, a self-proclaimed libertarian, has previously discussed his political values.

Speaking with The New York Times in 2024, he said, “I definitely am a believer more in allowing individuals to make choices. So I think that drugs should be legal and people should have guns…I’d rather say let people make their choices, and they can make different choices and have the consequences of their choices.”

In 2020, the actor faced backlash after he was seen shaking hands with Trump at a Louisiana State football game. Following the interaction, Vaughn spoke to the Los Angeles Times to explain himself.

“It was the only time I’ve ever met him. We said hello. He was very personable. I didn’t get into policies,” he said.

“I don’t have a party that I support and endorse. In fact, for me sometimes it’s difficult to find a candidate that you feel is philosophically consistent and not just going along with whoever is funding their particular party. That’s as much as I’ll get into it at this point.”

General

Is Walmart open on Easter 2025? Store hours for Sunday, April 20

Even the most well-organized Easter Bunny can forget a thing or two now and then.

If that was the case with your favorite holiday rabbit – or maybe you are hosting this year’s holiday lunch and found your need to make a store run – you’re in luck. Walmart is open on Easter (April 20).

Walmart Supercenters and Neighborhood Markets are open regular hours for Easter Sunday. Generally, Walmart hours are 6 a.m.- 11 p.m. Some services such as pharmacy and auto care centers could be on holiday hours so check ahead with your favorite location to make sure.

Walmart-owned Sam’s Club will be closed on Easter Sunday. Target is also closed, as are Publix and Aldi.

General

Easter 2025: What’s open, what’s closed? Walmart, Target, Publix, Aldi and more

Easter Sunday is April 20 and several national retailers are closed for the day.

The build-up to Easter included a hefty dose of spending, according to the National Retail Federation. It’s estimated people spent about $23.6 billion on Easter this year, above last year’s $22.4 billion and approaching the record $24 billion spent in 2023.

The most popular purchases were candy, food and gifts, followed by decorations and clothing. Overall, shoppers expect to spend a total of $7.4 billion on food, $3.8 billion on gifts, $3.5 billion on clothing, $3.3 billion on candy, $1.9 billion on flowers and $1.7 billion on decorations.

What’s open, what’s closed on Easter?

Walmart will remain open on Easter but Target is closed. Trader Joe’s will be open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. while Kroger will be open regular hours.

Home Depot is open but Lowe’s is closed. Bass Pro Shop is open.

Dollar General and Dollar Tree will be open.

CVS and Walgreens will be open though pharmacy hours may be changed. Check ahead for a complete schedule.

Other retailers and grocery stores that will be closed on Sunday include:

Aldi

Belk

Best Buy

Burlington

Costco

Dick’s Sporting Goods

HomeGoods

JCPenney

Kohl’s

Macy’s

Marshall’s

Michael’s

Publix

Sam’s

TJ Maxx

General

2025 NFL Draft: Odd SEC first-round streak in danger of ending

A double-digit total of first-rounders is expected to come from the SEC in next week’s NFL Draft. But which prospect from the conference will be the first to hear his name called on Thursday night?

If LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell is that player, an odd first-round streak that has reached 32 years will end for the SEC.

The Washington Commanders made LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels the first selection from the SEC at last year’s draft with the No. 2 pick.

That was the 32nd draft in a row that the first player chosen from the SEC came from a school different from the first player chosen in the preceding draft.

The same SEC member hasn’t produced the first player picked from the conference in consecutive drafts since Tennessee in 1991 and 1992. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took Tennessee offensive tackle Charles McRae at No. 7 for the first pick from the SEC in the 1991 draft, and the Kansas City Chiefs tabbed Volunteers cornerback Dale Carter at No. 20 for the first pick from the SEC in the 1992 draft.

Since then, the first player chosen from the SEC in each draft has been:

1993: Georgia running back Garrison Hearst at No. 3 by the Phoenix Cardinals

1994: Tennessee quarterback Heath Shuler at No. 3 by the Washington Redskins

1995: Florida defensive end Kevin Carter at No. 6 by the St. Louis Rams

1996: Auburn offensive tackle Willie Anderson at No. 10 by the Cincinnati Bengals

1997: Florida wide receiver Ike Hilliard at No. 7 by the New York Giants

1998: Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning at No. 1 by the Indianapolis Colts

1999: Kentucky quarterback Tim Couch at No. 1 by the Cleveland Browns

2000: Alabama offensive tackle Chris Samuels at No. 3 by the Washington Redskins

2001: Florida defensive tackle Gerald Warren at No. 3 by the Cleveland Browns

2002: Tennessee defensive tackle John Henderson at No. 9 by the Jacksonville Jaguars

2003: Kentucky defensive tackle DeWayne Robertson at No. 4 by the New York Jets

2004: Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning at No. 1 by the San Diego Chargers

2005: Auburn running back Ronnie Brown at No. 2 by the Miami Dolphins

2006: Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler at No. 11 by the Denver Broncos

2007: LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell at No. 1 by the Oakland Raiders

2008: Arkansas running back Darren McFadden at No. 4 by the Oakland Raiders

2009: Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford at No. 1 by the Detroit Lions

2010: Tennessee safety Eric Berry at No. 5 by the Kansas City Chiefs

2011: Auburn quarterback Cam Newton at No. 1 by the Carolina Panthers

2012: Alabama running back Trent Richardson at No. 3 by the Cleveland Browns

2013: Texas A&M offensive tackle Luke Joeckel at No. 2 by the Jacksonville Jaguars

2014: South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney at No. 1 by the Houston Texans

2015: Florida outside linebacker Dante Fowler at No. 3 by the Jacksonville Jaguars

2016: Georgia outside linebacker Leonard Floyd at No. 9 by the Chicago Bears

2017: Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett at No. 1 by the Cleveland Browns

2018: Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith at No. 8 by the Chicago Bears

2019: Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams at No. 3 by the New York Jets

2020: LSU quarterback Joe Burrow at No. 1 by the Cincinnati Bengals

2021: Florida tight end Kyle Pitts at No. 4 by the Atlanta Falcons

2022: Georgia defensive end Travon Walker at No. 1 by the Jacksonville Jaguars

2023: Alabama quarterback Bryce Young at No. 1 by the Carolina Panthers

2024: LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels at No. 2 by the Washington Commanders

In the 2025 draft, Campbell or Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou is expected to be the first SEC player picked. The New England Patriots at No. 4 could make that selection.

If the tackles slip past that pick, then the next opportunity would seem to be at No. 7 with the New York Jets. If the tackles remain on the board after that, then pass-rushers such as Georgia’s Jalon Walker and Mykel Williams and Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. could come into play for the first selection from the SEC or maybe Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron after the Longhorns’ first season in the conference.

In the first 57 drafts, the same SEC school produced the conference’s first pick in back-to-back drafts seven times, with Tennessee at each end with the first selections in 1940 and 1941 and again in 1991 and 1992. LSU produced the SEC’s first draft picks in 1962 and 1963, Florida in 1969 and 1970, Kentucky in 1977 and 1978, Mississippi State in 1982 and 1983 and Alabama in 1989 and 1990.

Alabama has produced the first SEC player picked in 13 drafts, the most in the conference.

The first SEC player selected in each draft (arranged by school) includes:

Alabama: 13 (QB Bryce Young in 2023, DT Quinnen Williams in 2019, RB Trent Richardson in 2012, OT Chris Samuels in 2000, LB Keith McCants in 1990, LB Derrick Thomas in 1989, LB Cornelius Bennett in 1987, LB E.J. Junior in 1981, LB Barry Krauss in 1979, QB Richard Todd in 1976, RB Wilbur Jackson in 1974, QB Harry Gilmer in 1948, B Joe Kilgrow in 1938 and B Riley Smith in 1936)

Arkansas: 1 (RB Darren McFadden in 2008)

Auburn: 6 (QB Cam Newton in 2011, RB Ronnie Brown in 2005, OT Willie Anderson in 1996, LB Aundray Bruce in 1988, RB Bo Jackson in 1986 and RB Tucker Frederickson in 1965)

Florida: 10 (TE Kyle Pitts in 2021, OLB Dante Fowler in 2015, DT Gerald Warren in 2001, WR Ike Hilliard in 1997, DE Kevin Carter in 1995, OT Lomas Brown in 1985, DB Steve Tannen in 1970, RB Larry Smith in 1969, QB Steve Spurrier in 1967 and RB Chuck Hunsinger in 1950)

Georgia: 10 (DE Travon Walker in 2022, LB Roquan Smith in 2018, OLB Leonard Floyd in 2016, QB Matthew Stafford in 2009, RB Garrison Hearst in 1993, G Royce Smith in 1972, E Harry Babcock in 1953, QB Johnny Rauch in 1949, B Charley Trippi in 1945 and RB Frank Sinkwich in 1943)

Kentucky: 6 (DT Dewayne Robertson in 2003, QB Tim Couch in 1999, DE Art Still in 1978, OT Warren Bryant in 1977, T Lou Michaels in 1958 and E Steve Meilinger in 1954)

LSU: 12 (QB Jayden Daniels in 2024, QB Joe Burrow in 2020, QB JaMarcus Russell in 2007, QB Bert Jones in 1973, B Jerry Stovall in 1963, B Wendell Harris in 1962, RB Billy Cannon in 1960, DT Earl Leggett in 1957, QB Y.A. Tittle in 1951, B Red Knight in 1947, RB Steve Van Buren in 1944 and E Gaynell Tinsley in 1937)

Mississippi State: 5 (RB Michael Haddix in 1983, LB Johnie Cooks in 1982, DT Jimmy Webb in 1975, B Billy Stacy in 1959 and B Art Davis in 1956)

Ole Miss: 5 (QB Eli Manning in 2004, QB Archie Manning in 1971, OT Stan Hindman in 1966, B Merle Hapes in 1942 and B Parker Hall in 1939)

South Carolina: 1 (DE Jadeveon Clowney in 2014)

Tennessee: 11 (S Eric Berry in 2010, DT John Henderson in 2002, QB Peyton Manning in 1998, QB Heath Shuler in 1994, DB Dale Carter in 1992, OT Charles McRae in 1991, CB Roland James in 1980, C Bob Johnson in 1968, OT Dick Evey in 1964, T Abe Shires in 1941 and B George Cafego in 1940)

Texas A&M: 2 (DE Myles Garrett in 2017 and OT Luke Joeckel in 2013)

Vanderbilt: 3 (QB Jay Cutler in 2006, DB Leonard Coleman in 1984 and QB Bill Wade in 1952)

Missouri has not produced the first SEC pick during its 12 drafts as a conference member.

Former SEC member Tulane provided the conference’s top pick in 1961 (RB Tommy Mason) and 1946 (B Dub Jones), and Georgia Tech did so in 1955 (C Larry Morris).

The first round of the 90th NFL Draft begins at 7 p.m. CDT Thursday in Green Bay, Wisconsin. ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and NFL Network will televise the event.

FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.

General

South Alabama starting linebacker enters transfer portal

South Alabama linebacker Aakil Washington has entered the NCAA transfer portal, AL.com has confirmed.

Washington started 10 games at Wolf (outside) linebacker last season, his first with the Jaguars after transferring in from Liberty. The Atlanta native — who has one season of eligibility remaining — totaled 39 tackles, a half sack, five quarterback hurries and three pass breakups in 2024.

Washington’s decision was first reported by 247 Sports. AL.com confirmed the news via a source.

Washington is the eighth South Alabama player and fourth starter to enter the transfer portal this week, along with quarterback Gio Lopez, offensive tackle Malachi Carney and cornerback Ricky Fletcher. Lopez has committed to North Carolina, Fletcher to Ole Miss.

South Alabama has signed one player via the portal — quarterback Zach Pyron — during the current cycle, which runs through Wednesday. Pyron, an Alabama native, played three seasons at Georgia Tech before transferring to Minnesota this past spring.

South Alabama football spring 2025 transfer portal

Departures

OT Malachi Carney (2 years of eligibility)*

LB Julien Demby (3 years of eligibility)

OG Hayden Dozier (3 years of eligibility)

CB Ricky Fletcher (2 years of eligibility)^ — Ole Miss

LB Gavin Forsha (1 year of eligibility)#

QB Gio Lopez (3 years of eligibility)* — North Carolina

DB Lorenzo Smith (2 years of eligibility)

LB Aakil Washington (1 year of eligibility)*

*— 2024 starter

# — 2024 part-time starter; did not participate in spring practice

^— 2023 starter

Additions

QB Zach Pyron, Minnesota (2 years of eligibility)

General

PGA Tour golfer Justin Thomas gets blasted with mud

Justin Thomas’ tee shot on the 11th hole landed far right of the fairway on Saturday during third round of the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

The former Alabama All-American decided to the play the ball from where it came to rest – barely in a pool of muddy water.

After he played the shot, Thomas said: “Didn’t really seem worth it after all.”

That’s because Thomas advanced the ball only a few yards and got splashed with a spray of muddy water in doing so. He could have stayed clean with a drop and had his ball in about the same position.

Thomas recorded a bogey on the par-4 hole – the first of his two bogeys on the back nine during a 2-under 69 on Saturday.

Thomas and his caddie pulled a sign out of the ground to allow the golfer to address his ball after his tee shot on the 11th.

Thomas already had been assessed a one-stroke penalty in the third round for causing his ball to move while removing a loose impediment on the second hole. Thomas’ tee shot had come to rest in a waste bunker, and the penalty was assessed after he alerted a PGA Tour rules official. Thomas took four shots to finish the hole but had to record a par 5 on his scorecard.

Thomas will enter Sunday’s final round tied for second with Andrew Novak at 14-under par, one shot behind leader Si Woo Kim, who moved to 15 under with a 5-under 66 on Saturday.

Thomas opened the third round with a two-shot lead after tying the course record with a 61 on Thursday followed with a 2-under 69 on Friday.

A 15-time winner on the PGA Tour, Thomas is seeking his first victory since the PGA Championship on May 22, 2022.

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.

General

Auburn defensive back Tyler Scott enters transfer portal

Auburn football lost another defensive back to the transfer portal Saturday, the fourth since spring practice ended.

Sophomore corner Tyler Scott is the latest to enter the portal, he confirmed to AL.com Saturday.

On3 was first to report the news.

Scott missed the 2024 season after suffering an ACL injury last summer. He entered the portal last spring, but eventually returned to Auburn. Scott saw action in four regular-season games plus the Music City Bowl in 2023.

Auburn returns both of its starting corners from last season — Kayin Lee and Jay Crawford — along with Champ Anthony, who suffered a season-ending leg injury early in the 2024 season. The Tigers also added Raion Strader through the transfer portal and freshmen Blake Woodby, Donovan Starr and Devin Williams.

General

2 killed in Saturday morning rollover crash in Clay County

Two people were killed Saturday morning in a rollover crash in Clay County.

Alabama State Troopers identified the victims as Brenda C. Campbell, 59, and Homer D. Gallahair, 58. Both victims lived in Talladega.

The wreck happened at 7:36 a.m. on Clay County 31 near Skyview Road, about one mile north of Ashland.

Senior Trooper Brandon Bailey said Campbell was driving a Chevrolet S-10 pickup that left the road, struck a tree and overturned.

Campbell and Gallahair were pronounced dead on the scene. Bailey said neither were using a seat belt at the time of the crash.

General

Woman, 70s, shot during robbery attempt in parking lot of Mobile Publix

Mobile police are investigating a shooting that happened during an armed robbery in the parking lot of a Publix grocery store on Saturday.

The shooting occurred around 3:30 p.m. at the midtown Publix Super Market at Midtown Center, 100 N. Florida St.

According to Mobile police spokesperson Blake Brown, the shooter approached a woman in her 70s, and demanded money from her. She refused and there was a struggle, Brown said. The man then shot the woman.

Brown said the woman suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital where she is recovering.

Police have arrested a suspect on Florida Street near Springhill Avenue. They have not yet released his identification.