J’Mar Smith Finding His Groove Headlines Top UFL Storylines From Week 9

 

In the final stretch of the regular season, Birmingham Stallions head coach Skip Holtz may have found his best quarterback option yet in J'Mar Smith, the team’s fourth starter at the position this year. Smith, a former Louisiana Tech standout, delivered a standout performance just in time for the playoffs. In a critical 26-22 win over the Michigan Panthers — a preview of the upcoming USFL Conference title game — Smith completed 22 of 31 passes for a season-high 307 yards and two touchdowns.

Smith demonstrated excellent command of the offense, distributing the ball to 10 different receivers. His leadership helped Birmingham convert 11 of 13 third-down opportunities, including six conversions on plays that were third-and-7 or longer — situations that typically favor the defense. Smith credited his teammates, particularly the offensive line, skill players, and running backs, for executing key plays and helping the offense stay efficient and productive.

"You try and stay out of third and long situations...but a couple of guys made some great plays," Smith said. "You get the ball into their hands...they made the first down or went and scored touchdowns." He also praised Coach Holtz for trusting the team to execute under pressure.

Prior to Smith taking over the starting role, Birmingham had been averaging 20.6 points per game over their first seven games. However, with Smith at the helm for the last two games, that average has increased to 27 points per game, signaling an upward trajectory just as the postseason approaches.

Saturday's victory improved the Stallions’ record to 6-3, matching the Panthers, who also fell to 6-3 after the loss. With just one game remaining in the regular season, both teams remain strong playoff contenders.

In the XFL Conference, the St. Louis Battlehawks continued their dominant run by defeating the struggling San Antonio Brahmas 39-13. The Battlehawks, now 7-2, earned their fifth consecutive victory and posted a season-high 39 points in the process. The Brahmas, meanwhile, dropped to 1-8 and remain at the bottom of the standings.

Overall, the playoff picture is sharpening in both leagues. With strong quarterback play emerging and top teams hitting their stride, the closing weeks of the season are shaping up to deliver high-stakes matchups with plenty of momentum shifts