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Quarterback J’Mar Smith of the Birmingham Stallions led the team to their first win in United States Football League history by 28-24 against the New Jersey Generals on Saturday night.
Smith, coming on for starter Alex McGough, led the Stallions to a 10-play 59-yard drive that ended with a quarterback 2-yard rushing touchdown.
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Birmingham Stallions’ J’Mar Smith #6 reacts on the sidelines during the third quarter of the game against the New Jersey Generals at Protective Stadium on April 16, 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Carmen Mandato/USFL/Getty Images)
On Fox & Friends Weekend Sunday, Smith told co-host Abby Hornacek, “Sometimes the quarterback just has to play for his team.”
He finished 11-to-21 with 156 passing yards and a touchdown pass. He added 13 yards on the ground and the game-winning touchdown run. He told Hornacek that his last game with Louisiana Tech at the 2019 Independence Bowl was what he thought about after running for the score. In that game, he hit an 8-yard rush in the fourth quarter to beat Miami.
THE FIRST GAME OF THE USFL ENDS WITH THE STALLIONS’ EXCITING VICTORY OVER THE GENERAL
J’Mar Smith #6 of the Birmingham Stallions looks on while warming up before the game against the New Jersey Generals at Protective Stadium on April 16, 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Carmen Mandato/USFL/Getty Images)
“The clip that came to mind was the last bowl game we played,” Smith said. “The crowd got really loud when I scored the final touchdown in the final moment of the bowl game in 2019. But it was just very electrifying to see the fans out here – the USFL fans, the Birmingham Stallions fans. It’s just been a long time to be safe back in that field.
Smith was among the first players to play in the new USFL and getting a win meant more to him.
“It feels good to be a part of the story, as you might say. Get that win because we have meetings today, so that feels pretty good,” Smith said. “But like I said, I just went out there and put on a show in front of the fans and the people who support us. There is no better feeling than doing it anyway.”
Birmingham Stallions’ J’Mar Smith #6 aims to pass the ball during the second quarter of the game against the New Jersey Generals at Protective Stadium on April 16, 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Carmen Mandato/USFL/Getty Images)
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Birmingham will look to win 2-0 on Saturday when they play the Houston Gamblers at 7pm ET on FS1.