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Fox Sports
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Defending champion Stallions' abrupt exit tops storylines from UFL playoffs
All good things must inevitably come to an end, and that's never been truer for the Birmingham Stallions. After three consecutive spring football championships, Skip Holtz's squad is out of the running for the 2025 UFL title after falling 44-29 to the Michigan Panthers in the USFL Conference Championship Game at Protective Stadium on Sunday. "It's hard to lose, but it's with great respect that I say congratulations to Michigan," Holtz said. "It's with great pride that I say that I have really enjoyed coaching this football team and [watching] what this football team has been able to accomplish." Sunday's win marked the first time in eight meetings that Panthers head coach Mike Nolan earned a win in a head-to-head matchup with Holtz. Even though his team got the win, Nolan said things are far from finished. "There's still work to be done," he said. "Our football team knows that. We're excited to have another week to play." The Panthers will face the DC Defenders — who dominated the St. Louis Battlehawks by double digits, 36-18, in the XFL Conference Championship Game at The Dome at America's Center on Sunday — in Saturday's title game. "We just didn't show up when we needed to show up," Battlehawks head coach Anthony Becht said about his team's loss after six consecutive wins to finish out the regular season. "DC really put it on us in all phases." Here's a look at other storylines from conference championship weekend: It's Toa Taua time! The Panthers entered Sunday's USFL Conference title game as the second-leading rushing team in the league, averaging 127 rushing yards a contest, and continued to assert their dominance on the ground in a decisive win over the Stallions, totaling 144 rushing yards. Taua was the catalyst, finishing with 85 yards and three touchdown runs. Taua rightly gave credit to the Michigan offensive line, calling it "an example of resiliency," as he routinely broke into the second level of Birmingham's defense without being touched. "When you can just walk into a touchdown untouched, that's nobody but them (the O-line)," he said. "I've just got to not be blind and see it. It was a great day collectively as an offense." In his first action since missing three games due to an ankle injury, QB Bryce Perkins completed 20 of 25 passes for 238 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. Perkins also rushed for 34 yards and a score. Most importantly, Michigan finished with no turnovers, while Birmingham coughed up the ball twice — a 25-yard pick-six by Michigan safety Kai Nacua and lost a fumble. Battlehawks have no answer for Jordan Ta'amu & Co. Despite being well-rested and prepared, Becht acknowledged his team was dominated in all facets of the game. The Battlehawks went into last week's contest knowing they had to slow down Defenders QB Ta'amu. However, they were never able to do so. The Ole Miss product went 18-for-26 for 204 yards, highlighted by a 38-yard touchdown to receiver Seth Williams midway through the first quarter to give the Defenders a lead that they would never relinquish. "He really came out and executed on all cylinders," Becht said about Ta'amu. "He's a veteran in this league. He's still young. Just a hell of a performance by him." Ta'amu's only blemish was a pick-six in the first half — his first interception in 128 passing attempts. The Defenders were equally effective at moving the ball on the ground, as standout running back Deon Jackson rushed for 116 yards and two scores on 21 carries. The Defenders finished with 388 yards of total offense, scored on seven of 10 possessions and went 7-for-11 (63.6%) on third down. Holtz benches J'Mar Smith in favor of Matt Corral The Stallions never found any real consistency at the most important position on the field this season, which is one of the biggest reasons they'll be watching the championship game from their couch for the first time in four years. Holtz used five different players at quarterback and none started more than three games. Although Smith had played well entering the USFL title game, Holtz replaced the Louisiana Tech product after he threw a pick-six that put Birmingham down 20-6 late in the second quarter. "[After the interception], I just said, 'You know what? We need a boost. We need a spark,'" Holtz said. "I put Matt in, and I thought he did a good job of getting us back in the football game." Corral had not played since mid-April due to an abdominal injury. He went 12-for-25 for 147 yards and two scores, but he also threw an interception and lost a fumble. Smith went 4-for-10 passes for 102 yards, one touchdown and an interception before he was replaced. Deon Cain led the Stallions with six receptions for 124 yards. Birmingham finished with just 61 yards on the ground. Defenders overcome adversity under Shannon Harris' leadership With head coach Reggie Barlow and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams leaving at the start of the season, interim head coach Shannon Harris did a masterful job of leading his squad to the title game for the first time in team history. The Defenders' offense rolled to 36 points against the top-ranked defense in the league on the road in a hostile environment at St. Louis. Greg Williams' son Blake Williams, serving as the defensive coordinator for the Defenders, held St. Louis to 240 yards and a 22.2% conversion rate on third down. The Defenders also finished with five sacks. "It came down to us, we and ours — and that has been our motto the entire season," Harris said. "We're going to do this together. It's not a one-man show on any of this stuff. As a head coach, you get praise for it and you get a record put on you, but at the end of the day, it's us. We and ours." These two teams will meet for the second time this season. The Panthers easily handled the Defenders in Week 6 of the regular season at Ford Field, 38-16. In that game, the Panthers rolled up 233 yards on the ground, including 99 yards from Taua and 90 from Perkins. Ta'amu went 19-for-36 passing for 259 yards and two touchdowns. Finishing with nine receptions for 144 yards and a touchdown, Chris Rowland was Ta'amu's favorite target. If the Defenders want a shot at winning this one, however, they must do a better job of stopping the run. Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for more than a decade, covering the Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him at @eric_d_williams . 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RTÉ News
09-06-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Luxembourg boss stands by decision to play Gerson Rodrigues ahead of Ireland clash
Defiant Luxembourg boss Luc Holtz insisted he would not be swayed on his decision to continue selecting Gerson Rodrigues after the player lost an appeal against his sentence for assaulting a former girlfriend. Rodrigues was handed an 18-month suspended sentence after being found guilty of beating his partner at the time, former Miss Luxembourg Emilie Boland, in an incident in November 2022, and was also convicted of two other assaults. He failed in an appeal against the punishment in April and was subsequently selected by his country to play against Slovenia at the Stade de Luxembourg on Friday night amid angry protests, and is in line to face the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday evening. Asked if the issue had been a distraction for he and his players, Holtz said: "No. The focus from the team is only on the pitch. All that is not on the pitch does not distract the players. It's not a distraction, no." Pressed on whether the protests would affect his team selection for the Ireland game, he said: "That's nothing to interest the team of the coach. The focus is on the pitch and everything outside the pitch does not distract the team and has not distracted the team." When Holtz was asked further what message that sent out, press officer Marc Diederich stepped in and said Rodrigues had received his punishment from the court and should not be punished twice. When he in turn was asked if that meant it was OK, Diederich replied: "No, it's not OK. Nobody says that. But he got a second chance from the court and we gave him also a second chance. "But we said clearly to him, it should never happen again. That's the reason." The Luxembourg football association, the Federation Luxembourgeoise de Football, issued an apology to supporters for the way in which the protests were handled during the 1-0 defeat by Slovenia after stewards were tasked with removing banners "deemed to violate FIFA/UEFA regulations", but went too far because of "an unfortunate confusion occurred in the communication between the FLF General Secretariat and security officials". An FLF statement read: "We sincerely apologise to all those involved. We re-affirm our commitment to guaranteeing full freedom of opinion for all fans of football and our national team, whether outside or inside a football stadium. "We are drawing the necessary lessons from this at the board of directors to ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future. We hope that many of our supporters will attend the Luxembourg-Republic of Ireland match next Tuesday." AVS striker Rodrigues, 29, scored the only goal when Luxembourg beat Ireland in a World Cup qualifier at Aviva Stadium in March 2021.
The Irish Sun
09-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘He has been punished' – Luxembourg defend selection of star found guilty of assault and battery ahead of Ireland clash
LUXEMBOURG coach Luc Holtz said that fan protests over domestic abuser Gerson Rodrigues' inclusion are not a distraction. The Grand Duchy boss had faced criticism for selecting Rodrigues who was found guilty of three assault and battery charges, including one for assaulting his former girlfriend. Advertisement 2 Luc Holtz insisted fan protests around Gerson Rodrigues won't distract his team against Ireland Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile 2 Gerson Rodrigues was found guilty of three assault and battery charges Credit: Sportsfile - Subscription The three incidents - two involving altercations with males outside nightclubs - all happened in 2022 and were tried as one case. Rodrigues continues to deny he assaulted his former partner, but lost an appeall against a €1,500 and suspended 18 month sentence in March. He has continued to be picked by Holtz with the backing of the Luxembourg FA. But it has led to sustained criticism in Luxembourg, and a security removed a fan banner. Advertisement Read More on Ireland MNT The Luxembourg FA have subsequently apologised for that, but have reaffirmed that Rodrigues can be selected. Holtz largely avoided questions on the issue at the pre-match press conference ahead of the PRO Marc Diederich said: 'The reason that the board of the Federation allowed the coach to select him was because he had his punishment from the court of Luxembourg. 'The court is the only instance that can punish people, it's not for the public or the journalists or you to give him a second punishment, he has been punished by the court. Advertisement Most read in Football 'He can do everything, he can go to the supermarket , he can play in this team, that's why he is selected, there are lots of examples in other countries.' When asked did that sent the wrong message, or that it is okay, he said: 'No, it's not ok, no one says it's ok to beat up a woman. RTE viewers hail Killian Phillips as emotional Republic of Ireland star reflects on 'proudest moment' of his life 'But he has had a second chance, we said clearly to him it should never happen again.' While Holtz largely stayed silent when questioned about Rodrigues, he did insist that none of the criticism or protests will distract his team. Advertisement He said: 'The focus from the team is only on the pitch, all that is not the pitch does not distract the players. 'The focus is on the pitch, everything is not the pitch, on the tribunes, outside should not distract the team, did not distract the team.' And he believes that taking on Ireland is a perfect warm-up game for their Holtz said: 'It will be a very good test, both Ireland and Advertisement 'The mentality is quite close between Ireland and Northern Ireland, it is perfect preparation for the match in September.' But Holtz is also familiar with Ireland as the two sides met in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers , losing 3-0 at home but winning 1-0 in Dublin , when Rodrigues scored the winner. And Holtz insisted that the only difference between then, and now, is that both teams are now more experienced. He said: 'The team did not change so much since '21, only a few new young players, the other ones have got more experience, and more confident. Advertisement 'The football is the same in 2021 and 2025. Maybe we have more experience, that's the only difference.'
Irish Examiner
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Luxembourg won't be distracted by Gerson Rodrigues controversy against Ireland says manager
Luc Holtz insists his Luxembourg side are not distracted by the ongoing controversy over Gerson Rodrigues ahead of Tuesday's friendly against Ireland. The striker – who scored the winner in a 2021 World Cup qualifier at Lansdowne Road – has been handed an 18-month suspended sentence after being convicted of three assault offences, including against his former girlfriend Emily Boland. His appeal against the sentence was rejected. Rodrigues's presence in the team for Friday's defeat against Slovenia prompted protests from a section of supporters, with banners confiscated. Although the Luxembourg federation issued an apology on Monday for the heavy-handedness of security, outlining their position on Rodrigues in a long statement, the manager batted away questions about the episode on the eve of facing Ireland. 'Nothing interests this team,' Holtz said of the media storm still swirling around Luxembourg and beyond. 'The focus is on the pitch. Everything not on the pitch, in the stands, outside should not distract this team.' Pressed further on the matter, in particular why the manager continues to select a player convicted of such a serious crime, the federation media officer Marc Diederich intervened. 'The reason the federation allows the manager to pick the player is because the punishment came from the court,' he contended on the basis of double jeopardy. 'It is not a reason for the public or the journalists to give him a second punishment for the same thing. 'He did not go to prison and is free to do everything, including go to the supermarket. He could play for the club and national team. 'There are similar examples of players who continued to play after conviction, including Lucas Hernandez. 'Nobody says it is okay to bother a woman. Our player is getting a second chance and we have said this can never happen again.' Rodrigues, who has just completed his eight loan spell away from parent club Dynamo Kyiv, will spearhead their attack at the Stade de Luxembourg in what is their final friendly before the World Cup qualifiers kick off in September. First up in a group that includes Germany and Slovakia is Northern Ireland. Just like arranging a friendly against Slovakia's neighbours Slovenia, there's a purpose to undertaking a dry run against Ireland. 'It will be a very good test because both Ireland and Northern Ireland are physically very strong players,' said Holtz, embracing the stereotypes. 'They high intensity in the game. The mentality is quite close between Ireland and Northern Ireland so this is perfect preparation for the match in September.' Holtz's first magic moment of his five-year spell at the helm came in an Covid-19 enforced empty Lansdowne Road in 2021 but Ireland exacted revenge by running out 3-0 victors in the return. 'The team did not change so much since 2021, only a few new young players being added,' he summarised as the difference between the team led by Stephen Kenny against what he'll be confronted by under Heimir Hallgrimsson. 'Ireland's other players have now got more experience and confidence but football is the same in 2021 and 2025. Maybe we have more experience too.'
Fox Sports
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Birmingham Stallions' Skip Holtz, J'Mar Smith reunite with chance to make history
For the fourth time in four years, the Birmingham Stallions ended up right where they expected to be when the 2025 UFL regular season came to a close: in the postseason, hosting the USFL Conference Championship Game at Protective Stadium. But the route they took to get back to within two wins of claiming a fourth consecutive professional spring football league title was circuitous. The Stallions entered their first season without former general manager and wunderkind Zach Potter and with some new faces making their way to Birmingham out of sheer necessity. The Stallions, who have never looked like an unbeatable team even when they have been virtually unbeatable, have made finding ways to win their hallmark. This season stands as the best example of that, especially at quarterback. What began with a former league MVP and championship-caliber QB in Alex McGough quickly became a near-season-long exercise in triage by coach Skip Holtz, who also acts as quarterbacks coach and playcaller. In 10 weeks, he's been forced to play five different quarterbacks and start four. Not one Birmingham QB has started more than three games, and only one has not been forced to miss playing time due to injury. And yet the Stallions enter the postseason sitting at 7-3 with an offense and defense that is playing so well that they beat the Memphis Showboats 46-9 in their regular-season finale. With so many changes in place, from injuries to new individuals running his offense, how has Holtz managed to come through this season with not only a winner, but a team that looks capable of taking the 2025 UFL crown? "I don't know," Holtz said with a brief chuckle as he attempted to put a season unlike any other he's coached into context. In 10 regular-season games, the Stallions have suffered injuries on the offensive line, defensive line and both cornerback positions. Still, the circumstances surrounding the team's quarterback room were unique. Just two of the five QBs on Birmingham's roster this season, McGough and Matt Corral, were present for the first five days of installation at training camp. Veteran Case Cookus joined the team a week late and was thrust into duty after McGough and Corral went down with injuries. Holtz even brought in former Wyoming QB Andrew Peasley to play meaningful snaps. That is when it became clear that Holtz wanted J'Mar Smith to return to the team. Holtz not only needed a player he could trust, but someone he was familiar with. When Corral went down, Holtz knew he needed to get a QB in his room who knew his offense, his scheme, and could give them a chance to finish the season with an offensive identity. "I tried to call J'Mar, but he was getting a new phone or something, and didn't call me back," Holtz said. "And so I went and moved on Peasley, not thinking that he would be interested." Eventually, Smith got in touch with Holtz and let him know that he was indeed interested, but the timing didn't work, as an offer had already extended to Peasley. Corral suffered a shoulder injury and was placed on injured reserve by the Stallions, and that's when Smith got the call. Holtz found a roster spot and succeeded in getting Smith on the sideline in time for Birmingham's game against conference rival Houston in Week 7. Down 25-6 at halftime, the Stallions looked like they were on their way to another loss, which would put them squarely on the bubble to make the postseason with just three games left in the regular season. And then Cookus, who started that game, reaggravated a knee injury. Holtz put his former Louisiana Tech star quarterback in, and the Stallions finished with the biggest comeback win in UFL history, scoring 27 unanswered points in a memorable 33-25 win. In that game, Smith looked like the player he was at Louisiana Tech, where he averaged better than 3,000 passing yards per season as a three-year starter. The former Bulldog standout, who has thrown for more than 10,000 yards with Holtz as his playcaller, showed off his elite playmaking ability, completing 3-of-5 passes for 63 yards and adding a rushing score in the victory. It was then, in that Week 7 comeback win over the Roughnecks, that Holtz found his quarterback. Since then, the Stallions have gone 3-1 when Smith is under center, including going 22-of-31 for 306 yards and two touchdowns against conference-title foe Michigan in Week 9. "I still had my questions after the St. Louis game [Week 8]," Holtz said. "But it was after the game against Michigan that I said, 'There you go now.' That's when the thing went off where you went, 'All right, that's our guy.'" Smith has relished the opportunity to lead the Stallions into the postseason as QB1. Though he started the first-ever USFL game for Holtz, he has never had the chance to be "The Guy" in the postseason, and now, Smith's son will get to see his father play for a championship too. "I'm literally thinking about it, getting chills," Smith said of playing in front of his one-year-old son. "It's just one of the big things that was very special to me about having this opportunity to play again." It's a gorgeous moment for Holtz and Smith, who have known each other for 11 years — half of Smith's life — across college and professional football. "A lot of people can't say that they've been with their coach this long, especially playing football," Smith said. "In my situation, me being a quarterback and him being an offensive playcaller and coach, it is a great connection, a great feeling. "You understand what he wants. You know the offense: front, back, side-to-side." Both Holtz and Smith admitted that their connection has been a true strength over the last four weeks, and that is quite possibly the reason the Stallions could win the UFL title. In a league where change is a part of the game and being comfortable with the unfamiliar is the best trait you can possess, Holtz and Smith have the one attribute every coach and player in the UFL craves: chemistry built on experience, earned trust and an insatiable desire to be better tomorrow than each was today. RJ Young is a national college football writer and analyst for FOX Sports and the host of the podcast "The Number One College Football Show." Follow him at @RJ_Young . [Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? 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