Stallions rally past Panthers in USFL conference title-game preview

J'Mar Smith connected with Deon Cain for a 19-yard touchdown pass with 2:30 left to lift the Birmingham Stallions to a 26-22 victory over the visiting Michigan Panthers on Saturday.

The Stallions (6-3) marched 72 yards over 5:25 for the winning score, which answered Toa Taua's 2-yard touchdown run that gave the Panthers (6-3) a 22-20 edge with 7:52 to play. Taua's touchdown answered a 1-yard blast by Larry Rountree III with 11:32 left that gave Birmingham its first lead.

Smith completed 22-of-31 passes for 307 yards. Both of his touchdown strikes went to Cain, who finished with four catches for 55 yards. Cade Johnson added three receptions for 82 yards.

Michigan quarterback Danny Elting hit 23-of-39 passes for 236 yards and two scores. Siaosi Mariner snagged five catches for 115 yards, which included a 33-yard strike from Elting to open the scoring early in the second quarter.

The Stallions and Panthers entered the game with playoff spots already in hand. They will meet on June 8th in Birmingham to determine the winner of the four-team USFL Conference.