Feb. 16th, 2019: "Trent Richardson scores game-winning TD in Birmingham Iron victory"

This summary of the Iron's second contest was written by Evan Dudley for al.com. 

The Birmingham Iron earned a second straight victory, as former Alabama running back Trent Richardson scored the go-ahead touchdown in a 12-9 victory over the Salt Lake City Stallions (0-2) today at Birmingham’s Legion Field.

The Iron forced two turnovers in the game, turning one into a score near the end of the third quarter as Shaheed Salmon’s fumble recovery off a muffed punt return by Salt Lake.

“I thought defensively, we did a nice job,” Iron coach Tim Lewis said. “Our defensive coordinator wasn’t here today, so I had the honor of calling a game for the first time in a long time and we did a nice job. The guys played hard, fast and tough. They played smart and did what we asked them to do. Did a nice job finishing the game.”

“Offensively, we just grounded it out. They’re a big strong team and it didn’t shock me," he continued. "Coach (Dennis) Erickson is a heck of a coach and brought a really big salty team in here. They lost their game to Arizona and they were meaning to do business to us and we stood up to the challenge.”

Birmingham Iron wide receiver Tobias Palmer breaks away from Salt Lake Stallions linebacker Greer Martini at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala., Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019. (Mark Almond | preps@al.com)

The Iron defense limited Salt Lake to 252 yards but only a single touchdown and 1-of-3 on field goals. Birmingham also tallied two sacks while putting the pressure on Stallion starter and former Arkansas quarterback Austin Allen, who finished 15-of-31 for 115 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.

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Birmingham (2-0) was shut out in the first half – gaining 108 yards – and converted only 3-of-9 third-down conversions with two three-and-outs. Perez was an efficient 12-of-20 in the half but was sacked three times for a loss of 15 yards, which ultimately doomed promising drives by the Iron.

Birmingham Iron defensive tackle Casey Sayles tackles Salt Lake Stallions running back Branden Oliver at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala., Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019. (Mark Almond | preps@al.com)

Perez was more on his game in the second half – finishing today 24-of-38 for 184 yards with no turnovers – and led the Iron on its game-winning drive in the fourth quarter.

Richardson got his second straight start after battling a hamstring injury this week but had 31 yards on nine carries in the first half for a paltry 3.4 average. The former NFL first-round pick found little room in the second half and finished with 41 yards on 19 carries, but he scored the game-winning touchdown with 4:48 to go.

“We got back up and fought,” Richardson said. “And that’s what we did today. For me, fighting through all four quarters was a big step in the right direction.”

From that point, the Iron forced two missed field goals and a three-and-out from the Stallions while scoring the go-ahead touchdown on an 11-play, 54-yard drive that was capped by Richardson’s 3-yard touchdown.

Birmingham Iron linebacker Shaheed Salmon celebrates after Birmingham recovered a Salt Lake Stallions fumble in the endzone for a touchdown at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala., Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019. (Mark Almond | preps@al.com)

The Iron appeared to seal the game on a fourth-down incomplete pass but an unsportsmanlike penalty gave the Stallions a first down at the Birmingham 31-yard line with less than two minutes to play. Birmingham managed to force the Stallions into a 48-yard field goal attempt with 1:03 to play, and the kick sailed wide left.

“They fly to the ball,” Lewis said of his defense. “They do a fantastic job, we ask them to sprint to the ball everyday in practice, and they do it. So when the ball gets free or comes open, they’re there to make the play.”