Tag: United Football League

Former Raiders punter Marquette King named to All-UFL team

Remember Marquette King? He’s back in football in the UFL and he’s still got it.

Remember Marquette King? He’s still kicking around. Literally. The former long time Raiders punter who once took the NFL by storm was back in football last year as a member of the UFL’s Arlington Renegades. And took that league by storm as well.

King has been named to the inaugural All-UFL team.

King was initially signed by the Raiders back in 2012 as a big-legged former wide receiver out of Fort Valley State. He was still pretty raw, but his potential was through the roof.

The Raiders liked him so much that they stashed him for a season while he polished his technique and Shane Lechler played his final season with the team. Then the following year, King took over the job.

He would spend five seasons with the team before his off-the-field antics — and some on-field antics as well — became too much and shortly after Jon Gruden took the job, he cut King.

Just four games with the Broncos the following season and King’s NFL career was done. He just seemed to care more about his social media profile than he did his actual job and that was apparently a big enough problem for NFL teams to stay away.

Back in 2019, he was drafted by the XFL’s St Louis Battlehawks, but would play just five games before the league would fold and the pandemic picked up. Three years later, the UFL came calling and King was back on the field. Now at the age of 35, five years removed from his last NFL game, he’s still got it. It makes you wonder what might have been if he had ‘gotten it’ off the field.

How to watch and stream final the week of UFL’s regular season

The UFL’s regular season wraps up this weekend with four games on deck.

The United Football League will wrap up the 2024 regular season with four games this weekend. The UFL will have two games on Saturday (June 1) and two games on Sunday (June 2) in Week 10.

First, the Michigan Panthers will take on the Birmingham Stallions at 12:00 p.m. MT on Saturday. That game will be televised on ESPN and available to stream on fuboTV (try it free).

After that, the San Antonio Brahmas (coached by Wade Phillips) will face the St. Louis Battlehawks at 2:00 p.m. MT. The San Antonio-St. Louis showdown will be nationally televised on Fox and available to stream on fuboTV (try it free).

The action will continue on June 2 starting with the Arlington Renegades taking on the D.C. Defenders at 10:00 a.m. MT on ABC and fuboTV. After that, the Houston Roughnecks will face the Memphis Showboats at 5:00 p.m. MT on Fox and fuboTV.

The playoffs start with conference championship games next weekend followed by the UFL’s title game on June 16 in St. Louis.

There are 23 former Denver Broncos playing in the UFL this spring, and San Antonio is coached by Phillips. The 76-year-old Phillips served as Denver’s defensive coordinator from 1989-1992 and then as the head coach from 1993-1994. He returned as DC in 2015 and led the team’s famous “No Fly Zone” defense that helped the Broncos win Super Bowl 50.

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Former Ohio State receiver scores touchdown over weekend

One former Ohio State wide receiver scored a touchdown in a close UFL game over the weekend. #GoBucks #UFL

Former Ohio State wide receiver, Binjimen Victor, is attempting to make a splash in the newly formed United Football League and his impact was felt in a big way as his Birmingham Stallions squad squeaked out a close one against the Houston Roughnecks to the tune of 35-28.

This Birmingham team is currently undefeated, sitting at 8-0, and Victor is in a receiver room that features other former collegiate stars like Deon Cain from Clemson, Jace Sternberger from Texas A&M, and Marlon Williams from UCF.

This weekend Victor made a splash. He only had one catch, but that one reception went 12 yards to the house. His first quarter touchdown played a pivotal role in allowing the Stallions to keep their close lead.

Most Buckeye fans will remember Victor during his collegiate tenure from 2016 through 2019. He was fairly productive in Columbus as evidenced by finishing his career tied for tenth in school history with 18 career touchdowns.

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A closer look at Adrian Martinez’s football career

The Birmingham Stallions 35-28 victory over the Houston Roughnecks was no different, with the California native scoring five touchdowns in the win.

Former Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez continues to play at an MVP level in the United Football League. The Birmingham Stallions 35-28 victory over the Houston Roughnecks was no different, with the California native scoring five touchdowns in the win.

In eight games this season, Martinez has thrown for 1,375 yards while adding a league-leading 431 yards on the ground.

Martinez played at Nebraska from 2018-21 before transferring to Kansas State for his final college football season. In his Husker career, he went 14-24 as a starter in Lincoln.

For his career, he threw for 9,391 yards and 49 touchdowns with 30 interceptions. He also ran for 2,847 yards and 44 touchdowns.

He spent training camp with the Detroit Lions but was cut before the end of the preseason. Adrian Martinez and the Birmingham Stallions will retake the field on Saturday, May 25, at 2:00 p.m. when they travel to San Antonio to take on the Brahmas.

Below is a photo gallery of his football career.

Former Husker quarterback scores five touchdowns in United Football League victory

Adrian Martinez and the Birmingham Stallions defeated the Houston Roughnecks 35-28 to improve to 8-0 on the season. 

A former Nebraska quarterback continued his MVP play in the United Football League on Saturday night. Adrian Martinez and the Birmingham Stallions defeated the Houston Roughnecks 35-28 to improve to 8-0 on the season.

Martinez finished the game 19-for-31 with 173 passing yards and three touchdowns. He also added six carries for 44 yards with two more scores on the night.

The California native played for Nebraska from 2018-21 before transferring to Kansas State for the 2022 season. As a starter in Lincoln, he went 14-24.

In five collegiate seasons, he threw for 9,391 yards and 49 touchdowns with 30 interceptions. Martinez also ran for 2,847 yards and 44 touchdowns.

He spent last season in camp with the Detroit Lions before being cut during the preseason. The Birmingham Stallions will next take the field on Saturday afternoon when they travel to San Antonio to face the Brahmas.

Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. central time.

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Former Texans Kicker Jake Bates making an impact in UFL

Former Houston Texans kicker Jake Bates is making headlines as the new face of the United Football League with his record-setting field goals.

Jake Bates might not have been with the Houston Texans long. In fact, it wouldn’t be crazy if the common fan forgot he was even a member of the 90-man roster last offseason while Ka’imi Fairbairn was dealing with a hamstring injury.

So far, however, Bates has been the talk of the United Football League and a potential future household name in the pros.

The Tomball native impressed in the Michigan Panthers’ 28-27 victory over the Arlington Renegades Sunday afternoon at Ford Field, going  5-for-5 on field goal attempts. He nailed a 60-yard blast during the second quarter and secured the game-winning 42-yard field goal as time expired.

Bates hasn’t been a household name since his time at Tomball High. After electing to play soccer at Central Arkansas, Bates transferred over to football full-time at Texas State. He later transferred to Arkansas for his final season, but only handled kickoff duties.

As a member of the Texans’ 90-man roster last season, Bates was waived following the first preseason game. Since joining the Panthers, he’s been one of the league’s top stories, drilling two kicks — including a record-setting game-winning 64-yard blast against the St. Louis Battlehawks —over 60 yards.

Panthers coach Mike Nolan isn’t sure if Bates will be suiting up for his hometown team, but he is certain Bates won’t be spending the spring league offseason. For now, Bates can’t be contacted by NFL teams given the UFL’s guidelines, but once the season ends, things could change.

Former Husker quarterback sets season high in UFL start

Adrian Martinez led the Birmingham Stallions to a 32-9 victory over the Houston Roughnecks. 

A former Nebraska quarterback set a record in his United Football League start. Adrian Martinez led the Birmingham Stallions to a 32-9 victory over the Houston Roughnecks on Saturday evening.

Martinez finished 11-for-20, passing for 155 yards and one touchdown. He also ran the ball nine times for 138 yards with a long of 34 yards. The quarterback’s 138 yards on the ground are the most rushing yards in a game this season.

The quarterback played for the Cornhuskers from 2018-21 before transferring to Kansas State for the 2022 season. As a starter in Lincoln, he went 14-24.

He threw for 9,391 yards and 49 touchdowns with 30 interceptions while in college. Martinez also ran for 2,847 yards and 44 touchdowns.

He spent last offseason in camp with the Detroit Lions but was cut during the preseason. The Stallions improved to 5-0 and next take the field on Saturday at 11 a.m., when they face the Memphis Showboats in Tennessee.

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Former Ohio State football player signs with the UFL

Former Buckeye signs with the UFL #GoBucks

The United Football League (UFL) is underway and there are a few former Ohio State football stars who are making an impact. Aside from that though, there is a new Buckeye who signed with the league on April 23 in former punter, Drue Chrisman.

Ohio State fans will remember Chrisman as the punter for the Buckeyes from 2016 through 2020. He was a big get in that 2016 recruiting class. Despite only being a punter, he was involved in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Chrisman was a part of a legendary run as a Buckeye as they won four Big Ten Championships in a row (I wish for those days again).

Chrisman had a brief cups of coffee with the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers, but will be hoping to catch on with his new UFL team. The Birmingham Stallions signed Chrisman and he hope to see him shine in the spring league. The Stallions play the Houston Roughnecks this Saturday at 7:00 P.M on Fox.

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A closer look at a former Nebraska quarterback’s first professional victory

The defending USFL Champions earn their first United Football League win!

A former Nebraska football quarterback made his United Football League debut on Saturday. Adrian Martinez and the Birmingham Stallions defeated the Arlington Renegades 27-14 on Saturday afternoon.

Martinez went 2-for-6 passing for 26 yards and an interception while adding 52 rushing yards on three attempts in relief of quarterback Matt Corral. He would exit the game late in the second quarter after suffering a foot injury.

The quarterback played at Nebraska from 2018-21 before transferring to Kansas State for the 2022 season. For his career, he threw for 9,391 yards and 49 touchdowns with 30 interceptions. He also ran for 2,847 yards and 44 touchdowns.

He was not selected in the 2023 NFL draft but spent time with the Detroit Lions in training camp before being cut. Martinez and the Birmingham Stallions have won the last two USFL championships.

Find a photo gallery of the victory below.

Adrian Martinez makes UFL debut

The former Husker quarterback took the field in the opening game for the new league.

A former Nebraska quarterback made his debut in the United Football League on Saturday afternoon. Adrian Martinez and the Birmingham Stallions defeated the Arlington Renegades 27-14 in the opening game of the professional spring football season.

Martinez was 2-for-6 passing for 26 yards with an interception in relief of starter Matt Corral. He would also have three rushing attempts for 52 yards before having to exit late in the first half after suffering a foot injury.

The quarterback played for the Cornhuskers from 2018-21 before transferring to Kansas State for the 2022 season. As a starter in Lincoln, he went 14-24.

He would throw for 9,391 yards and 49 touchdowns with 30 interceptions while in college. He also ran for 2,847 yards and 44 touchdowns.

He would spend last offseason in camp with the Detroit Lions but was cut during the preseason.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.