The Columbus Aviators won an instant classic over the Birmingham Stallions 36-29 at Historic Crew Stadium, thanks to a game-winning pick-six.
The Aviators and Stallions met for the second time in just two weeks after the Aviators fell short in their first matchup. In front of a Columbus crowd of 9,217 fans, the Aviators were glad to be back in front of the Columbus faithful.
On the very first play from scrimmage, O’Donnell Fortune intercepted Dorian Thompson-Robinson, setting up the Aviators’ opening drive inside the Stallions’ 30‑yard line.
Just a few plays later, Jalen Morton threw a backward pass that was ruled a fumble, which Alex Cook recovered and returned 73 yards for a touchdown. On the ensuing point‑after attempt, the kick was blocked and returned by Nehemiah Shelton for a one‑point conversion for the Aviators. The Stallions led the Aviators 6-1 with 11:30 left in the first quarter.
You may ask why the Aviators were only awarded one point on the run‑back. That’s because a new rule change, implemented for the 2026 season, states that if an extra‑point attempt fails and the opposing team returns it for a score, they are awarded the same number of points that the point‑after attempt is worth.
On the next drive, Columbus was forced to punt, giving the ball right back to the Stallions, where quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson drove right down the field using both his arm and his legs. He would hook up with Deon Cain for an 18-yard touchdown pass, extending the Stallions’ lead to 13-1 with 2:45 left in the first quarter.
Later, Jalen Morton’s scramble took the ball inside the 20, setting up the Aviators for a 16‑yard touchdown pass from Morton to John Lovett. With the extra point, the score became 13-7, still in the Stallions’ favor, with 14:54 remaining in the second quarter.
After a huge sack by Kenny Willekes, just three plays later, the Stallions faced 4th‑and‑long. Thompson‑Robinson heaved a deep pass that drew a pass‑interference call, setting up a 2‑yard touchdown run by Tyrion Davis‑Price. The score extended Birmingham’s lead to 20-8 with 10:37 remaining in the first half.
The Aviators got the ball back, and on 3rd‑and‑12, Jalen Morton found Antwane Wells for a big gain to keep the drive alive. A few plays later, on another third‑down conversion, running back Toa Tua rushed for 15 yards, taking the ball into the red zone. On the next play, Morton connected with tight end Gunnar Oakes for a 20‑yard touchdown. Columbus went for a two‑point conversion, but it failed, cutting the deficit to 20-14 with 6:23 remaining.
On the final drive of the half, Dorian Thompson‑Robinson led a stellar march down the field for the Stallions, highlighted by a 17‑yard scramble on 3rd‑and‑8. The drive ultimately resulted in a 19‑yard field goal, extending Birmingham’s lead to 23–14 at halftime.
To open the second half, Columbus didn’t get the start it hoped for. After picking up a quick first down, the Aviators were forced to punt, pinning Birmingham inside its own 10‑yard line. The Stallions then went three‑and‑out after Dorian Thompson‑Robinson was sacked at the 5‑yard line by Ron Stone Jr. and Walter Palmore, leaving punter Colby Wadman with almost no room in the end zone. Wadman managed to get the punt away, giving the Aviators the ball near midfield.
With the Aviators starting in great field position, Morton found Keke Chism on a huge 4th‑down conversion. Just two plays later, Morton connected with John Lovett on a juggling catch for a 34‑yard touchdown. After the extra point, the Aviators cut the Stallions’ lead to 23-21.
The Stallions’ next drive, Snoop Conner rushed for 29 yards on 3rd and 3, but the drive would stall, and Andres Carlson would hit a 43-yard field goal to extend their lead to 26-21 over the Aviators with 1:23 left in the 3rd quarter.
The Aviators had a strong drive going until, on third down, Jalen Morton threw a pass that popped out of the hands of John Lovett and landed in the arms of defensive back Ryan Cooper, who returned the interception to the Columbus 30‑yard line. The Stallions’ drive stalled, but they still extended their lead to 29-21 with a 46‑yard field goal by Andres Carlson.
After the Aviators got the ball back, and on 3rd‑and‑10, Morton scrambled for 11 yards to pick up a huge first down. However, another Aviators penalty pushed them into yet another long‑yardage situation, and they faced 3rd‑and‑25. Morton scrambled for 15 yards, but Columbus still came up 10 yards short of the line to gain, forcing another Brad Robbins punt, which pinned the Stallions at their own 22‑yard line.
With 7:38 left in the game, Birmingham would take over, trying to take the air out of the crowd and close out the game. However, the Aviators’ defense would come up big with a sack by Tony Fields and, a couple of plays later, force the Stallions to punt.
Columbus took over with 3:31 left in the game, starting deep inside their own 10‑yard line. A 14‑yard scramble by Morton and a 25‑yard completion moved the ball to midfield as the game reached the two‑minute warning, giving the Aviators a chance to tie or win. On the first play after the break, Morton threw deep to the 10‑yard line and drew a huge pass‑interference call, setting up a prime scoring opportunity.
Morton then scrambled and dove toward the goal line; he was initially ruled down, but after official review, the ball was shown to have crossed the plane for a touchdown. Keke Chism hauled in the two‑point conversion, tying the game at 29-29.
On the next drive, Dorian Thompson‑Robinson threw a pick‑six to Tre Norwood with 1:15 left in the game, giving the Aviators their first lead at 36-29.
WE’LL TAKE “THINGS YOU LOVE TO SEE” FOR 1000 🔥🔥🔥😱
39-YARD PICK SIX! pic.twitter.com/Wh1dmAJa6k
— Columbus Aviators (@UFLAviators) May 23, 2026
The Stallions drove down the field on their final possession, but the drive stalled after Thompson‑Robinson was sacked by a host of Aviators on first down, setting up a long‑yardage situation. On 4th‑and‑11, his pass fell incomplete. Columbus took over, and Morton kneeled out the final eight seconds.
Despite committing 12 penalties for 132 yards, the Aviators prevailed 36-29 over Birmingham. In the victory, Jalen Morton totaled 310 all‑purpose yards and four touchdowns, setting a franchise single‑game record for the season.
