Matt Corral’s second chance started off with a good first step.
On Saturday afternoon, the former Carolina Panthers quarterback led the Birmingham Stallions to a 27-14 victory over the Arlington Renegades. He completed 12 of his 21 passing attempts for 201 yards, one score and one interception in the United Football League’s inaugural game.
The highlight of Corral’s feel-good afternoon came right before the half, when he found receiver Deon Cain for an absolute beauty of a 39-yard touchdown throw. Their long-distance connection, along with a successful two-point try on a (much shorter) pass from Corral to running back Ricky Person Jr., knotted the game at 11 apiece with just three seconds remaining in the second quarter.
WHAT A RESPONSE BY THE STALLIONS 🔥
Matt Corral with a BEAUTY to Deon Cain 🎯 pic.twitter.com/onYxzxjg9l
— UFL (@XFL2023) March 30, 2024
Carolina traded up to draft Corral in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft. The Ole Miss star and 94th overall pick, however, struggled to stick on with the Panthers—who ended up waiving him this past August.
He was subsequently picked up by the New England Patriots, but did not last long there either.
So hopefully, this new life proves to be a much more fruitful one for the 25-year-old passer.
