Birmingham Stallions upend New Jersey Generals on late TD in USFL opener

There was drama in Saturday’s USFL opening game as the Birmingham Stallions used a late drive to down the New Jersey Generals, 28-24.

The game was simulcast on both FOX and NBC as the league began anew with the same name of one that saw stars play decades ago.

The Generals had taken a 24-21 lead on a Nick Rose field goal with less than two minutes left.

The Stallions drove down the field — aided by a facemask penalty on the Generals’ Chris Orr.

Backup quarterback J’Mar Smith led the 10-play drive and found the end zone on a two-yard scramble with 29 seconds left to give the Stallions the victory.

The game was played in Birmingham as will all games until the playoffs. Those contests will take place in Canton, Ohio, the site of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.