Birmingham Iron Begins Season With Win Over Memphis

BIRMINGHAM, AL - The Alliance of American Football began its inaugural season this weekend, and Birmingham's team in the upstart league started in impressive fashion as the Birmingham Iron shut out the Memphis Express 26-0.

The Iron took an early lead on three first-half field goals from NFL veteran Nick Novak before former Alabama running back Trent Richardson sealed the victory with two fourth-quarter touchdowns on a 26-0 shutout of the Memphis Express at Legion Field Sunday.

The Iron victory came on a nationally televised game that was part of a weekend that saw television rating for the AAF surpass those of the NBA and NHL, which bodes well for the new football league.

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Iron quarterback Luis Perez, who taught himself the finer details of the position by studying YouTube videos before winning a national title at Texas A&M-Commerce, was solid in his debut. The California native was 19-of-33 for 252 yards with no turnovers and 17 yards on three carries.

The Iron return to Legion Field on Saturday at 1 p.m. when they host the Salt Lake Stalllions.

Image via Birmingham Iron