The Saginaw Sting joined the CIFL in 2008 and were immediately a force to be reckoned with. The team's only losses came early in the middle of the year and back-to-back at Rochester and at Rock River. After a five game winning streak to end the regular season, the Sting would have played at Rochester. Instead, Rochester left the CIFL and Marion took their place, giving Saginaw a home game. The Sting got past Marion, 41-34 and hosted a surprise second home game against Lehigh Valley. The Sting destroyed the Outlawz 59-25 and advanced to the title game, which was played at Kalamazoo. The Sting won on a touchdown in the final seconds, 41-37 to take the CIFL championship in just their first season. The team returned to the CIFL in 2012, winning all eight of its regular season games and capturing the 2012 league championship with a 35-7 victory over Dayton. The average margin of victory for the team was 37 points. The 2013 Sting were led by A.J. McKenna at quarterback, who threw for 1,510 yards, 34 touchdowns and eight interceptions going into the championship game. Saginaw defeated all of its opponents in the regular season except for the top two teams, Erie and Dayton. Saginaw qualified for the playoffs and in a huge upset, beat Dayton 66-63. Saginaw traveled to Erie for the CIFL title game and after leading the Explosion 22-10 early, fell 37-36. The team returned in 2014 and went 7-1 in the regular season. McKenna was back again and this time threw for 1,066 yards, 28 scores and just three picks. Deshawn Hayes caught 28 balls for 173 yards and eight scores while also rushing for 345 yards and 12 more touchdowns. The Sting outscored opponents 130-74 in the fourth quarter and the lone loss came in the final regular season weekend to Chicago, 34-28. The team qualified for the playoffs and hosted Erie. However, the Explosion did as their name suggests and exploded for a 45-16 victory.