The D.C. Defenders (6-2) hosted the Arlington Renegades (3-5) on Sunday afternoon to conclude Week 8 of the UFL season from Audi Field. D.C. came into this game with a chance to clinch a playoff spot in the XFL Conference, while the Arlington Renegades needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
In the first quarter, Arlington kicker Lucas Havrisik made a 30-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead with 9:33 left. Twenty-four seconds later, D.C. running back Deon Jackson rushed to his left side on his way to scoring a 57-yard touchdown. Jackson would later score the three-point conversion and it was now 9-3 D.C. with 9:03. The Defenders led the Renegades 9-3 heading into the second quarter.
In the second quarter, D.C. running back Abram Smith rushed to his right side scoring a six-yard touchdown. They did not get the two-point conversion, but the Defenders extended their lead to 15-3. Arlington came back when quarterback Luis Perez threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Vaughns. Vaughns also caught the two-point conversion, and the Renegades trailed the Defenders 15-11 with 9:32 left.
Later in the second quarter, D.C. went with a trick play when wide receiver Chris Rowland threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Ta’amu. They did not get the two-point conversion and it was now 21-11 D.C. with 5:03 left.
Late in the second quarter, Arlington quarterback Luis Perez threw a five-yard touchdown to Tyler Vaughns. They did not get the two-point conversion and trailed the D.C. Defenders 21-17 at halftime.
In the third quarter, D.C. quarterback Jordan Ta’amu threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Cornell Powell for a 27-17 lead with 10:51 left. For the rest of the third quarter, Arlington kicker Lucas Havrisik made a 54-yard field goal and a 45-yard field goal to pull the Renegades within four points. It was now 27-23 D.C. heading into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, D.C. quarterback Jordan Ta’amu threw a three-yard touchdown pass to Cornell Powell for a 33-23 lead with 10:24 left. Late in the game, Arlington backup quarterback Holton Ahlers scored a one-yard touchdown. They got the one-point conversion when Luis Perez completed the pass to Sal Cannella.
Arlington had one last chance with under a minute remaining. However, Perez’s pass was intercepted by D.C. defensive back DeAndre Baker to end the game. The D.C. Defenders defeated the Arlington Renegades by the final score of 33-30.
As a result, both the D.C. Defenders and the St. Louis Battlehawks have punched their tickets to the UFL Playoffs, and the Arlington Renegades are eliminated. Shortly after the game, the UFL announced that the XFL Conference Championship game will take place in St. Louis.
D.C. had 384 yards of offense led by quarterback Jordan Ta’amu completing 15 of 26 passes (57.7%) for 240 yards, two touchdowns, five carries for 21 yards, one catch for nine yards, and one touchdown. Running back Deon Jackson led the rushers with 10 carries for 89 yards, and one touchdown.
Wide receiver Cornell Powell led the receivers making four catches for 59 yards, and two touchdowns, while Braylon Sanders made one catch for 36 yards. The defense made 58 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, four pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Arlington had 429 yards of offense led by quarterback Luis Perez completing 32 of 45 passes (71.1%) for 350 yards, two touchdowns, and two carries for nine yards. Running back Dae Dae Hunter led the rushers with 10 carries for 40 yards, while Tony Jones Jr. had six carries for 36 yards.
Tight end Sal Cannella led the receivers making six catches for 64 yards, and Tyler Vaughns made three catches for 51 yards, and two touchdowns. Kicker Lucas Havrisik made three field goals with a long of 54 yards. The defense made 39 tackles, four tackles for loss, and three pass breakups.
Next week, the Arlington Renegades visit the Memphis Showboats on Saturday at noon on ABC, while the D.C. Defenders visit the Houston Roughnecks on Sunday at 4 pm on Fox. Purchase UFL tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
