The Houston Roughnecks (4-5) hosted the D.C. Defenders (6-3) on Sunday afternoon in their final home game of the season at TDECU Stadium.
In the first quarter, D.C. quarterback Jordan Ta’amu threw a short pass to Cornell Powell for a 44-yard touchdown. They attempted a two-point conversion but Ta’amu’s pass was intercepted by Marvin Moody, who took into the endzone for two points. The score was 6-2 D.C. with 12:07 left. Late in the first quarter, D.C. kicker Matt McCrane made a 35-yard field goal for a 9-2 lead heading into the second quarter.
In the second quarter, Houston kicker Christ Blewitt made a 28-yard field goal to cut D.C.’s lead down to 9-5 with 13:02 left. Late in the second quarter, Houston quarterback Jalan McClendon threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Keke Chism for an 11-9 lead at halftime. D.C. quarterback Jordan Ta’amu’s day was done and Mike DiLiello played the second half.
In the third quarter, Houston quarterback Jalan McClendon threw a 13-yard touchdown to Keke Chism for a 17-9 lead with 10:38 left. Later, Houston running back Lorenzo Lingard rushed to his left side for a three-yard touchdown. They got the one-point conversion to extend their lead to 24-9 heading into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, D.C. running back Deon Jackson rushed to his right side to score a 10-yard touchdown and trailed the Roughnecks 24-15 with 5:16 left. With under a minute left, D.C. marched down the field when quarterback Mike DiLiello threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Cornell Powell.
They needed a three-point conversion to tie the game and did not get it. It was now 24-21 Houston. D.C. attempted a 4th and 12 play, but the pass was incomplete and the Houston Roughnecks held on to a 24-21 win over the D.C. Defenders.
D.C. had 458 yards of offense led by quarterback Jordan Ta’amu completing 14 of 22 passes (63.6%) for 165 yards, one touchdown, and two carries for seven yards. Backup quarterback Mike DiLiello completed 17 of 29 passes (58.6%) for 206 yards, one touchdown, and three carries for nine yards.
Running back Deon Jackson led the rushers with 10 carries for 57 yards, and one touchdown. Wide receiver Cornell Powell led the receivers making eight catches for 104 yards, and two touchdowns. Kicker Matt McCrane made 1 of 2 field goals (50%) with a long of 35 yards. The defense made 51 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, five pass breakups, and one fumble recovery.
Houston had 331 yards of offense led by quarterback Jalan McClendon completing 21 of 30 passes (70%) for 232 yards, two touchdowns, and nine carries for 23 yards. Running back Lorenzo Lingard led the rushers with eight carries for 80 yards, and one touchdown.
Wide receiver Justin Hall led the receivers making 10 catches for 126 yards, and Kek Chism made three catches for 34 yards, and two touchdowns. Kicker Chris Blewitt made one field goal with a long of 28 yards. The defense made 63 tackles, three tackles for loss, one pass breakup, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
Next week, the D.C. Defenders close out the season on Friday night against the St. Louis Battlehawks at 8 pm on Fox, while the Houston Roughnecks visit the Michigan Panthers on Saturday at 3 pm on ESPN. Purchase UFL tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
