The D.C. Defenders (2-1) had their first home game of the year at Audi Field on Saturday afternoon against the Houston Gamblers (1-2). D.C. dominated the game from the start.
In the first quarter, D.C. running back Deon Jackson ran to his left side with some blockers in front of him to score a 60-yard touchdown. The Defenders jumped out to a 7-0 lead to conclude a two-play drive for 69 yards. Late in the first quarter, D.C. kicker Matt McCrane made a 60-yard field goal for an 11-0 lead heading into the second quarter. In the UFL, field goals from 60 yards or more are worth four points.
In the second quarter, D.C. kicker Matt McCrane made a 46-yard field goal to extend D.C.’s lead to 14-0. Later, Houston had the ball when quarterback Taulia Tagovaloia overthrew his receiver, and it was intercepted by Gareon Conley for a pick-six 60-yard touchdown. The Defenders blew the game open with a 21-0 lead.
Late in the second quarter, D.C. had the ball on the 24-yard line when quarterback Jordan Ta’amu handed the ball off to Briley Moore. Moore had blockers in front of him and scored the touchdown. The Defenders led the Gamblers 28-0 at halftime to conclude a nine-play drive for 76 yards.
In the third quarter, D.C. kicker Matt McCrane made his third field goal of the afternoon for 38 yards for a 31-0 lead. Late in the third quarter, Houston went on an eight-play drive for 53 yards when quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa threw a six-yard touchdown pass to Justin Hall. The Gamblers trailed the Defenders 31-7 heading into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, D.C. went on a five-play drive for 55 yards when quarterback Jordan Ta’amu threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Briley Moore for a 38-7 lead. When D.C. got the ball back, they ran an eight-play drive for 60 yards that concluded when running back Abram Smith bulldozed his way for a 15-yard touchdown. The Defenders led the Gamblers 45-7. D.C. became the first team in UFL history to score over 40 points in back-to-back games.
Late in the game, Houston Gamblers quarterback Taulia Tagovaloia threw a 55-yard touchdown pass to Justin Hall, but it was called back after D.C. challenged and won on a holding call by Houston right tackle Jalen McKenzie. The Defenders went on to beat the Gamblers by the final score of 45-7. It is the largest win in UFL history.
D.C.’s offense had 311 yards (173 passing yards, 163 rushing yards), 17 first downs, and the team was penalized eight times. Quarterback Jordan Ta’amu completed 15 of 27 passes (55.6%) for 173 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and four carries for 26 yards. Running back Deon Jackson had five carries for 70 yards and one rushing touchdown, while Abram Smith had nine carries for 37 yards and one touchdown.
Wide receiver Ty Scott led the receivers with four catches for 49 yards, while Briley Moore made one catch for 20 yards, one touchdown, one carry for 24 yards, and one rushing touchdown. The defense made 64 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four sacks, one interception, five pass breakups, and one forced fumble.
Houston’s offense had 214 yards (171 passing yards, 77 rushing yards), 15 first downs, and the team was penalized 13 times. Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa completed 21 of 40 passes (52.5%) for 171 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and four carries for 23 yards. Running back Jalen White had 10 carries for 28 yards.
Wide receiver Justin Hall made nine catches for 69 yards and one touchdown, while Lawrence Keys III made two catches for 33 yards. The defense made 59 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, and four pass breakups.
Next Thursday, the Houston Gamblers host the Louisville Kings at 8 pm on NFL Network, while the D.C. Defenders host the St. Louis Battlehawks next Saturday at 12:30 pm on ABC.
