The Columbus Aviators (1-3) hosted the Dallas Renegades (3-1) on Friday night from Historic Crew Stadium. The Aviators entered the game as the lone team without a win. On this night, they fought hard against a team that many are picking to win the UFL Championship.
In the first quarter, Dallas went on a seven-play drive for 68 yards that ended when quarterback Austin Reed threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Drake Stoops for a 7-0 lead. On the last play of the first quarter, Columbus running back Zaquandre White rushed for nine yards to the 21-yard line.
In the second quarter, Columbus drove down to the one-yard line, where running back Zaquandre White leaped over the o-linemen to score the touchdown. The game was tied 7-7 that took 10 plays drive for 80 yards.
Later, Dallas moved the ball to the seven-yard line. On the next play, quarterback Austin Reed threw a touchdown pass to Emmanuel Butler. The Renegades took a 14-7 lead that took 12 plays for 73 yards. Late in the second quarter, Columbus went on a 12-play drive for 73 yards. The drive ended when quarterback Jalan McClendon threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Keke Chism. The game was tied 14-14 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Columbus dominated on defense, not allowing Dallas to score again. Their offense went on an eight-play drive for 63 yards. The drive ended when quarterback Jalan McClendon took off for five yards before Dallas defensive lineman Darrius Moragne stripped the ball. The ball bounced into the endzone, where it was recovered by Alize Mack for the touchdown. Columbus took a 21-14 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Columbus went 18 plays for 97 yards when running back Toa Taua scored a two-yard touchdown for a 28-14 lead. Late in the fourth quarter, Columbus defensive back Smoke Monday picked off Austin Reed to end the game. The Aviators picked up their first win of the season with a 28-14 win over the Renegades.
Columbus had 312 yards on offense (126 passing yards, 202 rushing yards), 26 first downs, 3 for 3 in the redzone, and the team was penalized nine times. Quarterback Jalan McClendon completed 10 of 15 passes (66.7%) for 126 yards, one touchdown, and eight carries for 42 yards.
John Lovett led the team in rushing with 15 carries for 80 yards, while Zaquandre White had 13 carries for 43 yards and one rushing touchdown, and Toa Taua had 11 carries for 37 yards and one rushing touchdown.
Wide receiver Alize Mack led the receivers with three catches for 56 yards, while Keke Chism made four catches for 50 yards and one touchdown. The defense made 27 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, five pass breakups, and one forced fumble.
Dallas had 232 yards on offense (144 passing yards, 97 rushing yards), 15 first downs, 2 for 3 in the redzone, and the team was penalized 10 times. Quarterback Austin Reed completed 13 of 27 passes (48.1%) for 144 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and three carries for 41 yards.
Running back Dae Dae Hunter led the rushers with six carries for 45 yards. Wide receiver Tyler Vaughns made five catches for 59 yards, while Drake Stoops made three catches for 31 yards and one touchdown, and Emmanuel Butler made one catch for seven yards and one touchdown. The defense made 82 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble.
Next Sunday, the Columbus Aviators visit the Houston Gamblers at 12 pm on ABC, followed by the Dallas Renegades hosting the Louisville Kings at 3 pm on ABC.
