The D.C. Defenders (4-1) visited Protective Stadium on Friday night against the Birmingham Stallions (1-4) to kick off Week 5. The Defenders took control of the game and dominated the rest of the way.
In the first quarter, D.C returner Erik Ezukanma returned the opening kickoff for 68 yards to the 28-yard line. It took six plays for 28 yards for D.C. to find the endzone when quarterback Jordan Ta’amu threw a short pass to Javon Antonio for a 13-yard touchdown. The Defenders took a 7-0 lead. Later, Birmingham quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s pass was intercepted by Deontay Anderson. Birmingham’s defense stopped them.
Late in the first quarter, Birmingham quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Deon Cain. Kicker Anders Carlson missed the extra point. The drive took four plays for 24 yards. The Stallions trailed the Defenders 7-6 heading into the second quarter.
In the second quarter, D.C. went on an eight-play drive for 33 yards that resulted in running back Xazavian Valladay scoring a two-yard touchdown for a 14-6 lead. Later, D.C. quarterback Jordan Ta’amu threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to Ty Scott for a 21-6 lead.
With under a minute left, Birmingham quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson threw a one-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Thomas. The Stallions trailed the Defenders 21-13. The drive went 11 plays for 80 yards. D.C. had a chance to add three points, but Matt McCrane missed a 36-yard field goal. The Defenders led the Stallions 21-13 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Birmingham quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson threw a 41-yard pass to Daewood Davis. Two plays later, Birmingham running back Snoop Conner scored a one-yard touchdown. They attempted a two-point conversion and did not get it. The Stallions trailed the Defenders 21-19 to cap off a four-play drive for 68 yards.
D.C.’s offense quickly moved the ball down the field before quarterback Jordan Ta’amu threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Ty Scott for a 28-19 lead. The drive went eight plays for 69 yards. Later, D.C.’s defense forced a turnover when Gareon Conley intercepted Thompson-Robinson. It would lead to kicker Matt McCrane making a 47-yard field goal for a 31-19 lead.
After Birmingham’s offense failed on fourth down, D.C. went on a five-play drive for 59 yards when running back Xazavian Valladay scored a one-yard touchdown for a 38-19 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, D.C. put the game away when Jordan Ta’amu threw a one-yard touchdown pass to Briley Moore for a 45-19 lead that capped off a seven-play drive for 53 yards. With two minutes left in the game, Birmingham quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson scrambled to score a 12-yard touchdown. They got the three-point conversion, which made it 45-28. Birmingham attempted a 4th and 12 play, but did not get it. The Defenders defeated the Stallions 45-28 for their fourth straight win.
D.C.’s offense had 396 yards (275 passing yards, 129 rushing yards), 4 for 5 in the redzone, 18 first downs, and the team was penalized six times. Quarterback Jordan Ta’amu completed 15 of 22 passes (68.2%) for 275 yards, four touchdowns, and seven carries for 33 yards. Running back Xazavian Valladay had eight carries for 50 yards and two rushing touchdowns.
Wide receiver Ty Scott led the receivers with three catches for 84 yards and two touchdowns, while Erik Ezukanma made two catches for 77 yards, and Briley Moore made three catches for 18 yards and one touchdown. Kicker Matt McCrane 1 of 3 field goals (33.3%). The defense made 49 tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions, seven pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Birmingham’s offense had 373 yards (313 passing yards, 80 rushing yards), 4 for 5 in the redzone, 23 first downs, and the team was penalized five times. Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson completed 28 of 43 passes (65.1%) for 313 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions, four carries for 43 yards, and one rushing touchdown. Running back Snoop Conner had nine carries for 30 yards and one rushing touchdown.
Wide receiver Jaydon Mickens made nine catches for 107 yards, while Deon Cain made five catches for 57 yards and one touchdown, and Jordan Thomas made two catches for 11 yards and one touchdown. The defense made 66 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, and one pass breakup.
Next Saturday, the D.C. Defenders host the Dallas Renegades at 12 pm on ABC, while the Birmingham Stallions visit the Orlando Storm on Sunday at 4 pm on Fox.
