The Orlando Storm (6-2) and the Dallas Renegades (3-5) kicked off Week 8 of the UFL season on Friday night from Phantom Warrior Stadium in Fort Hood, Texas, where the UFL honored the military. Throughout the broadcast, Fox sideline reporter Jenny Taft interviewed members of the military, including some of the players’ families who are serving.
In the first quarter, Orlando got off to a rough start when kicker Michael Lantz missed a 51-yard field goal and a 52-yard field goal due to the wind. For Dallas, kicker Colton Theaker made a 31-yard field goal to give the Renegades a 3-0 lead heading into the second quarter.
In the second quarter, Dallas quarterback Austin Reed threw a 13-yard pass to Greg Ward. The offense moved the ball to the three-yard line, where Reed threw a touchdown pass to Emmanuel Butler for a 10-0 lead that took nine plays for 63 yards.
Orlando had the ball on the 40-yard line. On the second play, quarterback Jack Plummer threw a 25-yard pass to Cam Camper to the 45-yard line. Orlando moved the ball to the 25-yard line, where kicker Michael Lantz made a 43-yard field goal, and the Storm trailed the Renegades 10-3.
Orlando’s defense quickly stopped Dallas, and the Storm got the ball on the 50-yard line. Quarterback Jack Plummer led the team to the one-yard line, where he ended the drive by scoring a rushing touchdown. The Storm tied the game 10-10 at halftime to conclude a 10-yard drive for 50 yards.
Orlando got the ball to start the third quarter. On the third play, Jack Plummer scrambled to his left side, taking off for a 71-yard rushing touchdown to give the Storm a 17-10 lead that took three plays for 80 yards.
Dallas would get the ball on the 35-yard line. They moved the ball to the 36-yard line before quarterback Austin Reed threw a touchdown pass to Seth Green. The game was tied 17-17, and the drive took six plays for 62 yards. Late in the third quarter, Orlando running back Jashaun Corbin scored a two-yard rushing touchdown to give the Storm a 24-17 lead heading into the fourth quarter. The drive took 12 plays for 69 yards.
In the fourth quarter, Dallas moved the ball to the 35-yard line, but was unable to get the fourth-down conversion. Orlando took over on the 35-yard line. Quarterback Jack Plummer threw a 14-yard pass to Elijhah Badger and two passes to Chris Rowland for seven yards. The drive ended with wide receiver K.J. Hamler scoring a seven-yard rushing touchdown for a 31-17 lead. The drive took six plays for 35 yards.
Late in the game, Dallas moved the ball to the nine-yard line, where quarterback Austin Reed threw a touchdown pass to Emmanuel Butler. The Renegades trailed the Storm 31-24 to conclude a 10-play drive for 70 yards.
Dallas would get a shot to tie the game. However, Austin Reed’s pass went off the hands of Baylor Cupp and was intercepted by Deion Jennings to end the game. The Storm defeated the Renegades 31-24 to clinch a spot in the UFL playoffs. For the Renegades, it is their fifth straight loss.
Orlando’s offense had 367 yards (238 passing yards, 129 rushing yards), 19 first downs, 3 for 3 in the redzone, and the team was penalized three times. Quarterback Jack Plummer completed 24 of 36 passes (66.7%) for 238 yards, four carries for 70 yards, and two rushing touchdowns. Running back Jashaun Corbin had 12 carries for 36 yards and one rushing touchdown.
Wide receiver Chris Rowland made nine catches for 91 yards, and Cam Camper made three catches for 54 yards. The defense made 41 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, and three pass breakups.
Dallas had 264 yards on offense (134 passing yards, 141 rushing yards), 17 first downs, 2 for 3 in the redzone, and the team was penalized four times. Quarterback Austin Reed completed 12 of 23 passes (52.2%) for 134 yards, three touchdowns, one interception, and six carries for 27 yards. Running back Ellis Merriweather had 12 carries for 76 yards.
Tight end Seth Green made two catches for 55 yards and one touchdown, while Emmanuel Butler made three catches for 21 yards and two touchdowns. The defense made 56 tackles, two tackles for loss, and four pass breakups.
Next Friday, the Orlando Storm hosts the D.C. Defenders at 8 pm on Fox, while the Dallas Renegades visit the Louisville Kings on Sunday at 4 pm on Fox.
