The Orlando Storm (8-2) visited Audi Field on Sunday afternoon to conclude the UFL regular season against the D.C. Defenders (5-5) for the second straight week.
In the first quarter, D.C. quarterback Jason Bean’s pass was intercepted by Nate Brooks, who returned the ball to the 42-yard line. The Storm failed to get the fourth-down conversion, and D.C. took over on the 47-yard line. D.C. moved the ball to the 10-yard line before kicker Matt McCrane made a 28-yard field goal to give the Defenders a 3-0 lead. The drive took eight plays for 37 yards.
Orlando had the ball on the 42-yard line. On the fifth play, Derick Roberson forced the ball out of Elijah Dotson’s arm, and D.C. recovered it on the 35-yard line. D.C. moved the ball to the eight-yard line before quarterback Jason Bean’s pass was intercepted by Mishael Powell for a pick-six touchdown. The Storm took a 7-3 lead heading into the second quarter.
In the second quarter, D.C. quarterback Jason Bean completed a short pass to Cornell Powell for 21 yards to the 15-yard line. Four plays later, kicker Matt McCrane made a 38-yard field goal. The Defenders trailed the Storm 7-6.
Later, Orlando had a chance to get the three points back, but kicker Michael Lantz missed a 54-yard field goal. Orlando would get the ball again with over five minutes left before halftime after D.C. kicker Matt McCrane missed a 51-yard field goal.
For the rest of the second quarter, Orlando kicker Michael Lantz made a 27-yard field goal, and D.C. kicker Matt McCrane made a 29-yard field goal. The Storm led the Defenders 10-9 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Orlando quarterback Jack Plummer threw a 24-yard pass to Elijah Dotson to the 31-yard line. On the next play. Plummer threw a 31-yard touchdown to Chris Rowland to give the Storm a 17-9 lead to conclude a six-play drive for 64 yards.
Later, D.C. moved the ball to the 24-yard line, but kicker Matt McCrane missed a 42-yard field goal. D.C. would get the ball back on the 17-yard line after Orlando failed to convert a fourth-down play. On the fifth play, D.C. quarterback Jason Bean scrambled for a 47-yard run to the 18-yard line.
Running back Xazavian Valladay finished the drive by running for six yards and scored a 12-yard touchdown. D.C. would convert a two-point play to tie the game 17-17 heading into the fourth quarter. The drive took seven plays for 83 yards.
In the fourth quarter, D.C. was pinned on the six-play line facing fourth down. Jerome Kapp blocked the punt, and the ball went out of bounds, resulting in a safety. The Storm took a 19-17 lead. On the fourth play, Orlando quarterback Jack Plummer threw a 74-yard touchdown pass to Cam Camper for a 26-17 lead to conclude a three-play drive for 76 yards.
On the kickoff, D.C. returner Xazavian Valladay fumbled the ball, and Orlando recovered it at the 35-yard line. Kicker Michael Lantz made a 49-yard field goal for a 29-17 lead.
For the rest of the game, D.C. was not good at managing the clock. After the Defenders recovered a fumble by Orlando running back Jashaun Corbin at the 46-yard line. D.C. only used one timeout in the final minutes of the game.
On the final play of the game, D.C. quarterback Jason Bean threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Briley Moore. The drive took four plays for 46 yards. The Orlando Storm defeated the D.C. Defenders 29-23 to complete the regular season sweep.
Orlando’s offense had 274 yards (203 passing yards, 77 rushing yards), 13 first downs, 0 for 1 in the redzone, and the team was penalized four times. Quarterback Jack Plummer completed 13 of 26 passes (50%) for 203 yards, two touchdowns, and three carries for 19 yards. Running back Jashaun Corbin had 12 carries for 33 yards.
Wide receiver Cam Camper made three catches for 93 yards and one touchdown, while Chris Rowland made four catches for 46 yards and one touchdown. The defense made 60 tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions, and eight pass breakups.
D.C.’s offense had 384 yards (165 passing yards, 219 rushing yards), 19 first downs, 2 for 6 in the redzone, and the team was penalized seven times. Quarterback Jason Bean completed 13 of 28 passes (46.4%) for 165 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, and 11 carries for 116 yards. Running back Xazavian Valladay had nine carries for 31 yards and one rushing touchdown.
Wide receiver Cornell Powell made five catches for 70 yards, while Briley Moore made three catches for 45 yards and one touchdown. The defense made 44 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, seven pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
The Storm and Defenders will meet for the third time in the UFL playoffs next Sunday at 3 pm on ABC.
