Defenders Clinch Playoff Berth with Thrilling 33–30 Win Over Renegades

Washington, D.C-- With seconds remaining, Arlington was driving to tie or win the game. However, DeAndre Baker intercepted Luis Perez’s pass to seal the Defenders' 33–30 victory over the Arlington Renegades, completing a season sweep. The Defenders clinched a berth in the XFL Division Championship on June 8 with the win.

Renegades Took an Early Lead — Briefly

Placekicker Lucas Havrisik opened the scoring with a 30-yard field goal with 9:30 left in the first quarter, giving the Renegades a short-lived 3–0 lead. On the very next possession, the Defenders answered quickly. Deon Jackson broke free for a 57-yard touchdown run, followed by a successful 3-point conversion also by Jackson, to put D.C. ahead 9–3. The Defenders never trailed again and led by as many as 12 points throughout the game.

Top Two in Passing Yards Face Off

Heading into the Week 8 matchup, quarterbacks Jordan Ta’amu and Luis Perez ranked No. 1 and 2 in the UFL in passing yards. Ta’amu entered with 1,750 yards, while Perez had 1,455. On Sunday, Perez went 32-of-46 for 350 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Ta’amu completed 15-of-26 passes for 240 yards and 2 touchdowns, hauled in by wide receiver Cornell Powell.

In the post-game press conference, I asked Ta’amu about his chemistry with Powell and their growing connection on the field.

Trick Play Sparks the Crowd

The Defenders dialed up some trickery on 3rd-and-goal from the Renegades’ 9-yard line. Wide receiver Chris Rowland threw a touchdown pass to quarterback Jordan Ta’amu with 5:03 left in the second quarter that caught the defense off guard and energized the home crowd.

After the win, I spoke with interim head coach Shannon Harris and asked his thoughts on the gutsy call.

Efficient Ground Game Fuels D.C.

The Defenders racked up 135 rushing yards on the day. Deon Jackson led the way with 89 yards on 10 carries, including his 57-yard touchdown. Jordan Ta’amu contributed 21 rushing yards on 5 attempts, while Chris Rowland added 14 yards on 2 carries. Abram Smith chipped in 11 yards on 4 carries and scored a touchdown.

What’s Next

The 6–2 Defenders will head to Houston to take on the Roughnecks (3–5) on Sunday, May 25. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.

Brahmas Hold Off Defenders in Gritty 24-18 Road Victory

Washington, D.C. – The D.C. Defenders suffered their first loss of the season, falling to the San Antonio Brahmas 24-18. In a game defined by red zone efficiency and discipline, San Antonio came away with the win on Saturday despite being outgained by nearly 200 total yards.

San Antonio Marches to a 12-0 Lead

The Brahmas struck early, scoring on their opening drive as Aidan Robbins capped an 11-play, 76-yard possession with a 2-yard rushing touchdown (PAT attempt failed). Later in the quarter, Matthew Sexton electrified the crowd with an 83-yard punt return touchdown, extending the Brahmas' lead to 12-0 (PAT attempt failed).

Red Zone Efficiency Makes the Difference

San Antonio capitalized on all three of their red zone trips, including two short-yardage touchdowns by Robbins. In contrast, the Defenders moved the ball effectively between the 20-yard lines but struggled to finish drives, converting just one of three red-zone opportunities.

The Defenders' lone red zone touchdown came when quarterback Jordan Ta'amu scrambled for a 7-yard score with 10:06 remaining in the third quarter to tie the game at 18. However, in the final moments—down 24-18—the Defenders failed to convert on 4th-and-9 from the Brahmas’ 9-yard line as Ta’amu’s pass fell incomplete, sealing the win for San Antonio.

Mond vs. Ta’amu

Both quarterbacks played mistake-free football and were effective in managing their respective offenses. San Antonio quarterback Kellen Mond completed 14 of 20 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown, showing poise and control under pressure. Jordan Ta’amu responded with a big performance, throwing for 300 yards on 19 completions and leading the Defenders on the ground with 74 rushing yards, including a rushing touchdown.

Payton Pardee Earns First Win

The game marked the first win for interim head coach Payton Pardee, who stepped in following the announcement that head coach Wade Phillips would be taking a leave of absence. Pardee, previously the team’s offensive coordinator, guided San Antonio to a composed and disciplined performance.

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Next Up

The Defenders (3-1) will hit the road next week to face the Arlington Renegades (3-1). The kickoff is scheduled for Sunday, April 27, at noon ET.

VCU Basketball Set to Make Fourth Appearance in Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament

Richmond, VA- On Thursday, VCU Basketball announced that the Rams will make their fourth appearance in the prestigious Battle 4 Atlantis tournament, taking place from November 26 to 28 at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas.

Now in its 14th year, the Battle 4 Atlantis will feature a competitive field that includes Colorado State and Saint Mary's—both of whom advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament this past season. The lineup also features Vanderbilt, which earned an NCAA Tournament berth; South Florida; Virginia Tech; Western Kentucky; and Wichita State, which secured a spot in the NIT Tournament.

The Rams return to the Battle 4 Atlantis for the first time since 2021. VCU also competed in the tournament in 2012 and 2016, holding a combined record of 4–5 in its previous appearances.