Late Comeback Fails as Defenders Fall to Roughnecks

Houston, Texas – Mike DiLiello’s final pass attempt, a 3-point conversion to Chris Rowland, fell short as the D.C. Defenders’ comeback attempt came up shy in a 24–21 loss to the Houston Roughnecks.

D.C. jumped out to an early 9–2 lead, but Houston responded with 22 unanswered points across the second and third quarters. Despite a 12-point surge in the fourth quarter and an offensive outburst that produced 458 total yards (compared to Houston’s 371), the Defenders couldn’t complete the rally in the final seconds.

Former Defenders QB Torches His Former Squad

Houston Roughnecks quarterback Jalan McClendon was traded by the D.C. Defenders on November 6, 2024, and delivered a strong performance against his former team. McClendon finished 21-of-30 for 232 yards and two touchdowns, both caught by wide receiver Keke Chism. Their first touchdown connection came with just 16 seconds remaining in the first half, followed by a 13-yard score in the third quarter.

Cornell Powell Continues to Shine

After scoring two touchdowns last week, Defenders wide receiver Cornell Powell replicated the feat in Houston. Powell opened the scoring with a 44-yard touchdown reception from Jordan Ta’amu on the Defenders’ first drive. He later hauled a 5-yard touchdown pass from DiLiello with just 3 seconds left in regulation, giving D.C. one final chance at a game-tying 3-point play. Powell has four touchdowns in the last two games and has emerged as one of the league’s most dynamic receivers.

Roughnecks’ Ground Game Carves Up Defenders

While D.C. won the yardage battle through the air, Houston took control on the ground. The Roughnecks outgained the Defenders 107 to 87 in rushing yards. Lorenzo Lingard led the way for Houston with 80 yards on 8 carries, including a 20-yard touchdown run that helped build their third-quarter lead.

What’s Next

The Defenders (6–3) close out the regular season on Friday, May 30th, with a crucial matchup against the St. Louis Battlehawks (7–2). Kickoff is set for 8 PM EST.

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.