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.

D.C. Defense DOMINATES: 4 Turnovers, 3 Sacks, Remain Undefeated

St. Louis, MO – The D.C. Defenders remained undefeated after a convincing 27-15 victory over the St. Louis Battlehawks. The Defenders jumped to a 12-0 lead in the first quarter. Although the Battlehawks trimmed the deficit to three points several times, the Defenders never relinquished control. Quarterback Jordan Ta’amu led the Defenders, finishing 17-of-37 for 243 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. Conversely, Battlehawks QB Manny Wilkins completed 16-of-29 passes for 147 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions.

Defenders' Defense Dominates with Four Turnovers, Three Sacks

The Defenders' defense set the tone early and often, forcing four turnovers and sacking Wilkins three times—two by Andre Mintze and one by Derick Roberson. Wilkins fumbled on the Battlehawks’ first possession, recovered by Mintze, which set up a 30-yard Matt McCrane field goal for an early 3-0 lead. Later, Wilkins was intercepted by Michael Ojemudia, leading to a 42-yard McCrane field goal. The turnovers didn’t stop there. Wilkins was picked off again by Willie Drew, resulting in a Jordan Ta’amu touchdown pass to Cornell Powell. A third interception, this time by Sam Kidd, led to a 50-yard field goal by McCrane.

Battlehawks Offense Struggles

The Battlehawks' offense never found its rhythm, managing only seven first downs and failing to reach the red zone. Their lone touchdown came in the second quarter when Wilkins connected with Frank Darby for a 35-yard score. Kicker Rodrigo Blankenship accounted for the rest of the scoring, hitting field goals from 56, 47, and 40 yards. Running back Jacob Saylors was a bright spot, recording seven receptions for 91 yards.

Defenders Ground Game Steady

The Defenders also controlled the ground game, rushing for 103 yards. Deon Jackson led the way with 54 yards on eight carries, while Abram Smith added 52 yards on 23 carries.

UFL Championship Announcement

At halftime, the UFL announced that St. Louis will host the 2025 UFL Championship Game. The game is scheduled for June 14 at 8 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ABC.

Next Up

The Defenders (3-0) return home to face the winless San Antonio Brahmas (0-3) in the Week 4 finale. Kickoff is set for Sunday, April 20, at 5 p.m. ET.

Defenders Sack Stallions, Coach Harris Earns First Victory

Washington D.C- The D.C. Defenders kicked off their season with a hard-fought 18-11 win over the Birmingham Stallions on Sunday. Kicker Matt McCrane played a crucial role, drilling four field goals from 37, 39, 21, and 53 yards. Quarterback Jordan Ta’amu connected with wide receiver Chris Rowland for a four-yard touchdown, the Defenders’ only trip to the end zone.

Ta’amu finished the game completing 17 of 37 passes for 211 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception. On the other side, Birmingham’s Alex McGough struggled, going 10-of-23 for 89 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Defenders Dominate the Trenches

The Defenders' defensive line controlled the game, recording eight sacks, including two consecutive sacks to seal the victory. Defensive end Derick Roberson and linebacker Anthony Hines III led the way with two sacks each. The unit also totaled nine tackles for loss, consistently pushing the Stallions' offense backward.

Turnovers and Penalties Prove Costly for Stallions

Birmingham struggled with mistakes, losing the turnover battle with two giveaways—a fumble on their first possession and a third-quarter interception by McGough, which led to six points for the Defenders. Additionally, the Stallions were penalized 10 times for 71 yards, stalling offensive momentum.

When asked about his team’s penalties, Stallions head coach Skip Holtz expressed frustration and emphasized the need for discipline in the future.

Coach Harris Earns First Career Win

Shannon Harris secured his first victory as the Defenders' interim head coach after being promoted on March 23. Harris took over following Reggie Barlow's departure, who accepted the head coaching position at Tennessee State University.

Previously serving as the team’s quarterbacks coach, Harris made an immediate impact in his debut. After the game, we spoke with quarterback Jordan Ta’amu about Harris’ leadership and with Harris himself about his approach heading into Week 1.

Next Up: Primetime Matchup vs. Memphis Showboats

The Defenders will look to build on their strong start when they host the Memphis Showboats on Saturday, April 5. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST.