Battlehawks thrash Defenders to capture 4th straight win

IMAGE SOURCE: Darrell Lee Owens Sr., LegacyMaker Sports

(Washington, DC) A crowd of 16,058 witnessed the DC Defenders suffer their first home loss in franchise history on Sunday afternoon, falling 45-12 to the St. Louis Battlehawks. The Battlehawks captured their fourth consecutive win on Sunday. Quarterback A.J. McCarron led the Battlehawks, going 14-24 for 213 yards and two touchdowns. 

In the Battlehawks' opening possession, AJ McCarron was sacked by Defenders defensive lineman Malik Fisher, who forced a fumble at the Defenders' 14-yard line. Following the turnover, Defenders Quarterback Jordan Ta’amu threw an interception to cornerback Brandon Sebastian at the Defenders' 44-yard line. On the next possession, the Battlehawks would capitalize, as AJ McCarron connected with Hakeem Butler for a 13-yard touchdown to cap a 7-play, 44-yard drive to put the Battlehawks up 6-0 with 8:07 remaining in the first quarter. McCarron connected with Marcell Ateman on the 2-point conversion attempt to put the Battlehawks up 8-0. Andre Szmty connected on 2 field goals (37 and 51 yards ) to put the Battlehawks up 14-0 at the end of the 1st quarter.

The Battlehawks extended their lead to 17 as Andre Szmty connected on a 22-yard field goal with 8:13 remaining in the second quarter. Cam' Ron Harris's 1-yard rushing touchdown with 2:16 remaining in the second quarter put the Defenders on the board, cutting the Battlehawks' lead to 11 (17-6 Battlehawks). The Defenders failed to convert on the 2-point conversion attempt. Jordan  Ta’amu connected with Kelvin Harmon to cap a 6-play 53-yard drive (2-point conversion attempt failed) with 18 seconds remaining in the 2nd quarter to cut the Battlehawks lead to 5 (17-12) entering halftime.

With 1:25 remaining in the third quarter, Andre Szmty connected on a 48-yard field goal to extend the Battlehawks' lead to 8 (Battlehawks 20-12). The defender's last hope of gaining control of the game failed as Jordan Ta'amu was sacked by Pita Tamumoepenu, who forced a fumble that Battlehawks linebacker Willie Harvey recovered at the Defender's 37-yard line. Following the Defender's turnover, the Battlehawks scored 25 points in the 4th quarter, including a Wayne Gallman II rushing TD (2-point conversion failed), Jacob Saylors rushing TD (converted on1-point conversion), AJ McCarron's pass to Hakeem Butler, leading to an 80-yard reception for a touchdown (the longest play in UFL History, 2 point conversion failed ) & a rushing touchdown by quarterback Manny Wilkins (conversion failed) to give the Battlehawks their 4th straight win of the season.

The Defenders (2-3) continue their three-game homestand. They will face the San Antonio Brahmas on Sunday, May 5th. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. EST.

4th quarter comeback propels Defenders 1st win of the season

Image Source: DC Defenders Twitter/X Page

( Washington, DC ) Following last weekend’s loss to the San Antonio Brahmas, the DC Defenders won their 1st game of the season Sunday afternoon with a crowd of 15,052  as they defeated the Houston Roughnecks 23-18. The Defenders offense amassed 285 yards ( 203 Passing, 82 rushing).

Houston’s opening possession was a 3 and out, which led to a punt. Hunter Niswander’s punt was blocked by Deandre Baker, who put the Defenders 11 yards short of the endzone. The Defenders' 1st play on offense was  Jordan Ta’amu, who handed the ball to Cam’Ron Harris for a 2-yard loss. Following the loss of yards, Jordan Ta’amu dropped back and attempted a pass that was intercepted by former Washington Comanders cornerback Corn Elder, who returned the interception for 98 yards to put the Roughnecks up 6-0. The Roughnecks failed on the two-point conversion. 

The Defenders roared back. Darius Hagans ran for a 1-yard touchdown to cap an 11-play 60-yard drive, tying the game 6-6 with 1:26 remaining in the first quarter. The Defenders failed on the two-point conversion attempt. At the end of the first quarter, the Roughnecks and Defenders were tied 6-6. 

JJ Molson connected on a 51-yard field goal to put the Roughnecks up 9-6 with 1:55 remaining in the second quarter. The Defenders struck quickly, as Jordan Ta’amu connected with Tight end  Briley Moore-Mckinney to put the Defenders up 12-9 with 37 seconds remaining until halftime (Two-point conversion failed). With seconds left in the second quarter, JJ Molson nailed a 43-yard field goal as the Roughnecks tied the game at 12 heading into halftime. 

In the third quarter, the Roughnecks offense went to work early. Reed Sinnett, who replaced starting quarterback Jarrett Guarantano, who left in the second quarter due to a back contusion, connected with KeKe Chism for 34 yards as the Roughnecks took the 18-12 lead (the Two-point conversion failed).  

Entering the 4th quarter, the Defenders were down by 6 points (18-12) stuck early as Matthew McCrane connected on a 43-yard field goal to cut the Roughnecks lead to 3 (18-15) with 13:00 left in the 4th quarter. The Defender's offense capitalized on a 9-play 83-yard drive capped by Jordan Ta’amu connecting with wide receiver Ty Scott to put the Defenders up 21-18. Jordan Ta’amu connected with Tight-end Alex Ellis on the Two-point conversion to put the Defenders up 23-18 with 6:04 remaining in the 4th quarter. The Defenders' defense held the Roughnecks in the final minutes to give them their 1st win of the season. 

The Defenders (1-1) will head on the road next week to face the Arlington Renegades (0-2) on Saturday, April 13th. Kickoff is scheduled for Noon EST.

At the Podium

Following the Defenders' 23-18 win, I spoke with Head Coach Reggie Barlow and Quarterback Jordan Ta'amu.

Hamlin prevails in Ovetime to win Toyota Owners 400 in Richmond

Credit: RICHMOND, VIRGINIA - MARCH 31: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Mavis Tires & Brakes Toyota, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway on March 31, 2024, in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

(RICHMOND, VA) On Sunday night, Denny Hamlin won the Toyota Owners 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway in overtime. Richmond Raceway is considered one of NASCAR's best short tracks (0.75-mile). Hamlin joins William Byron as the only two drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series to win multiple races this season. Hamlin won his fifth Race at Richmond Raceway and the 53rd race of his career. 

 Kyle Larson clinched the pole position in qualifying, while Chase Elliot and Ross Chastain secured the top three spots. Rain hit the Richmond area on Sunday afternoon, and the drivers drove in wet weather tires until lap 30 when all the drivers switched back to racing slick tires.

 In lap 64, Daniel Suarez spun, leading to a caution flag. Kyle Larson, who won last year's Toyota Owners 400, won Stage 1 of the race as he led after 70 Laps. 

Kyle Larson continued his dominance in Stage 2. At Lap 134, Martin Truex Jr passed Larson briefly. 13 laps later, Truex Jr was in 4th place and was 11.7 seconds behind race leader Kyle Larson. Kyle Larson turned into pit lane at lap 152, and Truex Jr took the lead. Kyle Busch, who was in 15th place, made contact with the wall in Turn 1 at lap 170, resulting in a yellow flag. At the green flag, Truex Jr maintained his lead, led the race after 230 laps, and won Stage 2 of the race, which was Truex Jr’s 6th stage win in Richmond & 1st of the season. 

Martin Truex Jr. continued his dominance in Stage 3. At lap 285, Christopher Bell took the lead following Truex Jr.’s stop to pit road. Bell went to pit road on lap 294 as Truex Jr. regained the lead. Denny Hamlin moved to third place at lap 372 ( Truex Jr. led, and Joey Logano was second). At Lap 398, Kyle Larson and Bubba Wallace made contact, which prompted a yellow flag, forcing Larson to pit and forcing the first overtime race of the season. 

At the green flag, Hamlin led the race, followed by Truex Jr. in second place and Joey Logano in third place. In the final lap at the Checkered flag, Hamlin won, Logano finished second, and Kyle Larson finished third. Following the race, Truex Jr. leads the NASCAR Cup Series standings with 270 Points. Kyle Larson is second with 256 points, and Denny Hamlin is third with 252 points.

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