UFL Expansion Seemingly Not On The Table For 2025

With the inaugural season of the UFL now complete, many are shifting their focus to what lies ahead for the league. Aside from the pipeline of players heading from the UFL to the NFL, there have been rumors circulating for months now regarding potential expansion in 2025.

Originally, when the USFL and XFL merged, they cut eight franchises. This left us with only eight teams, after having 16 spring football franchises in the United States in 2023.

UFL Expansion: Not Happening?

While the early word in 2024 pointed towards the direction of UFL expansion and/or relocation in 2025, it appears like that window has closed; at least for now. According to FOX Sports writer Eric Williams, things will move forward next year with a similar format:

“While there was talk of expansion, Year 2 will feature all eight teams returning to their home markets as the league works to refine things during the offseason and build a better product in 2025.”

For the sake of sustainability, this move makes the most sense. UFL VP of Football Operations, Daryl Johnston, told Eric Williams “We are going to be able to dial into the details…We’re going to have a traditional offseason calendar where we can be ahead of the curve instead of being in a position where we have to chase it a little bit.”

The good news is that it appears the UFL was able to sort things out with the requirements from the government. Multiple sources indicated to Pro Football Newsroom that the league was granted the ability to move forward with only eight teams in 2024, under the notion that 2025 would feature at least a couple of teams coming back. Assumably, this eight team “grace period” has been extended for another season.

While we all want to see some of our favorite teams return, it is best for the league to stick with eight for now. Spring football desperately needs an offseason where things remain the same, without any major changes.

Moving Towards 2025

The UFL simply needs to focus on engaging all eight of their markets the right way, now that the merger is behind them. Certain cities underperformed from an attendance standpoint, partially due to the chaos that went on behind the scenes as the USFL and XFL came together. For Daryl Johnston, the keys this offseason will be to establishing trust in those markets:

“With our home markets, we’ve got to build that trust there — that we’re not going to leave or [that] the league isn’t going to fold…We’ve got a couple cities that historically have been a part of spring football, they’ve committed to a team and that team has left. We’ve still got some trust to build in our home markets.”

Even though some might recommend relocating a couple of teams to stronger potential markets, it makes more sense to give every city a chance to truly establish themselves this offseason. It’s a necessary step in order for spring football to survive long-term.

In addition, the league can continue to build upon their strong TV Ratings from 2024. The UFL averaged 832,000 viewers per broadcast this year, up from the 619,000 that the USFL and XFL respectively averaged while separate in 2023.

The UFL has a ton of positives to look back on from the 2024 season. At the same time, there is always room for improvement, and the executives are well aware of those areas.

As the journey begins towards what should be an even more successful 2025 campaign, the UFL is making the right decision early, by not jumping the gun with expansion. We all want spring football to last, and it starts with staying consistent from year to year.

Stallions shut out Brahmas to win inaugural UFL championship

The Birmingham Stallions routed the San Antonio Brahmas 25-0 to win the UFL championship Sunday, capping the United Football League’s first season.

After a scoreless first quarter, Gary Jennings reeled in an 8-yard touchdown pass from Adrian Martinez 40 seconds before halftime.

Martinez was responsible for Birmingham’s next two scores, both of which came on the ground. He notched his first rushing touchdown on an 11-yard run before sneaking it in from the 1-yard line for his second score of the third quarter. His efforts opened up a 22-0 lead for the Stallions.

Martinez was named UFL Championship Game MVP. He finished with 98 passing yards, 52 rushing yards, three total touchdowns, and no interceptions.

Ricky Person Jr. was the Stallions’ leading rusher, compiling 102 yards on 13 attempts.

Birmingham’s defense suffocated San Antonio’s offense, limiting the Brahmas to 156 passing yards and 52 rushing yards. Kyahva Tezino led the Stallions’ defense with nine total tackles and two forced fumbles.

NFL legends Tom Brady and Kurt Warner were on hand for the UFL’s inaugural championship game. Brady appeared in the broadcast booth during the game and also presented the MVP trophy to Martinez.

The 🐐 @TomBrady presents Adrian Martinez the UFL Championship MVP Trophy 🏆 pic.twitter.com/fU4g7MLhIu

— United Football League (@TheUFL) June 17, 2024

The UFL began play in 2024 following the merger of the USFL and XFL. The Stallions were back-to-back USFL champions and have now won three titles in a row.

The Stallions went 9-1 in the 2024 regular season for the league’s best record while the Brahmas went 7-3.

BRAHMAS TOP BATTLEHAWKS 25-15, PUNCH TICKET TO UFL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

San Antonio rushed for a season-best 213 yards and racked up nine tackles for-loss and four sacks Sunday night at The Dome at America’s Center, as the Brahmas defeated the St. Louis Battlehawks 25-15 in the XFL Conference Championship Game. The victory advances San Antonio (8-3) to the United Football League Championship Game.

Anthony McFarland Jr. rushed for 115 yards for the Brahmas and his running mate John Lovett added another 83. McFarland’s 69-yard touchdown run early in the second half put San Antonio on top 19-3.

St. Louis (7-4) scored 12 points in 13 seconds later in the third quarter to get back into the contest. Battlehawks tight end Jake Sutherland pulled in a 1-yard scoring pass from quarterback A.J. McCarron with 5:54 left in the third quarter to make it 19-9. The first play of San Antonio’s ensuing possession resulted in a fumble, which was returned by St. Louis’ Pita Taumoepenu for a touchdown, pulling St. Louis within four, 19-15.

But San Antonio responded. The Brahmas drove 62 yards on eight plays for a 31-yard Ryan Santoso field goal to push their edge to seven, 22-15. The Battlehawks had an opportunity to trim the lead with six minutes remaining, but Andre Szmyt missed a 50-yard field goal.

San Antonio took a 10-point lead with 1:56 remaining in the contest on Santoso’s second field goal of the game, this one from 45 yards. St. Louis drove to the San Antonio 12-yard line but ran out of time, sending the Brahmas to the UFL Championship Game.

San Antonio took advantage of a St. Louis fumble to score the first points of the game. A Darrius Shepherd fumble was recovered by Tavante Beckett for the Brahmas. Three plays later, San Antonio quarterback Chase Garbers found Marquez Stevenson for a 15-yard touchdown. The 1-point conversion put the Brahmas up 7-0.

Garbers, who passed for 197 yards and two touchdowns, hooked up with Justin Smith for a 63-yard scoring strike on the first play of the second quarter to put San Antonio on top 13-0. Szmyt finally put the Battlehawks on the scoreboard with a 46-yard field goal three minutes later, setting up McFarland’s long TD run that put San Antonio in control early.

The San Antonio defense was dominant for much of the night. Prince Emili tallied two sacks of McCarron, while Wyatt Ray notched a pair of tackles for-loss. Seven different Brahma defenders made stops in the St. Louis backfield. San Antonio’s defensive unit held St. Louis to 2-of-11 on third-down conversions.

McCarron was 19-of-29 for 179 yards and a touchdown for St. Louis. Jacob Saylors led the Battlehawks’ ground game with 79 yards on 14 carries. Elijah Lee racked up 12 total tackles, including 8 solo stops, for St. Louis.

The United Football League Championship Game is slated for Sunday, June 16 at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis. The Birmingham Stallions (10-1) will face off with San Antonio. The Brahmas are the only team to defeat the Stallions in the regular season, taking an 18-9 win in San Antonio just three weeks ago in Week 9 of the UFL season.

XFL CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME NOTES

The inaugural XFL Conference Championship Game between the Battlehawks and Brahmas took place at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The last time a professional football playoff game took place in “The Lou” was 2004, when the St. Louis Rams hosted the Carolina Panthers in the NFL’s divisional round.

The San Antonio Brahmas picked up their first postseason win in franchise history and are now 8-3 (.727) under head coach Wade Phillips. The Super Bowl Champion coach (Denver, defensive coordinator, Super Bowl 50) turned the team around after taking over this year, as the team went 3-7 in the 2023 XFL season and missed the playoffs.

The game featured a combined three turnovers (two fumbles and one interception) between the teams, including on back-to-back occasions in the first quarter.

Quarterback Chase Garbers’ 63-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Justin Smith (first quarter) was good for the Brahmas’ longest pass play of the season, while running back Anthony McFarland Jr.’s 69-yard rushing touchdown (third quarter) was the Brahmas longest run play of the season.

St. Louis scored two touchdowns (one on offense, one on defense) in a span of 13 seconds in the third quarter, after being held to just three points in the entire first half.

San Antonio quarterback Chase Garbers threw his first touchdown pass since Week 3 in tonight’s game. His last touchdown pass came on April 16 in a 31-24 loss at home to the Battlehawks.

San Antonio’s offense posted 213 rushing yards, which is tied for the most rushing yards across the UFL in a game this season. Birmingham posted the same number in Week Five at Houston.

San Antonio and St. Louis faced off twice during the 2024 UFL regular season, with the Battlehawks winning both of those matchups. In Week 3 at San Antonio, the Battlehawks won 31-24. In Week 10 at St. Louis, the Battlehawks won 13-10.

STALLIONS RALLY BACK, BEAT PANTHERS 31-18 IN USFL CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

The Birmingham Stallions (10-1) defeated the Michigan Panthers (7-4), 31-18, in the USFL Conference Championship Game on Saturday at Protective Stadium. The game had an attendance of 10,287.

The Stallions advance to the UFL Championship Game on Sunday, June 16 at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis (4 p.m. CT on FOX / FOX Sports on SiriusXM). The team will play the winner of tomorrow’s XFL Conference Championship Game featuring the St. Louis Battlehawks and the San Antonio Brahmas (6 p.m. CT on FOX / FOX Sports on SiriusXM).

The back-to-back USFL champions began the game on defense and saw the Panthers march down the field with a five-play scoring drive that took less than three minutes. QB Danny Etling would find WR Siaosi Mariner for a 35-yard touchdown, putting the visitors up 6-0 early. The Stallions stalled on their first possession of the game, turning the ball over on downs. Michigan PK Jake Bates converted field goals from 53 and 42 yards out, leaving Birmingham in a 12-0 hole after a forgettable opening quarter.

Playing motivated to start the second quarter, the Stallions offense went on an eight-play, 65-yard drive that got Birmingham on the board. PK Chris Blewitt knocked through a 23-yard field goal to make it 12-3, which was quickly matched by a 39-yarder from Bates. On the ensuing Stallions’ possession, a costly fumble by QB Adrian Martinez (forced by LB Noah Dawkins) turned into yet another Michigan field goal, this one coming from 25 yards out. Birmingham would only need one play on their succeeding drive, as Martinez connected with TE Jordan Thomas for a 50-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to nine points. Another field goal by Blewitt from 43 yards away made it a 18-12 game at halftime.

The second half got off to a wild start, as there were a combined six turnovers between the two teams in the third quarter. Michigan had interceptions by CB Adonis Alexander and LB Javin White and a forced fumble by DT Walter Palmore. Birmingham had a forced fumble by DE Dondrea Tillman and interceptions by CBs Ike Brown and Daniel Isom. Isom’s interception was a 48-yard pick six, which knotted the game up at 18 a piece heading into the final quarter.

Stallions backup QB Matt Corral would be responsible for the go-ahead score in the fourth, as he found WR Amari Rodgers for a seven-yard touchdown, giving them their first lead of the game at 24-18. Following a blocked field goal by Birmingham on the next drive, RB Ricky Person Jr. found paydirt on a 15-yard pass from Corral. A successful one-point conversion reception by Thomas gave the Stallions a 31-18 advantage. Brown’s second interception of the day would ice things away for Birmingham, with their eyes set on a three-peat.

GAME NOTES

• The Birmingham Stallions and head coach Skip Holtz have now won their respective division/conference championship game for three straight seasons (USFL South Division Champions in 2022-23; USFL Conference Champions in 2024). They will make their third straight league championship game appearance, coming off back-to-back USFL Championships in 2022-23. Holtz and Birmingham are undefeated (5-0) in the postseason all-time.
• The Stallions outgained the Panthers in total yards (365-253), including both passing yards (269-173) and rushing yards (96-80). They picked up 18 first downs and came up with four takeaways on the day.
• Birmingham scored 28 unanswered points over the final 30 minutes and 53 seconds of the game. The Stallions won their 10th game of the season, marking three straight seasons that they have reached double-digit victories.
• Cornerback Ike Brown became the first player in the UFL to have multiple interceptions in a game this season, as he picked off quarterback Danny Etling in the third and fourth quarter.

UFL averages 816,000 viewers in the 2024 regular season9

The UFL’s first season went well. Better than the 2023 seasons of the two leagues that came together to create the UFL.

Via Sports Business Journal, the UFL’s 40 regular-season games on ABC, Fox, ESPN, ESPN2, and FS1 averaged 816,000 viewers. Last year, the USFL averaged 601,000 viewers, and the XFL averaged 622,000.

The key is that the UFL had a larger presence on broadcast TV. Six games (all on broadcast TV) had audiences in excess of a million.

That’s a great start, and it suggests that maybe this spring league will do better than those that came before it, all of which failed. While there were various reasons for it (including COVID), they failed. The UFL seems to be doing well.

The postseason starts this weekend, with San Antonio at St. Louis and Michigan at Birmingham. The winners meet on June 16 in St. Louis.

There’s still room for growth. Certain business decisions (like not keeping the XFL kickoff and not having St. Louis host a game in Week 1) held the league back. Good business decisions will better position the league for success.

The best thing the league does is officiating. There’s transparency and a full commitment to technology. The sooner the NFL borrows that approach, the better off the NFL will be.

Memphis Showboats down Houston Roughnecks 19-12 in the ‘Toilet Bowl’

The Memphis Showboats entered the final game of the season against the Houston Roughnecks with no hopes of making the playoffs or lifting any kind of trophy, but there was still something to play for — the first overall pick in the 2025 UFL Draft and the first pick in each round after that. 

Memphis (2-8) leaned on their defense to beat the Roughnecks (1-9), 19-12 for their second win of the season and ensure they float into next year knowing they’ve secured the picks. 

The game was the definition of a defensive slog in the early goings with neither team able to find the end zone in the first half. Memphis off the back of two field goals from Matt Coghlin took a 6-3 lead into the sheds. 

Darius Victor, one of the bright spots of the Showboats all season, extended the lead to 12-3 in the third quarter with a two-yard rush up the gut. 

Houston would grab a touchdown of their own in the third and tie it up at 12 to start the fourth quarter with a field goal. 

However, Victor got the Showboats back in front with another two-yard touchdown with 6:10 left to go in the game. From there, Memphis’ defense stood tall to secure the win between the two worst teams in the league. 

The Roughnecks outgained the Showboats 323-203 yards and completed more first downs (20-14) but Memphis dominated on the defensive side of the ball, producing six tackles for loss, one interception, two sacks and one fumble. They also didn’t let Houston convert on any fourth downs off two attempts. 

Victor rushed for a game-high 54 yards along with his two touchdowns. Meanwhile, third string quarterback Josh Love went 20-29 for 152 yards and the one interception. 

Memphis’ only two wins this season came against the Roughnecks who finish 1-9 on the season.

Head coach John DeFilippo finishes his first season at the helm of the Showboats with a disappointing 2-8 record. 

RENEGADES CAP OFF SEASON WITH 32-31 WIN OVER DEFENDERS

The Arlington Renegades (3-7, 2-4 XFL) took down the D.C. Defenders (4-6, 2-4 XFL) on Sunday afternoon at Audi Field, 32-31. Arlington closes out the season winning three of their last four games, after starting out the year with six consecutive losses.

The Renegades jump started the game with an impressive 10-play, 63-yard drive that concluded with a 27-yard field goal knocked in by PK Jonathan Garibay. On the ensuing kickoff, Defenders’ WR Chris Rowland ripped off a 55-yard return, setting D.C. up in Arlington territory for their first drive of the afternoon. PK Matt McCrane would convert on a field goal from 44 yards out, knotting things up at 3-3. Following back-to-back punts by both teams, QB Luis Perez would be picked off for just the third time this season, with D.C. CB Gareon Conley coming up with the interception.

Arlington’s defense came up with a big fourth down stop to begin the second quarter, with ILB Donald Payne picking up the crucial tackle for loss. The Renegades capitalized on the stop with a 40-yard field goal by Garibay just eight plays later, giving them a 6-3 lead. On the stemming kickoff, Rowland returned it 84 yards to the house for D.C., giving Arlington their first deficit of the game at 9-6. After another punt by the Renegades, the Defenders would score yet again, as QB Jordan Ta’amu connected with WR Vyncint Smith for a 43-yard touchdown. Trailing 15-6, the Renegades would find paydirt just before halftime, as Perez hit WR Tyler Vaughns in the back of the end zone for a five-yard touchdown. A successful two-point conversion reception by RB Devin Darrington from Perez made it 15-14 going into the half.

Starting on defense in the third quarter, the Renegades were hit with two big pass interference penalties (15 yards each). The Defenders would score once again, as RB Cam’Ron Harris punched it in from a yard out, putting Arlington down 21-14. The Renegades would settle for another field goal on their first drive of the second half, as Garibay converted from 36 yards out. Arlington forced a D.C. three-and-out and were driving as the third quarter came to a close.

The Renegades re-captured the lead early in the fourth quarter, as Perez found Vaughns in stride for a 34-yard touchdown, his second of the afternoon. Vaughns would make good on the two-point conversion rush, putting Arlington up 25-21. The Defenders responded with a 5-play, 69-yard scoring drive of their own, finished off with a 40-yard touchdown pass from Ta’amu to WR Brandon Smith. A successful two-point conversion from Ta’amu to TE Alex Ellis put D.C. back in front, 29-25. On the ensuing kickoff, Arlington WR Juwan Manigo gave himself up in his end zone, resulting in a wild safety for the Renegades.

A second interception thrown by Perez gave the Defenders the ball back. Arlington’s defense would come up huge with back-to-back sacks on Ta’amu, thanks to Payne and DT DaVonte Lambert, pushing McCrane to miss a 54-yard field goal. The Renegades marched down the field to regain the lead late, as Perez linked up with WR Deontay Burnett for a 7-yard touchdown. A one-point conversion rush by RB De’Veon Smith put Arlington up, 32-31, with 2:28 remaining. A fourth down stop on the last drive of the game gave the Renegades the win in their season finale.

POSTGAME NOTES

• Arlington’s offense posted 335 total yards and picked up 24 first downs. They won the third down conversion battle, going 5-for-12 (42%), while D.C. went 4-for-11 (36%).
• QB Luis Perez, who leads the UFL in both passing yards and touchdowns, went 23-of-37 (62%) for 215 yards, 3 TD, and 2 INT. He finished with a passer rating of 126.9.
• RB De’Veon finished with 20 carries for 94 yards, both of which were game highs. He added three receptions for 17 yards.
• WR Tyler Vaughns tallied five receptions for 84 yards and two scores. He finishes the season with three touchdowns.
• WR Deontay Burnett scored the game-tying touchdown late in the fourth, to go along with four receptions for 29 yards. He finishes the season with two touchdowns.
• Arlington’s defense posted three sacks, four tackles for loss, four pass breakups, and one forced fumble.
• CB Ajene Harris led the team on defense, finishing with 7 total tackles (4 solo, 3 assist), 2 pass breakups, and 0.5 sacks.
• PK Jonathan Garibay went 3-for-3 (100%) on the day, converting from 27, 40, and 36 yards out. He finishes 13-of-14 (92.9%) this season.
• P Marquette King booted two punts for an average of 52.5 yards per punt. King leads all UFL punters in average yards per punt this season.

BATTLEHAWKS CLINCH HOME FIELD WITH 13-12 WIN OVER BRAHMAS

The St. Louis Battlehawks secured home-field advantage for the XFL Conference Championship with a 13-12 victory Saturday over the San Antonio Brahmas in front of 34,379 fans at The Dome at America’s Center.

The Battlehawks (7-3) and Brahmas (7-3) will meet again in the conference championship contest at 6 p.m. CT on Sunday, June 9 at The Dome at America’s Center. The game will be televised on FOX and simulcast on FOX Sports on Sirius XM Radio.

St. Louis held a 13-6 lead at the 2-minute warning, but the Brahmas scored on a 37-yard touchdown pass from QB Quinten Dormady to WR Jontre Kirklin with 1:56 remaining to shave the Battlehawks’ lead to one point. Dormady completed a pass to Kirklin from the 2.5 yard line after a St. Louis penalty for a 2-point conversion, which the referees initially ruled short of the goal line. Officials overturned the spot of the ball on review, which gave San Antonio a 14-13 lead, but St. Louis challenged an ineligible man downfield penalty that negated the conversion. Dormady then threw an incomplete pass on the following attempt from the 7 yard line, and St. Louis maintained the lead.

St. Louis punted on its next drive. With 50 seconds left to make a comeback, the Brahmas reached the St. Louis 33 yard line with 12 seconds to play. K Ryan Santoso attempted an unsuccessful 51-yard field goal that WR Hakeem Butler tipped to seal the Battlehawks’ one-point triumph to end the regular season.

The Battlehawks initially built a 10-point lead in the first half. The teams committed a combined three turnovers in the first 16 minutes of play, but St. Louis broke through on a 22-yard touchdown pass from QB A.J. McCarron to WR Steven Mitchell Jr. with 11:54 to play in the second quarter. McCarron also found TE Jake Sutherland for a 1-point conversion to complete the drive and put St. Louis ahead, 7-0.

K Andre Szmyt increased the Battlehawks’ lead to 10-0 with 2:03 remaining before halftime on a 32-yard field goal, which completed a 13-play, 82-yard drive that covered 7:16 of game time. Santoso attempted a 59-yard field goal for San Antonio with 16 seconds left in the half, but TE Kemari Averett blocked the attempt to preserve the first-half shutout. San Antonio scored its first points on the first drive after halftime when RB Morgan Ellison rushed 6 yards for a touchdown to cap an 8-play, 75 yard march.

The winner of the XFL Conference Championship matchup between the Battlehawks and Brahmas will advance to face the USFL Conference Championship winner in the UFL Championship, which will be played at 4 p.m. CT on Sunday, June 16 at The Dome at America’s Center. It will be broadcast on FOX and FOX Sports on Sirius XM Radio.

• RB Jacob Saylors rushed for a game-high 50 yards on 12 attempts to set the Battlehawks single-season rushing record at 461 yards, surpassing Brian Hill’s 416 yards during the 2023 XFL season. Saylors also leads all UFL running backs in rushing yards this season.
• QB A.J. McCarron threw his 15th touchdown pass of the season on a 22-yard strike to WR Steven Mitchell Jr. with 11:54 to play in the second quarter. McCarron was 10-for-24 with 115 passing yards, a touchdown and an interception for the game. He finished the season with 1,582 passing yards and 15 touchdown passes against four interceptions.
• LB Willie Harvey led the team with a game-high 10 tackles (6 solo), including his fourth sack of the season. He finished the regular season with a team single-season-record 78 tackles and 43 solo tackles.
• WR Steven Mitchell Jr. caught his second touchdown pass of the season on a 22-yard reception with 11:54 to play in the second quarter.
• TE Jake Sutherland scored his team-high second 1-point conversion after St. Louis’ first touchdown. He also leads the team with four extra-point conversions on the season.
• TE Kemari Averett blocked a field goal attempt with 16 seconds left in the second quarter, his first blocked kick of the season.
• WR Darrius Shepherd set a franchise single-game record with 72 punt return yards, including a 41-yard punt return that was the longest punt return in franchise history.
• LB Travis Feeney registered his fifth sack of the season to tie LB Pita Taumoepenu for the most on the team this season and match Feeney’s franchise single-season record from the 2023 XFL season.
• FS Kameron Kelly intercepted his team-high third pass of the season to end San Antonio’s second drive of the game with 3:30 left in the first quarter. He also tied the franchise single-season interception record CB Brandon Sebastian set in 2023.
• DE Austin Faoliu forced his first fumble of the season with 51 seconds left in the first quarter, and SS Dravon Askew-Henry made his first fumble recovery of the year on the play.
• K Andre Szmyt made two field goals, marking his seventh game this season with multiple field goals. He has a UFL-leading 19 field goals on the season (19-for-21) and ended the regular season with 12 consecutive successful kicks.

STALLIONS TALLY NINTH WIN IN REGULAR SEASON FINALE THRILLER

The Birmingham Stallions secured a dramatic victory over the Michigan Panthers in the final game of the regular season. With just three seconds left on the clock, the Panthers missed a crucial field goal that would have clinched the win, ensuring the Stallions’ triumph.

In a thrilling finish, the Stallions scored a touchdown with under a minute remaining to take a 20-19 lead after trailing the entire second half. 

Adrian Martinez led the Stallions’ offense, completing 14 of 28 passes for 163 yards.

In the rushing game, C.J. Marable took the lead with 56 yards and two touchdowns, while Martinez contributed 41 yards.

The Stallions’ receivers had an impressive performance, collectively averaging 11.6 yards per reception. Jace Sternberger topped the list with 53 receiving yards on three targets, including one touchdown. C.J. Marable followed with 29 yards on five targets, and Kevin Austin Jr. rounded out the top three with 27 yards on four targets.

The Stallions’ defense made a significant impact by limiting the Panthers to just three second-half points after giving up 16 points in the first half, showcasing a strong second-half performance.

Collectively the Stallions defense made a strong showing with 52 total tackles. Damon Lloyd led the defense with eight tackles, six of them solo. Kyahva Tezino added five tackles, one solo, while Ike Brown recorded four tackles, three solo.

With this victory, the Stallions advance to the Conference Championship with a 9-1 record. They are set to face the Michigan Panthers again at home on June 8, with a 2 p.m. kickoff.

Here’s how it happened:

1st Quarter

Stallions’ 1st Possession: CJ Marable rushed for one yard touchdown. Stallions lead 6-0. Drive: 5 plays, 62 yards, 2:27. 2-point attempt fails. 

2nd Quarter

Panthers’ 2nd Possession: Jake Bates 39 yard field goal attempt is good. Stallions lead 6-3. Drive: 7 plays, 38 yards, 3:43. 

Panthers’ 3rd Possession: Danny Etling rushes for a 23 yard touchdown. Panthers lead 10-6. Drive: 8 plays, 86 yards, 5:00. 1-point attempt successful.

Panthers’ 4th Possession: Siaosi Mariner makes a 46 yard touchdown catch. Panthers lead 16-6. 5 plays, 76 yards, 3:02. 1 point attempt fails.

3rd Quarter

Stallions’ 6th Possession: CJ Marable rushes for a 20 yard touchdown. Panthers lead 16-13. Drive: 5 plays, 50 yards, 3:04. 1-point attempt successful.

4th Quarter

Panthers’ 8th Possession: Jake Bates 44 yard field goal is good. Panthers lead 19-13. Drive: 13 plays, 20 yards, 8:08.

Stallions’ 10th Possession: Jace Sternberger makes a 5 yard touchdown catch. Stallions lead 20-19. Drive: 12 plays, 56 yards, 2:19. 1-Point Attempt Successful

DEFENDERS CRUISE PAST SHOWBOATS IN ROAD FINALE, 36-21

The D.C. Defenders (4-5, 2-3 XFL) defeated the Memphis Showboats (1-8, 1-4 USFL) handedly on Sunday afternoon, 36-21.

Following a Memphis punt on the opening possession of the game, QB Jordan Ta’amu would lead the D.C. offense on a seven-play, 77-yard scoring drive in just three minutes. On fourth down, Ta’amu connected with WR Chris Rowland for a score from 35 yards out, giving the Defenders an early 6-0 lead. A quick three-and-out by the Showboats gave D.C. the ball back, with them driving as the first quarter came to an end.

WR Keke Coutee found the end zone on a 6-yard rush to start the second quarter, capping off the Defenders’ 14-play, 89-yard scoring drive. Ta’amu hit TE Kaden Smith on the ensuing two-point conversion, extending the D.C. lead to 14-0. After another Memphis punt, Ta’amu would give the Showboats the ball right back with an interception thrown in the back of the end zone, picked off by CB D.J. Daniel. Back-to-back punts by the two teams led to Memphis’ first points of the game, as RB Darius Victor pounded in a 6-yard touchdown. A successful one-point conversion pass from QB Josh Love to WR Jonathan Adams made it 14-7. 

D.C. responded accordingly with a two-minute drill executed to perfection, as the Defenders marched down the field, eventually finding TE Alex Ellis for a 15-yard score. Ta’amu ran it in for the two-point conversion, giving them a 22-7 lead heading into the break.

The Defenders stayed hot in the second half, as their offense went on a nine-play, 62-yard scoring drive to start the third quarter. Ta’amu ran in a QB keeper for a one-yard touchdown, followed by a two-point conversion pass to K. Smith, pushing the D.C. advantage to 30-7. After yet another Memphis punt, Ta’amu would throw his second interception of the day, as CB Delrick Abrams picked it off in his own end zone. 

The Showboats would make good on the turnover at the start of the fourth quarter, as Love linked up with WR Vinny Papale for a 14-yard touchdown, shortening the gap to 30-13. D.C. countered once again, as QB Jalan McClendon ran in a four-yard touchdown, increasing the lead to 36-13. The Defenders came up with their first takeaway of the game on the next drive, as CB Dareon Conley picked off Love. D.C. couldn’t capitalize on the interception, going three-and-out before Memphis would score on a 1-yard QB sneak by Love. A successful two-point conversion pass from Love to Adams made things interesting at 36-21.

On the ensuing alternate kickoff attempt by the Showboats, D.C. secured their second interception of the day on Love, this time thanks to FS Montae Nicholson, icing the game.

Up next, the Defenders return home to play their final game of the 2024 UFL season in week ten. They face off against the Arlington Renegades (2-7 overall, 1-4 XFL) on Sunday, June 2 at 12:00 p.m. ET on FOX at Audi Field.

POSTGAME NOTES 

• D.C. outgained Memphis in total yards (431-231), passing yards (263-105), and rushing yards (168-126). They had more first downs (27-13) and won the time of possession battle (34:29-25:31).
• QB Jordan Ta’amu went 20-for-24 (83%) with 237 yards, 2 TD, and 2 INT, for a passer rating of 177.1. He added four carries for 38 yards on another TD on the ground.
• Backup QB Jalan McClendon had five carries for 14 yards and a TD, and went 3-for-6 (50%) for 40 yards. The touchdown was McClendon’s first of the season.
• WR Chris Rowland caught three passes for 49 yards and a TD. The touchdown was Rowland’s third of the season.
• WR Keke Coutee had a team-high 69 receiving yards on five receptions, in addition to three carries for 17 yards and a TD. The touchdown was Coutee’s first of the season.
• TE Alex Ellis finished with three receptions for 28 yards and a TD. The touchdown was Ellis’ second of the season.
• D.C. had two sacks and five tackles for loss on the day.
• FS Montae Nicholson had a team-high 7 tackles (4 solo, 3 assist), one pass breakup, and an INT. The interception was Nicholson’s of the season.
• CB Dareon Conley tallied 4 tackles (3 solo, 1 assist), along with one pass breakup and an INT. The interception was Conley’s first of the season.