The Arlington Renegades and the DC Defenders missed the United Football League playoffs in 2024. But during Week 1 of the UFL’s second season, they defeated the teams that played in the league’s inaugural championship game._(1).jpg)
In the Week 1 games:
- The St. Louis Battlehawks ran for a league-record 273 yards in a 31-6 victory over the Houston Roughnecks on Friday night. Battlehawks running back Jarveon Howard’s 115 yards on 13 carries included a 74-yard touchdown run that was the longest in league history (until being broken the next day).
- Arlington running back DeVeon Smith scored a 1-yard touchdown on all three of his rushing attempts and Kalen Ballage’s 110 rushing yards included a 77-yard touchdown in the Renegades’ 33-9 victory over the San Antonio Brahmas on Saturday.
- With Memphis at the Michigan 22-yard line, Panthers safety Kai Nacua returned an interception 80 yards for a touchdown with 23 seconds to play to seal a 26-12 victory over the Showboats on Sunday. Nacua’s brother, wide receiver Samson Nacua, caught a 25-yard touchdown pass.
- DC sacked Birmingham quarterback Alex McGough eight times in the Defenders’ 18-11 victory over the Stallions on Sunday. Defensive end Derick Roberson and inside linebacker Anthony Hines III registered two sacks apiece for DC.
Last season, the Stallions defeated the Brahmas 25-0 in the UFL Championship Game on June 16. The Defenders posted a 4-6 record and the Renegades went 3-7 in 2024.
In the UFL’s Week 1 games, 19 players from Alabama high schools and colleges got on the field:
St. Louis Battlehawks 31, Houston Roughnecks 6
- Christopher Allen (Alabama) started at middle linebacker for the Roughnecks. Allen did not record any stats.
- Roughnecks defensive tackle Shakel Brown (Troy) was designated as a game-day inactive.
- Cam Carter (Minor) started at right offensive tackle for the Roughnecks.
- Keenan Isaac (Midfield, Alabama State) started at cornerback for the Roughnecks. Isaac made three tackles.
- Roughnecks center Avery Jones (Auburn) did not record any stats.
- Mike Rivers (Troy) averaged 48.5 yards on four punts for the Roughnecks. Rivers had a 51-yard punt returned 11 yards to the St. Louis 16-yard line, a 49-yarder returned 26 yards to the St. Louis 48, a 45-yarder returned 10 yards to the St. Louis 32 and a 49-yarder returned 14 yards to the St. Louis 28.
Arlington Renegades 33, San Antonio Brahmas 9
- Brahmas wide receiver Kawaan Baker (South Alabama) was designated as a game-day inactive.
- Sal Cannella (Auburn) started at tight end for the Renegades. Cannella led Arlington with five receptions for 45 yards. He also caught a 2-point conversion pass after the Renegades’ first touchdown as Arlington took an 8-0 lead with 4:45 left in the first quarter.
- Renegades defensive lineman DaVonte Lambert (Auburn) was designated as a game-time inactive.
Michigan Panthers 26, Memphis Showboats 12
- Showboats wide receiver Dee Anderson (Alabama A&M) had an 8-yard reception.
- Panthers outside linebacker De’Gabriel Floyd (Alabama A&M) is on the injured list and not eligible to play.
- Showboats cornerback Eric Garror (McGill-Toolen) made six tackles.
- Garrett Marino (UAB) started at defensive tackle for the Panthers. Marino made six tackles and shared one sack.
- Eli Stove (Auburn) started at wide receiver for the Showboats. Stove had a 9-yard reception.
- Jay Jay Wilson (Auburn) started at tight end for the Showboats. Wilson had an 8-yard reception.
DC Defenders 18, Birmingham Stallions 11
- Defenders long snapper/tight end Trae Barry (Spanish Fort, Jacksonville State) handled the snaps for four field goals and three punts.
- Gunner Britton (Auburn) started at right offensive tackle for the Defenders.
- Deonte Brown (Austin, Alabama) started at left guard for the Stallions.
- Stallions cornerback Shyheim Carter (Alabama) was designated as a game-day inactive.
- Stallions defensive end D.J. Coleman (Jacksonville State) made four tackles.
- Tykeem Doss (Aliceville) started at left guard for the Defenders.
- Stallions guard Lachavious Simmons (Selma) did not record any stats.
- Austin Watkins (UAB) started at wide receiver for the Stallions. Watkins was targeted twice but did not have a reception.
- Stallions wide receiver Marlon Williams (McGill-Toolen) caught a 2-point conversion pass.
The Week 2 schedule for the UFL season includes (all times Central):
- Birmingham Stallions vs. Michigan Panthers at 7 p.m. Friday, April 4 at Ford Field in Detroit (FOX)
- Memphis Showboats vs. DC Defenders at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 5 at Audi Field in Washington (ABC)
- Houston Roughnecks vs. Arlington Renegades at 11 a.m. Sunday, April 6 at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington, Texas (ESPN)
- San Antonio Brahmas vs. St. Louis Battlehawks at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, April 6 at the Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis (FS1)
