DC Defenders Week One Recap: A
Brahma Bull Beat Down

The DC Defenders went into their first game of the year as a 4.5 point favorite against The San Antonio Brahmas. Apparently, no one told San Antonio that statistic...

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The Brahmas kicked off their 2024 campaign with a ban, as QB Chase Garbers hit Anthony McFarlad in the flat for a 28-yard touchdown to start the game. The Defenders were able to get on the board themselves with a field goal.

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San Antonio's offense was running wild like a bull in the first half. The team responded to The Defender's field goal with another touchdown, this time on a jet sweet to Jontre Kirklin!

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The Defenders defense needed a big play in a big way, after allowing two early touchdowns. They got one midway through the second quarter on a HUGE hit from Isaiah Johnson. The Defenders also scored another field goal resulting in a 14-6 score. 

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Another field goal by DC resulted in a now 14-9 score, before what would then be the biggest play of the game, right before halftime. With 14 seconds to play in the first half, The Brahmas lined up to punt after failing to convert on a huge third down opportunity. But just before the snap, they shifted into an alternate formation, one that somehow got center Alex Mollette wide open in the middle of the field. Molette hauled in a dime from punter Brad Wing and rumbled into the end zone to give San Antonio an 11 point lead. 

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The Defenders went from 4 1/2 point favorites to 11 point dogs by the time the second half began. At this point the line changed so drastically that San Antonio was a 7 to 1 favorite, essentially meaning if you bet $70, you would only win 10 bucks. 

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But DC is no stranger to overcoming lead! Could they do it in the first game of the year? This remained to be seen. The Defenders started out hot in the third quarter. Four field goals from Matthew McCrane kept The Defenders within striking distance, and the squad was finally able to cross the pylon early in the fourth quarter, courtesy of a tough grab from Keke Coutee.  

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Unfortunately, afterwhat would have been a huge Defenders touchdown, a flag got called for unsportsmanlike conduct on Jean Delance. Delance was ejected for spitting on an opposing player after the Defenders touchdown.

 

It that wasn't ugly enough, Wade Phillips, the head coach of San Antonio, threw a SUPER FLAG, which allows for a team to call for a challenge even after play is over with. After review, a false start is confirmed and the result is no touchdown for the Defenders. This was a huge moment for both teams and kept San Antonio up by eight points. 

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To make matters worse, Jordan Ta'amu, the starting quarterback for the Defenders seemed to get the air knocked out of him. He had to leave the game for three plays. He would return, but would unfortunately make the biggest mistake of the game. 

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Darius Phillips picked off a pass intended for the sideline and took it 88 yards back the other way. Brahmas QB Chase Garbers finished off the turnover with a QB sneak for six, ultimately sealing the win for his team. 

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DC would lose the first game of the season 27-12. The Defenders will be back next week to take on the Houston Roughnecks on April 7th in DC.  

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