DEFENDERS WEEK 8: PLAYOFFS CLINCHED

This week was an important game for the DC defenders. Sure, the playoffs were pretty much guaranteed, but now we control our own destiny. 

 

Unfortunately DC can’t host a playoff home game at Audi Field due to scheduling conflicts. 

This means that the game will be played in St. Louis, regardless of who is the one seed for the XFL conference. 

 

The Renegades went three-and-out on the game's opening possession, but found themselves with the ball again not long after. Defenders returner Chris Rowland muffed the punt return, which gave the Renegades the ball at their opponent's 28-yard line. The Renegades got to the Defenders 12-yard line before having to settle for a field goal to take a 3-0 lead. 

 

It didn't take long for the Defenders to find the scoreboard after the Renegades took an early lead. On just their second play from scrimmage, Defenders running back Deon Jackson rushed for a 57-yard touchdown.

 

Thanks to a penalty by the Renegades, the Defenders were able to go for a three-point conversion on short distance. They converted to take a 9-3 lead. 

 

9-3 DC 

 

The Defenders’ defense got out to a good start in Sunday's game. After taking a 9-3 lead, DC ended the Renegades' scoring threat when defensive end Malik Fisher forced Renegades quarterback Luis Perez to lose the ball on a strip-sack. 

 

The Defenders recovered the loose ball and took over at their 40-yard line. After each team traded three-and-outs late in the first quarter, the Defenders added to their lead early in the second quarter. Abram Smithran right up the middle for a 6-yard touchdown to extend the Defenders' lead to 15-3

 

It appeared that the Defenders were about to add to their lead early in the second quarter when their defense forced a strip sack. Defenders defensive tackle Devonnsha Maxwells scooped up the ball and returned it down to the Renegades 1-yard line before he had the ball knocked loose. However, the Renegades weren't able to get a clean recovery.

 

Renegades head coach Bob Stoops successfully challenged that a defensive holding penalty should've been called on the Defenders, allowing Arlington to keep the ball. 

 

Arlington took advantage of winning the challenge that allowed it to keep the ball earlier in the second quarter, moving downfield before Luis Perez threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Vaughns. The two connected on the ensuing two-point conversion, cutting DC's lead to 15-11.

 

15-11 DC 

 

Up next was a thing of beauty!! 

 

ROWLAND TO TA'AMU FOR THE TD!!!!!

 

Jordan Ta'amu entered Week 8 as the leading passer in the UFL, but the Defenders called on their running back to help them get them into the end zone for the third time in Sunday's game. 

 

Chris Rowland took a handoff and ran to one side of the field before tossing the ball back to Ta'amu in the other direction. Ta'amu then took the reception and ran into the end zone to extend the Defenders' lead to 21-11 with just over five minutes remaining in the first half.

 

21-11 DC 

 

The Renegades found the end zone again right before halftime to cut into their deficit. It also marked the second time that Luis Perez and Tyler Vaughns connected for a touchdown on the afternoon, with the receiver making an impressive one-handed snag for a 5-yard score to make it a 21-17 game. 

 

21-17 DC 

 

Jordan Ta'amu found the end zone for the first time in Sunday's game thanks to a reception on a trick play. His second touchdown came the way he knows best: by throwing a pass into the end zone. The UFL's leading passer hooked up with Cornell Powell for a 9-yard score to push DC's lead to 27-17. 

 

One of the league's top quarterback-wide receiver duos linked up for a touchdown for a second time in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter. Jordan Ta'amu threw a strike into the back of the end zone to Cornell Powell for a touchdown that extended the Defenders' lead to 33-23 with just over 10 minutes remaining.

 

33-23 DC 

 

The Renegades continued to hang around deep into the fourth quarter thanks to quarterback Luis Perez. But they used a different quarterback to get into the end zone to help cut the Defenders' lead to 33-29 with Holton Ahlers rushing in for a 1-yard score on a QB sneak.

 

Perez came back out for the one-point conversion that made it a 33-30 game, connecting with tight end Sal Cannella.

33-30 DC 

 

Getting the INT to seal it

The Defenders couldn't get a game-sealing score on their final possession in the fourth quarter, requiring them to come up with one last defensive stand. 

 

The Renegades were able to get to the Defenders 28-yard line in the final seconds, appearing to try to at least settle for a field goal. However, a false start moved them five yards back and caused the clock to run down. 

 

As Luis Perez tried to hit a receiver on a quick out route to stop the clock, Defenders cornerback Deandre Baker came up with an interception. Baker got tripped up as he returned the ball, but he was able to run the clock out and seal the win for the Defenders.

 

The Defenders came away victorious in the dramatic affair. 

 

DC improved to 6-2 with the win, clinching a playoff spot. Arlington dropped to 3-5, eliminating the team from playoff contention.