DEFENDERS MAKE BIGGEST COMEBACK IN UFL HISTORY

In week 5 of UFL action, The DC Defenders would face off against the Arlington Renegades. Arlington had been undefeated at home going into a game that would determine who’s the top team in the UFL and who would take over the top spot in the XFL conference. 

 

The Defenders were looking to rebound after losing their first game of the season at home last week, but it would be a tall task, as the Renegades had held opposing offenses to a league-low 10.8 points per game. 

 

Coming into the game, The Defenders knew they had to play a cleaner game after finishing with 13 penalties for 121 yards last week.

 

Who would secure the XFL Conference's top spot? Let’s start the recap of the possible game of the year.

 

After forcing the Defenders to go three-and-out on the opening drive, the Renegades jumped out to an early 8-0 lead after a dazzling 63 yard touchdown for Deontay Burnett and a successful two-point conversion on their first drive of the game.   

 

The Renegades extended their lead to double digits with a field goal late in the first quarter, 11-0.

 

Things were not looking good for the Defenders early. Thankfully, their much lauded defense started to show up. DC's stout defense kept Arlington from extending its lead with some big plays at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter was when the game start clicking for both teams.  

 

First, the Defenders cut the Renegades' lead to 11-6 with a jaw-dropping 37-yard passing touchdown from Jordan Ta’amu to Chris Powell. Arlington fired back, though, with a score of its own on the following drive to make it a double-digit game once again, 19-6 Arlington.

 

However, the Defenders weren't going away. They pulled within seven late in the second quarter after another quick touchdown drive. Jordan Ta’amu hit Braylon Sanders with a dart of a throw, and now the score was sitting at 19-12.

 

Arlington did everything in its power to have the last word of the first half. The Renegades went on a 10-play, 71-yard drive in the final few minutes of the second quarter to put space between them and the Defenders. 27-12 Arlington.

 

Arlington took a 12-point lead into the break after DC added a last-second field goal. It was a wild way to finish the first half, as four of the five total drives in the second quarter resulted in touchdowns — two from both teams.

 

After forcing the Renegades to go three-and-out to start the second half, the Defenders cashed in for a quick touchdown on their first drive of the third quarter to make it a five-point game, as Ta’amu hit Rowland again. This time, it was a screen pass that Chris took into the endzone. 27-22 Arlington. 

 

Arlington's defense came up big midway through the third to keep the Defenders at bay, the  added three more points late in the third to extend their lead. 30-22 Arlington. 

 

DC then had a costly turnover. The Defenders fumbled with less than a minute to go in the third quarter, and the Renegades capitalized on the turnover, cashing in for another quick field goal to extend their lead to 11. 33-22 Arlington early in the fourth quarter.

 

The Defenders got the ball back with 12:29 to play in the fourth quarter and went on an 11-play, 65-yard drive that ended with a rushing touchdown from QB Jordan Ta’amu to make it a three-point game, 33-30, with 7:05 remaining.

 

Jordan is playing at a MVP level this year, Even though he still makes his weekly bad interceptions. He always has at least one a week. Yet, his good play outweighs the bad by a lot. He’s the reason DC is as good as they are this year. 

 

Also I have to speak about the HURDLE from Deon Jackson, leaping right over a player from the Renegades. Okay back to the game.

 

Chaos ensued near the end of the fourth quarter for both teams. First, the Renegades fumbled at midfield after what started as a promising drive, giving the ball away with less than five minutes to play.

 

However, the Defenders' possession was short-lived, as QB Jordan Ta’amu was picked off in the red zone on the following drive. See what I was talking about?

 

After the interception, Arlington got the ball back with four minutes remaining but couldn't make anything happen. The Renegades went three-and-out, putting the ball back in the Defenders' hands with less than two minutes left.

 

DC was able to capitalize, getting a quick rushing score to give them their first lead of the day, 37-33.

 

After trailing nearly the entire game and being down by as many as 15 points, the Defenders pulled off a comeback win on the road to improve to 4-1 on the season and send the Renegades to 3-2.

 

This was the biggest comeback in UFL history! It was a statement win for the DC Defenders. This comeback really showed that this team is the best team in the young league.

 

We have another tough road game next week against the Michigan Panthers.