Brandon Rusnak #27 of the Arlington Renegades runs past Kevin Atkins #97 of the D.C. Defenders - Scott Taetsch/UFL/Getty Images
And just like that, week ten of the UFL is here, with an Arlington Renegades win. The Renegades defeated the D.C. Defenders, 32-31. While both teams were already out of playoff contention, this ended up being a great game that came down to the end of the fourth quarter. Here is a look back at the game, and the MVP of the game as well.
Defensive First Quarter
The Arlington Renegades started the game with the ball. They began with a pretty decent field position. The Renegades offense was able to move the ball well. Quarterback, Luis Perez almost threw a great ball down the field, but D.C. did a great job forcing the incompletion. The Renegades’ offense utilized the run game in this drive, as the DC Defense struggled to stop the run. The Defenders’ defense stepped up in the red zone making key stops. They ended up holding the renegades to a field goal. Arlington leads the game 3-0, with 8:50 remaining in the first quarter.
When D.C. got the ball back, returner, Chris Rowland put the Defenders’ offense in a great starting position on Arlington’s side of the field. Arlington forced a fumble, but D.C. was lucky to jump on the ball. The Defenders also settled for a field goal, tying the game 3-3. The Defenders’ defense continued to show their strength with their passing defense, forcing an interception with just over a minute to go in the first quarter.
D.C. Defenders Move Down Field
The Arlington Renegades defense stepped up big time, forcing the Defenders to punt. Following an interception, this is just what the Renegades needed. In the second quarter, things continued to move well for Arlington between D.C. giving up penalties, and the Renegades’ offense getting some passes going. By getting a couple of completions, they were able to open up the run game. The drive ended with yet another Arlington field goal. The Renegades are in the lead 6-3 with 10:32 left in the second quarter.
While things may have been looking up for the Renegades, Rowland, who has been a stud on special teams for the Defenders, came up with a huge play. Rowland returned the kick return all the way into the end zone for the touchdown. This put D.C. up 9-6. The Defenders almost got the two-point conversion, but the Renegades’ defense knocked the ball out of the receiver’s hands before there was control.
The Renegades offense did not do much, giving D.C. the ball back fairly quickly. The Defenders’ offense progressed down the field with some short plays. This was until quarterback Jordan Ta’amu made the pass to Smith for a touchdown. Smith did well getting open and then getting downfield. D.C. did not get the conversion, making the score 15-6 with 4:29 left to go in the first half.
The Renegades still had enough time in the half even out the score. The tight end, Sal Cannella was a big help with that making some solid completions. Credit to Perez for making those passes as well. This possession did get to the point where they had to pay attention to the clock, but it was all worth it. The Arlington Renegades scored a touchdown with a great pass by Perez. The team attempted the two-point conversion and they got it. This drive made the score closer, with it being 15-14, D.C. still in the lead.
Close Third Quarter
D.C. began with the ball in the second half. Ta’amu took a shot downfield, and while it was not complete, there was a defensive pass interference, helping the Defenders move down the field even more. This happened a second time when Ta’amu took a shot into the endzone. While this penalty does not put them at the spot of the foul like in the NFL, it is still a 15-yard penalty. This put D.C. into a position to almost score the touchdown, though Rowland was ruled down just a bit before the end zone. The Defenders did score the touchdown on the next play with Cam’Ron Harris running it in. The Defenders went for one point but did not get it. The score is 21-14, Defenders with 10:52 left to go in the third quarter.
Arlington’s special teams stepped up when they got the chance. While they did not cross the 50, they did start with a strong field position. The Penalties on the defensive side were now being called on D.C. for pass interference, pushing Arlington down the field. The D.C. defense did well stopping Arlington in the red zone once again. This is their best spot for defense and has been throughout the season. Arlington ended up kicking the field goal, making it 21-17, D.C. still in the lead with 6:05 left in the third quarter.
The D.C. offense was able to waste three minutes but ultimately gave the ball right back to Arlington going scoreless on the drive. The Defenders’ defense did well stopping the run their next time on the field, something they have struggled with all year. Arlington was saved by a Defenders’ holding penalty during a 3rd and long play. The third quarter ended 21-17, Defenders, setting up an exciting fourth quarter.
Arlington Renegades Take the Win
Perez opened up the quarter with some strong passes to his receivers, including a big pass to Tyler Vaughns to take the lead very early in the quarter. They also got the two-point conversion, making the score 25-21, with 14:20 still left to go in the game.
The Defenders had to answer on their drive. They almost did right away, but a holding on the offensive line took away a touchdown. It took longer than it should have with the Penalty, but the Defenders did get into the end zone with a great pass by Ta’amu to take back the lead. The Defenders went for the two-point conversion and it was good. The score is 29-25 with 11:41 remaining in the game.
The kickoff from D.C. to the Renegades was an interesting one. At first, the ruling was the ball was down at the one. But then the Arlington receiver put the ball into the end zone, resulting in a safety. This increased the D.C. lead to 31-25, and a loss of possession, as D.C. got the ball right back.
There was still a lot of time on the clock, and all Arlington had to do was stop the D.C. defense. That is just what they did forcing them to punt. Unfortunately, when the Renegades for the ball back, Perez through an interception giving the ball back to D.C.
The Arlington defense did what they had to do, putting immense pressure on the Defenders’ offense. D.C. attempted a 54-yard field goal, but it was no good. This missed field goal completely turned the game around.
The Renegades got the ball back with still enough time on the clock. When it looked like D.C. could get the stop, there was a roughing the passer call, giving the Renegades a first down. Perez then hit Cannella down the middle to put them in the red zone. While D.C. has done well this game stopping Arlington in the red zone, Perez hit his target for the touchdown to tie the game. The Renegades went for the one-point conversion and got it. This gave the Renegades the lead, 32-31. This is the score that ended the game.
MVP of the Game
This was a team effort by the Arlington Renegades. Quarterback Luis Perez deserves credit for making some key passes, and running back, De’Veom Smith deserves credit for rushing the ball 20 times, opening up the passing game. Ultimately, the MVP of the game goes to wide receiver, Tyler Vaughns. Vaughns had five receptions for 84 yards and two touchdowns, according to Fox Sports. His plays made Perez’s life easier, helping the Renegades defeat the Defenders. Vaughns’s touchdown to open up the fourth quarter was also a big turning point in the game.
Final Records:
The Arlington Renegades will end the 2024 season with a 3-7 record.
The D.C. Defenders will end the 2024 season with a 4-6 record.
