photo courtesy d210.tv
In week 5 of the 2025 UFL, the DC Defenders handed Luis Perez “The King of Spring” and the Arlington Renegades their first home loss of the year, with a 37-33 win at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The Defenders took on the Renegades both (3-1) in a Sunday Matinee showdown, and as they say, “Everything’s bigger in Texas.”
Let’s take a look at how it all went down.
First Quarter
The Renegades appeared on the board first as (QB) Perez lobbed the ball over the middle to (WR) Deontay Burnett for a 63-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion try made it 8-0 with 13:23 left in the first quarter.
Following a missed DC field goal by (K) Matt McCrane, Arlington (K) Lucas Havrisik converted a 39-yard field goal, and the Renegades led after the first quarter, 11-0.
Second Quarter
At the beginning of the second quarter, the Defenders tried to chip away as (QB) Jordan Ta’amu threw a 37-yard touchdown strike to (WR) Cornell Powell.
The two-point try failed, cutting the deficit to 11-6 with 13:51 left in the half.
At the 10:40 mark, Arlington increased its lead on a 15-yard touchdown run by (RB) Kalen Ballage, and (TE) Sal Cannella caught the two-point try to put the Renegades up 19-6.
With 5:39 left in the first half, Ta’amu threw a four-yard dart to (WR) Braylon Sanders, and another failed two-point conversion try made it 19-12, Arlington.
(RB) De’Veon Smith ran it to the left side for a two-yard score, and a successful two-point try by (WR) JaVonta Payton increased the Arlington lead to 27-12 with 1:19 left in the half.
The Defenders drove down the field one last time in the half as McCrane made his first field goal, but the Renegades led at halftime 27-15.
Third Quarter
After a Renegades’ punt, DC began a drive that ended in a (WR) Chris Rowland touchdown catch for 17 yards.
A successful one-point try had the Defenders within five, 27-22, with 11:44 left in the third quarter.
The last score of the quarter came on Havrisik’s second field goal, and the Renegades led 30-22 heading into the fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter
With 12:35 left, Havrisik converted his third field goal of the game to give Arlington a 33-22 lead. DC responded, and Ta’amu scored on a two-yard sneak. Another successful two-point try cut it to a field goal game at 33-30.
After a stalled drive that led to another punt, (RB) Deon Jackson barreled into the endzone for a two-yard score, and the two-point try was good.
The Defenders took their first lead of the game, 37-33, with 0:57 seconds left.
The Renegades were driving all the way to the Defenders’ 31-yard line. (S) Josh Proctor sealed the thrilling game with a pick-off of Perez. The Defenders came all the way back to win over Arlington, 37-33.
With the win, the Defenders improve to (4-1) and are in first place in the XFL Conference.
With the loss, the Renegades fall to (3-2) and are one game behind DC for first place in the XFL Conference.
Key Stats
Arlington
Offense
Luis Perez (QB) 23-33 for 268 yards, (completed longest pass of season 65 yards)
Deontay Burnett (WR) 63-yard touchdown catch from Perez
Defense
Ajene Harris (CB) 1 interception (3rd on the season), leading the UFL
Special Teams
Lucas Havrisik (K) 3-3 on field goals, including 2-2 on made field goals between 40-49 yards. (The longest of the season – 47 yards in this game)
Marquette King (P) Extended streak of at least one returned punt landed within the 20-yard line to five games in a row
DC
Offense
Jordan Ta’amu (QB) 308 yards passing on 23 completions and three passing touchdowns. (They are all season-highs)
Cornell Powell (WR) had four receptions for 89 yards and one touchdown. He has tallied 141 receiving yards over his last two games
Braylon Sanders (WR) has tallied a season high of 87 yards on three catches and a touchdown. This is his second game in a row with 80+ yards
Chris Rowland (WR) tied his career-best 61 yards on seven receptions. He has now had at least seven grabs and 60 yards in back-to-back contests
Defense
Anthony Hines III (LB) had a season-best eight tackles to lead the Defenders’ defense. He has 28 total tackles in five games this season
Kelvin Joseph (CB) had a season-high eight tackles on Sunday. He has gathered 5+ tackles in two of his last three games
Niles Scott (DT) Just the second Defender this season to tally a sack, cause a fumble, and add a fumble recovery in the same game since Andre Mintze did on April 15 at St. Louis
Andre Mintze (DT) and Derrick Roberson (DE) both combined for three sacks (1.5 each) and six tackles. Both pass rushers increased their totals to 4.5 sacks through the first five contests this season
Special Teams
Matt McCrane (K) went 1-2 on field goals and kicked the go-ahead extra point with 0:57 left in the game. He totaled 389 kickoff yards on six kicks, averaging 64.8 yards per kick
Next Week
The DC Defenders (4-1) will travel to Ford Field to take on the Michigan Panthers (3-2) on Sunday, May 4, at noon ET on ESPN2.
The Arlington Renegades (3-2) will travel to the Dome at America’s Center to face the St. Louis Battlehawks (3-2) on Friday, May 2, at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
