The DC Defenders closed out the 2024 UFL Season with a 32-31 loss to the Arlington Renegades on Sunday afternoon. This was a rematch of the April 13th matchup, in which the Defenders won 29-28. The Renegades were offensively led by Quarterback Luis Perez, who went 23/37, 215 yards, 3 Touchdowns, and two interceptions. Quarterback Jordan Ta’amu went 18/34, 218 yards, 2 Touchdowns and zero interceptions.
Jonathan Garibay's 27-yard field goal put the Renegades up 3-0 with 8:53 left in the first quarter. In a swift response, Chris Rowland returned a 55-yard kick return that set up Matt McCrane for a 44-yard field goal to tie the game 3-3. Gareon Conley intercepted a Luiz Perez throw at the Defenders' 34-yard line.
In the 2nd quarter, the game turned as Jonathan Garibay nailed a 40-yard FG attempt with 10:35 remaining to put the Renegades up 6-3. Following the FG, Chris Rowland returned an 83-yard kickoff to put the Defenders up 9-6; the 2-point conversion attempt failed. Jordan Ta’amu connected with wide receiver Vyncint Smith for a 43-yard Touchdown to cap a 7-play, 80-yard drive. The 2-point conversion attempt failed as the Defenders took a 15-6 lead with 4:38 remaining in the 2nd quarter. The Renegades struck back as Luis Perez connected with wide receiver Tyler Vaughns for a 5-yard touchdown reception. On the two-point conversion attempt, Luis Perez connected with running back Devin Darrington to cut the Defenders' lead to 1. The Defenders went to halftime with a 15-14 lead.
The Defenders extended their lead in the 3rd quarter as running back Cam’Ron Harris scored for a 1-yard touchdown run to cap an 8-play, 33-yard play drive. The Defenders failed on the 1-point conversion attempt as the Defenders led 21-14. Jonathan Garibay nailed a 36-yard FG with 6:08 left in the 3rd quarter to cut the Defenders lead 21-17.
Louis Perez connected with Tyler Vaughns for a 35-yard touchdown connection, and the Renegades converted on the 2-point conversion attempt to put the Renegades up 25-21 with 14:20 remaining in the 4th quarter. The Defenders struck back as Jordan Ta’amu connected with Brandon Smith for a 40-yard touchdown reception. Ta’amu connected with Alex Ellis on the 2-point conversion attempt to put the Defenders up 29-25. Following the touchdown on the kickoff, Paxton Brooks booted a 79-yard kick to the 1-yard line. Renegades kick returner Juan Manigo grabbed the ball at the Renegades 1-yard line, which resulted in a safety to extend the Defender's lead to 6 (31-25)!
(Sounds crazy, right? Here is the Play, Source: ESPN )
Montae Nicholson intercepted a Luis Perez pass at the Arlington 41-yard line with 8:56 left in the 4th quarter. In the next possession, Matt McCrane missed a 54-yard FG attempt. Luis Perez connected with Deontay Burnett on a 7-yard touchdown reception to tie the game with 2:34 left in the 4th quarter. De’Veon Smith’s 1-yard run on the 1-point conversion attempt put the Renegades up 32-31 with 2:28 left. On the following possession, Ta’amu stepped back to pass on a 4th four-down & was sacked, ending the comeback attempt for the Defenders as the Renegades won 32-31.
The Defenders ended the season with four wins and six losses. Following the season finale, we spoke with head coach Reggie Barlow and asked what some takeaways from this season were.
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