Defenders Sack Stallions, Coach Harris Earns First Victory

Washington D.C- The D.C. Defenders kicked off their season with a hard-fought 18-11 win over the Birmingham Stallions on Sunday. Kicker Matt McCrane played a crucial role, drilling four field goals from 37, 39, 21, and 53 yards. Quarterback Jordan Ta’amu connected with wide receiver Chris Rowland for a four-yard touchdown, the Defenders’ only trip to the end zone.

Ta’amu finished the game completing 17 of 37 passes for 211 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception. On the other side, Birmingham’s Alex McGough struggled, going 10-of-23 for 89 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Defenders Dominate the Trenches

The Defenders' defensive line controlled the game, recording eight sacks, including two consecutive sacks to seal the victory. Defensive end Derick Roberson and linebacker Anthony Hines III led the way with two sacks each. The unit also totaled nine tackles for loss, consistently pushing the Stallions' offense backward.

Turnovers and Penalties Prove Costly for Stallions

Birmingham struggled with mistakes, losing the turnover battle with two giveaways—a fumble on their first possession and a third-quarter interception by McGough, which led to six points for the Defenders. Additionally, the Stallions were penalized 10 times for 71 yards, stalling offensive momentum.

When asked about his team’s penalties, Stallions head coach Skip Holtz expressed frustration and emphasized the need for discipline in the future.

Coach Harris Earns First Career Win

Shannon Harris secured his first victory as the Defenders' interim head coach after being promoted on March 23. Harris took over following Reggie Barlow's departure, who accepted the head coaching position at Tennessee State University.

Previously serving as the team’s quarterbacks coach, Harris made an immediate impact in his debut. After the game, we spoke with quarterback Jordan Ta’amu about Harris’ leadership and with Harris himself about his approach heading into Week 1.

Next Up: Primetime Matchup vs. Memphis Showboats

The Defenders will look to build on their strong start when they host the Memphis Showboats on Saturday, April 5. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST.

Rams Lock Down Ramblers, Punch Ticket to Atlantic 10 Final

IMAGE SOURCE: ATLANTIC 10

Washington,D.C- The VCU Rams advanced to the Atlantic 10 Championship game after defeating the Loyola Chicago Ramblers 62-55 in the A-10 Tournament semifinals on Saturday afternoon.

Max Shulga led the Rams with 14 points, while Sheldon Edwards Jr. paced the Ramblers with 12. VCU shot 43.1% from the field and held Loyola Chicago to just 29.4% shooting.

The Ramblers started fast, with Miles Rubin’s layup giving them a 5-2 lead at the 17:41 mark of the first half. However, the Rams quickly responded. Joe Bamisile converted a layup and followed with a three-pointer, putting VCU ahead 7-5 with 16:33 remaining. The Rams extended their lead to four after Max Shulga knocked down two free throws, making it 11-7.

Loyola Chicago fought back, tying the game at 16 with a Kymany Houinsou's layup at the 7:57 mark. Shulga responded with a three-pointer to put VCU back on top, 19-16. Moments later, Des Watson connected from deep to tie the game again at 21 with 5:50 left in the half.

The Rams then went on a surge. Jack Clark’s layup and a three-pointer from Phillip Russell pushed their lead to 26-21. Jayden Dawson’s dunk trimmed the deficit to three, but VCU responded again. A jumper from Zeb Jackson, a three-point play from Christian Fermin, and another three-pointer from Russell powered an 8-0 run, extending the Rams’ lead to 35-23 with 1:37 remaining. VCU maintained control heading into halftime, leading 36-27.

Rubin opened the second half with a dunk to cut the Rams’ lead to 36-29, but VCU quickly rebuilt its advantage, going up by 10 with 17:31 remaining. The Ramblers continued to fight, as Watson's free throw trimmed the margin to five at 39-34.

VCU pushed the lead back to eight after Luke Bamgboye split a pair of free throws, making it 43-35 with 11:38 left. However, Loyola Chicago continued to battle. Rubin’s layup at the 7:39 mark brought the Ramblers within two at 49-47.

With 5:10 remaining, Houinsou’s layup gave Loyola Chicago its first lead of the half at 51-50, forcing a VCU timeout. Out of the break, Zeb Jackson threw down a dunk to put the Rams back in front at 52-51, sparking a crucial 9-0 run. Shulga and Fermin hit key jumpers during that stretch, while Jack Clark added a free throw.

VCU’s defense took over in the final five minutes, holding the Ramblers without a field goal down the stretch. The Rams closed the game on a dominant defensive stand to secure the 62-55 victory.

With the win, VCU advances to its ninth Atlantic 10 Championship game since joining the conference in the 2012-13 season. The Rams will face the George Mason Patriots for the conference title.

VCU Falls to Richmond as Spiders Extend Streak to 14

RICHMOND, VA – On Sunday, the VCU women’s basketball team fell to crosstown rival Richmond Spiders, 68-55. The Spiders secured their 14th consecutive victory with the win and clinched the Atlantic 10 regular-season title. Maggie Doogan led the Spiders with a dominant 33-point performance, while Mary-Anna Asare paced the Rams with 16 points. Richmond shot an efficient 54% from the field (25-46), while VCU finished at 39% (21-53).

The Rams started strong in the first quarter, jumping out to an early lead after a three-pointer by Mary-Anna Asare put them ahead 8-4 with 5:59 remaining. Richmond responded, taking its first lead at 9-8 on a layup by Faith Alston with 3:59 left. Asare answered with another three-pointer to reclaim the lead for VCU, 11-9. However, the Spiders countered with a three from Anna Camden, giving them a 16-13 advantage with 1:50 left. In the final seconds, a layup by Doogan tied the game at 18 heading into the second quarter.

VCU struck first in the second quarter, as Asare’s jumper gave the Rams a 20-18 edge. A layup by Zoli Khalil extended the Rams’ lead to 25-20 with 7:27 to play. Richmond answered with a 6-0 run, capped by a Doogan layup, to pull ahead 26-25. VCU briefly regained the lead on a Valentina Ojeda three-pointer (28-26), but the Spiders responded with an 8-0 surge, highlighted by another Doogan basket, to take a 34-28 advantage. The Rams managed to close the gap before halftime, trailing just 35-34 at the break.

Richmond controlled the third quarter, fueled by Doogan’s 10 points in the period. The Rams struggled offensively, scoring only nine points in the quarter. A layup by Addie Budnik capped a 7-0 run, giving the Spiders a 50-41 lead with 3:16 remaining. Asare ended the drought with a jumper, but VCU entered the fourth quarter trailing 50-43.

In the final period, Ojeda’s layup trimmed the Spiders' lead to 55-49, but Richmond responded with a decisive 13-0 run, punctuated by a pair of Doogan free throws, to seize their largest lead of the game at 68-49 with 1:45 left. VCU closed the game with a 6-0 run, highlighted by a Khalil three-pointer, but the Spiders held on for the 68-55 victory.

The Rams (12-16, 6-10 A-10) will return to action on Wednesday, February 26, when they face Loyola Chicago. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.