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XFL D.C. Defenders

Defenders Pass Big Test With 37-26 Win Over Houston

March 28, 2023 - XFL (XFL)
D.C. Defenders News Release


D.C. Defenders move to 6-0 on the season after a Week 6 victory over the Houston Roughnecks in front of 12,492 fans in the XFL's only Monday night contest of the season.

The Houston Roughnecks got on the score board first with a 4-yard rushing touchdown and a successful 2 point after attempt late in the first quarter. The Defenders answered with a 34-yard field goal from Matt McCrane on their next drive.

Late in the 2nd quarter, Abram smith ran for his 5th touchdown of the season and the Defenders were up 9-8. On the very next drive, Santos Ramirez intercepted a pass and returned the ball 40 yards for a touchdown. Josh Hammond caught the 2 point after pass from Jordan Ta'amu and The Defenders led 17-8 at the half.

The Defenders scored first in the 2nd half on a touchdown pass from Jordan Ta'amu to Tight End Alexis Ellis to increase their lead to 23-8. After Matt McCrane's 2nd field goal of the day, the Defenders found themselves up 26-8 late in the 3rd quarter.

Before the quarter ended Houston was able to answer the Defenders run with a touchdown from Deontay Burnett on an 85 yard touchdown to cut the Defender's lead to 26-14. To open the 4th, Lucky Jackson earned his first touchdown of the season, and the Defenders were up 32-14 after Chris Blair's reception on the 2-point attempt.

The Houston Roughnecks went on to score twice in the 4th quarter on runs by Max Borghi and Cole McDonald, but the effort was not enough to overcome the deficit after Matt McCrane kicked his 3rd field goal of the game from 50 yards out early in the 4th quarter.

The Defenders put up their highest scoring output of the season and earned their 6th victory in 2023.

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