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XFL D.C. Defenders

Defenders Withstand Arlington Rally to Secure OT Victory, Division Title

April 17, 2023 - XFL (XFL)
D.C. Defenders News Release


Washington, D.C. - After a goal line stand by the Defenders to force a 4th down, the Renegades were able to get on the board first with a 3-0 lead after a field goal by Taylor Russolino with 9:40 left in the 1st quarter. The Defenders answered and took the lead after 4 straight completions culminating in a Josh Hammond touchdown reception. To end the 1st quarter, the Defenders managed to get off the field without allowing any points and the score after 1 was 6-3.

A 5 play, 60-yard drive by the Defenders ending in a Lucky Jackson touchdown pushed the lead to 12-3 just over midway through the 2nd quarter. The Renegades would answer back on the next drive - Caleb Vander Esch scored on a 25-yard reception. The 2-point attempt would be no good and the score moved to 12-9.

After being inserted into the game in the 2nd quarter, D'Eriq King led an 11 play, 77-yard drive that ultimately led to a Lucky Jackson touchdown reception. After a 2-point reception to Jazz Ferguson, the Defenders pushed the lead to 11 with :46 to go in the 1st half. The Defenders were able to keep the the Renegades in bounds to keep the clock moving and Arlington was unable to put points on the board before the quarter ended. At the half, the Defenders led 20-9.

Arlington forced D.C. to a 3 and out to start the 2nd half and kept the ball until the 9:46 mark when D.J. Swearinger intercepted Luis Garcia and returned it 62 yards for a touchdown. The Defenders increased their lead to 26-9.

Just before the end of the 3rd quarter, Joe Powell intercepted Jordan Ta'amu - after an illegal block during the return, Arlington would start their possession at the 29-yard line. The Renegades capitalized on the interception and got into the endzone on a 1-yard touchdown by Davion Smith. Francis Bernard got the stop on the 2-point attempt and the Defenders lead was now 26-15.

After nearly 7 minutes of possession, D'eriq King threw an interception to give the ball back to Arlington at the 35-yard line. After a pass interference call against Michael Joseph on 4th and goal, the Renegades got a fresh set of downs. Arlington would score on 1st down on a run by Davion Smith. The 2 point attempt was good after a catch by Vaughns and the score was now 26-23 with 1:20 to go.

Arlington elected to take the 4th and 15 attempt for a chance to get the ball back and converted. Arlington would get to the DC 9-yard line and convert on a 21-yard field goal to effectively send the game into overtime.

The Defenders scored on their second attempt and stopped the Renegades on all three of their attempts and won the game 28-26 in overtime.

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