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D.C. Defenders

DiNucci, Bellamy and Gordon Named OurSports Central XFL Players of the Week

by Fran Stuchbury
March 6, 2023 - XFL (XFL)
D.C. Defenders


Seattle Sea Dragons quarterback Ben DiNucci, D.C. Defenders outside linebacker Davin Bellamy and Seattle wide receiver Josh Gordon were named the OurSports Central XFL Offensive Player, Defensive Player and Unsung Hero of the Week, respectively, for week three of the XFL season.

DiNucci completed 29 of 37 attempts for 377 yards and four touchdowns with one interception and added 32 yards rushing in the Sea Dragons' stirring 30-26 victory over the Vegas Vipers.

DiNucci suited up at Pittsburgh from 2015 until 2017 then transferred to James Madison for the 2018 and 2019 campaigns. In 2019 he was named Colonial Athletic Association Offensive Player of the Year. DiNucci was a seventh round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys.

One of his four touchdown passes, the first of two to Josh Gordon:

Houston Roughnecks quarterback Brandon Silvers earns an honorable mention as he completed 24 of 35 passes for 278 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in Houston's 22-13 victory over the San Antonio Brahmas to remain undefeated at 3-0.

Defensively, Bellamy finished with five total tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble in the Defenders' 34-28 win over the St. Louis BattleHawks which moved D.C. to 3-0 on the season.

Bellamy played college football at Georgia where he was selected in the second round of the 2022 USFL Draft by the New Orleans Breakers. That season he had 39 total tackles with five sacks and was named to the All-USFL team. The Defenders selected him in the first round of the 2023 XFL Supplemental Draft.

Honorable mention goes to Houston cornerback Ajene Harris who intercepted a pass in the Roughnecks' victory over the Brahmas. Harris has recorded an interception in all three games this season, tying him for the most picks in the XFL.

Gordon proved to be a game-changer, displaying his best when Seattle needed it the most. On fourth down late in the game, DiNucci threw deep to the talented receiver who made an outstanding catch against tight coverage and then weaved his way into the endzone to score a 65-yard touchdown with 58 seconds left to give the Sea Dragons a 30-26 win.

Gordon was originally a 2012 Supplemental Draft second-round selection by the Cleveland Browns in 2012. His best season in the NFL came in 2013 when he caught 87 passes for 1,646 yards and nine scores.

The game-winning touchdown reception by Gordon:

The Houston Roughnecks defensive line earned an honorable mention with its goal-line stand against the Brahmas late in the fourth quarter to seal the victory:

Previous Winners

Week One

Week Two

Check out the D.C. Defenders Statistics

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