Inside the UFL

by Fran Stuchbury
Published on May 2, 2024 under United Football League (UFL)


The United Football League season hit its halfway point this past weekend. In week five, a few teams began to separate from the pack.

In the XFL Conference the St. Louis Battlehawks and San Antonio Brahmas are tied for the top at 4-1. Following in third place is the D.C. Defenders at 2-3 and sitting in last is the Arlington Renegades at 0-5.

The Battlehawks would be undefeated if not for a last-second, 64-yard field goal by Michigan Panthers kicker Jake Bates in the opener. The Brahmas benefitted greatly from regime change in Houston, landing Head Coach Wade Phillips in place of Hines Ward. The San Antonio offense has been much more productive this season.

The Defenders, who made it to the XFL Championship Game last season with a league-best 9-1 record, lack the rushing attack which propelled them last year after losing Abram Smith to a torn ACL in training camp. Smith led the XFL in rushing last season. Meanwhile, the XFL Champion Renegades still see their first win. They lost two games this season by a combined four points. Unless the Renegades win out and St. Louis or San Antonio lose out the postseason is nearly out of reach.

With one loss to the Brahmas already, the Defenders are in a must-win situation at home against San Antonio.

In the USFL Conference the back-to-back champion Birmingham Stallions lead the pack at 5-0, while the Michigan Panthers are second at 3-2. Bringing up the rear are the Memphis Showboats and Houston Roughnecks at 1-4.

The Stallions have dominated on both offense and defense with eleven straight wins dating back to last spring in the USFL. Michigan has struggled offensively, but their running game has improved lately with a season-high five touchdowns on the ground in their 35-18 win over Memphis last week.

The Showboats offensive line became a focal point when they struggled in a 33-14 loss the Birmingham, allowing eight quarterback sacks in last week's 35-18 loss to Michigan. Troy Williams, filling in for injured Case Cookus, was sacked seven times last week. All told Memphis quarterback have been a sacked a combined 25 times.

The Houston Roughnecks inherited the roster of the USFL's Gamblers, and their offense disappeared. They've scored the fewest points in the UFL with 76. Missing running back Mark Thompson for the first three games of the UFL season with a knee injury hurt.

A look at some Most Valuable Player candidates:

Offense

  • St. Louis Battlehawks QB A.J. McCarron - 1,051 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, 1 interception.

    The best plays from McCarron's season so far:

  • Birmingham Stallion QB Adrian Martinez - leads the UFL in rushing yards with 302, averaging 11.6 yards per carry; has passed for 603 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.

    The best plays from Birmingham Stallions' QB Adrian Martinez so far this season:

    Defense

    • Michigan Panthers DB Kai Nacua - 29 total tackles, leads UFL in interceptions with 3, and pass breakups with six.

    • San Antonio Brahmas LB Tavante Beckett - leads UFL with 40 tackles and two forced fumbles.

    • Birmingham Stallions DL Calos Davis - leads UFL in sacks with six, adding 19 total tackles and one forced fumble.

      Special Teams

      • D.C. Defenders K Matthew McCrane - 10-11 field goals made - longest 58.

      • Michigan Panthers K Jake Bates - 7-9 field goals made - longest 64.

        UFL Top 10 Plays from Week 5

      Week 6 Games

      Saturday, May 4th

      • Birmingham Stallions at Memphis Showboats - 12 pm est. ABC

      • Houston Roughnecks at St. Louis Battlehawks - 3 pm est. FOX

      Sunday, May 5th

      • Arlington Renegades at Michigan Panthers - 1 pm est. FOX

      • San Antonio Brahmas at D.C. Defenders - 4 pm es.t FOX

      EXTRA POINTS

      • Saturday's San Antonio Brahmas at Arlington Renegades/Birmingham Stallions at Houston Roughnecks regional coverage that evening on FOX totaled 770,000 viewers. Sunday's St. Louis Battlehawks at D.C. Defenders contest drew 688,000 viewers on ESPN, and the Michigan Panthers at Memphis Showboats game on FOX completed the weekend with 731,000 viewers.

      • Attendance at Saturday's San Antonio at Arlington game was 10,283 while Birmingham at Houston drew 6,285. Sunday's St. Louis at D.C. game saw 16,058 in attendance, and Michigan at Memphis drew 7,640.

      • St. Louis Battlehawks wide receiver Hakeem Butler, Michigan Panthers defensive end Breeland Speaks and San Antonio Brahmas running back John Lovett were named the OurSports Central United Football League Offensive Player, Defensive Player and Unsung Hero of the Week, respectively, for week five of the UFL season.

      • Teams connected on four-of-ten on one-point conversion attempts from the two-yard line, just two-of-fourteen on two-point conversions from the five-yard line, and did not try a three-point conversion from the 10-yard line.

      • Road teams completed the sweep, going 4-0 last week.

      • The Arlington Renegades announced that the team has agreed to terms with former Renegade DB Joe Powell. Powell, 30, heads back to the Hub City after helping the Renegades win the 2023 XFL Championship last season. Prior to his return to the team, he had a stint with the Carolina Cobras of the National Arena League (NAL), where he recorded 19 tackles and five interceptions. Last season with the Renegades, Powell saw action in all 10 regular season games, recording 35 tackles and four interceptions. In postseason play, he grabbed one interception and had eight tackles. The defensive back also served as the team's primary punt returner, racking up an individual game-high 56 punt return yards in week five against the Brahmas.

      • My UFL Best Bet Lock of the Week is Birmingham Stallions -11.5 over the Memphis Showboats. Last time these teams played the Stallions dominated at home, defeating the Showboats 33-14 in Week three. Even if Skip Holtz continues sharing the quarterback position with Matt Corral starting, the Stallions defense will have a field day against the overpowered offensive line of the Showboats.
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      United Football League Stories from May 2, 2024


      The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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