Above Image Credit: Pro Football Newsroom
There are only three weeks left of the UFL’s regular season. Now, it’s all about trying to get to the top or staying there long enough to reach the postseason for some teams. For others, it means trying to get some of those top teams off their game. Let’s look at the following UFL games for Week 7…
DC Defenders vs. San Antonio Brahmas
Date: Friday, May 9th
Time and Channel: 8:00 PM EST (FOX)
Location: Alamodome (San Antonio, TX)
Almost three weeks ago, San Antonio defeated the Defenders, earning their first win and handing them their first loss of the season. This Friday night, they meet again.
DC has been a surprise to watch since Shannon Harris took the reins as interim head coach. The team is now hanging onto the top playoff spot with a 4-2 record along with St. Louis. QB Jordan Ta’amu continues to exceed expectations as one of the top QBs in spring football, making him a possible UFL MVP candidate and the favorites to win the XFL conference.
Most people would think that San Antonio was finally on the right path after that first win, but they were wrong. In the last two weeks, they have been dominated and outscored 6-53. Postseason elimination is imminent, so the best they can do right now is keep their heads up. They look to rely on QB Kevin Hogan this time. Hogan was a dual threat as a passer and rusher back in Stanford, completing 727 out of 1,103 attempts for 9,385 yards, 75 touchdowns, and 29 interceptions. He rushed 315 times for 1,249 yards and 15 TDs.
Michigan Panthers vs. Arlington Renegades
Date: Saturday, May 10th
Time and Channel: 1:00 PM EST (FOX)
Location: Choctaw Stadium (Arlington, TX)
Michigan looks to stay at the top of the USFL conference standings while Arlington fights to keep their postseason hopes alive.
Panthers QB Bryce Perkins has become another one of the UFL’s top quarterbacks. He’s third in total yards, completions, and attempts in the league. He’s also second in passing TDs and first in efficiency rating. The Panthers also have a new rising star in RB Toa Taua. He’s in second place in the league with four scoring TDs overall and first place in average rushing yards per game. The prowess shown by this duo is one of the reasons why the Michigan offense leads the league in almost everything but the penalties.
The Renegades will have their final home game of the season, so they look to end it with a win. A win will put them closer to a playoff spot, but a loss will put them further away from it. If they want to keep Perkins down, they will need the defensive power of linebacker Donald Payne. He has made 43 total tackles this season. If he’s able to slow down the Panthers offense, not only will it be surprising, but it can give Arlington the opportunities needed to get ahead of everyone.
Houston Roughnecks vs. Birmingham Stallions
Date: Sunday, May 11th
Time and Channel: 12:00 PM EST (ABC)
Location: Protective Stadium (Birmingham, AL)
Houston is also fighting to keep their postseason hopes alive when they battle the Birmingham Stallions.
They are on a two-win streak, and they have DB Rayshad Williams to thank for doing his part. He’s tied for second place in the league and leads the team with two interceptions. Last week, he pulled off a 68-yard, pick-six that helped the Roughnecks dominate San Antonio 27-3. A win against the reigning champions will help them get a step closer in the USFL conference.
The Stallions might be tied for the lead in the USFL conference, but their main concern is the quarterback position. Alex McGough and Matt Corral are out with injury. Corral’s injury was originally thought to be temporary, but now, sources confirm it will take a little longer to heal. The plan is for 2nd backup QB Case Cookus to start. QB Andrew Peasley will get some practice in as well. They have also re-signed QB J’Mar Smith and signed QB Jalen Morton.
St. Louis Battlehawks vs. Memphis Showboats
Date: Sunday, May 11th
Time and Channel: 3:00 PM EST (ESPN)
Location: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium (Memphis, TN)
Week seven of the UFL concludes with the St. Louis Battlehawks taking on the Memphis Showboats to stay on top of the XFL conference leaderboard.
Despite losing Abdul Beecham to a season-ending injury, the Battlehawks have never felt stronger. In fact, WR Hakeem Butler is back in his prime. Since his return to the field two weeks ago, Butler has shown great efficiency. His only three receptions have resulted in touchdowns. He might still have some catching up to do, but he’s well on his way to becoming a top receiver in such a short time.
Meanwhile, Memphis is also going through a QB shortage, but they might have found a more capable one in Dresser Winn. In only two games, Winn went 39 of 63 for 442 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Defensively, they’ll once again turn to Steele Chambers to keep Max Duggan and the Battlehawks offense held down. Chambers is second in the UFL with 53 overall tackles and first with 34 solo tackles.
