Above Image Credit: Pro Football Newsroom
The UFL season finale has finally arrived, and the countdown to the postseason has begun. This weekend’s slate of games include a preview of one of the UFL conference championship matches and a Texas matchup. Let’s take a look at the final matchups of the regular season…
St. Louis Battlehawks vs. DC Defenders
Date: Friday, May 30th
Time and Channel: 8:00 PM EST (FOX)
Location: Audi Field (Washington, DC)
The Battlehawks and Defenders meet in the first of back-to-back games. They play this week, then next week in the UFL conference championships.
St. Louis have been the fan favorites to win spring football before and after the UFL merger. They had a few ups and downs, but since QB Max Duggan took over, there was nowhere to go but up. The Defenders have also been a fan favorite to win the UFL this season, and most of it is thanks to interim head coach Shannon Harris and MVP contender/QB Jordan Ta’amu.
These teams last met in Week 3 where the Defenders won 27-15. Since then, Ta’amu has lead the league in total yards (2,155) and passing TDs (17). However, he’ll have to contend with a Battlehawks defense featuring LB Pita Taumoepenu, who leads the UFL in sacks (7.5) and fumbles forced (3).
Houston Roughnecks vs. Michigan Panthers
Date: Saturday, May 31st
Time and Channel: 3:00 PM EST (ESPN)
Location: Ford Field (Detroit, MI)
They might have been eliminated, but Houston produced the upset of last week when they defeated the Defenders 24-21. Houston dominated in the second and third quarters, but DC attempted a comeback in the fourth quarter. With five seconds left, the Defenders made it to 21 points and attempted to tie the game with a 3-point attempt but failed. QB Jalan McClendon has recorded a 67 percent completion rate, six touchdowns, three interceptions, and 1,271 yards so far. WR Justin Hall is fourth in total yards (479), but he’s first in total receptions (58).
Panthers QB Bryce Perkins might be resting until the postseason, but he’s proved himself to be a contender for MVP too. His stats rank among the top three in the UFL in passing, including being 2nd in completion percentage (69.0) and 3rd in total yards (1,342) and passing TDs (9). The rest of the offense has also shown their power. They lead the UFL in overall scoring (233), overall TDs (30), and first downs (182). Most of that is thanks to leading RB Toa Taua and WR Siaosi Mariner.
Arlington Renegades vs. San Antonio Brahmas
Date: Sunday, June 1st
Time and Channel: 12:00 PM EST (ABC)
Location: Alamodome (San Antonio, TX)
It’s been a bumpy road for the Renegades, but the talent shown by the players has been undeniable. QB Luis Perez might be second in total yards (2,011) and passing touchdowns (9), but he’s first in completions (198) and attempts (281). Their offense is also one of the top five in the league thanks to their top three receivers: Sal Cannella, Deontay Burnett, and Tyler Vaughns. Their defense is also tops in the UFL, allowing only 260.6 yards per game.
San Antonio struggled more than the opposition. Their offense has been ranked either last place or anywhere below 5th in almost all areas. The only bright side of their season was the team having top three ranks in rushing thanks to RB Jashaun Corbin. He’s rushed for 459 yards and four touchdowns in 87 attempts.
Birmingham Stallions vs. Memphis Showboats
Date: Sunday, June 1st
Time and Channel: 3:00 PM EST (FOX)
Location: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium (Memphis, TN)
Birmingham defeated Michigan 26-22 last week in a preview of their inevitable UFL conference championship rematch. They might have been dealing with a bad streak of QB injuries at the beginning, but the Stallions have shown that even in the face of adversity, they have kept it together and turned desperation into hope. Now, QB J’Mar Smith and the third-best offense in the league will attempt to send a message to their biggest rivals this Sunday.
Memphis’s record tells the story of their overall season, but they’ve showed some resilience plenty of times, win or lose. They’ll plan on starting QB Dresser Winn for the finale. He’s proven to be an adequate player, recording 67 out of 114 completions for 721 yards, three TDs, and two interceptions. The rest of the offense didn’t help much, and LB Steele Chambers has been keeping the defense on their toes when others couldn’t.
Be sure to check out the season finale starting Friday night at 8 PM EST on FOX. Check your local or cable listings for all games.
