Above Image Credit: ABC
As rumors of a possible expansion continue stirring, the UFL begins to enter their third week of the season. This weekend will start with the collision of two champion teams. Then, it will end with a battle between two undefeated XFL conference teams. Let’s now take a look at the full slate of games for week three…
Arlington Renegades vs. Birmingham Stallions
Date: Friday, Apr. 11th
Time and Channel: 8 PM EST (FOX)
Location: Protective Stadium (Birmingham, AL)
The Birmingham Stallions will celebrate being the inaugural UFL champions on Friday night as they host their first home game of the season against former XFL champion Arlington Renegades.
Arlington is one of three undefeated teams heading into week three. They nearly survived a 4th quarter battle against the Roughnecks but came out winning 11-9 in the end thanks to a failed 2-point conversion by the opposition. Of course, be on the lookout for what could possibly be another stellar performance by Renegades QB Luis Perez.
Alex McGough injured his shoulder last week and has been put on IR, so now, backup QB Matt Corral will take the reins from this point forward. In his debut last week, Corral made 18 completions for 198 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. He’ll have to improve on his consistency and rely on the speedy offense surrounding him to survive this new, powerful onslaught brought on by the Renegades.
Houston Roughnecks vs. Memphis Showboats
Date: Saturday, Apr. 12th
Time and Channel: 2:30 PM EST (ESPN/ESPN+)
Location: Simmons Liberty Bank Stadium (Memphis, TN)
One of these teams will have their first win of the season after this weekend. However, the struggles among these teams are real.
Houston has been struggling to get high scores. They have been relying on field goals so far, and their first touchdown of the season happened just last week. Their defense needs to toughen up as well. It showed a little promise last week with a fumble recovery by CB Corn Elder in the third quarter and two sacks overall. They’ll just have to do more.
Memphis, on the other hand, showed some vast improvement despite being winless. They just need to be a little more consistent with the ball. Be sure to lookout for Showboats LB Steele Chambers, who leads the UFL so far with 20 tackles. Also, watch out for Showboats WR Jonathan Adams, who leads the UFL so far in total yards (221), receptions (15), and receiving TDs (1).
San Antonio Brahmas vs. Michigan Panthers
Date: Sunday, Apr. 13th
Time and Channel: 12:00 PM EST (ABC)
Location: Ford Field (Detroit, MI)
San Antonio looks to finally get in the win column on Sunday afternoon. They find themselves facing a motivated Michigan Panthers who are looking to get back on track after a tough loss to Birmingham.
The Brahmas are still trying to find themselves. QB Kellen Mond has been working himself up little by little, but it’s not fast enough for him. In 58 attempts, he’s made 30 completions for 288 yards and an interception. Perhaps, that’s what happens when you don’t play enough in the NFL.
Nonetheless, he will have to contend with a tough Panthers defense. OLB Frank Ginda is second in the UFL with 17 tackles. CB DJ Miller, Jr., and S Kai Nacua are in the top two in total interceptions. If San Antonio can’t find a way to get past this kind of defense, their chances for a first win go away.
DC Defenders vs. St. Louis Battlehawks
Date: Sunday, Apr. 13th
Time and Channel: 3 PM EST (ABC)
Location: The Dome at America’s Center (St. Louis, MO)
Week three concludes with a huge battle between the two other undefeated teams of the league: the Defenders and Battlehawks. Both teams and the Renegades are in a 3-way tie for first place in the XFL conference right now.
DC’s top-notch performances are thanks to the talents of QB Jordan Ta’amu. The 2023 XFL Player of the Year currently has the second-highest amount of yards overall (363). Their defense has also shown that they’re not to be made fun of. Only time will tell if their defense can match that of the Battlehawks.
The only thing as big as the fandom in St. Louis are the players leading the Battlehawks in their resurgence campaign this season. So far, they have been putting on a show, establishing their dominance against their opponents. QB Manny Wilkins is becoming well-known for his efficiency, and when it comes to needing extra help, RB Jacob Saylors is the guy to go to. He leads the league with four rushing TDs.
Their defense is just as top-notch. OLB Pita Taumoepenu leads the UFL with three sacks and tackles for loss so far. He’s mainly the reason why the Battlehawks defense has been very persistent.
