Above Image Credit: ABC
The UFL’s third week will include a home kickoff in the nation’s capital, and a return to the past for a new head coach.
Plus, will one or both of the remaining winless teams get a victory? What else will we discover about certain players of certain teams? So many more questions can come up this week, but for now, let’s get a sneak preview of this week’s matchups.
Orlando Storm (2-0) vs. Louisville Kings (0-2)
Date and Time: Friday, Apr. 10th, 8:00 PM EST
Location: Lynn Family Stadium (Louisville, KY)
How to Watch: FOX (check local listings)
Just six days after facing off in the City Beautiful, Orlando and Louisville will go at it again in the Bluegrass State.
The Storm was held down by the Kings defense at points, but they kept control of the game for 33 and a half minutes. The game alone showed the difference between the teams. Orlando is well-functioned on both sides, however, they will need to improve on 3rd and 4th down plays. Other than that, everything else they’ve done seems to work so far.
Overall, Louisville has been struggling on the offensive lines. They’ve averaged 36 rushing yards per game, and their struggling quarterbacks have no protection. Unlike the defense, the Kings offense hasn’t found any balance or done any game-changing plays. They have to take every mistake made from their previous meeting last week, learn from it, and create the offensive rhythm they so desperately need or they’ll never make it far.
Houston Gamblers (1-1) vs. DC Defenders (1-1)
Date and Time: Saturday, Apr. 11th, 12:00 PM EST
Location: Audi Field (Washington, DC)
How to Watch: ESPN (check cable listings)
The DC Defenders will have their first home game of the season when they face the Houston Gamblers.
Easter Sunday was a miracle for the Gamblers after getting a come-from-behind 22-20 win against the Birmingham Stallions. They dominated in the possession game and improved on third-down conversions compared to week one. However, they had struggles at the red zone. It didn’t matter in the end, though, because K John Hoyland kept the team on the board with five successful field goals, including the game-winning 50-yarder. Now with Hunter Dekkers out due to injury, can QB Nolan Henderson step up and find his consistency?
The Defenders dominated Columbus 44-26 last week, a huge difference compared to two weeks ago. One of the biggest factors in their win was their defense putting excessive pressure on Aviators QB Jalan McClendon. After losing week one, they bounced back in a big way, but they’re still a long way from being the team they were last season. A win at home could probably set them in the right direction.
Columbus Aviators (0-2) vs. Dallas Renegades (2-0)
Date and Time: Sunday, Apr. 11th, 12:00 PM EST
Location: Toyota Stadium (Frisco, TX)
How to Watch: ABC (check local listings)
Columbus will have their toughest challenge yet when they seek their first win against the Dallas Renegades.
From the get-go, the Aviators had difficulties trying to get their season off the ground. While they had some offensive troubles, their biggest weaknesses lie in both that and the defense. Turnovers have been the hardest obstacle to overcome and allowing explosive plays will not help it either.
The Renegades have been riding high ever since Austin Reed took over for Luis Perez as quarterback. Last week, the dynamic that he and Tyler Vaughns, 2025 all-UFL selection, had helped carried the team to victory. So far, they have found their right balance in the game, and they plan on taking it further than they ever had.
Birmingham Stallions (1-1) vs. St. Louis Battlehawks (1-1)
Date and Time: Sunday, Apr. 11th, 3:00 PM EST
Location: The Dome at America’s Center (St. Louis, MO)
How to Watch: ABC (check local listings)
AJ McCarron returns to the place where his spring football career began as he and the Birmingham Stallions take on the St. Louis Battlehawks.
Years before becoming Birmingham’s new head coach, McCarron came into the league as the Battlehawks quarterback. Now, he leads the 1-1 Stallions into his old UFL stomping grounds this Sunday afternoon. Last week was like a disaster for Birmingham. Matt Corral had two turnovers, and the offense was inconsistent. Their defense did better holding down Houston and forcing them to score almost nothing but field goals. They will have to do the same for St. Louis, and make sure the offense keeps away from the defense.
McCarron is about to realize that this version of the Battlehawks are nothing like the ones he had side-by-side. While they won in the first week, St. Louis was dominated by the Renegades last week. They can’t allow themselves be overtaken by someone or someone in a group or it will not end well for them.
