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5 hours ago

Race for the UFL MVP - Week Three 1. (last week: 1) QB Austin Reed, Renegades Last Week: 18-30, 147 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT Season: 66-106 (62%), 763 yards, 9 TD, 1 INT Reed and the rest of the Dallas offense struggled to get on track against Columbus. Playing on a short week could've contributed to this; the rain was another likely factor. Even so, Reed still threw two touchdown passes and did not turn the ball over. The Aviators entered Toytoa Stadium hungry, desperate for a win, and attempting to prove the situation surrounding their head coach wouldn't be a distraction. They came close to pulling off the upset. Dallas players and coaches noted that Columbus showed them some things they hadn't seen on film. I would expect Reed and the Renegades to have an easier time with Columbus in their rematch on Friday night. 2. (3) RB Deon Jackson, Defenders Last Week: 5 att., 70 yards, 1 TD; 1 rec., -2 yards Season: 33 att., 224 yards (6.8 avg.), 5 TD; 3 rec., 27 yards (9.0 avg.) On the second offensive play from scrimmage, Jackson took the ball 60 yards for a score. In a 45-7 drubbing of Columbus, Jackson touched the ball just six times and was outrushed by his backups Abram Smith and Xazvian Valladay. Jackson is clearly the lead dog in the backfield, though, and in a more competitive game would've likely played more. In week four, D.C. rematches with St. Louis, against whom Jackson had the worst game of the season, accumulating just 57 yards on the ground when they faced off on opening weekend. D.C. is the first UFL team in history to post back-to-back 40+-point games, but it will be difficult to repeat that against a good St. Louis defense. 3. (4) QB Jack Plummer, Storm Last Week: 21-34, 249 yards, 3 TD Season: 59-79 (70.9%), 672 yards, 6 TD, 1 INT Orlando was just barely able to escape Louisville with a Friday night win, keeping their undefeated streak alive at 3-0. Plummer was a big reason for this, throwing for another three touchdowns even if he wasn't as sharp as he was in the first two games. He added a few designed runs to his arsenal as well, just to keep the defense honest more than anything else. On Sunday, the Storm face the Birmingham Stallions, who already have five interceptions on the season. Ball security will be paramount in that matchup as Birmingham will enter the game in desperation mode at 1-2. 4. (3) WR Tyler Vaughns, Renegades Last Week: 5 rec., 41 yards (8.2 avg.) Season: 23 rec., 331 yards (14.4 avg.), 4 TD Dallas ran into some unexpected roadblocks against a game Columbus squad. QB Austin Reed's numbers were down, as were Vaughns'. Still, the emerging star receiver was second on the team in targets with six and retains his league lead - by a healthy margin - in receiving yardage. There will be times when the game plan calls for Reed to spread the ball around as he did versus the Aviators - nine different Renegades were targeted; six were on the receiving end of multiple passes their way. Vaughns and the Renegades will be back at it in a rematch with Columbus on Friday night. 5. (5) QB Matt Corral, Stallions Last Week: 16-33 (48%), 252 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Season: 58-90 (64.4%), 665 yards, 5 TD, 4 INT The fifth one on this list was really difficult because there's a huge drop-off after Vaughns. I kept Corral in the top five largely because he was in there last week. He leads the UFL in interceptions but is also third in TD passes and second in yardage. Corral has a tremendous group of receivers at his disposal, which will help his numbers as the season progresses, even if his decision-making lacks consistency. At 1-2, Corral and the Stallions will look to get back in the playoff hunt against the Orlando Storm on Sunday, in Birmingham's first home game of the season.

Race for the UFL MVP - Week Three by Greg Parks

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8 hours ago

Houston Gamblers Set for Thursday Night Showdown Vs. Louisville Kings at 7 P.m. on NFL Network HOUSTON, TX — April 13, 2026 — The Houston Gamblers return home under the lights this Thursday night as they host the Louisville Kings in a primetime matchup, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. CT on NFL Network. After a game winning field goal to seal the win at home, the Gamblers look to defend their home turf in front of a high-energy H-Town crowd. Thursday night also brings one of the most anticipated theme nights of the season, as “School Pride Meets H-Town Swagger” takes over the stadium. Fans are encouraged to represent their alma maters, local schools, and alumni groups while bringing Houston pride front and center. The first 5,000 fans through the gates will receive a free Gamblers team-branded T-shirt, adding to the electric atmosphere. In addition, fans can celebrate “Thirsty Thursday,” with $2 12 oz. Busch Lights throughout the night, making it a can’t-miss evening of football, community, and celebration. On the field, the Gamblers will lean on a strong all-around effort as they face a competitive Louisville Kings squad. Houston’s playmakers, including a ball-hawking secondary and consistent special teams unit, continue to set the tone as the team pushes toward the latter part of the season. Fans can secure their seats now by visiting: Houston Gamblers Ticket Central Don’t miss your chance to be part of the action as the Gamblers light up Thursday night football in Houston.

Houston Gamblers Set for Thursday Night Showdown Vs. Louisville Kings at 7 P.m. on NFL Network by Mark Perry

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10 hours ago

Battlehawks Place Running Back Rahjai Harris on Injured Reserve after apparent lower body injury Fresh off their week three victory, the St. Louis Battlehawks are now dealing with their second major injury of the 2026 season. After losing defensive back Kameron Kelly to injured reserve, the Battlehawks will now be without Rahjai Harris a key special teams contributor, and 3rd string back whose been active all three weeks of the season. Harris suffered a lower body injury during the first half of the Battlehawks matchup against the Birmingham Stallions this past Sunday. Throughout the 2026 Harris has been a central figure on St. Louis' special teams recording 7 kick returns for 219 yards (31.3 yards per return), while also recording six carries for six yards as well. The Battlehawks will most likely turn to Kylin James to take on Harris' workload for the time being. Other options that are available if St. Louis wants to sign an additional back could Dillon Johnson who was drafted by St. Louis in January, or an established veteran like Matt Colburn. The Battlehawks begin week four on Saturday April 19th, at Audi Field. The Battlehawks are currently 2-1 and will look to strengthen their playoff position as the season creeps to the mid-year mark.

Battlehawks Place Running Back Rahjai Harris on Injured Reserve after apparent lower body injury by Patrick Rifino

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19 hours ago

Orlando Storm Add CB Nate Brooks, Place CB Lamar Jackson on Injured Reserve For the second week in a row, the Orlando Storm's defense has taken a hit with an injury to one of its defensive starters. This week, Orlando lost cornerback Lamar Jackson for the next several weeks, and the Storm have placed Jackson on the Injured Reserve list. Therefore, the Orlando defense has an immediate need for another quality defensive back to fill in for Jackson. Following the trend of the offseason, Orlando head coach Anthony Becht continues to lean on players that he has direct experience with from his time serving as the head coach of the Saint Louis Battlehawks. The latest former Battlehawks player to join the Storm roster is cornerback Nate Brooks. Brooks brings a wealth of professional football experience, including time in the USFL and two seasons in the UFL. The UFL announced the addition of Lamar Jackson to the Injured Reserve list and the signing of cornerback Nate Brooks. Free Agent Signing: Louisville CB, Isaiah Bolden RB, James Robinson Orlando CB, Nate Brooks Moved to Reserve/Injured: Orlando CB, Lamar Jackson St. Louis RB, Rahjai Harris — UFL Communications Department (@UFL_PR) April 14, 2026 Cornerback Nate Brooks, a 6'0", 198-pound native of Whitehouse, Texas, has spent time on the practice squads of several NFL teams. He was on the active roster for the Miami Dolphins in 2019 and the Baltimore Ravens in 2020. With the Dolphins, he played 3 games, recording 10 solo tackles and 1 assist. In 2020, Brooks appeared in 1 game for the Ravens but did not record any stats. In 2023, Brooks played cornerback for the Birmingham Stallions in the USFL and helped them win their second consecutive USFL championship. He went on to assist the Stallions in capturing the first UFL championship during the 2024 season, also earning a spot on the All-UFL team for his performance. In 2025, Brooks spent time with the Michigan Panthers before joining the Saint Louis Battlehawks practice squad for the rest of the season. During his professional football career, Brooks has demonstrated elite ball skills and the ability to be a ball hawk in a defensive secondary. Brooks has elite lateral speed and agility, and he can play several roles on defense. In the past, Brooks has struggled with injuries, but he is joining the Storm after not playing an active role in 2025. Brooks struggles to keep up with opposing receivers who are legitimate vertical threats in the passing game. For more football content, check out Football Scientific Follow me on X: @AaronSauter7

Orlando Storm Add CB Nate Brooks, Place CB Lamar Jackson on Injured Reserve by Aaron Sauter

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21 hours ago

Undefeated Orlando Storm: A Top Tier Team, or a Phantom Storm? When looking at the 2026 UFL standings after the first 3 weeks of the season, a case can be made for the Orlando Storm being viewed as a top-tier team in the UFL. The Storm are currently 3-0 after their first three games, and they are tied at the top of the standings with the 3-0 Dallas Renegades. However, the quality of the Storm's three wins is questionable compared to the Renegades ' slate of opponents to start the season. So far this season, the Storm have played one game against the 0-3 Columbus Aviators and two games against the 0-3 Louisville Kings. In contrast, the Renegades have wins over the Saint Louis Battlehawks and the Houston Gamblers. In addition, the Storm drew the ire of the UFL by picking up their third win in a controversial ending to an extended overtime session 29-27 over the Louisville Kings. Therefore, when assessing the Orlando Storm at this point in this season, it is fair to ask, are the Orlando Storm a legitimate top-tier team in the UFL, or are they a phantom storm that has been propped up by a weak schedule? The Controversial Penalty-Won Overtime The Orlando Storm vs. Louisville Kings matchup to kick off Week 3 of the 2026 season sparked ongoing discussion about the UFL's overtime rules throughout the weekend. To review that situation, first consider the context of the controversial finish. The Storm led the Kings late in the 4th quarter, but they failed to hold on and allowed a game-tying touchdown, sending the game to overtime. In the UFL overtime session, both teams attempt three two-point conversions in a shootout format. During the Storm's three attempts, the Louisville Kings were called for a minor defensive penalty that moved the ball closer and increased the Storm’s chances of converting. Because neither team converted on the first three two-point attempts, the game went to a sudden-death two-point conversion shootout. During the Storm's two-point attempt in sudden death, the Louisville Kings were called for a second defensive penalty. Under UFL rules, the officials awarded the Storm the two points and the win. Since then, the UFL overtime rules have been scrutinized by several parties. QB Jack Plummer = UFL MVP? A big part of the Orlando Storm's offensive success has been solid play from starting quarterback Jack Plummer. During the first three games, Plummer has completed 70.9% of his passes for 672 yards, along with 6 touchdowns and only 1 interception. However, Plummer has yet to face the UFL's top-ranked defenses this season, so it remains unclear how he will perform against higher-caliber competition, and over time, his efficiency could wane. Despite the lack of quality competition so far, Plummer has played exceptionally efficient football for Orlando. If he maintains or elevates his production without losing efficiency, he should be a front-runner for UFL MVP in 2026. To achieve this, Plummer must continue producing and avoid injury during the next 7 games for the Storm. Dynamic Duo of Hamler and Rowland Another aspect of Plummer's success so far this season reflects the productivity of his top wide receivers. So far this season, Chris Rowland and K.J. Hamler have established themselves as consistent playmakers. Rowland's explosiveness and Hamler's legitimate vertical speed have become a nightmare for UFL secondaries so far this season. So far this season, Rowland has demonstrated that he is a dependable target who has the ability to pick up significant yards after the catch. During the first three games, Rowland has caught 21 passes for 195 yards and 2 touchdowns. In addition, Hamler has gained 161 receiving yards on only 8 catches, with his yards coming in bigger chunks. Similar to Rowland, Hamler has also caught 2 touchdown passes, accounting for 4 of Plummer's 6 touchdown passes so far this season. Time to Step Up For Week 4 in Birmingham Week 4 is a big opportunity for the Storm as they face the Birmingham Stallions. The Stallions have not met the standard set under three-time champion coach Skip Holtz. Still, they have won this season and lost by only 2 points to the Houston Gamblers and 4 to the Saint Louis Battlehawks. For Orlando, the Stallions will be the toughest opponent they have faced so far this season. Orlando will need to rise to the challenge to maintain the success that has helped them start the season 3-0. For the Storm, this game is crucial as a win or loss will directly impact their position in the standings and clarify their path toward securing a playoff spot and a possible run to the 2026 UFL championship. For more football content, check out Football Scientific Follow me on X: @AaronSauter7

Undefeated Orlando Storm: A Top Tier Team, or a Phantom Storm? by Aaron Sauter

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1 day ago

Birmingham In Survival Mode Heading Into Home Opener Birmingham Stallions head coach A.J. McCarron, looking downward at his postgame presser, summed up his team’s performance versus St. Louis by saying, “Listen, we’re 1-2. It is what it is. We’re in the hole, five of our last seven are at home. We’ve just got to worry about things we can control, and that’s watching the film and moving on to Orlando.” STALLIONS REELING ON THE HEELS OF LOSING THEIR SECOND CONSECUTIVE GAME IN HEARTBREAKING FASHION The Stallions allowed St. Louis to overcome a 10 point fourth quarter deficit to lose on Sunday, one week after being punched in the gut with a game losing field goal as time expired. McCarron didn’t mention that his team, having opened their season with three games on the road, are faced with the daunting challenge of emerging from a place that no Birmingham team has ever been faced with during the modern iteration of spring professional football. They have no one to blame but themselves. CORRAL STRUGGLES CONTINUE WITH CONSISTENCY No single player can shoulder the blame for a loss, but Matt Corral’s 5/5 touchdown/interception ratio has played a huge role in Birmingham’s struggles. His pick six on Sunday is a primary example. The Stallions penalty woes continue to be a thorn in their sides. As a team they average 6.7 per game for a 54.3 yard average. There’s no good time for a team to be penalized, but Birmingham has a knack to commit them in drive killing fashion offensively or when they allow opposing offenses to stay on the field with drive extending infractions on the defensive side of the football. SOCIAL MEDIA DIVIDED ON McCARRON Social media in the Birmingham market has been a divisive, hot topic issue ever since McCarron was named head coach back in December, and with each loss the heated debate increases with venomous vitriol among some. ORLANDO UNBEATEN BUT BEATABLE Birmingham’s Saturday opponent, the Orlando Storm, comes into Protective Stadium undefeated at 3-0. Even though their three victories have come against Louisville and Columbus, both a combined 0-6, they have taken care of business and dispatched both (Orlando defeated Louisville in back to back games). FOR THE STALLIONS, SATURDAY IS A MUST WIN GAME Birmingham must find a way to piece things together on Saturday. Playing a ten game schedule, a loss would be a devastating blow. McCarron has to know it, so too, do the players. Playing at home should help. In a year where Birmingham will be under the microscope relative to attendance, there are certain important eyes that no doubt will be canvassing the stadium landscape.

Birmingham In Survival Mode Heading Into Home Opener by Gary Thrasher

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1 day ago

What We Learned From UFL Week Three Each week, Greg will present what we learned from UFL games over the previous weekend. -At least one part of the UFL overtime rule is not very popular. And "not very popular" might be an understatement. Week three kicked off with a fantastic game in Louisville that went into overtime. However, a pair of defensive penalties against the Kings in OT led to Orlando being awarded two points and the victory. It's a rule that's been in place for a few years, more likely as a deterrent to defenses than something anyone anticipated actually being used. The way UFL VP of Officiating Dean Blandino explained it made sense: It's to inhibit defenses from purposefully fouling the offense into oblivion. It also prevents games and OTs that drag on, while also attempting to reduce injury risk. Practically speaking, however, no one wants the game to end on a penalty that ends up awarding a team points - and decides the game. UFL co-owner Mike Repole is on the case - he posted on X not long after the game that he doesn't like the rule, either. Expect it to be tweaked in the not-too-distant future. -Speaking of rules, coaches still don't seem to know what they can challenge. We're three years into the coach's challenge system and they (and we) still don't seem to know what the Command Center automatically reviews and what coaches can throw the red flag on. On Friday, a fourth quarter touchdown catch by K.J. Hamler was reviewed by the booth and confirmed - even then, Kings head coach Chris Redman challenged it, costing his team a time out. There was an attempted review on Sunday of an incident after the play in which a coach had to be reminded that he can only challenge "live ball" fouls. In the heat of the moment, it can be easy to forget the nuances of the rule when a head coach has a million other things running through his mind. Maybe the challenge rule should be simplified then, or booted altogether. -Columbus may need to find a new head coach. As if the OT rule fiasco wasn't enough bad press for the UFL, late Saturday night news broke that Aviators head coach Ted Ginn Jr. had been arrested for DUI. Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley took the reins on Sunday against Dallas. The UFL released a statement acknowledging the incident, and on Sunday Ginn also posted a message apologizing for his indiscretion. It remains to be seen what action the league will take against Ginn, but it would not be surprising to see them cut ties with him completely. -Harrison Frost made Ricky Proehl look like a genius. It was surprising that St. Louis Battlehawks head coach Ricky Proehl opted to bench starter Brandon Silvers while the team held a 13-10 lead over Birmingham. Silvers didn't play great, but his backup, Harrison Frost, hadn't played at all in the first two games. Frost ended up throwing interceptions on his first two pass attempts, including one that was returned for a touchdown. It would've been easy for Proehl to go back to Silvers, and no one would've blamed him for that move. Instead, he stuck with Frost, who led a 10-point fourth quarter comeback to give St. Louis the win. Now, Proehl will have to decide who starts next week in a critical week four matchup against fellow 2-1 team, the D.C. Defenders. -Dallas can win even when they're not at their best. Austin Reed and Tyler Vaughns had their way in the first two weeks, but they ran into unexpected trouble in week three against Columbus. Nevertheless, a mark of a good team is when they can win without playing their best football. That's what Dallas did on Sunday. The negative is that they performed in front of just over 5,000 fans at Toyota Stadium, the second disappointing number in as many weeks. There are extenuating circumstances - the previous game was on a Tuesday night, and rain pelted the area on Sunday. However, Dallas is reaching Memphis-level numbers here and for a legacy brand that's been around in some form since 2020, that has to be concerning for ownership. -Taulia Tagovailoa played like a third stringer with limited reps. Injuries to starters Hunter Dekkers and Nolan Henderson forced third string QB Taulia Tagovailoa to start for Houston against D.C. on Saturday. He had his moments, able to hit some nice deeper throws but struggling with short and intermediate routes. D.C. is not the defense you want to throw out a backup against in his first start, but that was the draw Houston had. After the game, head coach Kevin Sumlin refused to discuss the injury status of his QBs and when they may return. It's a short turnaround for the team as they play a hungry and ticked off Louisville team, looking for their first win, on Thursday night.

What We Learned From UFL Week Three by Greg Parks

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1 day ago

UFL Week 3 Attendance: St. Louis Returns Home to 20,209 as League Average Rebounds to 12,148 Week 3 of the 2026 UFL season brought the St. Louis Battlehawks back to The Dome at America's Center. That alone was enough to push the league's attendance numbers back up after a Week 2 dip. Total attendance across four games came in at 48,591 — an average of 12,148 per game. That is a rebound from Week 2's 36,938 total (9,235 average) and sits closer to the league's cumulative season average through three weeks. Two of the four games aired on ABC, giving the UFL its best broadcast window of the season so far. The schedule also returned to a more standard Friday-Saturday-Sunday format after Week 2's Tuesday night experiment. St. Louis Draws 20,209 for Comeback Win The Birmingham Stallions visited the Battlehawks on Sunday afternoon at The Dome at America's Center. St. Louis won 34-30 in a game that featured a 21-point fourth-quarter comeback by the Battlehawks. The announced attendance was 20,209. That is well below St. Louis's Week 1 figure of 31,191, but the Battlehawks entered this game at 1-1 after a 31-15 loss to Dallas in the Week 2 Tuesday night game. The drop could reflect some early-season frustration, the Sunday afternoon time slot, or simply the difference between a season opener and a Week 3 home game. Even at 20,209, St. Louis posted the highest attendance of any UFL game this week and remains the league's top-drawing market by a wide margin. Quarterback Harrison Frost came off the bench for Brandon Silvers and threw three touchdowns — including a 64-yard strike to Hakeem Butler — to lead the comeback after St. Louis trailed 23-13 entering the fourth quarter. D.C. Draws 12,167 for Home Opener The D.C. Defenders hosted the Houston Gamblers at Audi Field on Saturday in the Defenders' first home game of the 2026 season. D.C. won 45-7, setting a UFL record for margin of victory at 38 points. The announced attendance was 12,167. Audi Field has a capacity of 20,000. The Defenders averaged 13,000 per home game in 2025, so the Week 3 number falls just below that pace. D.C. is the defending UFL champion and returned more players and coaches from last season than any other team. Running back Deon Jackson carried 11 times for 97 yards and three touchdowns. The Gamblers managed just seven points on the day. Louisville Draws 11,082 for Second Home Game The Orlando Storm visited the Louisville Kings on Friday night at Lynn Family Stadium. Orlando won 29-27 in overtime after the Kings committed a second defensive penalty in the shootout period, resulting in an automatic two points for the Storm under UFL rules. The announced attendance was 11,082. That is a drop from 14,034 in the Kings' Week 1 home debut. Lynn Family Stadium has a listed capacity of 11,700 for football (15,304 with standing room), so the building was close to its seated capacity. Louisville fell to 0-3 despite Jason Bean throwing for 352 yards and three touchdowns. The Kings have lost all three games by a combined eight points. Head coach Chris Redman's team has been competitive, but the record has not followed. A decline from Week 1 to the second home game is common in new UFL markets. The question for Louisville is whether the fan base stabilizes around the 11,000 mark or continues to slide. The Kings do not play at home again until Week 6 on April 30. Dallas Posts 5,133 as Lowest Figure of 2026 The Columbus Aviators visited the Dallas Renegades on Sunday at Toyota Stadium. Dallas won 28-23 but drew just 5,133 fans — the lowest attendance of any UFL game this season. That number continues a downward trend for the Renegades at home. Dallas drew 8,870 in Week 1 and 5,799 in Week 2's Tuesday night game. The Sunday noon slot on ABC did not improve the situation. Dallas is 3-0 on the field. The Renegades have the best record in the UFL through three weeks. Quarterback Austin Reed threw for 147 yards and two touchdowns, and the defense held Columbus to 23 points despite the Aviators controlling the ball for long stretches. The wins have not translated to ticket sales. Toyota Stadium holds about 20,500. At 5,133, the building was about one-quarter full. Week 3 Attendance at a Glance Orlando Storm at Louisville Kings Friday Lynn Family Stadium 11,082 ORL 29, LOU 27 (OT) Houston Gamblers at D.C. Defenders Saturday Audi Field 12,167 DC 45, HOU 7 Columbus Aviators at Dallas Renegades Sunday Toyota Stadium 5,133 DAL 28, CLB 23 Birmingham Stallions at St. Louis Battlehawks Sunday The Dome at America's Center 20,209 STL 34, BIR 30 Total / Average 48,591 / 12,148 Three-Week Attendance Trend Week 1 65,222 16,305 St. Louis (31,191) Dallas (8,870) Week 2 36,938 9,235 Columbus (14,810) Dallas (5,799) Week 3 48,591 12,148 St. Louis (20,209) Dallas (5,133) Season 150,751 12,563 What the Numbers Show Through Three Weeks Dallas has posted the lowest attendance in all three weeks. The Renegades have dropped from 8,870 to 5,799 to 5,133 despite going 3-0 on the field. That is the clearest sign in the league that winning alone does not solve the attendance problem in certain markets. St. Louis remains the league's anchor. The Battlehawks have played two home games and drawn 31,191 and 20,209 — accounting for 51,400 of the league's 150,751 total fans this season, or about 34 percent. The three new markets are establishing their baselines. Columbus drew 14,810 for its home opener in Week 2. Louisville has drawn 14,034 and 11,082 in two home games. Orlando drew 11,127 and 8,585 in its two home dates. All three are trending down from their debuts, which is typical for new UFL franchises. D.C.'s 12,167 home opener gives the Defenders a solid start. Houston and Birmingham have not had home games yet that tell us much — Houston drew 7,744 in Week 2 (Easter Sunday, NFL Network), and Birmingham has played all three games on the road. Through 12 games, the league-wide average sits at 12,563 per game. That is inside Mike Repole's stated target range of 10,000 to 15,000. Remove St. Louis's two home games, and the other 10 games average 9,935. Week 4 begins Thursday, April 16, with Louisville at Houston.

UFL Week 3 Attendance: St. Louis Returns Home to 20,209 as League Average Rebounds to 12,148 by Mark Perry

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What to Make of Controversial Rule Shown in Orlando Storm-Louisville Kings Week 3 Game Image via Scott Utterback/Courier Journal Week 3 certainly made headlines for the UFL, with one moment setting the tone for the weekend. The end of the Friday night showdown between the Orlando Storm and the Louisville Kings had everyone talking, including UFL co-owner Mike Repole. During overtime, the Kings were called for two defensive penalties in the shootout, the second coming in sudden death. Because that was the second one called on the defense, UFL Head of Officiating Dean Blandino ruled that, per the rules, the Storm would be awarded two points, and the game was over, with Orlando beating Louisville 29-27. This sparked a flurry of outrage among the UFL fanbase, with many unhappy that the officials stepped in and awarded the final points. Some fans thought it was within the rules, and the officials were right. Let’s break down what is right and wrong about the overtime penalty rule Looking at the two penalties, fans might argue that the first pass interference call in overtime on the Kings was not catchable and shouldn’t have been called, but it was close enough that it could have been okay. The second one is clearly a holding, so to be clear, the calls themselves are not the problem, as the officials got them right. Fans are upset because the officials stepped in and awarded the points themselves. But the letter of the law, yes, technically Blandino was right about the rule. It doesn’t make it right from the viewer’s perspective. No matter how officials or Blandino feel about it, fans don’t want officials to control who wins and loses a game. Yes, players can control it by not taking penalties on themselves, but to straight-up say, after just two penalties, that overtime has hit its penalty limit and we are just going to end it is wrong. The Washington Commanders were called for four straight penalties against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game two seasons ago, and no points were awarded. Former NFL director of operations Sam Schwartzstein was the original person who made the rule for the XFL back in 2020. Schwartzstein has publicly stated that there are two main reasons for this rule. The first being that the league did not want to prolong a game in overtime so that they could hit as close to the three-hour limit they have on TV as possible. Another part of this is that player safety was top of mind, and they don’t want to risk a lawsuit from players for playing too long on the field. One problem with this is that fans watching the game won’t mind watching more football, even if it goes over. Second, the UFL has the authority to change things up if they are so concerned about player safety. To help eliminate this overtime penalty rule while helping the players, it's very simple: keep a running clock through all four quarters and keep more players active. Having a running clock in all four quarters except for the last two minutes of the second and fourth quarters and a change of possession would reduce the length of the game by 15 to 30 minutes. The league allows only 43 active players on gameday, so increasing that number would help us rotate more players in, allowing them to take fewer snaps. This isn’t a black-and-white situation. Fans don’t want referees to control the game. Make it simple, get rid of it, and fix what happens in the four quarters before overtime to create a win-win for everyone.

What to Make of Controversial Rule Shown in Orlando Storm-Louisville Kings Week 3 Game by Anthony Miller

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UFL News Hub's Week Four Quarterback Rankings by Patrick Rifino

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Dallas Renegades Stay Perfect at 3-0 Despite Sloppy Performance in 28-23 Win Over Columbus The Dallas Renegades made history with their first 3-0 start in franchise history, but their 28-23 victory over Columbus exposed some concerning cracks in what had been a dominant opening to the season. Despite reaching an unprecedented milestone for the relocated franchise, both players and coaches weren't celebrating after a sluggish performance that nearly cost them against an 0-3 Aviators squad. Quarterback Austin Reed didn't mince words about his role in the team's struggles, particularly in the first half when Dallas managed just one touchdown. The offense that had torched opponents for 30+ points in their first two games looked out of sync for long stretches against a Columbus defense that entered the game allowing big numbers. "Anytime the offense stalls out, I'm always going to put it on myself. I needed to play better in the first half," Reed said. "First half and fourth quarter, I didn't play very good and I put that all on me." Historic Start Comes with Warning Signs While the 3-0 record represents the best start in Dallas Renegades history, the performance revealed vulnerabilities that could haunt them against better teams. The Renegades committed 11 penalties for 75 yards — more than their first two games combined — and looked "lethargic" according to head coach Rick Neuheisel. The defense kept Dallas in the game early, continuing their league-leading turnover pace with another strong performance. Ajene Harris and the defense came up with crucial stops when the offense couldn't find its rhythm, exemplifying the complementary football that has defined their perfect start. "I think we play really good complementary football," Reed explained. "There's times when we're rolling and our offense is playing really good, and then you see games like today where the defense kind of had to save us." Reed Takes Full Accountability The quarterback's willingness to shoulder blame for the offensive struggles stood out in stark contrast to the finger-pointing that often follows disappointing performances. Reed pointed to poor communication, missed throws, and overall execution issues that plagued the unit in crucial moments. Despite the struggles, Dallas still managed to find explosive plays when needed. Day-Day Hunter continued his impressive recent run with another solid performance, giving the Renegades the change-of-pace element they've been missing. The running back's emergence has provided a perfect complement to Ellis Jefferson's power running style. "He's just a great change of pace back," Reed said of Hunter. "He brings that big play ability and fits into those tighter run gaps and is able to come out of it and make big plays." Neuheisel's Honest Assessment Coach Neuheisel didn't sugarcoat the performance, delivering a blunt assessment that this Dallas team wasn't prepared to its usual standard. The coach emphasized the "opportunity league" nature of the UFL, where excuses don't matter and teams must be ready regardless of circumstances. "This is an opportunity league. The opportunity will be afforded you and no one will care about the circumstances. We better be ready. We weren't good enough in special teams. We looked sophomore today, and can't do that if we're going to play good football teams." The special teams struggles particularly bothered Neuheisel, with Dallas kicking balls out of bounds and through the end zone, consistently giving Columbus favorable field position. These are the types of mistakes that championship-caliber teams can't afford against quality opponents. Quick Turnaround Looms Dallas gets an immediate chance for redemption with a Friday night rematch in Columbus. The Aviators showed they can hang with the undefeated Renegades and will have home field advantage plus extra motivation after coming so close to their first win. The quick turnaround presents both challenges and opportunities. Dallas dealt with just five days of rest compared to Columbus' nine days entering this game, but now both teams will have the same preparation time. More importantly, the Aviators gained confidence and believe they can beat Dallas after nearly pulling off the upset. "This team thinks they can beat us, and they're going to play their tails off in Columbus," Neuheisel warned. "It's going to be a rock 'em, sock 'em game." The historic 3-0 start keeps Dallas tied atop the UFL standings, but this performance served as a wake-up call that their early-season dominance won't automatically continue. How they respond in the hostile environment of Columbus will reveal whether this stumble was an aberration or a sign of deeper issues that opponents can exploit.

Dallas Renegades Stay Perfect at 3-0 Despite Sloppy Performance in 28-23 Win Over Columbus by Mark Perry

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Columbus Aviators Fall to 0-3 as Todd Haley Takes Over Head Coaching Duties in 28-23 Loss to Dallas Todd Haley's first game as head coach of the Columbus Aviators ended in familiar fashion — a close loss that slipped away due to execution issues. The Aviators fell 28-23 to the Dallas Renegades on Sunday, dropping to 0-3 despite showing flashes of the potential that has Haley convinced this team can turn things around. Haley, who took over head coaching duties this week, drew on his experience turning around the Memphis Showboats to project confidence about Columbus's future despite the winless start. Smooth Transition to Head Coach Haley looked comfortable in his expanded role, saying the transition felt natural despite the added responsibilities of managing the entire team rather than just one side of the ball. "I'm very comfortable in this position. I'm grateful for Ted having faith in me to do it. I'm grateful for the league having faith in me to do it," Haley said. "A lot of fun, juices were flowing. The players know it. It's just different when you get to handle the whole team." The Aviators opened the game exactly as Haley envisioned, taking the ball first and marching down the field for a touchdown. But after that promising start, execution problems derailed their momentum. McClendon Takes Accountability for Pick-Six Quarterback Jalan McClendon didn't shy away from taking responsibility for the game's most costly mistake — a pick-six that gave Dallas crucial momentum. McClendon explained the play was one they'd successfully run multiple times before Dallas adjusted. "The ball shouldn't even went to him," McClendon said of the interception. "We had converted the same exact play a couple of times to the hitch. They did a good job of disguise on defense and got us a little bit." Despite the turnover, Haley praised McClendon's aggressive mindset and willingness to take ownership of mistakes. Third Down Struggles Continue The Aviators went just 2-for-9 on third down conversions, a stat that highlighted their ongoing execution issues. Haley acknowledged some of those third downs were "third and a million" situations created by penalties and negative plays. "That means we moved the football pretty well on first and second down," Haley said of the third down struggles. "But you got to execute on third down, and you got to have yourself in situations where the percentage of converting those are much higher." Drawing on Memphis Experience Faced with an 0-3 start, Haley leaned on his experience with the Memphis Showboats as evidence that early season struggles don't define a team's potential. His message to the team focused on staying together through adversity. "I've been in this situation as a head coach with the Memphis Showboats. Started 0-3, everybody thought the sky was falling and we ran off 5 in a row and we were in first place," Haley said. "The bottom line is we just got to stick together, continue to get better." Haley compared the team's situation to Rory McIlroy's long wait for his first Masters jacket, suggesting that once Columbus breaks through for their first win, more success will follow. Defense Shows Fight Despite Early Deficit While the offense struggled with self-inflicted wounds, Haley praised his defense for battling back after Dallas built an early lead. The unit forced enough stops to keep Columbus competitive, though they couldn't overcome the points given up by turnovers. "We just can't give them 7 points. We got to make field goals, and then all of a sudden it's a game," Haley said, referencing how small margins continue to work against his team. The Aviators have now faced three quality opponents to start the season, and Haley believes his team belongs in that conversation once they clean up the mistakes that have plagued their winless start.

Columbus Aviators Fall to 0-3 as Todd Haley Takes Over Head Coaching Duties in 28-23 Loss to Dallas by Mark Perry

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Former Battlehawk Chris Payton-Jones tragically passes away in car accident Tragedy struck the UFL family late Saturday evening, with the news that former St. Louis Battlehawk Chris Payton Jones has tragically passed away in car accident. CPJ as he was known throughout the football community was killed in Gainesville, Florida on state-road 24 when he collided head-on with a pickup truck at NE 53rd Terrace around 11:45 p.m per News Jax 4. CPJ spent two seasons in St. Louis, after spending the 2023 season with the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL. Coming out of the University of Nebraska in 2018, CPJ spent time with five NFL teams from 2018 to 2022 appearing in 29 games in his NFL career. He announced his retirement prior to the 2026 UFL season. In addition to his work on the field, CPJ was also an accomplished photographer often spending time on the sidelines during high school football games, while also giving inside access to UFL fans with his YouTube channel and interviews. Our thoughts are with the families of not just Payton-Jones but all those affected by this tragedy. Payton-Jones was 30 years-old at the time of his passing.

Former Battlehawk Chris Payton-Jones tragically passes away in car accident by Patrick Rifino

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Defending Champion DC Defenders Torch Houston 45-7 in Dominant Home Opener The DC Defenders put on an absolute clinic in their home opener Saturday, dismantling the Houston Gamblers 45-7 in front of their championship-hungry fanbase. The defending UFL champions held Houston to just 7 points — the lowest total scored by any team this season — while their offense carved up the Gamblers with big plays and trick plays alike. Coming off their 2025 championship, the Defenders looked every bit the part of a team that refuses to let up. They dominated on both sides of the ball in what coach Shannon Harris called "complementary football" at its finest. Defense Sets the Tone Early DC's defense absolutely suffocated Houston's offense, forcing them into third-and-long situations all afternoon. The Gamblers converted just 1 of 7 fourth-down attempts and couldn't establish any rhythm against a unit that knew exactly what was coming. "We know that they came from like a college system, so it was like very basic," said Gabe Taylor, who recorded an interception in his emotional return to DC. "We got the best trenches in the UFL, so [the quarterback] doesn't have a lot of time. And this new quarterback, so his little brother, so we knew what was going to happen." Taylor, who hadn't played football in over a year, was visibly emotional about getting back on the field in front of the DC faithful. The defensive standout couldn't contain his excitement about the crowd energy and the return of the Beer Snake tradition that has become synonymous with Defenders home games. Briley Moore's 'Jughead' Magic While the defense dominated, the offense provided plenty of fireworks thanks to Briley Moore's two touchdown performances. The versatile weapon scored twice, including a spectacular trick play called "Jughead" that had the crowd on its feet. Moore described the perfectly executed play call: "We practiced it this week. We kind of knew it was going to be there. We just didn't know when the right situation was going to arise. We had that — it was 4th and 3, I think, 4th and 4. We went out for a field goal and JT kind of mentioned it. I kind of called my own play." The connection between Moore and quarterback Jordan Ta'amu continues to flourish in their second season together. Ta'amu praised his roommate and offensive weapon, noting that "he's just another quarterback" on the field who can help make adjustments and read defenses. Championship Mentality Carries Over Despite an early interception in the red zone that could have derailed momentum, Ta'amu showed the poise of a championship quarterback. His "one snap and clear" mentality kept the offense rolling while the defense continued to get stops. "My team had my back. I mean, the defense, you know, coming off the field, I already felt their energy. It was like, hey, we'll get the ball back for you and we want you to score," Ta'amu explained. That complementary football was exactly what Harris had preached all week. The coach emphasized starting fast and finishing faster — a message that clearly resonated with his defending champions. Best Fans in the UFL The atmosphere at Audi Field was electric for the Defenders' first home game since winning the 2025 championship. The crowd's energy forced Houston into silent counts and rattled their young quarterback throughout the afternoon. Taylor, despite being from Miami, had nothing but praise for the DC fanbase: "We got the best fans in the UFL. DC got the best fans in general, and I'm from Miami, Florida, so I'm just letting y'all know right now, like, you got the best fans." The Beer Snake made its triumphant return, though fans were hoping for a second appearance that Moore promised to deliver next week against St. Louis. Looking Ahead As the Defenders prepare for their Week 4 showdown with the St. Louis Battlehawks, they're carrying themselves with the confidence of a team that knows they're still the standard in the UFL. When asked about next week's strategy, Taylor summed up the championship mentality perfectly: "To be honest, just be us. The only team that can beat the D.C. Defenders is us. Like I said, when we're out there dominating, all 11 guys doing their job as one, nobody can mess with us at the end of the day." With performances like Saturday's 45-7 beatdown, it's hard to argue with that confidence.

Defending Champion DC Defenders Torch Houston 45-7 in Dominant Home Opener by Mark Perry

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2 days ago

2026 UFL Week 3 Game Preview: Birmingham Stallions at St. Louis Battlehawks Coming off their first loss of the season, the Battlehawks return to the "Dome" to take on the three-time spring football champion Birmingham Stallions. Birmingham comes off their own week two lost against the Houston Gamblers on a last second field goal. One of the more anticipated storylines of this week is the return of A.J. McCarron who was St. Louis's quarterback in for two seasons, and now the Head Coach of the Stallions. Both teams are now looking to stay competitive in the playoff hunt. Birmingham Stallions vs. St. Louis Battlehawks Week 3 Game Preview Gameday Info Date: Sunday, April 12, 2026 Kickoff Time: 3:00 pm EST Location: The Dome at America's Center Network: ABC Game Betting Odds (via DraftKings) Spread: Stallions -2.5 O/U Total: 42.5 Moneyline: Stallions -142, Battlehawks +120 What to Watch for: St. Louis Battlehawks Despite not registering a sack the Battlehawks front seven did manage 8 TFLs in their disapointing loss to the Renegades. While the final score may not have been the final telling of the whole story, St. Louis lacked consistency throughout their week two loss that saw wide receivers deal with drops, and penalties that allowed the Renegades to continue drives to ultimately score. St. Louis will have to reevaluate on a short week with a tough opponent in Birmingham. The team has looked sluggish and unbalanced over the past three weeks despite high end effort from their defense. While the team is by no means perfect, they clearly are more than capable to find a way to win at home in front of their fans. The Battlehawks will rely this week on continuity on offense, with specifically more consistency from their wide receiver room that isn't Hakeem Butler. St. Louis will also need to garner some sort of traction on the ground, that only saw 12 rushing attempts from their running backs in week two. What to Watch for: Birmingham Stallions That Stallions through the first two weeks seem to still "figuring it out" in regard to an offensive identity. While QB Matt Corral has a ton of ability, seemingly putting it all together for four quarters has been extremely difficult despite the stable of receivers at the helm. Defensively the team has struggled to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The Stallions have totaled 1.0 sack so far this season compared to the Battlehawks 7.0. Birmingham has been holding true to a bend don't break philosophy which allowed Houston to kick five field goals last week. Battlehawks-Stallions Prediction How does St. Louis recover on a short week vs is Matt Corral capable is the major question this week. Personally, I think that the Battlehawks squeak out a win this week, that comes from a predicted turnover, and two explosive plays on offense. Between some luck, and great defense from St. Louis, the Stallions aren't able to overcome several mistakes that lead the Battlehawks to a 27-20 victory. Birmingham Stallions 20, St. Louis Battlehawks 27

2026 UFL Week 3 Game Preview: Birmingham Stallions at St. Louis Battlehawks by Patrick Rifino

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Five Takeaways From Louisville Kings and Orlando Storm Rematch In front of a crowd of 11,082 cheering hometown fans, the Louisville Kings re-ignited their season with an inspired comeback performance against the Orlando Storm. Matching the Storm touchdown for touchdown, the Kings forced an overtime shootout to break a 27-27 tie at the end of regulation. Unfortunately, the game ended in a loss when two back-to-back pass interference penalties cost the Kings the game, marring an otherwise outstanding defensive performance. Five Takeaways From Louisville Kings and Orlando Storm Rematch As Louisville falls to 0-3, here are five takeaways from the Kings’ best showing of the season. Complementary Football Across All Three Phases of the Game Over the past two weeks, the defense has played exceptionally well while the offense struggled at times, particularly in the running game. Although kicker Tanner Brown has been perfect, converting all seven field goals, previously, there were mixed results on special teams play in kickoff and punt returns. However, on Friday night, it all came together for the Kings. The defense played great throughout the game. The offense shone in the second half once the ground game got going. Quarterback Jason Bean had the offense humming as they matched Orlando score for score, spreading the ball around to eight different receivers, including two touchdowns to TE Zach Davidson and one to WR Lucky Jackson. Isaiah Winstead hauled in 7 receptions for 114 yards. With all three units playing complementary ball throughout the night, it was a true team effort in all three phases. Head coach Chris Redman emphasized in his post-game media session, “I can’t be more proud of these guys. They fought so hard. These guys never quit…No one on the team ever quit.” Despite the chaotic and questionable ending, he continued, “We had a rough start here, but the fight in them, the willingness to never give up, the way they battled... there’s no quit. We don’t quit.” Redman confidently stated, “The W’s are gonna come. It’s just a matter of when.” The Louisville Kings Defense In his post-game media session, Redman was quick to acknowledge his talented defense. “Really proud of the defense. They played their tails off... I feel like the defense is getting better every week. They’re challenging themselves to be great and be a dominant force on that side of the ball.” Jamie Sharper's defense is proving to be one of the league's best. In a repeat performance of last week’s dominant stand against two of the league’s top talents, the Kings' defense successfully contained All-UFL Team standouts Jashaun Corbin and Chris Rowland. Although it’s only three weeks into the season, several of the Kings' defenders are arguably headed towards All-UFL Team status. Keaton Ellis and Jaheim Thomas led the team with 6 tackles and a pass breakup. Cornerbacks Cam Dantzler and Eric Garror each had four tackles plus a TFL. Louisville OLB Cam Gill had three tackles (one solo), one TFL, and 1.5 sacks. Jaylon Allen had two tackles, one TFL, and a sack. Jason Bean Showed Why He’s QB1 Despite playing a statistically stronger game than the Storm in almost every category, the team still lost. Louisville outperformed Orlando, recording more total yards, passing yards, first downs, sacks, tackles for a loss, with a comparable time of possession, and zero turnovers. Bean played a superior game, completing 23 of 46 passes for 352 yards with three touchdowns. Jack Plummer posted 21 of 34 for 250 yards and three touchdowns. Neither quarterback had a takeaway. Bean’s performance was all the more impressive given his disappointing game from last week. He shook off a couple of tough losses, ignored the pointed criticism, and bounced back to outplay one of the UFL's top quarterbacks. Afterwards, a visibly despondent Bean admitted, “It was a disappointing way to finish a game like that after the way I played and the way that the offense played and, you know, the way that the defense played. I think we very much deserved to win that game. It’s just not the way the cards fell tonight. Like I said, we’re gonna get back in. We've got a short week this week. But I think I’m looking forward to it, and I think the rest of the team is looking forward to it.” A Significant Improvement In The Ground Game In the first two games this season, the Louisville ground game was missing in action. Coach Redman admitted that the lack of a ground game was something they addressed in practice. One of the changes made involved bringing in different personnel for the offensive line. The reconfigured o-line made a big difference, allowing the ground game to flourish. Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Benny Snell handled the workload for the Kings. He finished the night with 12 carries for 50 yards, compared to his previous season total of 11 carries for 21 yards. Bean rushed three times for 14 yards. Penalties Killed An Impressive Comeback For the second week in a row, the Kings committed nine total penalties. This week, their last two penalties cost them the game. In a highly controversial, bizarre UFL rule, when a defense commits back-to-back penalties during overtime, the officials reward the offense with an automatic win. The rule is absurd and should be changed. It was a devastating way to lose the game, which was made even more painful by an incomplete pass. Had either penalty not occurred, it's likely the Kings would be celebrating their first win. Instead, they were left with a devastating loss. The pain of this loss will resonate for a long time. However, there is no better way to impress upon a young team why Louisville must play a cleaner game. The team will have a chance to do just that and put it all together again next Thursday night to earn their first victory. The action takes place next Thursday, April 16th, at 8:00 pm when the Kings travel to Houston to take on the 1-2 Gamblers. The game will be televised on the NFL Network.

Five Takeaways From Louisville Kings and Orlando Storm Rematch by Sue Levine

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Houston Gamblers Coach Rips Team's Lack of Composure After 45-7 Loss to DC Defenders The Houston Gamblers got absolutely torched by the DC Defenders 45-7 on Saturday, and head coach Kevin Sumlin didn't mince words about his team's sloppy performance. After committing just two penalties in last week's win, the Gamblers were flagged 13 times against their former league champions. "As composed as we were last week to win a game with only 2 penalties, I don't know how many penalties you had today. 13, right? Tells a bunch of the story," Sumlin said in his postgame press conference. "We've been two different football teams." Tale of Two Teams Sumlin couldn't hide his frustration with the stark contrast between Week 2's disciplined performance and Saturday's penalty-filled disaster. The Gamblers moved to 1-2 with their worst showing of the young season. "Last week we got two penalties. We control the clock. We move the ball. Today, we were back to what we were week 1 with guys trying to do too much, no composure, and a bunch of penalties, right? Which is uncharacteristic of us." The coach described the performance as "two steps forward, one step back" — a theme he repeated throughout the presser. Houston's offense went just 2-7 on fourth down conversions and couldn't establish any rhythm against a DC defense that carved them up. When asked what the team did well, Sumlin struggled to find positives. "I don't know. I mean, I'm not sure. It was frustrating trying to move the ball and then going backwards with penalties, giving up big plays." Malik's Homecoming Former DC Defenders championship player Malik Fisher returned to Audi Field for the first time since helping the Defenders win the 2025 UFL title. Despite the lopsided loss, Fisher managed a couple tackles for loss and kept his perspective. "Coming back to D.C., you know, expecting the energy, expecting the crowd. Enjoying the moment but also trying to get that win was a big thing. The scoreboard individually I can't control. We as a team just have to figure out what we got to do." Fisher emphasized the championship mentality he's trying to bring to Houston's locker room. "We won a championship last year. I don't think we was undefeated at a couple losses early in the season. It doesn't matter, get better. Next play mentality." Short Week Reality The Gamblers face a quick turnaround with another game Thursday, leaving little time to dwell on the beatdown. Sumlin stressed the need for his players to look in the mirror and fix their individual mistakes. "We can't dwell on it. We got to get it fixed because we got a short week," Sumlin said. "That starts for me." Fisher echoed that sentiment, focusing on the opportunity to get back to .500. "2-2 next week is the goal. 1-0 for the week and even the scoreboard for that." The Gamblers need to rediscover the composure that helped them win in Week 2, or they'll find themselves in a deep hole in the ultra-competitive 2026 UFL season.

Houston Gamblers Coach Rips Team's Lack of Composure After 45-7 Loss to DC Defenders by Mark Perry

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Dallas Renegades Opened Up About Short Week Preparation for Aviators Showdown It has been as good of a start for the Dallas Renegades as they could have asked for as they are 2-0 going into Week 3 against the Columbus Aviators. The Renegades have the number one offense in the league as they are averaging 377 yards per game and two straight games with 30 or more points. They have dominated the St. Louis Battlehawks and Houston Gamblers in the first two weeks, beating both teams by double digits. Now as the team enters a short week of preparation against the Aviators, UFL News Hub stopped by practice to chat with Renegades head coach Rick Neuheisel, cornerback Shaun Wade, and quarterback Austin Reed to discuss their upcoming matchup and more. Preparation for Aviators on short week Neuheisel has not been fazed by having uneven weeks to prepare from having over a week to get ready for Houston and St. Louis. For the had coach, they have a plan in place to get ready for Columbus and he's even seeing it as an advantage for them as well. "Well, it's an interesting week because you got a crash course, right? The convenient thing is that we're playing the same team the next two weeks. So what we plan, assuming that they stick to what they do or have reasonable facsimile of what they do, is that plan will carry over because we didn't have another five-day turnaround. But that's the, that's the life we choose, right? It's the pro football model." From a player's perspective, Reed is actually embracing the moment of having the short week. He sees it as a good thing to show the NFL since they have short weeks as well there. Yeah, I mean, it's cool. We're enjoying it. Again, like everybody's aspirations is to get back to the league and this is essentially like playing a Thursday night game in the NFL. So it's a great opportunity to prove to teams that you can do that. But more than that, like it's just another chance to play a game and we're just excited all play another game. So for all of us, we're like, hey, let's just dial in, make sure we're locked in for, uh, for what we got to do on Sunday. And we're all enjoying the challenge that's coming. Wade added what he and the defense has been doing to get ready for this game. It's more about the mental game versus the physical game. "You got to just be mentally sharp, study the game when you have time, which we all have time. We're about to go home now and just be in your playbook, watch film, and make sure your mind is sharp and you're grasping that playbook for this week." What Renegades have seen out of Columbus going into Week 3 Columbus is entering the game at 0-2 after losses to the Orlando Storm and DC Defenders to start the season. Neuheisel knows this Aviators team is going to come in ready to play desperate football. "They're talented. I mean, they've been right there, but you have to remember DC was coming off a very frustrating game against St. Louis, so they were a very motivated team. Looks like Teddy's having fun. Todd Haley is a former head coach in the NFL, so he's got all kinds of tricks up his sleeve. We'll see more of them this week. And Captain Munnerlyn is a proven vet and he's had four extra days to fix whatever it is that might be broken. So I'm expecting an all-out effort." The Aviators have some top weapons in the passing game like wide receiver Tay Martin with quarterback Jalan McClendon showing that he can get it done on the ground as well. Wade talked about what he has seen in Columbus' offense on tape. Columbus got a good team. They got some great receivers out there. The quarterback is very, very different from the first two quarterbacks we played. He can scramble. They got some great running backs from what I've seen. So it's gonna be a good game. We're looking forward to playing them this Sunday and it's gonna be a great atmosphere out there. So I just can't wait. Renegades players talk individual performances Reed has taken the league by storm with leading the UFL in passing yards with 672 yards and six touchdowns to one interception. He's coming off a four-touchdown performance in the win against the Battlehawks as he shared with UFL News Hub what he saw from himself in the game. "There's still so much with the timing, like, and with my feet that can be better. So I'm trying to just continue improving my feet and improving my eyes, like making sure I'm not skipping certain reads and just jumping to like the third read when I didn't read the second read. So things like that, there's so much improvement still available, which like after I told you guys after Week 1 is so good because, you know, like for us, like we don't want to be playing our very best football right now. You know, we want to be continually improving through the year. So it's exciting to be like, all right, we still got room to improve as an offense. And especially me as the guy up front." Wade has quietly had a strong 2026 campaign in his first season in the UFL. He has had an interception in each of the first two games of the year, but for him, he's got short term memory about it. "It feels great, but that's in the past now. I was on Columbus." Bonus: Rick Neuheisel on surprise moment from Renegades practice There was a moment in practice that fans had to be there to believe: The Spring King himself Luis Perez actually caught a pass on a real route in the back of the end zone with just one hand. The moment caused the team to lose their minds and celebrate with their veteran quarterback. UFL News Hub had to ask Neuheisel about the moment and whether he would play Perez at other positions as the coach wanted to make sure he gave his praise to his backup quarterback. "That's where the crowd went crazy. The spring king showing his versatility." "It has crossed my mind (regarding playing him at different positions jokingly), but Luis is going to get to play some quarterback here and he's ready. You know, one of the things that NFL people look at when you're going into a camp and having to come off the bench is, can you, right? So if all of a sudden he's thrust into the action and can pick up the thing seamlessly and give the offense a jolt, all of a sudden, hey, that's the kind of guy we're looking for. He's certainly intelligent enough, and, and his attitude's been fantastic." The Renegades will face the Aviators on Sunday at 11:00 am CST on ABC.

Dallas Renegades Opened Up About Short Week Preparation for Aviators Showdown by Anthony Miller

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Columbus Aviators Head Coach Charged with DUI Day Before Gameday and Birthday The Columbus Aviators have an added curveball to their week 3 matchup as they look for their first win, which already has them poised to face one of the hottest teams in the league, the Dallas Renegades. Head Coach Ted Ginn Jr. was taken into custody in Tarrant County, Texas, on Saturday, charged with Driving While Intoxicated, per sources. https://x.com/ByAnthonyMiller/status/2043137574013702183 The UFL quickly addressed the situation in a statement from President and CEO Russ Brandon: “We are aware of an incident involving Head Coach Ted Ginn Jr. over the weekend and are in the process of gathering more information. Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley will handle the head coaching duties for the Aviators game on Sunday.” This news adds to what’s been a challenging weekend for the league. Friday night saw a great game end in overtime, with the game-winning points being awarded due to a penalty. Saturday saw the biggest blowout in league history as the DC Defenders won 45-7 over the Houston Gamblers, followed by the news of Ted Ginn Jr.'s arrest. Ginn, who turns 41 on Sunday, the same day his team faces the 2-0 Dallas Renegades, was released on a $1,000 bond. It is unfortunate timing for the UFL and Coach Ginn Jr. The timing could not be more difficult for the 0-2 franchise seeking its identity in their innaugarual season. Ginn’s arrest has only added to the off-field headlines. It remains unclear how the league will ultimately handle Ginn’s situation or what, if any, long-term impact it will have on his tenure with the Aviators. For now, the focus shifts to the players and interim head coach Todd Haley as Columbus tries to avoid an 0-3 start. I hope that this can be a learning opportunity for all those affected by this story and who hear of it. I also wish Ted Ginn Jr. well as he deals with the stress brought by the consequences of his own actions.

Columbus Aviators Head Coach Charged with DUI Day Before Gameday and Birthday by Jonathan Clink

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UFL Scores Today: Houston Gamblers 7, D.C. Defenders 45 - Defenders Dominate at Home The D.C. Defenders absolutely torched the Houston Gamblers 45-7 at Audi Field, piling up 672 total yards. D.C. improved to 2-1 with a statement win that wasn't even close. The Defenders ground game bulldozed Houston for 326 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 54 carries, while the Gamblers (1-2) couldn't get anything going offensively until garbage time. This moves D.C. into second place in the UFL standings behind undefeated Orlando. Box Score Houston Gamblers 0 0 7 0 0 7 D.C. Defenders 11 17 3 14 0 45 See full player stats and game details Game Highlights https://x.com/UFLNewsHubcom/status/2043003834662809903 Top Performers D.C. Defenders Jordan Ta'amu (QB) — 15/27, 173 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT; 4 carries, 26 yds Deon Jackson (RB) — 5 carries, 70 yds, 1 TD Briley Moore (TE) — 1 carry, 24 yds, 1 TD; 1 rec, 20 yds, 1 TD Ty Scott (WR) — 4 rec, 49 yds Derick Roberson (DE) — 5 tackles, 2 sacks Houston Gamblers Taulia Tagovailoa (QB) — 21/40, 171 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT; 4 carries, 23 yds Justin Hall (WR) — 9 rec, 69 yds, 1 TD Jalen White (RB) — 10 carries, 28 yds; 3 rec, 26 yds Charlie Thomas III (MLB) — 5 tackles, 1 sack Major Burns (S) — 3 tackles, 1 INT Team Stats Total Yards 496 672 Passing 42/80, 342 yds, 2 TD 30/54, 346 yds, 2 TD Rushing 42 att, 154 yds, 0 TD 54 att, 326 yds, 6 TD Turnovers 4 2 Quick Hits D.C.'s rushing attack averaged 6.0 yards per carry and found the end zone six times. Houston got shut out through two quarters and managed just 7 points despite 496 total yards of offense. The Gamblers threw 80 passes but completed just 52.5% of them while getting sacked eight times. What's Next D.C. Defenders (2-1) — vs St. Louis Battlehawks, April 18 at 12:30 PM Houston Gamblers (1-2) — vs Louisville Kings, April 16 at 8:00 PM What's your takeaway? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

UFL Scores Today: Houston Gamblers 7, D.C. Defenders 45 - Defenders Dominate at Home by Mark Perry

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2026 UFL Week 3 Game Preview: Columbus Aviators at Dallas Renegades The Dallas Renegades are looking to stay perfect in Week 3 action against a team in the Columbus Aviators that is looking to get their first win as a franchise. Less than a week ago, the Renegades took down the St. Louis Battlehawks 31-15 on a rare Tuesday game where they for the second straight game scored over 30 points and won by double digits. Renegades quarterback Austin Reed has thrown six touchdowns in two games while wide receiver Tyler Vaughns scored a hat trick against St. Louis. It's a different story for the Aviators who have had over a week to rest and prep for the game after losing to the DC Defenders 44-26 last week. Columbus surrendered 230 rushing yards in the game as they look to retool themselves for a season-defining matchup. Columbus Aviators at Dallas Renegades Week 3 Game Preview Gameday Info Date: Sunday, April 12, 2026 Kickoff Time: 11:00 am CST Location: Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas Network: ABC Game Betting Odds (via DraftKings) Spread: Renegades -7.5 O/U Total: 46.5 Moneyline: Renegades -380, Aviators +300 What to Watch for: Columbus Aviators Columbus's offense runs through quarterback Jalan McClendon as he has had to lean on his legs more often as he is the only player in the league that is top five in passing and rushing yards. Getting running backs like Toa Taua, John Lovett, and Zaquandre White is key in helping out the offense. Wide receiver Tay Martin has been a star in the making for this Aviators team with McClendon saying earlier this week that he couldn't understand why he is not in the NFL. Watch for Martin to be the main target in this passing game. Defensively, it's as simple as making sure they are getting pressure on Reed throughout the game. Guys like Kenny Willekes and Ron Stone Jr. have been the main pass rushers all year and will have to be warriors in this game to help slow down the UFL's best offense. What to Watch for: Dallas Renegades Nothing on offense really has to change. Reed has firm control of the passing game as he well on his way to the NFL at the pace he is playing at. One thing will be to not lean on big running plays and more about consistently picking up four to five yards per carry for Dallas. This secondary has so many lockdown corners like Shaun Wade, Ajene Harris, and Steven Jones Jr. dominating. They need to support their front seven to force them to be one dimensional. Aviators-Renegades Prediction All the pressure is on Columbus to perform well as the Renegades are coasting through two weeks. This is a potential trap game for the Renegades and coming off the short week will be tough, but this roster is about as deep as there is in the UFL. Dallas Renegades 34, Columbus Aviators 18

2026 UFL Week 3 Game Preview: Columbus Aviators at Dallas Renegades by Anthony Miller

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3 days ago

Battlehawks, Stallions Brace for Week 3 Showdown in St. Louis In a battle to remain comfortable in the 2026 UFL playoff race, the St. Louis Battlehawks play host this weekend to the Birmingham Stallions at The Dome at America’s Center. The game, scheduled to air Sunday on ABC at 2:00 PM CDT, features two teams coming off Week 2 losses. St. Louis ran into what has become an early season buzz saw last week at Dallas, falling to the fast riising Renegades 31-15 to fall to 1-1 on the season. Birmingham, like St. Louis, opened their season with a Week 1 win, but were squelched last week on the road in Houston thanks to a game ending 50 yard field goal as time expired. THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS: COMPARING BOTH TEAMS ENTERING WEEK 3 There is no real way of of measuring which team this week’s game is more important to. From the perspective of examining which team has been the most impressive after two games, the nod has to go to the Battlehawks. Their 16-10 Week 1 win over defending league champion, the DC Defenders, was far from perfect, but was still more impressive than Birmingham was in their win on the road at Louisville. The Battlehawks were beaten soundly last week, and looked more vulnerable than Birmingham did in their outing against Houston, but Dallas has been the most impressive team in the UFL by a wide margin through two weeks of play. It feels like the game has more urgency for the Stallions. Birmingham would love to carry some momentum into Protective Stadium for their home opener versus Orlando. After what will be their third consecutive road game to start the season, a 2-1 record would be more conducive to entice a nicer turnout as opposed to what it might look like hobbling home at 1-2, and attendance along with Birmingham were used in the same sentence more often than the City of Birmingham would like for it to have been during the offseason. BY THE NUMBERS Offensively, Birmingham has a sizable advantage over the Battlehawks in total offense, averaging 62.5 more yards per game than St. Louis (324.5-262.0). On the defensive side of the football, St. Louis yields only 240 yards per game, tops in the UFL, while Birmingham allows 336.5, ahead only in front of Houston and Columbus. Rushing defense has been a cause of concern of late for the Stallions, allowing Houston to run at will for a total of 173 yards. Especially concerning for the Birmingham coaching staff is the fact that the Gamblers were able to do it after looking anemic in Week 1, where they gained only 42 yards on the ground. The Stallions did manage to hold the Gamblers to 1-6 on the day in the red zone, going a long way in keeping the game as close as the final score indicated. WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD: GAME PREDICTION St. Louis always enjoys a profound home field advantage, and the nearly 30K they constantly have occupying the seats inside the friendly confines of The Dome at America’s Center is in good measure the primary reason for it. Both teams have struggled with consistency thus far. For Birmingham, the Stallions clearly need to show marked improvement defending the run. Quarterback play has been a cause for concern for the Stallions as well, with Matt Corral looking surgical at times throwing the football, and then wildly off target at others. For the Stallions to have a chance, both areas need to improve on Sunday. St. Louis has an opportunity to cure their ground attack ills, and the Stallions, unless they found the cure this week to their inability to defend the run, might have a hill to climb that’s too treacherous to navigate. ST. LOUIS 23 BIRMINGHAM 20

Battlehawks, Stallions Brace for Week 3 Showdown in St. Louis by Gary Thrasher

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3 days ago

UFL Schedule Today April 12: Houston Gamblers vs DC Defenders - TV Channels, Live Stream Odds The defending champs host Houston in a crucial early-season matchup at Audi Field. This Week's UFL Schedule Houston Gamblers at DC Defenders When Saturday, April 12, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET Where Audi Field, Washington D.C. TV ESPN Line DC Defenders -6 | O/U 48 Both teams enter at 1-1 after picking up their first wins last week. The Gamblers nailed a game-winner against Birmingham while DC torched Columbus 44-26. This feels like a measuring stick game for two squads trying to establish themselves in the competitive UFL landscape. Houston's red zone struggles nearly cost them against the Stallions, managing just 22 points despite 407 total yards. DC's offense looked explosive in their blowout victory, but they'll face a tougher test against Kevin Sumlin's defense. Players to Watch: Deon Jackson (DC Defenders, RB) — League's top rusher with 154 yards and 4 TDs through two games Jalen White (Houston Gamblers, RB) — Houston's workhorse back with 82 yards and a score Sam Castronova (Houston Gamblers, QB) — Arena Football All-Pro signed to replace injured Hunter Dekkers Pick: DC Defenders 27-20. Jackson's ground game and home field give the defending champs the edge. UFL Standings Orlando Storm 3 0 71 52 DC Defenders 1 1 54 42 Birmingham Stallions 1 1 35 35 St. Louis Battlehawks 1 1 31 41 Houston Gamblers 1 1 39 56 Louisville Kings 0 3 49 63 Quick Hits DC signed receiver Javon Antonio to replace injured Seth Williams on IR after his Week 1 injury Houston's offense dominated between the 20s last week but couldn't finish drives in the red zone Gamblers QB Hunter Dekkers remains sidelined with injury, opening door for Castronova to make his mark Who wins this week? Drop your picks in the comments.

UFL Schedule Today April 12: Houston Gamblers vs DC Defenders - TV Channels, Live Stream Odds by Mark Perry

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UFL Scores Today: Orlando Storm 29, Louisville Kings 27 - Storm Wins Wild OT Thriller Orlando Storm stayed undefeated with a 29-27 overtime victory over Louisville in a wild shootout at Lynn Family Stadium. The Orlando Storm improved to 3-0 with their second overtime win of the season, while the Louisville Kings dropped to 0-3 despite outgaining Orlando 449-323. The Storm remain atop the UFL standings as the league's only unbeaten team. The ending will be talk about for some time and possibly include a rule change to overtime. Box Score Orlando Storm 0 10 7 10 2 29 Louisville Kings 3 3 14 7 0 27 See full player stats and game details Game Highlights https://x.com/TheUFL/status/2042809265161642284 Top Performers Orlando Storm Jack Plummer (QB) — 21/34, 250 yds, 3 TD Chris Rowland (WR) — 9 rec, 113 yds, 1 TD KJ Hamler (WR) — 3 rec, 74 yds, 1 TD Louisville Kings Jason Bean (QB) — 23/46, 352 yds, 3 TD Isaiah Winstead (WR) — 7 rec, 114 yds Zach Davidson (TE) — 4 rec, 79 yds, 2 TD Team Stats Total Yards 323 449 Passing 21/34, 250 yds, 3 TD 25/48, 386 yds, 3 TD Rushing 21 att, 73 yds, 0 TD 16 att, 63 yds, 0 TD Turnovers 0 1 Quick Hits Louisville outgained Orlando by 126 yards but couldn't capitalize, losing their second overtime game this season Chris Rowland torched the Kings secondary with 113 receiving yards on 9 catches Orlando's defense came up clutch with 4 sacks compared to Louisville's 1, led by Cam Gill's 2-sack performance for the Kings What's Next Orlando Storm (3-0) — at Birmingham Stallions, April 19 Louisville Kings (0-3) — at Houston Gamblers, April 16 What's your takeaway? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

UFL Scores Today: Orlando Storm 29, Louisville Kings 27 - Storm Wins Wild OT Thriller by Mark Perry

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Week 3 UFL DFS: The Perfect Storm by Mark Perry

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2026 UFL Week 3 Game Preview: Houston Gamblers at DC Defenders One of the most intriguing matchups of the 2026 UFL season comes in Week 3, as it is a battle between two teams that are 1-1 on the season: the Houston Gamblers and the DC Defenders. Both teams are coming off their first wins of the season. The Gamblers nailed a game-winning field goal as time expired to upset the Birmingham Stallions 22-20. As for DC, the Defenders had an easier time as they blew out the Columbus Aviators 44-26. This is an important game for both teams as they try to maintain the season's momentum with wins. Who will have the advantage in this one? Houston Gamblers vs. DC Defenders Week 3 Game Preview Gameday Info Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026 Kickoff Time: 12:00 pm EST Location: Audi Field in Washington, D.C. Network: ESPN Game Betting Odds (via DraftKings) Spread: Defenders -6.5 O/U Total: 47.5 Moneyline: Defenders -298, Gamblers +240 What to Watch for: Houston Gamblers The quarterback position is in a rough spot right now for the Gamblers, as they released Donovan Smith before the season and are now dealing with injuries to Hunter Dekkers and Nolan Henderson. Dekkers appears to be out, and Henderson is doubtful to play, which could open the door for Taulia Tagovailoa to make his first start in the UFL with only two weeks of experience in this offense and his backup being arena football star Sam Castronova, who was just signed a few days ago. That will put more pressure on running backs Marcus Yarns and Jalen White to help the Gamblers' offense out. The two combined for 36 carries for 136 yards and one touchdown last week versus the Stallions, so the rushing attack is at least in a good spot to help out. While the Gamblers' secondary is in a good place with Carlton Johnson and Kary Vincent Jr. as their big playmakers, all eyes are on the front seven to step up. Birmingham was held to 3.4 yards per carry against this Houston front, and they will need more of that against the leading rusher in the UFL. What to Watch for: DC Defenders Speaking of the UFL's leading rusher, Deon Jackson is coming off the best rushing performance of the season with 97 yards and three touchdowns on the Aviators' defense. Sitting at 154 yards and four touchdowns on the year, Jackson is going to have to do it again and help this offense that has almost lost the ability to pass on a consistent basis. Jordan Ta'amu has been really quiet through the first two weeks of the season, with just 222 yards and one touchdown to three interceptions on the year. Seth Williams is already out at receiver, so the Defenders need someone like Cornell Powell or Ty Scott to make some plays to get this passing game back into rhythm. DC's defense has some playmakers, but the secondary really has a chance to feast with essentially a rookie starting at quarterback for Houston. Watch for defenders like Sam Kidd and Deandre Baker to take advantage and create some much-needed turnovers. Gamblers-Defenders Prediction Houston showed the UFL last week that they are not the horrible team everyone predicted them to be at the beginning of the season; this is a competitive football team that can win games. This DC team, though, won the title last year and got back a lot of its key pieces. With the top two quarterbacks on the roster, this is an uphill battle for the Gamblers to face. DC Defenders 25, Houston Gamblers 13

2026 UFL Week 3 Game Preview: Houston Gamblers at DC Defenders by Anthony Miller

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4 days ago

UFL Power Rankings Week 2: Renegades Rise Week 2 shook up the standings and power rankings. The Dallas Renegades dismantled the previous Crown Holder on their home field to claim the throne, while the DC Defenders bounced back with a dominant road win. Orlando stayed perfect, Houston pulled off an upset over Birmingham, and the bottom three teams all fell to 0-2. Crown Holder 👑: Dallas Renegades The Dallas Renegades took The Crown from the Battlehawks via a 31-15 victory at home in week 2. They will look to defend the title at home on Sunday against the Columbus Aviators. Court Jester 🃏: Columbus Aviators The Columbus Aviators were unable to shake the title of Court Jester as they fell 26-44 at home against the DC Defenders. If a team defeats the Crown Holder, they steal the Crown and become the new Crown Holder. If a team loses to the Court Jester, they become the new Court Jester, freeing the previous holder. 1. Dallas Renegades (2-0)👑 Previous Rank: #4 Week 2 Result: 31-15 win vs St. Louis Week 3 Opponent: vs Columbus Aviators Sunday 12 ET Austin Reed and the Renegades had another impressive offensive showing as Reed passed for 240 yards and a UFL record-tying 4 touchdowns with 1 interception. Receiver Tyler Vaughns broke both the receptions and receiving yards single-game records as he caught 11 passes for 146 yards and 3 touchdowns. On defense, the Renegades held St. Louis to only 224 yards. Dallas is looking like the team to beat after 2 weeks after 2 dominant victories. UFL defenses will need to find a way to slow down Austin Reed. 2. St. Louis Battlehawks (1-1) Previous Rank: #1 Week 2 Result: 15-31 Loss at Dallas Week 3 Opponent: vs Birmingham Sunday 3 ET The Battlehawks' position in the Power Rankings is very precarious at number 2 and largely based on past success and the fact that they beat the defending champs in week 1. They have to get their offense going quick or they will find themselves falling out of the playoff race. Last week’s 224 yards. They have to find a way to get more than 55.5 rushing yards per game. The offense is simply not good enough over the first 2 weeks. 3. DC Defenders (1-1) Previous Rank: #3 Week 2 Result: 44-2 win at Columbus Week 3 Opponent: vs Houston Saturday 12 ET The Defenders bounced back with a massive victory, raining down 44 points on the Aviators' first home game parade. Deon Jackson rushed 11 times for 97 yards and 3 touchdowns. DC felt fully in control of their week 2 match in Columbus, partially due to 4 turnovers. Columbus has been struggling, so DC will still need to pass some challenges to prove they are the team to beat. 4. Orlando Storm (2-0) Previous Rank: #5 Week 2 Result: 19-9 win vs Louisville Week 3 Opponent: at Louisville, Friday 8 ET We weren’t sure exactly how this team would look, with it being the most revamped roster of any team heading into this season, but the Storm are undefeated after 2 weeks. Anthony Becht is now an impressive 23-8 as a head coach in the UFL regular season. There is much work to be done yet, as Orlando’s 2 victories have both come against struggling opponents, or from a different perspective, you might say that their opponents have struggled because they had to play Orlando. If Orlando can improve their passing game, then we might see it start to reach a Category 5 storm. 5. Houston Gamblers (1-1) Previous Rank: #8 Week 2 Result: 22-20 win vs Birmingham Week 3 Opponent: at DC Saturday 12 ET I did not expect Houston to hand Birmingham their first defeat after what we saw from both teams in week 1, but the Gamblers pulled it off and are back to .500. Nolan Henderson helped lift the team to a victory after losing the starting position heading into week 2. The Gamblers led on their rushing attack with Jalen White rushing 26 times for 82 yards and a touchdowna dn Marcus Yarns rushing 10 times for 54 yards. 6. Birmingham Stallions (1-1) Previous Rank: #2 Week 2 Result: 20-22 loss at Houston Week 3 Opponent: at St. Louis Sunday 3 ET Is Birmingham really the 6th best team in the UFL? Absolutely not. However, their rank took a hit for losing to a Houston that had a low rank in the power rankings, and their only victory came against Louisville. Matt Corral and the offense have looked very good through 2 weeks, particularly the passing game, but we will need to see fewer interceptions from Corral if he is to return to the NFL. Birmingham’s upcoming match against St. Louis will be critical to the landscape of the 2026 UFL season. 7. Columbus Aviators (0-2)🃏 Previous Rank: #7 Week 2 Result: 26-44 loss vs DC Week 3 Opponent: at Dallas Sunday 12 ET I’m not going to sugarcoat it; the Aviators have been hard to watch at times. The pass blocking needs to get figured out, and the passing game has got to be better. What was previously such a great run defending team as the Michigan Panthers, just got the ball run down their throats in the Aviators' first-ever home game. The team needs to improve, or it will be asking a lot of its new fan base. 8. Louisville Kings (0-2) Previous Rank: #6 Week 2 Result: 9-19 loss at Orlando Week 3 Opponent: vs Louisville, Friday 8 ET In week 1, the Kings' run blocking struggled, but was solid in pass blocking. That was not the case in week 2, as the pass blocking really struggled. Louisville struggled on offense and only handed the ball off 10 times, which accounted for just 12 yards. Quarterback Chandler Rogers was the leading rusher thanks to 1 12 yard rush. In this game, you move on from the tape quickly after learning what you can, and just be better.

UFL Power Rankings Week 2: Renegades Rise by Jonathan Clink

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Mike Repole asked for the good, bad and ugly of the UFL so far; here's how fans answered Earlier this week, UFL co-owner Mike Repole went on Twitter/X to ask fans to give him some feedback on the 2026 season so far: As of Friday morning, there were over 600 replies to this post. On Wednesday, I went through several hundred of those replies to see what fans found good, bad and ugly two weeks in. As expected, there were common threads woven throughout the comments. Here are some of the compliments and concerns that appeared in multiple replies. The Good New venues: Fans were largely complimentary of the new franchises and locations. Each home team drew well its first time out; as longtime spring football fans know, the curiosity factor will attract fans at first, but there has to be more to bring them back to the stadium over time. Patience needed: There was an acknowledgment that these new teams - as well as some of the returning ones - will require patience from ownership in order to cultivate a fanbase. The word "trust" was also frequently used, in that the locals needed to trust that ownership was not going to pull away at the first signs of struggle. Patience is not something previous spring football leagues have shown a lot of, hence the frequent shuffling of cities. Fans are prepared to be patient; is Repole, et al? Big musical acts for home openers: Whether in attendance live or watching on television, respondents were positive about Repole getting notable musical artists for each team's home opener. It was a unique way to give credibility to the UFL while also getting fans out to the stadiums. I think followers of the league are going to be supportive of any outside-the-box ways to get fans in the building, knowing the importance of butts in the seats to the long-term viability of the individual teams and the league at large. New rules: More than a few fans nit-picked a couple of the new rules (more on that below), but there were a lot of fans who supported the entirety of the new set of on-field guidelines. Some, like myself, even indicated they were surprised at how they enjoyed some of the changes. On-field product: One thing the UFL hasn't had to worry all that much about since merging the USFL and XFL is the quality of football. It's not always pristine, especially at the beginning of the season, but the majority of fans in Repole's mentions were approving of the game action. Of all the issues the UFL may have in getting through to the mainstream sports fan, this doesn't seem to be at the top of the list. The bad/ugly ESPN presentation of games: Far and away the topic brought up the most as a negative was how ESPN produces their games. Fans are not interested in seeing reporters try to interview coordinators, backup QBs or head coaches during the game. So far, the results haven't been worth it: Those calling plays offer little insight and clearly have contempt for being bothered mid-game. In addition, there were many complaints about how much attention ESPN gives to betting and the odds. Marketing: A constant refrain from spring football fans has been the perceived lack of marketing both nationwide and locally. This issue was raised time and time again in the replies to Repole's post. Fans want to see the league better engage the public, especially in the markets. There were a number of anecdotes shared by people where, in talking to friends and family, those acquaintances had no idea the UFL had even started its season or, worse, that the city in which they lived had a team. Lack of selection in UFL online shop: Repole already addressed this one, admitting he dropped the ball on the shop, not realizing the demand fans would have to purchase UFL gear. Fans were particularly upset about the absence of jerseys and New Era caps. Game access in international markets: Several fans from across the globe chimed in, indicating they'd want to watch the UFL but, in their country, have no way of legally accessing the games. Finding a broadcast partner in some of the large foreign nations will go a long way in getting the UFL to be recognized as a brand worldwide and open up other potential revenue streams for the league. Fan engagement at stadiums: Those who've attended games, including a lot of folks from St. Louis, iterated how there isn't as much fan interaction at games as there used to be. If Repole wants to focus on attendance, which he clearly does, that also means making the gameday experience worthwhile for fans. This is where the UFL can take its cues from minor league sports, which tend to do a great job in this regard. Scheduling: There are a couple complaints in this bucket: The first request was no games on Easter. There were others who disagreed and in fact wanted the UFL to make Easter games akin to how the NFL treats Thanksgiving games in terms of tradition and celebration. Repole has noted in interviews that he wants the season to start earlier, and fans posted their agreement with that line of thinking. New rules: Punting and extra points: The two rules that came up over and over again in the complaint department section of peoples' posts was the no punting once a team crosses the 50, and the extra point kick. Several fans even suggested ways to tweak the punting rule, such as pushing it to the opponents' 45-yard line. As for the extra point kick, it takes away a potential scrimmage play and seems to go against the "more action" edict that many of these rules are based upon. Inability to access basic league information: I thought I was the only one that would have this complaint, but others did as well: The UFL puts injury reports and depth charts in a media portal, only to be accessed by folks with credentials. Then, they're often not updated in a timely manner. If you want to know your team's transactions, you have to have an X account, because that's the only place they're posted. The UFL pushing out this information to a wider audience would certainly interest those in the gambling community, as well as fantasy football aficionados. It would also encourage more fans to participate. Besides, the NFL releases all of this information to the masses; why are they more transparent than the UFL in these matters? Coaches with more experience needed: It's not lost on fans that the first-time head coaches - some who are first time coaches, period - are struggling. Fans seemed to understand the desire to hire coaches with local ties but didn't like the fact that it's a disadvantage for these franchises to put these people in prominent positions so early in their coaching careers. Mad about leaving previous cities: As one would expect, Repole heard from plenty of Michiganders and San Antonians (and yes, one person from Memphis) upset that the UFL abandoned those cities. Similarly, there were also more than a few who did not like the rebranding of the Roughnecks to the Gamblers. Repole posted a response, thanking those who replied to share their thoughts. https://x.com/repolestable/status/2041976737320354131

Mike Repole asked for the good, bad and ugly of the UFL so far; here's how fans answered by Greg Parks

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Predictions: UFL News Hub Writer’s Week 3 Picks Week 3 of the 2026 UFL season is here. The 10-game sprint is starting to separate the contenders from the rest of the pack. Dallas and Orlando both hit the road this weekend, while several 1-1 squads look to create separation. Columbus and Louisville are each looking for their first win. Matchup Consensus Writers’ Split Orlando Storm at Louisville Kings Orlando Storm 6–2 Houston Gamblers at DC Defenders DC Defenders 7–1 Columbus Aviators at Dallas Renegades Dallas Renegades 8–0 Birmingham Stallions at St. Louis Battlehawks Birmingham Stallions 5–3 This article is NOT gambling advice. If you do place bets, please do so responsibly and seek help if you have a gambling problem. ORLANDO STORM at LOUISVILLE KINGS Friday, April 10 | 8:00 PM EDT | Lynn Family Stadium, Louisville, KY | FOX The 2-0 Orlando Storm visit the 0-2 Louisville Kings in a rematch of week 2, which saw Orlando win 19-9 at home. Jack Plummer and Jashaun Corbin have powered a balanced attack, while the defense has been stout early. Louisville has shown some fight, but needs to improve its areas of weakness quickly. Anthony Becht’s group has the momentum and should keep rolling on the road. Writer's Pick: 75% Orlando Storm HOUSTON GAMBLERS at DC DEFENDERS Saturday, April 11 | 12:00 PM EDT | Audi Field, Washington, DC | ESPN Houston (1-1) travels to face the defending champion DC Defenders (1-1). The Gamblers earned a road upset last week over Birmingham, 22-20, but will now face a DC squad looking to build on their first win. Jordan Ta’amu and the DC offense should find more rhythm at home against a Houston team that may see Taulia Tagovailoa get the start due to injuries to Hunter Dekkers and Nolan Henderson. Writer's Pick: 88% DC Defenders COLUMBUS AVIATORS at DALLAS RENEGADES Sunday, April 12 | 12:00 PM EDT | Toyota Stadium, Frisco, TX | ABC The 0-2 Columbus Aviators travel to face the 2-0 Dallas Renegades. Dallas has looked like the most complete team in the league through two weeks, with Austin Reed slinging the ball to Tyler Vaughns and the defense creating havoc. Columbus has shown flashes but continues to battle early turnover problems and find consistent quality play. If Columbus does not tighten things up in week 3, they could get blown out. Writer's Pick: 100% Dallas Renegades BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS at ST. LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS Sunday, April 12 | 3:00 PM EDT | The Dome at America's Center, St. Louis, MO Two 1-1 teams with championship pedigrees square off in what could be the most competitive game of the weekend. Birmingham is coming off a tough road loss and has one of the best passers in the league in Matt Corral. St. Louis struggled offensively and will need to correct things quickly in this short season. Writer's Pick: 63% Birmingham Stallions

Predictions: UFL News Hub Writer’s Week 3 Picks by Jonathan Clink

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5 days ago

Previewing the Louisville Kings and Orlando Storm Rematch As the UFL Louisville Kings prepare to take on the 2-0 Orlando Storm for the second week in a row, head coach Chris Redman welcomes the chance to “even the score a little bit.” The Kings Face The Storm In A Rematch Looking ahead to this week and preparing for a rematch against Anthony Becht’s team, Redman emphasized in the post-game media session, “I have all the confidence in the world in these guys.” “You learn from your mistakes, and you get better.” He predicted,” I definitely think this team has got the potential to make a big turnaround… and it’s just a matter of us going out and executing, and that’s what we’re going to work on.” What The Team Will Focus On This Week Figuring out what worked well and what elements of the game need to change will be crucial to the team’s turnaround. Establishing a Running Game in The Kings' Offense One of the keys to a different outcome and winning the rematch will be to find a consistent, strong ground game. Unfortunately, for the second week in a row, the Louisville ground game was missing in action. In Week 2, the Kings put up a total of 26 yards, only 12 of which were attributed to the team’s three running backs, Benny Snell, Jaden Shirden, and Ian Wheeler. It’s hard to grasp why Snell, the former Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Wheeler, the New Orleans Saints RB, and Shirden, a talented UFL veteran, have only combined for 21 carries for 31 yards in two games. By comparison, the Storm posted 51 yards on 19 carries last week from All -UFL Team running back Jashaun Corbin. After posting a two-game total of 34 carries for 119 yards and two touchdowns, he continues to be an offensive weapon for Orlando. Offensive coordinator Steve Logan will be tasked with getting the Kings' running game going. Establishing an effective ground game increases the time of possession and takes the pressure off the passing game. A better-rested defense is more likely to withstand a late-game Storm surge. The Two-Quarterback System Following Jason Bean's strong Week 1 performance with 226 passing yards, one touchdown, and one turnover, he earned the starting role. However, in implementing a two-quarterback system approach, the offensive scheme called for Bean to alternate series with Chandler Rogers. The results were a mixed bag. During the week, Rogers was told he would be going in early and to be ready. During the post-game media session, when asked about his preparation, Chandler responded that he focused on “the concepts, the run game, and taking full advantage of the opportunity.” A week ago, Bean confidently launched multiple long-range throws and delivered precision passes to his receivers. However, on Saturday night, he struggled offensively, completing only 4/15 passes for 49 yards. Taking over at quarterback in the third series, Rogers had a solid debut, completing 13/20 passes for 161 yards and one interception. He was the team’s lead rusher with a heads-up scramble that gained 12 yards. Connecting with Kaden Prather, TE Tre’ McKitty, and UFL veteran JaVonta Payton, Rogers demonstrated that he could command the offense with a consistent rhythm. Asked about Rogers' performance, Redman was full of praise. “Chandler had a great night tonight. For the first time out there, I thought it was a great job. Obviously, we fell a little short, but man, a lot to build on.” Limiting Costly Penalties Looking ahead to this week’s rematch, Rogers was asked where he wanted to see improvement. “For one, operationally, we had too many penalties, especially in the red zone. We had opportunities to score. So, just operationally getting that better…improving communication and getting that cleaned up.” The Kings had nine penalties for 50 yards. It was an increase from Week 1, when the team had three penalties for 30 yards. Limiting The Orlando Storm Offense The Louisville defense played two of the UFL’s top teams, doing an admirable job controlling the offense with key takeaways and impressive stops. Although the Storm took a 9-3 lead at halftime, Jamie Sharper’s defense shut down Orlando in the third. But the Louisville offense was unable to score in the second half, leaving the defense on the field too long, and fatigue set in. The defense faces an equally tough challenge again this week. Orlando's offense boasts some of the league’s top talent in running back Jashaun Corbin, wide receiver Chris Rowland, and emerging stars Elijhah Badger and K.J. Hamler. Rowland had eight catches for 54 yards. Badger had four catches for 59 yards and scored a touchdown for the second week in a row. Hamler produced an impressive 41-yard touchdown reception for Orlando. Riding a two-game winning streak, Storm quarterback Jack Plummer is one of the UFL's hottest signal-callers. In his UFL debut against the Columbus Aviators, Plummer completed 17/22 passes for 240 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions. He gained 11 yards on the ground. Last week, the Kings' defense held Plummer to 18/23 passes for 182 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and four rushing yards on four carries. One of the game's highlights was Louisville rookie Deantre Prince snagging a stunning endzone interception and running it back 47 yards. Orlando Storm Defense All-UFL Team LB Tavante Beckett, who has been on the Orlando injury report the last two weeks, has been practicing in full and appears ready to take the field for the Storm. In Beckett’s absence, Nate Meadors has been a standout with 12 tackles (six solo) and a pass breakup. Josh Minkens led the team last week with six tackles (four solo). Orlando safety Mishael Powell nabbed a late-game interception off Rogers. Injury Report and Recent Transactions Unfortunately, holding off the Orlando defense last week took a toll on the Kings' offensive line. Tackles Leroy Watson and James Tunstill did not practice earlier this week. Guard J.D. DiRenzo had a limited practice on Tuesday. The Kings may gain some help from the recently acquired Michigan Panthers' offensive lineman, Chim Okorafor. The 6'6", 345 lb. tackle was signed to the Kings earlier this week. In a late-breaking transaction, the Kings waived safety Kory Chapman and signed spring football veteran quarterback Sam Castranova, who previously played for the USFL Houston Gamblers. In other transactions, the Kings re-signed former Chicago Bears safety Quindell Johnson after DB Teldrick Ross was placed on IR. Offensive tackle Nathan Gilliam was waived while the team signed DT La Ron Stokes and waived DE Jerome Robinson. Game Date and Time The action kicks off Friday night, April 10th, at Lynn Family Stadium. The game will be televised on "FOX UFL Friday" at 8:00 pm ET Orlando is favored by 3.5 points, with the over/under set at 38.0 to 39.5 points.

Previewing the Louisville Kings and Orlando Storm Rematch by Sue Levine

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