When the Louisville Kings defeated the reigning MVP Champion D.C. Defenders a week ago, notching a 30-13 road victory, it was a big deal. However, beating that team a second time in back-to-back games was an even bigger accomplishment. Both teams had a great deal riding on the outcome of this game. A victory for D.C. would have secured a playoff berth, while Louisville was eager to earn its first victory for its loyal hometown fan base while keeping its own postseason hopes alive.
Five Takeaways From The Louisville Kings' Rematch Victory Over D.C.
Celebrating the 33-30 victory in the locker room after the game, coach Chris Redman took a swig from a bottle of Kentucky bourbon. Praising how hard his team fought in battling a championship-caliber football team, Redman couldn’t have been happier to at last bring home an impressive victory to his native Louisville.
“Monumental deal, baby! That’s history, right there! Way to fight to the end!”
The Hottest Team In The UFL
Although they remain one-half game behind the Birmingham Stallions in the playoff hunt, the Kings are the hottest team in the UFL, having won four of their last five games. Since Week 3, the team has averaged more than 27 points per game, which is higher than either the Orlando Storm (17.5) or the St. Louis Battlehawks, who averaged 24 points per game in the same period.
A Total Team Effort
The Kings' victory was a tremendous display of complementary football. Securing their second consecutive win over DC to sweep the series took a total team effort with the offense, defense, and special teams unit each stepping up to contribute.
The Kings built up a 6-point lead early on, but at halftime, the score was tied at 17-17. Launching a blistering offensive attack in the second half of the game, D.C. built up a 24-20 lead in the 3rd quarter. But the fourth quarter belonged to the Kings, who took control of the game, dominating the time of possession with an extraordinary 16-play 90-yard drive.
Throughout the game, as it has been the story all season, Jamie Sharper's defense was outstanding, coming up with 4.0 sacks and forcing three turnovers. Cam Gill got his eighth sack of the season. Corey Mayfield Jr. snagged his fourth interception. Both men lead the league in those categories. As a team, the Kings lead the league with the most tackles at 512, the most solo tackles at 309, eight interceptions, and six forced fumbles. As a team, the Kings' 20.0 sacks rank second in the league.
Special teams did their part with an extraordinary game. After the Defenders opened the game with a Ty Scott touchdown, former Louisville Cardinals standout Tyler Hudson opened the scoring for the Kings with a thrilling 92-yard kickoff return. Hudson and Ian Wheeler combined for 188 yards on kick returns on five kickoffs.
An Exceptional Kicking Game
It became obvious earlier this season that the Louisville Kings' rookie kicker, Tanner Brown, was going to follow in the footsteps of Brandon Aubrey, Jake Bates, Andre Szmyt, and Harrison Mevis in generating a great deal of interest from the NFL. In all likelihood, Brown will be the next spring league kicker to join the NFL. In the meantime, while he's here, he continues to pad his resume, converting 22 of 25 field goals for 88%. On Saturday, in addition to a perfect 4/4 on field goals, Brown became only the second UFL kicker to nail a 60-yard field goal. DC's kicker Matt McCrane is the only other kicker to accomplish this feat, with two this season.
Offense Took Control
Once again, Chandler Rogers led the offense with a strong and sure hand, completing 11/20 passes for 143 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Showing confidence in his teammates, with the game plan, and in himself, Rogers deftly led the way forward when the Defenders came storming back.
James Robinson continued to set the tone for the Kings' ground game, churning out 20 carries for 59 yards and one touchdown. Wheeler recorded an impressive 11 carries for 51 yards.
Speaking to the media after the game, the King's leading receiver, Isaiah Winstead (5 catches for 92 yards and a touchdown), credited Rogers with leading the team. Praising the coaching staff as well, he expressed his gratitude for the victory, knowing how much it meant to his head coach to get the win for the fans in Louisville.
Steve Logan’s Winning Offensive Game Plan
Despite a second-half surge from the Defenders, the fourth quarter belonged to the Kings, who took control of the game and dominated the time of possession with an extraordinary 16-play 90-yard drive
Addressing the 4th quarter drive that took almost 9 minutes off the clock, Rogers admitted, “We just wanted to get them tired. Slow the game down. Take control of the game. We wanted to control the game…play our style of football…we wanted to start running the ball, and once we had that success, we just stuck with it…that was really our mentality.. and, thankfully, that wasted a lot of time and put DC in a lot of awkward positions."
Next up for the Kings, they take on the Dallas Renegades in their final home game of the season. The action gets underway at Lynn Family Stadium on Sunday, May 24th at 4:00 pm EDT. The game will be televised on FOX.