Each week, Greg will present what we learned from UFL games over the previous weekend.
-Columbus, Louisville get first wins, different types of redemption. Entering week four, two teams were seeking their first wins of the season. Both left victorious. On Thursday, Louisville eked out an overtime win against Houston, avenging their OT loss the previous week based on a rule that has since been modified. It allowed the Kings to keep pace with three other teams in the league that now enter week five at 1-3, one game behind a playoff spot as we approach mid-season. The next day, Columbus earned its first win thanks to a relentless ground attack. Head coach Ted Ginn Jr. returned to the sidelines after missing the previous game due to a DWI arrest. Ginn's presence, as well as the specter of facing a 3-0 Dallas team that defeated them the week before, could've prompted the Aviators to fold. But in front of their home crowd, they took the fight to the Renegades. All of a sudden, both teams are back in the playoff conversation after being left for dead by most critics a week ago.
-Aviators may have found formula for success. Granted, this was against a Dallas team playing their third game in 11 days with a defense riddled by in-game injuries who were on the field too long thanks to an ineffective offense. Yet, Columbus and offensive coordinator Todd Haley didn't try to get too cute. They found a run game that worked and stuck with it, to the tune of 47 rushing attempts, a UFL single-game record. Columbus has the horses to get it done in John Lovett, ZaQuandre White and Toa Taua, all who contributed with double-digit carries on Thursday. The success in the run game allowed Jalan McClendon to have cleaner looks in the pass game. With ball security an early season issue for McClendon, a stout running game will be his best friend moving forward.
-It's not panic time for Dallas. Though the Renegades have steadily decreased their offensive output with each successive game, they're still in a relatively good spot. While it's tempting to let Austin Reed cut it loose every down, the Renegades would benefit from taking a cue from Columbus and leaning on the run game a bit more. It would've helped them sustain drives and give their defense a rest in week four. Dae Dae Hunter averaged 7.5 yards per pop but only carried six times. Reed was off on several of his throws, but there's too much proven firepower on that side of the ball for Dallas to not right the ship.
-Birmingham blows it up. The Stallions have lost their last three games after starting the season with a win over Louisville. Despite the largest crowd at Protective Stadium of the UFL era, Birmingham laid an egg against Orlando, getting shut out 16-0. Head coach A.J. McCarron was visibly frustrated during the game and at his post-game presser. That frustration led to major changes the next day: Starting QB Matt Corral was shipped out in a trade, along with starting defensive linemen Amani Bledsoe. And fellow linemen Perrion Winfrey was released, either by his own decision or the team's, depending on which source you believe. Enter Dorian Thompson-Robinson at quarterback. He was acquired from the Storm and should slot in immediately as the starter. It's a short week for Birmingham as they play Friday night, and it doesn't get easier against a rolling D.C. team.
-Harrison Frost ain't it. Frost led an improbable come-from-behind victory for St. Louis over Birmingham in week three, throwing for three touchdown passes after tossing two interceptions on his first two attempts. He was named starter over Brandon Silvers for week four and drew a tougher assignment against the blitz-happy Defenders. Defensive coordinator Blake Williams took advantage of Frost's inexperience, leading to the young QB completing less than 30% of his passes. Notably, Silvers was the emergency third QB and Michael Pratt, who joined the team just before the season, was promoted to backup. If Pratt is up to speed with the offense, it may be time to turn to him.
-Orlando got the best of Birmingham - twice. Saturday was a day of rivalries, as D.C. faced St. Louis and Orlando head coach Anthony Becht matched wits with his former QB, A.J. McCarron, now head coach with Birmingham. Not only did the Storm and Becht beat McCarron's Stallions on the field, they also seemed to get the better of the Sunday deal, in which Orlando traded its backup QB for Birmingham's starter and a starting defensive lineman. Up until Saturday, Orlando hadn't truly dominated any of its opponents. And Saturday was as much about Birmingham's mistakes as it was about Orlando's performance. Nevertheless, they're the only undefeated team left in the league through four weeks as Becht continues to show why he's deserving of a coaching role beyond spring football.