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.