Despite a strong effort from the Memphis Showboats, the D.C. Defenders pulled out a last minute 17-12 victory on Saturday night. Throughout the evening, a fierce defensive battle prevented both teams from reaching the end zone for the first 48 minutes of the game.
Improved Showboats Defense
Make no mistake, the Showboats are much improved over last year’s struggling team. Defensive coordinator Jarren Horton’s defense looked impressively strong, disrupting veteran quarterback Jordan Ta’amu’s passing game. Boogie Roberts sacked Ta’amu. Steele Chambers led the teams in tackles with ten (six solo). P.J. Hall and Eli Walker had back-to-back tackles for a loss. Lance Boykin had what initially appeared to be an interception overturned as an incomplete pass. However Boykin along with Kyree Woods and Walker contributed pass break ups. As a result, the Defenders were repeatedly forced to punt.
Ta’amu finished the night with 152 yards passing and one touchdown. Most of that yardage came in the final nine minutes of the game.
Showboats Improving Offense
Coming out strong in the Showboats first possession, E.J. Perry launched a pass to wide receiver Dee Anderson for a nice gain. But the drive stalled when he was intercepted by Defenders cornerback Kiondre Thomas.
Perry looked far more confident and poised than a week ago in his Showboats debut. Spreading the ball around, he connected with Kwamie Lassiter, Jonathan Adams and Eli Stove, but the offense stalled in the red zone.
However, the Memphis Showboats would be the first to light up the scoreboard on kicker Matthew Coghlin’s 30 yard field goal. The Defenders Matthew McCrane responded minutes later with a 22-yard field goal and the score was tied at 3-3.
Just before the half, the Defenders took advantage of a muffed punt by Showboats returner Isiah Hennie that resulted in McCrane’s second field goal of the night; a 30-yard kick that gave the Defenders a 6-3 lead at the half.
The second half began with McCrane connecting on a 46-yard field goal attempt giving the Defenders a 9-3 lead. The Showboats came right back with a 33-yard field goal that trimmed the Defenders lead, 9-6.
4th Quarter Offensive Drives
Both Coghlin and D.C. Defenders Matt McCrane provided the games only points until the fourth quarter when Perry put together an impressive drive that culminated with his 16-yard dash into the end zone for the score. The Showboats regained the lead at 12-9.
But with under nine minutes remaining in the game, the tables turned. Ta’amu put together an impressive drive that included a 45-yard bomb to the always dangerous Chris Rowland. The Defenders scored minutes later on 3-yard touchdown to tight-end Ben Bresnahan and sealed the win with a two-point conversion pass by Rowland to Cornell Powell.
Game Takeaways
Despite the 0-2 start, there is no doubt the Showboats are a different team this season. In the last two weeks, the Showboats have held their own against two of the best teams in the league. In both games, they had a chance for an upset win. To quote coach Ken Whisenhunt, “the team was only one big play away” from claiming victory.
E.J. Perry finished the game 18/28 with 194 yards passing and one interception. He had another 26 yards rushing. In addition to scoring the lone rushing touchdown, Perry had more passing yards than Ta’amu. He is developing a solid connection with Jonathan Adams, the leading receiver for the second week in a row with nine receptions for 128 yards. In both games this season, Adams has over 100 receiving yards.
The running game featuring Deneric Prince and Jacob Kibodi showed the pair’s skill set can complement each other well. Kibodi broke out with a nice 18-yard gain last night and had two receptions for 12 yards. Prince is the more powerful back in short yardage situations with nine carries for 44 yards.
The Fan Experience
As always the UFL offers a different and more exciting fan experience. The league contiues to find creative ways to bring the fan into the game. That includes having players wear “chest cams” such as the one worn by Showboats defender, Jaylon Allen, to give a birds eye view in the heat of the action.
In addition to the always entertaining Audi Field Beer Snake, the fans were treated to the UFL’s first-ever Blossom Bowl in celebration of the beautiful cherry blossoms.
Finally, the UFL continues to surpass the NFL when it comes to how the league reviews penalties. The rapid pace in which V.P of Officiating, Dean Blandino, reviews a play from his remote sky box, issuing a definitive ruling while explaining the rationale to viewers is truly a step up from the tiresome and lengthy NFL “review by committee” on the field.
Next week, the Memphis Showboats host the Houston Roughnecks at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium on Saturday, April 12th at 2:30 pm EDT. The game will be televised on ESPN and tickets are still available.
The undefeated D.C. Defenders will take on the St. Louis Battlehawks at The Dome at America’s Center on Sunday April 13th at 3:00 pm EDT. The game will be televised on ABC and tickets are still available.
