It’s back! My Three up, Three down column tracks the roller-coaster ride that is UFL action each week, with positives or things happening often labeled “up,” and negatives or downward trends categorized as “down.”
Up: Interim coaches
The spate of head coaches stepping away from teams quieted down as the season wore on, but week 10 brought yet another departure, though it's unclear for how long. It was revealed on Sunday that Arlington Renegades head coach Bob Stoops did not travel to San Antonio with the team due to a leg injury suffered during the week. Offensive coordinator Chuck Long assumed head coaching duties from the booth, while co-defensive coordinator Marvin Sanders took care of field-level responsibilities. After another non-playoff performance by his Renegades in 2025, there's a real question as to whether Stoops returns at all next year.
Down: Rest for Luis Perez
Renegades quarterback Luis Perez is a gamer, there's no doubt about that. He's also shown to be one of the most durable QBs in spring football over the last few years. That said, it was somewhat surprising that he played the entire game against the last-place Brahmas, despite both teams being out of playoff contention by week 10. Neither of his backups, Holton Ahlers nor Luke Lehnen, have received any kind of substantial playing time this year. Other teams out of the race used the opportunity to take a look at some of the younger players and backups. For whatever reason, Arlington made the decision not to do that.
Up: Good Curtis Johnson super challenges
After winning his first challenge of the year in week nine, Johnson followed it up with one of the better challenges any coach has had this year in week 10. A Rocky Lombardi 40-yard touchdown run for Michigan also had a Houston personal foul associated with it. Johnson challenged that there was a personal foul on Michigan too, which would negate the touchdown. Replay review agreed, erasing the TD. The Panthers ended up punting to end the possession. Houston was victorious by just one score.
Down: Good Curtis Johnson super challenges
By winning that challenge, Johnson was allowed a second challenge at some point during the game. And this challenge was...uh...not so good, to put it mildly. Houston appeared to intercept a pass later in the game, but on TV, the replay clearly showed the ball hit the ground underneath the arms of the defender. Johnson challenged it anyway, and Mike Pereira very quickly shot it down, likely having already taken a look at it prior to the challenge.
Up: League-wide firsts
As the 2025 UFL regular season came to a close, there were two major firsts that were accomplished. The first safety in UFL history was awarded on Friday night when D.C. Defenders rush end Andre Mintze sacked St. Louis Battlehawks quarterback Brandon Silvers in the end zone. The final tilt of the season on Sunday afternoon had the first player return two interceptions for touchdowns in the same game, in the person of Birmingham Stallions linebacker Tae Crowder.
Down: Good weather in D.C.
Perhaps the most intriguing Friday night game of the entire slate this year was D.C. hosting St. Louis in week 10. It had the possibility of having playoff implications while also being held in front of one of the more raucous fanbases in the league. In the end, the weather conspired to make the atmosphere less-than-ideal. The game was delayed for almost an hour by torrential downpours and much of the game was played on a slick surface with puddles dotting the field. Combine that with backups playing throughout for both teams, and there wasn't much on the line, especially as the two teams play in the playoffs next week.