Highlights:
* DC’s defense recorded 8 sacks, stifling the reigning UFL Champion Stallions
* Matt McCrane was perfect, connecting on all four field goal attempts including a 53-yarder
* The Defenders upset the defending champions, starting their season 1-0 while Birmingham falls to 0-1
Results
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIRM | 3 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| DC | 6 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 18 |
Game Recap:
Behind a dominant defensive effort and four field goals from kicker Matt McCrane, the DC Defenders outlasted the 2024 UFL Champion Birmingham Stallions for an 18-11 victory in front of 12,254 fans at Audi Field Sunday afternoon. The Defenders (1-0) limited Birmingham (0-1) to just 138 total yards while their defense collected an impressive eight sacks in a statement win to open the 2025 season.
Game Highlights Video:
Watch the full game highlights above to catch all the key plays from DC Defenders vs Birmingham Stallions.
DC Defenders Performance:
The Defenders controlled the game with a suffocating defense that consistently pressured Stallions quarterback Alex McGough. DC’s offense was efficient when needed, outgaining Birmingham 297-138 in total yards while dominating possession (31:11-28:49).
Top Offensive Players:
* Jordan Ta’amu: QB – 17-for-37, 211 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
* Ty Scott: WR – 5 receptions, 61 receiving yards
* Chris Rowland: WR – 3 receptions, 40 receiving yards, 1 TD
* Deon Jackson: RB – 10 carries, 42 rushing yards
* Abram Smith: RB – 13 carries, 37 rushing yards
Top Defensive Players:
* Anthony Hines III: LB – 6 tackles, 2 sacks
* Derick Roberson: DE – 2 tackles, 2 sacks
* Andre Mintze: DE – 3 tackles, 1 sack
* Deandre Baker: CB – 1 interception
* Kiondre Thomas: CB – 3 tackles
Birmingham Stallions Performance:
The defending champions struggled to find rhythm offensively, managing just 89 passing yards while being constantly disrupted by DC’s pass rush. Despite the loss, McGough showed flashes with his legs, leading the team with 84 rushing yards. McGough returned to the UFL after a stint with the Green Bay Packers in 2024.
Top Offensive Players:
* Alex McGough: QB – 10-for-23, 89 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 8 carries, 84 rushing yards
* Davion Davis: WR – 2 receptions, 28 receiving yards
* Ricky Person Jr.: RB – 6 carries, 29 rushing yards
* C.J. Marable: RB – 1 reception, 12 yards, 1 TD
* Jordan Thomas: TE – 1 reception, 13 yards
Top Defensive Players:
* Steven Gilmore: CB – 6 tackles, 3 pass breakups
* Tae Crowder: LB – 3 tackles, 1 pass breakup
* Perrion Winfrey: DL – 3 tackles
* Chapelle Russell: LB – 2 tackles, 1 sack
* Carlos Davis: DL – 1 interception
UFL Scores and Standings Impact
With this win, the DC Defenders join the Arlington Renegades and St. Louis Battlehawks as early leaders in the XFL Conference, all starting the season 1-0. In the USFL Conference, the Michigan Panthers began their campaign with a win while the Birmingham Stallions’ loss puts them behind in their title defense. This weekend’s UFL scores demonstrate the competitive balance throughout the league, with close contests highlighting the depth of talent across all eight franchises. The season is new, so seek scoring rise as we gets to weeks three and four.
The Defenders’ victory serves as an early statement in the UFL standings, particularly in knocking off the reigning champions. For Birmingham, this setback puts additional pressure on next week’s matchup as they look to avoid an 0-2 start.
1 Comment
by Ken Granito
Skip Holtz should running gassers & bleachers and to be honest going to confession if he has faith in the Lord. In his self-deprating sense of humor he could would have absolutely no words for what he did in yesterday’s game. He owes his team a LARGE apology for playing to win, when he did not. Skip Holtz KNOWS exactly what he did yesterday. He knows how to win games and he made every move to deliberately lose yesterday’s game. Case Cookus, Ricky Person Jr, Marlon Williams, Jace Sternberger and Kyahva Tezino all know it. Skip Holtz says you play every game to go 1-0 and if you string enough of these games together at the right time you win a championship. I guarantee at no time in this game did he tell Alex McGough they were going to win. He could not, because he did not coach to win yesterday’s game. Very sad. I would have preferred the Stallions to give all they had and lost than this. The one thing I say is the fans will come, because you have built something good. Then Coach Holtz puts in an effort like this. I honestly would have preferred to see Holtz take over the Tennessee State job over seeing what I saw yesterday. At least my admiration for him would still be intact. Starting early in the 3rd Qtr the Stallions ran the ball three times in succession. In those 3 plays the Stallions picked up 20 yards. The 3rd being a run from McGough. After that run the Defenders’ defense had 3 down lineman, 1 edge in a two point stance, a linebacker between the Nose and right end and a linebacker cover the left slot to the left of the end. In any RPO the call would be for any an interior slant run that worked the two previous times to the McGough run up the middle. Instead you decide to pass. I don’t mean just on that last play. That was very early in the 3rd quarter and there were 3 running back runs the rest of the game. No more on that drive. Maybe Holtz really wants someone other than McGough to play QB and by throwing him under the bus was the best way to show McGough that he doesn’t deserve to be on the field. Personally, I hope they get it together. All I know is that I drove to DC from New Jersey to see the Stallions play. They mailed it in. I will not do that in two years when the Stallions come to town again. They decide to pass 37 times (23 attempts, 8 sacks and 6 runs after the protection broke down) to 14 designed runs against a team that you lost to by one score. Let me add on the Defenders were the worst defense against the run last year, because their love is for rushing the passer and spreading out the defense so they can come from all sides. You, Mr. Holtz, were obliterated, so overly over-matched by Gregg Williams you looked so bad you should be running steps, gassers for your lack of effort. I hope you come up with the same type of anemic offense next week so the Panthers crush you. Also, I will watch the Friday game, but to show my disappointment with the UFL for Skip Holtz coaching to lose, for the Roughnecks being a laughingstock because the UFL runs the league the way it does. Please stock saying you only want young guys. I don’t care if your players average 24 years of age if they CAN’T PLAY. I JUST DON’T CARE. I will not watch any of the other games next week. Get it together guys! Maybe you could have Rod Woodson coach again. I hope you know I am just kidding.