# UFL Scores Today: D.C. Defenders 30, Louisville Kings 33 - Kings Edge Defending Champs in Thriller

- Author: Mark Perry
- Published: 2026-05-17T12:28:00Z
- Updated: 2026-05-17T12:28:37Z
- Categories: UFL (ufl), DC Defenders (dc-defenders), Scores (scores), Louisville Kings (louisville-kings)
- Canonical URL: https://uflnewshub.com/ufl/ufl-scores-today-dc-defenders-30-louisville-kings-33-kings-edge-defending-champs-thriller

> The Louisville Kings defeated the D.C. Defenders 33-30 in UFL Week 8 action. Get the full game recap, stats, and highlights.

**The**[**Louisville Kings**](https://uflnewshub.com/team/louisville-kings)**stunned the [defending champion](https://uflnewshub.com/ufl/defending-champion-dc-defenders-torch-houston-457-dominant-home-opener)**[**D.C. Defenders**](https://uflnewshub.com/team/dc-defenders)**33-30 at Lynn Family Stadium.**

Louisville (4-4) picked up a massive home win against D.C. (5-3), dealing the Defenders their third loss and keeping their own playoff hopes alive. The Kings outdueled the champs in a back-and-forth battle that came down to the final quarter.

## Box Score

- Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | OT | Final
- D.C. Defenders | 7 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 30
- Louisville Kings | 13 | 4 | 3 | 13 | 0 | 33

[**See full player stats and game details**](https://uflnewshub.com/game/1235)

## Game Highlights

## Top Performers

### Louisville Kings

- [**Chandler Rogers**](https://uflnewshub.com/player/chandler-rogers-34260) (QB) — 11/20, 143 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
- [**Isaiah Winstead**](https://uflnewshub.com/player/isaiah-winstead-32177) (WR) — 5 rec, 92 yds, 1 TD
- [**James Robinson**](https://uflnewshub.com/player/james-robinson-34331) (RB) — 20 att, 59 yds, 1 TD

### D.C. Defenders

- [**Xazavian Valladay**](https://uflnewshub.com/player/xazavian-valladay-34115) (RB) — 13 att, 107 yds, 1 TD
- [**Spencer Sanders**](https://uflnewshub.com/player/spencer-sanders-33151) (QB) — 7/15, 83 yds, 0 TD, 1 INT
- [**Ty Scott**](https://uflnewshub.com/player/ty-scott-32048) (WR) — 1 rec, 41 yds, 1 TD

## Team Stats

- Stat | D.C. Defenders | Louisville Kings
- Total Yards | 363 | 277
- Passing | 9/19, 145 yds, 1 TD | 11/20, 143 yds, 1 TD
- Rushing | 34 att, 218 yds, 3 TD | 37 att, 134 yds, 1 TD
- Turnovers | 4 | 2

## Quick Hits

- D.C. torched Louisville on the ground with 218 rushing yards but couldn't protect the ball with 3 interceptions and a fumble
- The Kings defense came up clutch with 5 sacks and 3 interceptions to force crucial turnovers
- [Xazavian Valladay](https://uflnewshub.com/player/xazavian-valladay-34115) put up 107 yards rushing but the Defenders couldn't capitalize on their ground dominance

## What's Next

- **Louisville Kings** (4-4) — vs [Dallas Renegades](https://uflnewshub.com/ufl/ufl-scores-today-orlando-storm-31-dallas-renegades-24-storm-ground-game-powers-road-victory), May 24
- **D.C. Defenders** (5-3) — at Orlando Storm, May 23

[UFL Standings](https://uflnewshub.com/standings) | [Full Schedule](https://uflnewshub.com/schedule) | [League Leaders](https://uflnewshub.com/ufl-stats-league-leaders-2026)

**What's your takeaway?** Drop your thoughts in the comments.

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