The Louisville Kings scored 20 unanswered points in the second half to beat the DC Defenders 27-20 and win the United Bowl.
The Louisville Kings won the UFL title with a 27-20 comeback over the DC Defenders at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. DC led 16-7 at halftime. Louisville scored the game's final 20 points and ran for two fourth-quarter touchdowns. The Kings finished the playoff run 2-0.
Box Score
Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DC Defenders | 3 | 13 | 0 | 4 | 20 |
Louisville Kings | 0 | 7 | 6 | 14 | 27 |
Top Performers
Louisville Kings
Ian Wheeler (RB) — 10 att, 81 yds, 1 TD; long 44
James Robinson (RB) — 16 att, 69 yds, 1 TD
Tanner Brown (K) — 2/2 FG, long 57; 2 XP
Chandler Rogers (QB) — 9/17, 81 yds
Keaton Ellis (LB) — 6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 FF
Eric Garror (DB) — fumble recovery for touchdown
DC Defenders
Xazavian Valladay (RB) — 4 att, 111 yds, 1 TD; long 51
Matt McCrane (K) — 4/4 FG, including a 60-yard 4-point field goal
Jason Bean (QB) — 3/8, 19 yds, 0 TD; 7 att, 35 yds (left in 3rd quarter, injury)
E.J. Perry (QB) — 5/12, 50 yds, 1 INT; 7 att, 43 yds
Deon Jackson (RB) — 11 att, 56 yds
Sam Kidd (LB) — 8 tackles
Kai Gray (DB) — 3 tackles, 2 INT
Team Stats
Stat | DC Defenders | Louisville Kings |
|---|---|---|
Total Yards | 319 | 261 |
Passing | 69 | 81 |
Rushing | 262 | 180 |
First Downs | 13 | 10 |
Third Downs | 2-12 | 3-11 |
Red Zone | 0-2 | 1-1 |
Time of Possession | 31:18 | 28:42 |
Turnovers | 3 | 2 |
Sacks | 0 | 2 |
How It Happened
DC opened the scoring with a 48-yard Matt McCrane field goal in the first quarter.
Louisville took its first lead in the second quarter on a strange play. Jason Bean completed a short pass to Ty Scott, who fumbled. Corey Mayfield forced it and Eric Garror recovered in the end zone for a touchdown and a 7-3 lead.
DC answered fast. Xazavian Valladay ran 51 yards for a touchdown to put the Defenders up 10-7. McCrane added field goals of 43 and 28 yards, the second on the final play of the half, and DC led 16-7 at the break.
Tanner Brown made field goals of 57 and 38 yards in the third quarter to pull Louisville within 16-13.
The Kings took over in the fourth. Ian Wheeler ran 44 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the quarter to give Louisville a 20-16 lead. James Robinson added a 16-yard touchdown run for a 27-16 lead. McCrane closed the scoring with a 60-yard 4-point field goal, but DC got no closer.
Quick Hits
DC outgained Louisville 319-261 and ran for 262 yards but lost on turnovers, giving the ball away three times to the Kings' two.
Xazavian Valladay ran for 111 yards on 4 carries, including a 51-yard touchdown.
Matt McCrane made all four field goals for DC, including a 60-yard 4-point field goal.
DC went 0-for-2 in the red zone and managed only 69 passing yards.
DC quarterback Jason Bean left the game in the third quarter with an injury. E.J. Perry finished at quarterback for the Defenders.