As predicted early this season, the D.C. Defenders made the finals, amid hopes of repeating as the reigning UFL Champions. However, before D.C. can claim the United Bowl Trophy, they first have to get past the league's most surprising opponent, the Louisville Kings.
Viewed as an underdog expansion team, the Kings were given the UFL's lowest odds of making the playoffs after a disappointing 0-3 start. Yet here they are, looking mighty and invincible after winning seven of their last eight games, and one victory away from fulfilling their season-long goal: to be the last team standing.
United Bowl Preview: Louisville Kings Take On Reigning UFL Champion D.C.Defenders
As Shannon Harris's team prepares to host the Kings in the United Bowl Championship, they'll have the homefield advantage of the "Beer Snake" capital crowd and the invaluable experience of last year's championship-winning veterans. Despite losing their MVP-candidate quarterback Jordan Ta’amu this season, the Defenders plan to enhance their championship legacy by hoisting the trophy again this year.
However, the Kings are the improbable sleepers no one saw coming, until it was too late. Louisville boasts a phenomenal roster with three All-UFL Team Players, including the Defensive Player and Special Teams Players of the Year. Speaking to the media this week, Redman stated,
“Championship week is just a different week. I’m so happy that we can all get a chance to experience this…It’s been an amazing season, coming from where we came from to where we’re at now. We surprised a lot of people. But I don’t think anybody on this team is really surprised because we had a goal at the beginning of the year and we’re really close to meeting that goal.”
A week ago, following the Kings' incredible 29-20 playoff victory over the St. Louis Battlehawks, Louisville coach Chris Redman reminded everyone,
"We're not done yet. We got one more to go.”
Changes At Quarterback
These two teams have already met twice before, and Louisville emerged victorious on both occasions. However, this game is decidedly different because it will be the first time the Kings play against Jason Bean, Louisville’s starting quarterback earlier this season.
In a decisive move that wound up benefiting all involved, Redman traded Bean to D.C. and designated Chandler Rogers as the starting quarterback for Louisville. Now, the two have the elite privilege of leading their respective teams in the Championship game.
Coach Redman addressed the challenge of covering Bean.
"He’s just a dynamic player..we’re getting a good game plan put together to hopefully contain him but we know he’s gonna make plays."
Admitting that’s just the nature of Bean’s athleticism and his game, he described him as a great person and a good quarterback.
Redman finished with a laugh, “I just hope he doesn’t do too good this weekend.”
Following the trade of Bean to D.C, Rogers was handed the keys to the Louisville franchise, and he has done a masterful job of leading this team ever since. Rogers’ athleticism, calm, confident approach, and quick decision-making have led this team to the brink of a Championship title. He's developed terrific chemistry with his top receivers, delivering the ball with pinpoint accuracy. Isaiah Winstead leads the team in receptions with 29 catches for 474 yards and three touchdowns. Lucky Jackson has 32 receptions for 392 yards with two scores, while Tarik Black is right behind with 27 catches for 388 yards with three touchdowns. TE Zach Davidson rounds out the top four with 19 receptions for 250 yards and two scores.
Unleashing The Kings' Offense
The difference in how this team is performing now versus earlier in the season came down to Redman making the tough calls that needed to be made. In addition to the trade that breathed new life into the offense, other changes were made. One of the biggest shakeups involved overhauling the offensive line. Almost the entire offensive line was reconfigured with different personnel. Redman brought in Charlie Eger from the University of Alabama at Birmingham as the team’s new offensive line coach. Praising Eger's leadership, Redman acknowledged the new unit is a big reason for the team’s success. He credited him with implementing the changes that made the difference.
“Charlie brought a new style of offense to our running game that really made a difference..more of a college style offense especially with an athletic quarterback like we have..really utilizes our guys..and it’s been a great fit.”
There's no mistaking how the offensive line changes opened up the run game. The Kings began the season with the lowest amount of rushing yards in the league. Despite their late start, after the changes were made, Louisville finished the season in fourth place for the most rushing yards. Premier running backs James Robinson and Ian Wheeler led the team to finish the season averaging more than 175 yards per game on the ground. Last week, they both broke out spectacular 50-yard-plus rushing touchdowns against the league-leading Battlehawks' defense.
The D.C. Defenders Offense
Wheeler and Robinson will need to bring their A-Game again this weekend since they will be going up against one of the UFL's top rushing offenses. All-UFL Team running back Deon Jackson led the UFL with 449 yards on 91 carries. He recorded seven touchdowns and another 84 yards on 12 receptions. RB Abram Smith has 69 carries this season for 287 yards with two touchdowns. Xazavian Valladay, 60 carries for 283 yards with five touchdowns.
Cornell Powell is the Defenders' lead receiver with 491 yards and one touchdown on 34 receptions. Second only to Jackson in the offense’s scoring department, wide receiver Ty Scott leads the receiving corps with five touchdowns on 21 catches for 358 yards. Tight end Briley Moore is next with four touchdowns on 13 catches for 167 yards. Wide receiver Erik Ezukanma has the third most receiving yards with 27 on 15 catches with one score, while tight end Mason Fairchild has 11 receptions for 142 yards with one touchdown. D.C. veteran wide receiver Keke Coutee played a big role last week against the Orlando Storm and was one of Bean’s frequent targets. He could be a factor this week.
Not to be overlooked is another All-UFL Team honoree, offensive tackle Yasir Durant, who did an amazing job anchoring the offensive line and opened up running lanes for Jackson and Smith.
The D.C. Defense
The Defenders have a fierce defense that's led by All-UFL Team EDGE Derick Roberson, who memorably delivered a brutal blindside helmet hit in Week 6 that upended Rogers and drew an unnecessary roughness penalty.
DC cornerback Gareon Conley led the team last week with 30 tackles (five solo), two interceptions, and eight PBUs. Sam Kidd continues to lead the team with 50 tackles (33 solo), 2.0 sacks, two interceptions, and five PBUs. DE Boogie Basham 24 tackles (6 solo), 3.0 sacks with two PBUs and two forced fumbles. Bryce Thompson has been creating chaos for the opposition with 30 tackles (24 solo), one interception, six PBUs, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery to his credit.
The Kings Defense
Throughout the entire season, Jamie Sharper's Louisville defense has excelled and is among the best in the UFL. All-UFL Team OLB Cam Gill has emerged as the leader of the Kings' defense. Leading the league with 10.0 sacks during the regular season and adding another last week, he has been exceptional. Gill was announced this week as an MVP finalist, and his coach couldn't be prouder.
"Cam Gill is an exceptional player who has finally been given the opportunity to showcase the full extent of his talent,” said Redman. “He is truly deserving of this award and any recognition that follows. His dedication, work ethic, and commitment to excellence are evident every day, and the results speak for themselves. Cam serves as an outstanding role model and inspiration to athletes throughout our league and beyond."
Also named to the All-UFL Team, cornerback Corey Mayfield Jr. is another standout who led the league with four interceptions, 6 PBUs, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Two Outstanding Special Teams
Featuring some of the most elite special teams talent in the UFL, this game has the potential to be decided by a long-distance four-point field goal. Tanner Brown and Matt McCrane are the only two kickers in the UFL who have connected on multiple 60-yard field goals. Brown, named as the Special Teams Player of the Year, has been extraordinary. He finished the regular season converting 25/28 field goals, and added two more from 60-yards and 63-yards a week ago in the Kings' playoff game against St. Louis.
McCrane was the first UFL kicker to connect on a four-point field goal this season, and he has since added two more from 61 yards out.
Another distinguished member of the Kings' special teams unit is punter Mac Brown, who was recently announced as Louisville's nominee for Sportsman of the Year. The award embodies what it means to be a role model both in sport and in life, serving as a role model who exemplifies the values of integrity, professionalism, and leadership purpose with his team, and through meaningful community engagement.
In addition to the kicking team's prowess, both teams feature talented return specialists in D.C.'s Valladay and Erik Ezukanma and Louisville's Tyler Hudson and Jaden Shirden.
The battle for the trophy and the championship title gets underway Saturday, June 13, 2026, at 3:00 pm EDT from Audi Field. The game will be televised on ABC.
Taking into account that the game features the two highest scoring offenses this season, the over/under is set at 49.5 with the Defenders favored by -1.5.