The 4-4 Louisville Kings are the hottest team in the UFL right now, winning four of their last five games. Only a half-game behind the Birmingham Stallions, the Kings are officially in the hunt for a playoff berth. Coach Chris Redman is proud of how the team responded after a rough start to turn things around.
“It’s pretty amazing, you know, looking back at a team that started 0 and 3, and to be where we’re at right now. So, a lot of credit to the coaches and the football players for having the character to hang in there, believe, and trust the process.”
However, with the 3-5 Dallas Renegades, only one game behind the Kings, this weekend’s matchup is pivotal for both teams’ postseason hopes.
Coming off a strong at-home showing this past weekend, Louisville has the home-field advantage with the Kings' final home game this season. The team is counting on the Louisville fanbase to be out in full force at Lynn Family Stadium.
Week 9 Preview: Louisville Kings v Dallas Renegades
Earlier this season, the Renegades were one of the UFL’s top scoring teams. Lately, however, Rick Neuheisel’s team has struggled, losing five straight games, including a 47-25 thrashing by the Kings in Week 5. Dallas has a great deal riding on the outcome of this game. In addition to keeping their postseason hopes alive, they’ll undoubtedly be motivated by a chance to avenge the Week 5 drubbing.
As coach Chris Redman and the Kings prepare to battle the Renegades, here's how the two teams stack up.
Dallas Quarterback Austin Reed
Earlier this season, UFL newcomer Austin Reed was one of the league’s premier quarterbacks. After being named the starter over “Spring King” Luis Perez, he introduced himself in Week 1 by launching a 66-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Greg Ward. With Reed under center, the Renegades convincingly won their first three games. Then suddenly, his effectiveness dipped after too many interceptions and drives that failed to put points on the board. At this point in the season, Reed has completed 152 of 262 passes for 1,660 yards with 16 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. He added another 90 yards, rushing on 20 carries.
Reed is arguably still one of the top quarterbacks in the UFL. However, he will face a tough challenge this week with the Kings' stellar defense.
Louisville Quarterback Chandler Rogers
Chandler Rogers' first game as a starter was against the Renegades in Week 5.
At the time the trade was announced, Redman said of Rogers, "We are really excited to see Chandler get an opportunity to lead our team. He is a team-first player who is ready for this challenge put before him.”
With the entire team rallying around him, Rogers demonstrated exactly why he’d been named the starting quarterback. He’s earned the respect and admiration of his teammates with his confident and steady leadership. Since that first victory against the Renegades, the Kings have won three of their last four games. Rogers has a record of 70 of 117 completions for 853 yards with three touchdowns, three interceptions, and 16 carries for 74 yards.
The Dallas Offense
The Renegades veteran star receiver, Tyler Vaughns, has been Reed’s favorite target this season with 37 catches for 457 yards and five touchdowns. He also has two carries for five yards. Proving to be a major scoring threat with the ball in his hands, former Houston wide receiver Emmanuel Butler has reached the end zone on half of his receptions with five touchdowns for 120 yards on 10 catches.
With two touchdowns and 200 yards on 14 catches, Ward is Reed’s next favorite target. Rounding out the receiving corps for Dallas are UFL veteran Deontay Burnett (14 catches for 152 yards with one score), UFL newcomer Drake Stoops (19 catches for 189 with one TD), and running back Ellis Merriweather, who has proved to be as dangerous through the air as on the ground. He has 22 catches for 169 with one touchdown. TE Curtis Hodges hauled in eight receptions for 169 yards with one score.
Renegades Ground Game
Merriweather’s dual-threat ability produced four rushing touchdowns on 82 carries for 265 yards. UFL Renegades veteran running back Dae Dae Hunter missed the game in Week 8 with an unspecified injury. His status for this week could bear monitoring. To date, Hunter has recorded 53 carries for 283 yards with one touchdown. If Hunter is unavailable, former Houston running back Lorenzo Lingard is the next man up with 15 rushes for 81 yards.
The Louisville Offense
The Kings have a stacked receiver room that’s loaded with talent. UFL veteran Isaiah Winstead leads the team with 365 yards on 26 receptions. Last week, he scored his first touchdown of the season on five catches for 92 yards. Calling Winstead the “leader of that locker room,” Coach Redman praised his work ethic and described him as “a good person who does the little things right,” to help make the team better when he’s on the field.
Lucky Jackson has 27 catches for 341 yards with a couple of touchdowns. Tarik Black and TE Zach Davidson round out the group. Black scored back-to-back touchdowns two weeks ago on 22 receptions for 297 yards, while Davidson has 188 yards on 13 catches with two scores.
Kings Ground Game
After making changes to the offensive line mid-way through the season, Louisville’s offense continues to improve. With the emergence of James Robinson and Ian Wheeler as backfield scoring threats, the Kings’ ground game has finally come into its own. Despite appearing in only five games, Robinson leads the way with 60 carries for 232 yards with three touchdowns. Wheeler’s legendary four-score game makes him a dangerous threat with 41 carries for 189 yards. Rogers' ability to perceive a threat and turn a broken play into a scramble has led to extended drives with 16 carries for 74 yards.
The Dallas Renegades Defense
JT Tyler, with 44 tackles (23 solo), and UFL veteran linebacker Donald Payne, with 42 tackles (23 solo), lead the Renegades. Qwynnterrio Cole has 36 tackles (22 solo), 2 interceptions, four PBUs, and one forced fumble. The Dallas defense is particularly strong when disrupting the passing game. Cornerback Shaun Wade leads the team with three interceptions and 8 PBUs, followed by cornerback Steven Jones Jr., who has six pass defenses, two interceptions, and 16 solo tackles.
The Louisville Kings Defense
DC Jamie Sharper's Louisville defense is unquestionably the best in the league and has been outstanding this season. Last week, the Kings recorded 4.0 sacks, three interceptions, and a forced fumble playing against the D.C. Defenders. As a unit this season, Louisville boasts the most team tackles (514), the most interceptions (11), and ranks second in the league with 20.0 sacks. However, OLB Cam Gill leads the league with the most individual sacks and recorded his eighth last week.
There is a wealth of defensive talent on this team, and multiple players should be getting NFL tryouts this summer. Jaheim Thomas leads the team with 55 tackles (35 solo) and two pass defenses. Nick Kubitz has 43 tackles (22 solo), 1.5 sacks, and 2 PBU’s. Safety Keaton Ellis is next with 42 tackles (28 solo), one interception, and two PBU’s.
Cornerback Corey Mayfield Jr. leads the team in interceptions, snagging his fourth last week. He also leads the team with 6 PBU’s. Cornerback Cam Dantzler is next with 5 PBU’s, along with 28 tackles and an interception. Eric Garror has 26 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 4 PBUs, and a forced fumble.
Louisville Kings Special Teams
After Tanner Brown booted a stunning 60-yard field goal and was honored as the UFL's "Special Teams Player of the Week," Coach Redman stated confidently, “I have no doubt, he's the best kicker in the league by far,” and predicted he’ll be kicking on Sundays in the NFL next season.
In addition to Brown's league-leading performance, return specialist Tyler Hudson electrified the crowd with an explosive 92-yard kickoff return. Calling Hudson “as hard-working a player as I’ve been around,” coach Redman joked that the Kings have given him his own office with his name on the door because "he’s here so much and really works at his craft."
The action gets underway later this weekend on Sunday, May 24th, at 4:00 PM EDT from Lynn Family Stadium. A special edition Chris Redman bobblehead will be given away to fans.
It’s expected to be a high-scoring game with the over/under set at 46.5 points. The Kings are currently listed as -1.5 point favorites. Thrilled with the Louisville turnout this season, Redman hopes the fans turnout again on Sunday, continuing to make it "the toughest place in the league to play."