In a thrilling encounter, the D.C. Defenders continued their unbeaten run by defeating the Houston Roughnecks with a 37-26 victory. The Defenders now hold an impressive 6-0 record, while the Roughnecks slip to 4-2.
Results
Team
1st quarter
2nd quarter
3rd quarter
4th quarter
Total
HOU
8
0
6
12
26
DC
3
14
9
11
37
The game started with the Roughnecks taking an 8-3 lead in the first quarter, but the Defenders stormed back with 14 unanswered points in the second. Houston attempted a comeback by scoring 6 points in the third quarter, but the Defenders’ offense kept the pressure on, putting up 9 points. The Roughnecks managed to add another 12 points in the final quarter, but the Defenders sealed the game with an 11-point performance.
Houston’s quarterback duo of Cole McDonald and Brandon Silvers combined for 18 completions on 28 attempts, throwing for 288 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. McDonald also contributed with his legs, rushing for 37 yards and a touchdown on six carries. Max Borghi added 25 yards on 11 carries, scoring two touchdowns for the Roughnecks.
On the other side, D.C.’s Jordan Ta’amu completed 19 of 31 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns, while D’Eriq King completed his only pass attempt for 4 yards. The Defenders’ rushing attack was led by Abram Smith, who carried the ball 19 times for 95 yards and one touchdown.
Deontay Burnett was the standout receiver for the Roughnecks, catching four passes for 122 yards and a touchdown, including an impressive 85-yard reception. Travell Harris and Cedric Byrd also had solid performances, with Harris hauling in five passes for 60 yards and Byrd catching four passes for 37 yards.
Lucky Jackson led the charge for the Defenders offense, hauling in 5 receptions for a massive 136 yards and a touchdown, averaging an impressive 27.2 yards per catch. Jackson’s longest reception of the day came in at 36 yards, and he was targeted 8 times throughout the game.
Josh Hammond also made a significant impact, catching 5 passes for 65 yards and averaging 13 yards per reception. Other notable contributions came from Ethan Wolf with 3 catches for 21 yards, and Alex Ellis with a single, but crucial, 1-yard touchdown reception.
The team’s overall receiving stats were impressive, with 20 receptions for 249 yards, 2 touchdowns, and a long of 36 yards on 32 targets.
On the defensive side of the ball, Roughnecks Emmanuel Ellerbee led the team with 11 total tackles, including eight solo tackles and three assisted tackles. Glen Logan contributed the team’s only sack for a loss of nine yards. The home team’s defense held their opponents to 249 passing yards and 116 rushing yards.
Francis Bernard led the Defenders team defensively with 8 solo tackles, 1 assist, and 2 tackles for loss. He was followed closely by Dejuan Neal and Michael Joseph, who both recorded 4 solo tackles and 1 assist. The defense managed 2 sacks for a total loss of 17 yards, with Davin Bellamy responsible for one of those sacks, resulting in a 9-yard loss.
Mark Perry, a devoted sports journalist and founder of XFL News Hub, has been a key figure in XFL coverage since its 2018 revival. Launching XFL News Hub soon after the league's return announcement, Mark has established the platform as a primary source for comprehensive XFL updates. Renowned for his in-depth knowledge and commitment to sports journalism, Mark actively engages the XFL community, welcoming interactions at [email protected].
