WASHINGTON, D.C. April 28, 2024 – The D.C Defenders (2-3) lost big against the St. Louis Battlehawks (4-1) on Sunday afternoon, 45-12 at Audi Field in Washington.
The Battlehawks struck first in the first quarter scoring 14 unanswered by way of a touchdown and two field goals made by PK Andre Szmyt. Szmyt ended the day making four of his four attempts, his longest from 51 yards away. It wasn’t until late in the first half that the Defender’s offense woke up.
With just over two minutes remaining in the second quarter, the Defenders put together a nice drive and charged down the field scoring a rushing touchdown by the feet of Cam’Ron Harris for one yard. Then immediately got the ball back and charged again but this time quarterback Jordan Ta’amu was airing it out to receiver Kelvin Harmon for six. But after failed two-point attempts on both touchdowns, the score was a commendable 12-17 St. Louis lead.
Despite the momentum being on their side heading into the locker room, Defenders came out flat in the second half, and it only got worse from there.
After the initial field goal by Szmyt late in the third, it looked like a photo-finish till the final whistle… but that didn’t last long.
Three rushing and one passing touchdown later, and the game got away quickly in the fourth quarter. 25 of the 45 points scored by St. Louis can be traced back to the multiple turnovers that D.C. had along with the two-for-thirteen 3rd down success rate.
The Defenders will gear up to continue their home streak as they challenge Wade Phillips and his (4-1) San Antonio Brahmas next Sunday, May 5th at Audi Field, with kickoff set for 4:00 ET.
POSTGAME NOTES
Defenders QB Jordan Ta’amu went 12-of-23 (52%) for 101 yards and 1 TD for a passer rating of 77.3.
Defenders WR Kelvin Harmon led D.C. receivers with 37 yards and 1 TD.
Seattle led in both rushing and passing yards with 280 passing to D.C.s 163 yards and led with 185 rushing yards to D.C.’s 79 yards
Both teams had six penalties, D.C. had 15 fewer yards with 45 penalized yards
D.C. only trailed by one first-down completion comparatively to St. Louis (13 to12)
Battlehawks won the turnover battle 4 to 1, with three interceptions and a fumble recovery
D.C. did finish the game with a 100% red zone percentage (2-2) which is better than that of the Battlehawks (4-8, 50%)
PHOTO GALLERY
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 28: Head coach Reggie Barlow of the DC Defenders looks on during the second quarter in the game against the St. Louis Battlehawks at Audi Field on April 28, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/UFL/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 07: Cam’ron Harris #3 of the DC Defenders runs the ball against the Houston Roughnecks during the first quarter at Audi Field on April 07, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/UFL/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 28: Anthoula Kelly #24 and Deontay Anderson #9 of the DC Defenders kneel on the sidelines against the St. Louis Battlehawks during the third quarter in the game at Audi Field on April 28, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/UFL/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 28: Niles Scott #90 of the DC Defenders celebrates with Malik Fisher #92 after a sack against the St. Louis Battlehawks during the fourth quarter in the game at Audi Field on April 28, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/UFL/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 28: Kaden Smith #89 of the DC Defenders runs with the ball against Chris Payton-Jones #9 of the St. Louis Battlehawks during the third quarter in the game at Audi Field on April 28, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/UFL/Getty Images)
Cam’ron Harris #3 of the DC Defenders dives over the line against the St. Louis Battlehawks during the second quarter in the game at Audi Field on April 28, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/UFL/Getty Images)
