Briley Moore-Mckinney #88 of the DC Defenders walks to the field prior to the game against the Arlington Renegades at Choctaw Stadium on April 13, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/UFL/Getty Images)
Renegades win on a last-second field goal
ARLINGTON, TEXAS (April 13, 2024) – With just four seconds left in the fourth quarter Defenders kicker Matt McCrane nailed a 49-yard field goal to secure the 29 to 28 victory in Arlington. The nail-biter between the Defenders and the Renegades took all 60 minutes to decide the winner after D.C. lost to Arlington last year in the XFL Championship.
The Defenders are now 2-1 overall with a 1-1 XFL conference record. D.C. is on a two-game win streak after their loss to San Antonio in week 1.
Arlington (0-3) had an opportunity to win in the final moments after a 25-yard punt return gave the Defenders possession at the D.C. 27-yard line with 1:34 remaining. But a pair of false start penalties short-circuited the possession. On fourth-and-1 from the D.C. 24-yard line Houston quarterback Reid Sinnett was incomplete in the end zone, allowing D.C. to hold on.
A 54-yard field goal from placekicker Matt McCrane gave D.C. an early 3-0 lead with 5:55 remaining in the first quarter. The opening field goal was the longest of the season for McCrane but would be short-lived.
Arlington got things going late in the first quarter, with a six-minute drive capped off with atouchdown five seconds into the second quarter. Quarterback Luis Perez found receiver Tyler Vaughns for a 19-yard touchdown to give the Renegades the lead.
Arlington extended its lead to 14-3 with another passing touchdown from Perez, this time a 17-yard reception from J.P. Payton. The Renegades cashed in on the two-point conversion, with a successful rush from Lindsey Scott Jr.
D.C. cut the Arlington lead to five points with 1:12 remaining in the first half, as quarterback Jordan Ta’amu found receiver Chris Rowland for a 10-yard touchdown pass.
Arlington dominated possession in the first half, recording 21:51 time of possession compared to D.C.’s 8:09. The Renegades ran 25 more plays than the Defenders. The first half alsofeatured only one punt between either team.
D.C. opened up the scoring in the second half, with a 58-yard field goal from the leg of McCrane that cut the Arlington lead to two points. 58 yards is not only the season-high for the Brownwood, TX native but also the third-longest field goal distance in the UFL this season.
With 5:42 remaining in the third quarter, placekicker Taylor Russolino increased the Arlington lead to five points with a 37-yard field goal. D.C. took the lead with 1:08 left in the third quarter, with a 14-yard touchdown reception by receiver Brandon Smith. Prior to the touchdown, the Defenders had not led since the opening field goal.
Arlington regained the lead with 12:17 remaining in the fourth quarter, this time coming on the ground. Lindsey Scott Jr. rushed for a 13-yard touchdown, and a reception from tight end Sal Cannella converted the two-point conversion.
Russolino booted a 49-yard field goal with 2:08 remaining to extend the Arlington lead to 10 points.
D.C. quickly responded, kicking off the next drive with a 57-yard kickoff return by Rowland. After a five-play drive, running back Cam’Ron Harris punched in a touchdown for the Defenders, which was followed by a successful two-point conversion by Ta’amu.
Still trailing by two points, D.C. elected to go for the alternative kickoff. A 19-yard pass from Ta’amu to receiver Ty Scott converted the 4th-and-12. The D.C. offense drove down the field, setting up a 49-yard field goal by McCrane for the 29-28 win.
The Defenders are back in action Saturday at the Birmingham Stallions. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. ET, with the game set to be broadcast on FOX.
D.C. Defenders Postgame Notes
The Defenders are 2-1 against the Renegades overall.
QB Jordan Ta’amu went 11-24 passing with 188 yards with two passing touchdowns
WR’s Brandon Smith and Chris Rowland both had receiving touchdowns this week
K Matt McCrane now holds the third-longest field goal in the league, and now his personal best
PHOTO GALLERY
Head coach Reggie Barlow of the DC Defenders looks on during the third quarter game against the Arlington Renegades at Choctaw Stadium on April 13, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/UFL/Getty Images)
Jordan Ta’amu #10 of the DC Defenders throws a pass during the third quarter in the game against the Arlington Renegades at Choctaw Stadium on April 13, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/UFL/Getty Images)
Brandon Smith #2 of the DC Defenders catches a pass for touchdown during the third quarter while defended by Darren Evans #24 of the Arlington Renegades at Choctaw Stadium on April 13, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/UFL/Getty Images)
Chris Rowland #12 of the DC Defenders celebrates a touchdown during the second quarter in the game against the Arlington Renegades at Choctaw Stadium on April 13, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/UFL/Getty Images)
Matthew Mccrane #16 of the DC Defenders celebrates after kicking the winning field goal during the fourth quarter against the Arlington Renegades at Choctaw Stadium on April 13, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/UFL/Getty Images)
Chris Rowland #12 of the DC Defenders returns a kick off during the second quarter in the game against the Arlington Renegades at Choctaw Stadium on April 13, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/UFL/Getty Images)
