D.C. Defenders 2024 UFL Team Review
The D.C. Defenders were one of the most disappointing teams in the 2024 UFL season. D.C. was picked to contend for a playoff spot but fell apart with four losses in five games after a 2-1 start. In the regular season finale, the Defenders blew the chance to earn the respectability of a .500 season with a close loss to the Arlington Renegades. Thus, the Defenders campaign ended with an unfulfilled feeling of failure. Head coach Reggie Barlow, who took over the Defenders after a career as an FCS college head coach, has to be feeling dejected after winning the CFL Coach of the Year honors by leading D.C. to a 9-1 record and North Division title in 2023.
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D.C. Defenders 2024 Team Review
The D.C. Defenders have a record of 4-6. The Defenders are in 3rd place in the UFL XFL Division standings. On offense, D.C. ranks 5th for total yards, 5th for rushing, 4th for passing, and 5th for scoring. On defense, D.C. ranks 6th for total yards, 8th for rushing, 3rd for passing, and 7th for scoring. Last week, the Defenders lost 32-31 against the Arlington Renegades.
The D.C. Defenders (4-6, 2-4 XFL) came up just short versus the Arlington Renegades (3-7, 2-4 XFL) on Sunday afternoon at Audi Field, 32-31. The game had an attendance of 13,080.
With the Defenders on defense for the game’s first drive, Arlington went on a ten-play drive that led to a 27-yard field goal made by PK Jonathan Garibay. Trailing 3-0, WR Chris Rowland, who leads the UFL in kickoff return yards, exploded for a 55-yard return. With D.C.’s offense starting at the Renegades’ 33-yard line, the offense would have to settle for a 44-yard field goal by PK Matt McCrane. Later in the quarter, CB Gareon Conley would come up with a timely interception of QB Luis Perez, keeping the game tied at 3-3 after one quarter of play.
Following a turnover on downs by D.C. early in the second, Arlington’s Garibay converted on a 40-yard field goal, putting them up 6-3. Rowland wasn’t finished yet, as he took the ensuing kickoff 84 yards to the house, giving the Defenders their first lead of the game at 9-6. His touchdown is the first kickoff return for a score in the UFL this season. D.C. would follow this up on their next offensive possession with a quick 80-yard scoring drive that took just over three minutes. QB Jordan Ta’amu hit WR Vincent Smith for a 43-yard touchdown, giving the Defenders their largest lead of the game at 15-6. Arlington responded with a scoring drive of their own, capped off by a 5-yard touchdown pass from Perez to WR Tyler Vaughns. After a two-point conversion, D.C. would lead 15-14 at halftime.
The Defenders stayed hot in the third quarter, as they would go on an eight-play scoring drive to begin the half, capped off with a 1-yard rushing touchdown by RB Cam’Ron Harris. Up 21-14, D.C. would hold Arlington to another field goal on the following possession, as Garibay was good from 36 yards out, trimming it to 21-17 going into the fourth quarter.
Arlington went back in front early in the fourth, as Perez hit Vaughns for a 34-yard touchdown. Following a successful two-point conversion, D.C. trailed 25-21. The Defenders responded with a 5-play, 69-yard scoring drive of their own, finished off with a 40-yard touchdown pass from Ta’amu to WR Brandon Smith. A successful two-point conversion from Ta’amu to TE Alex Ellis put D.C. back in front, 29-25. On the ensuing kickoff, Arlington WR Juwan Manigo gave himself up in his end zone, resulting in a wild safety forced by the Defenders.
2024 D.C. Defenders UFL Schedule
| WEEK |
DATE |
MATCHUP |
TIME/TV |
RESULT |
RECORD |
| Week 1 |
March 31 |
at San Antonio Brahmas |
12 PM / ESPN |
L 12-27 |
0-1 |
| Week 2 |
April 7 |
vs. Houston Roughnecks |
4 PM / FOX |
W 23-18 |
1-1 |
| Week 3 |
April 13 |
at Arlington Renegades |
1 PM / ESPN |
W 29-28 |
2-1 |
| Week 4 |
April 20 |
at Birmingham Stallions |
7 PM / FOX |
L 18-20 |
2-2 |
| Week 5 |
April 28 |
vs. St. Louis Battlehawks |
12 PM / ESPN |
L 12-45 |
2-3 |
| Week 6 |
May 5 |
vs. San Antonio Brahmas |
4 PM / FOX |
W 18-12 |
3-3 |
| Week 7 |
May 12 |
vs. Michigan Panthers |
12 PM / ESPN |
L 9-22 |
3-4 |
| Week 8 |
May 19 |
at St. Louis Battlehawks |
12 PM /ABC |
L 21-26 |
3-5 |
| Week 9 |
May 26 |
at Memphis Showboats |
2:30 PM / FOX |
W 36-21 |
4-5 |
| Week 10 |
June 2 |
vs. Arlington Renegades |
12 PM / ABC |
L 31-32 |
4-6 |
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