The San Antonio Brahmas (1-0) kicked off the UFL Sunday doubleheader from the Alamodome against the D.C. Defenders (0-1). Last season in the XFL, the Defenders beat the Brahmas 29-28 in the Alamodome on the final week of the season.
The Defenders won the XFL North Division on their way to appearing in the XFL Championship also at the Alamodome where they lost to the Arlington Renegades. Last year, the Brahmas were coached by Hines Ward, and in 2024 are now coached by longtime NFL coach Wade Phillips. On Sunday, Phillips showed that the Brahmas are for real and ready to compete for a UFL Championship.
San Antonio had 270 yards on offense. Quarterback Chase Garbers completed 19 of 25 passes (76%) for 158 yards, two touchdowns, three carries for six yards, and one touchdown. Garbers two touchdowns both happened in the first quarter where he threw a 28-yard touchdown to running back Anthony McFarland for a 7-0 lead, and the second one went to wide receiver Jontre Kirklin for four yards for a 14-3 lead.
The highlight in this game came in the second quarter when punter Brad Wing threw a 40-yard pass to offensive lineman Alex Mollette, who was an eligible wide receiver, who scored the touchdown but San Antonio missed the two-point conversion and led 20-3 at halftime.
San Antonio running back Anthony McFarland led the rushing with 9 carries for 47 yards, along with making one catch for 28 yards, and one touchdown. San Antonio’s rushing game had 23 carries for 75 yards and one touchdown. Wide receiver Jontre Kirklin led the receivers with 8 catches for 61 yards and one touchdown. San Antonio’s receivers finished the day with 20 catches for 198 yards and three touchdowns.
San Antonio’s defense made 64 tackles led by linebacker Jordan Williams with 10 tackles (3 solo, 7 assists), along with four tackles for loss, four sacks, four pass breakups, and one interception by Darius Phillips.
D.C. had 253 yards on offense. Quarterback Jordan Ta’amu completed 25 of 45 passes (56%) for 235 yards, one interception, and three carries for 10 yards. D.C. running Cam’ron Harris led the team in rushing with 8 carries for 21 yards as part of the team’s 13 carries for 44 yards.
Wide receiver Ty Scott led the team in receiving making four catches for 87 yards. The receivers finished the game with 25 catches for 235 yards. D.C.’s defense made 58 tackles, one sack, five tackles for loss, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble by Isaiah Johnson. Kicker Matthew McCrane scored all of the Defenders’ points with four field goals with a long of 50 yards.
Next weekend, the San Antonio Brahmas visit the Memphis Showboats on Saturday at 12 pm on ESPN, while the D.C. Defenders host the Houston Roughnecks on Sunday at 4 pm on FOX. Subscribe to Fubo to watch all of the 2024 UFL Season and tickets for the game are available today on StubHub and Viagogo.
