The D.C. Defenders (2-0) hosted the Memphis Showboats (0-2) on Saturday night from Audi Field. This game did not have many highlights in the first three quarters. The kickers were doing all the scoring in the first three quarters with the Defenders leading 9-6.
The game picked up in the fourth quarter with Memphis quarterback E.J. Perry scrambling for a 16-yard touchdown which made it 12-9 with 11:47 left of the game. The Defenders came back late in the fourth quarter when quarterback Jordan Ta’amu threw a three-yard touchdown pass to tight end Ben Bresnahan. An extra-point trick play was successful for the Defenders getting two points that made it 17-12 with 8:21. They would hold on to beat the Showboats 17-12.
D.C. had 257 yards of offense led by quarterback Jordan Ta’amu completing 12 of 26 passes (46.2%) for 152 yards, one touchdown, and three carries for 18 yards. Running back Abram Smith led the rushers with 16 carries for 55 yards and one catch for 15 yards.
Wide receiver Chris Rowland led the receivers making three catches for 66 yards, while tight end Ben Bresnahan made one catch for three yards and one touchdown. Kicker Matt McCrane made 3 of 4 field goals (75%) with a long of 46 yards. The defense made 58 tackles, five tackles for loss, one interception by Kiondre Thomas, three pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Memphis had 308 yards of offense led by quarterback E.J. Perry completing 18 of 28 passes (64.3%) for 205 yards, one interception, four carries for 26 yards, and one touchdown. Running back Deneric Prince led the rushers with nine carries for 44 yards.
Wide receiver Jonathan Adams led the receivers making nine carries for 128 yards, while wide receiver Elijah Stove made one catch for 42 yards. Kicker Matt Coghlin made 2 of 3 field goals (66.7%) with a long of 33 yards. The defense made 58 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, and four pass breakups.
Next week, the Memphis Showboats host the Houston Roughnecks on Saturday at 2:30 pm on ESPN, while the D.C. Defenders visit the St. Louis Battlehawks on Sunday at 3 pm on ABC. Purchase UFL tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
