The San Antonio Brahmas (1-3) visited Audi Field on Sunday night to take on the D.C. Defenders (3-1) in an XFL Conference showdown. The Defenders were the last team to be undefeated until Sunday. This was also the debut of Payton Pardee as the interim head coach of the San Antonio Brahmas filling in for Wade Phillips, who took a leave of absence this week.
In the first quarter, San Antonio running back Aidan Robbins rushed for a two-yard touchdown to give the Brahmas a 6-0 lead with 8:48 left. Later in the first quarter, San Antonio returner Mathew Sexton returned a 46-yard punt by Paxton Brooks for an 83-yard touchdown extending San Antonio’s lead to 12-0 with 2:42 left. The Brahmas led 12-0 after one-quarter of play.
In the second quarter, D.C. quarterback Jordan Ta’amu threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Briley Moore-McKinney to cut the Brahmas lead down to 12-6 with 13:42 left. Later in the second quarter, D.C. kicker Matt McCrane made a 25-yard field goal and it was now 12-9 San Antonio with 6:56 left.
With 29 seconds left, San Antonio running back Aidan Robbins rushed for a five-yard touchdown extending their lead to 18-9. Just before halftime, D.C. kicker Matt McCrane made a 42-yard field goal and the Brahmas led the Defenders 18-12 to end the first half.
In the third quarter, D.C. quarterback Jordan Ta’amu rushed for a seven-yard touchdown to tie the game 18-18 with 10:06 left. Late in the third quarter, San Antonio quarterback Kellen Mond threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Greg Ward for a 24-18 lead with 5:51 left. The Brahmas led 24-18 with one quarter left to play.
Late in the fourth quarter, D.C. marched down to San Antonio’s seven-yard line. They did not do a good job with clock management and play calling. On fourth down, Ta’amu’s pass intended for Briley Moore-McKinney was incomplete and the San Antonio Brahmas picked up their first win of the season over the D.C. Defenders by the final score of 24-18.
San Antonio had 220 yards of offense led by quarterback Kellen Mond completing 14 of 20 passes (70%) for 121 yards, one touchdown, and two carries for seven yards. Running back Anthony McFarland led the rushers with 14 carries for 55 yards, and Aidan Robbins had four carries for 13 yards and two touchdowns.
Wide receiver Jacob Harris led the receivers making three catches for 35 yards, while Greg Ward made three catches for 20 yards, and one touchdown. The defense made 56 tackles, six tackles for loss, one sack, and four pass breakups.
D.C. had 409 yards of offense led by quarterback Jordan Ta’amu completing 19 of 30 passes (63.3%) for 300 yards, one touchdown, and led the rushers with 10 carries for 74 yards, and one touchdown. Running back Abram Smith had 13 carries for 39 yards.
Wide receiver Braylon Sanders led the receivers making three catches for 87 yards, while Briley Moore-McKinney made one catch for 39 yards, and one touchdown. Kicker Matt McCrane made two field goals with a long of 42 yards. The defense made 58 tackles, five tackles for loss, and two pass breakups.
Next week, the D.C. Defenders visit the Arlington Renegades on Sunday at noon on ESPN, followed by the San Antonio Brahmas hosting the Houston Roughnecks at 3 pm on ESPN. Purchase UFL tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
