UFL Week 3 Recap: A New Number One Arises

Week 3 of the UFL season brought more scoring and drama, but a disappointing result for St. Louis Battlehawks fans. The Battlehawks struggled to contain DC’s dynamic passing attack and its fearsome defense, resulting in a 27-15 defeat at home. Luckily, the Battlehawks are still in prime position for the UFL playoffs, even with the loss. Here’s a recap of all the UFL action:

Stallions 10, Renegades 9

This game was a tale of two halves but never really managed to get off the ground. Arlington held the Stallions scoreless in the first half but only scored nine points — three field goals, no less. If the Renegades could have managed to score even one touchdown, this game looks completely different at the end. 

Arlington dominated the time of possession - 34:31 to 25:29 for Birmingham, but lost the total yardage battle 256 to 308. The UFL’s leading rusher, Kalen Ballage, was held to just 41 yards rushing, a far cry from the 110 yards he had in Week 1. For the second-straight week, the team’s MVP was its punter, Marquette King:

After halftime, it was the Stallions who held the Renegades scoreless and, after a field goal drive to open the third quarter, the Stallions held on just enough to be down six with two minutes left. Birmingham QB Matt Corral led the Stallions on a methodical drive, culminating in a 20-yard touchdown catch by Cade Johnson to tie the game. Corral scored the game-winning point on a two-yard QB run to propel the Stallions to 2-1. 

Next week, Birmingham travels to Houston to take on the Roughnecks, while the Renegades face the Battlehawks at home.

Roughnecks 18, Showboats 17

A matchup of the UFL’s two most vagabond franchises could have been a complete 60-minute slog but delivered a modestly-enjoyable game with a compelling ending. Memphis held the early lead following a second quarter touchdown drive, capped off with an octopus scored by Showboats wideout Kwamie Lassiter. 

As soon as the pendulum swung in the Showboats’ favor, it just as quickly flew the other way for the Roughnecks in the third quarter. The Roughnecks pieced together a touchdown drive, then intercepted Showboats QB EJ Perry twice in a row, including a pick six, to take the lead. Houston never relinquished the lead following the defensive score.

Memphis made it interesting with a lengthy touchdown drive, but quarterback Troy Williams failed to convert the two-point conversion and Lassiter fumbled his reception on the ensuing 4th and 12 alternate kickoff, securing the Roughnecks’ victory.

The Showboats head to Michigan to face the Panthers in Week 4.

Panthers 26, Brahmas 23

The highest-scoring affair of the week took place in Michigan as the Panthers tried to rebound from a Week 2 loss against the Stallions. They didn’t make it easy for themselves, but Michigan managed a late field goal and held on for the victory against the Brahmas.

It was all Brahmas early, as San Antonio scored 9 points and blocked a Panthers field goal to maintain a slim lead. Michigan sandwiched two scoring drives around a quick Brahmas three-and-out and went from trailing 9-0 to leading 10-9 going into halftime.

The third quarter was a scoring explosion, as both teams traded touchdowns, including this 43-yard Jaden Shirden touchdown run:

The momentum seemed to be all Panthers in the fourth quarter but the Brahmas ran back a Bryce Perkins INT to tie the game late.

PICK SIX!!! PICK SIX!!! pic.twitter.com/tDgenvnCvI

— San Antonio Brahmas (@XFLBrahmas) April 13, 2025

The Panthers scored a quick field goal to go up 26-23, but the Brahmas put themselves in prime position to tie the game with a quick drive upfield. However, Donald “Deestroying” De La Haye missed a 36-yard field goal as time expired. The Brahmas fell to 0-3 on the season after a title game appearance last season.

San Antonio travels to DC next week to face the Defenders.

Defenders 27, Battlehawks 15

A raucous crowd at The BattleDome expected another victory, but wound up with a disappointing smothering at the Defenders’ hands. The vaunted Battlehawks run game never got going, and QB Manny Wilkins did not have a great game, which put all the pressure on St. Louis’ defense. The D caved and the Defenders put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter.

Wilkins’ inconsistent effort was the big story from this game. When Wilkins made good plays, it was indicative of his ability to win the starting job from Max Duggan. This included a dot to Fred Darby in the second quarter to put the Battlehawks within striking distance:

But when it rained for Wilkins, it poured. Wilkins fumbled the ball away on the team’s first possession and threw three interceptions, including two on back-to-back fourth quarter drives. Wilkins’ inefficiency allowed the Defenders to stack the box and limit Battlehawks running backs to just seven yards rushing. Wilkins was the team’s leading rusher with 39 yards on the ground.

Jordan Ta’amu reminded Battlehawks fans of better days as the former St. Louis QB threw for 243 yards and three touchdowns. The Battlehawks picked off Ta’amu twice but managed just six points off turnovers.

The Defenders’ defense also continued to be a force as an entire unit, generating four turnovers and holding the Battlehawks to just 15 points and 173 total yards. The Battlehawks never ran a play inside the red zone. DC was also the beneficiary of some good luck, as seen on this circus catch to put the Defenders up 9 late:

The Defenders are now the last remaining unbeaten UFL team at 3-0. 

Read more about Manny Wilkins’ poor performance on Sports Hub STL.

UFL Week 4 Schedule