Week 4 witnessed the birth of first wins for two new franchises, the continued fracturing of Birmingham, and DC/Orlando both laid claim to the position of best team in the league. Then, to top off the action on the field, several quarterbacks shook the league's foundation. The UFL is certainly never boring.
Birmingham drew its finest UFL attendance with Gucci Mane as the halftime "entertainment." Over 18,000 walked into Protective Stadium and most of the them galloped out after seeing Stallions' non-existent offense played lamer than Smarty Jones. Houston's fans numbered slightly more than cards in a deck. Columbus produced a solid crowd for a 0-3 team and the Aviators awarded the faithful with an upset. DC's attendance disappointed, despite a beautiful day and rival St. Louis in town. If the defending champs with the Beer Snake and momentum are seeing dips, what can drive attendance? Is spring football too niche?
Louisville 24, Houston 22
Life can feel like a simulation. The UFL changed the controversial rule about the game ending in overtime on consecutive defensive penalties after the Kings were deposed by its application. How does the next Louisville end up? In overtime, of course.
The two teams traded long field goals in the first quarter. Louisville then scored 10 unanswered points. Before halftime, the squads again each kicked massively long field goals for the 16-6 Kings lead.
The Gamblers rolled a lucky seven out of halftime with Marcus Yarns rambling 68 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was missed. It proved critical. Taulia Tagovailoa, with brother Tua in the house, ran for a six yard TD and Houston led 19-16.
The football gods decided that enough touchdowns were scored and more lengthy field goals were necessary. Houston extended its lead to 22-16 before Louisville tied the game at 22-22. The final ten minutes were scoreless but dramatic. After a punt exchange, Major Burns (elite name) intercepted Jason Bean. Houston attempted a go-ahead 38-yard field goal that missed by inches, if it missed at all - footage was inconclusive. Louisville was forced to punt and Houston had one last chance to win it regulation but a sack ended their dream.
The first three overtime conversions failed before Bean connected to McKitty for the 24-22 lead. Louisville's defense rose up and made one final stop and the Kings celebrated their first franchise win.
Dallas 14, Columbus 28
3-0 Dallas met 0-3 Columbus and the Aviators looked like the undefeated team but not at the start. The Renegades scored first on an Austin Reed touchdown pass to Stoops. Columbus tied the game in the second quarter on a rushing touchdown. Reed tossed another touchdown pass and all seemed right for Dallas.
Columbus struck back. A 3rd and 8 incompletion was negated by Ted Ginn Jr.'s Super Challenge for pass interference. The call was made. It proved genius. The following play featured an extraordinary TD catch by Chism to tie the game at 14-14.
The Aviators flew out of halftime on a long touchdown drive. The score came on a McClendon fumble that was fortuiosuly recovered by teammate Moragne in the end zone. Columbus got the ball back late in the third quarter and launched an Army football-like 18 play 97 yard TD drive. The air team ran the ball down Dallas' throats. Taua's two-yard TD run capped the drive. Reed's INT on the following drive essentially sealed the upset win.
St. Louis 22, DC 28
The XFL rivals met in a rematch of Week 1 hard-hitting affair and this time DC emerged victorious. The Defenders made another case for the league's best team even if the Battlehawks nearly pulled off the improbable comeback.
St. Louis opened the scoring with a 51-yard field goal. DC countered with a touchdown pass. Harrison Frost found Hakeem Butler on a short screen pass and the spring football superstar raced 75 yards for a spectacular individual touchdown. Of course, the kicker missed the extra point.
DC used a field goal and another touchdown pass combo for the 17-9 lead. St. Louis kicked a field goal as time expired before halftime.
DC kicked a 43-yard field goal and then 26 seconds later sacked Frost for a safety. The Defenders drove for a knockout punch but had to settle for a field goal. St. Louis used the reprieve for a touchdown run. DC added an insurance field goal for the 28-19 lead.
St. Louis drove down to DC 5 before a false start pushed them back to the 10. Facing fourth and goal and sitting on three timeouts, the Battlehawks kicked a field goal. Eschewing the 4th and 12 onside option, St. Louis trusted its defense. With some assistance from cowardly DC play-calling, the Battlehawks regained possession.
A good return and a defensive penalty started STL at DC's 40. Frost scrambled for 12 yards before throwing an incomplete pass and taking a 11-yard sack. On the next play, his feel good story vanquished as Frost badly underthrew a deep ball for an interception and the Defenders sealed the win.
Orlando 16, Birmingham 0
Some empires collapse immediately after their founder's departure - see Alexander the Great's construction - and others like the Roman Empire limp along before passing into history. The Stallions under AJ McCarron are the former. Nothing went right and Anthony Becht got his revenge win on his former quarterback. Orlando sits at 4-0 and keeps stacking wins.
Orlando scored the game's only touchdown late in the first quarter on a pass to Cam Camper. The Storm had a chance for another touchdown but a stiff Birmingham stand forced a 19-yard-old FG. The Stallions had a chance for a field goal before halftime but Anders Carlson missed worse than a nerd on prom night. Orlando seized the opportunity and scored before halftime.
Matt Corral, after McCarron was caught on the hot mic mocking him to another player, was finally benched for Michael Hiers. The new quarterback provided a little spark but no points. Orlando tacked on another field goal for the 16-0 win.
It has been the fate of spring football for teams to flounder when their markets show up for games. Birmingham was no exception. 18,000+ fans saw a dreadful display of football. The Stallions are a ghost of Skip Holtz's well-oiled machine.
Trades
Louisville sent starting quarterback Jason Bean to DC for Mike DiLiello
An interesting move for sure by the Kings trading away their starting quarterback. However, judging from head coach Chris Redman's comments, Bean's slide at the goal line seemed to rub him and likely his teammates the wrong way. Still, Bean's big play ability won't be easily replaceable.
Grades: A- for DC | C for Louisville
Birmingham shipped off quarterback Matt Corral and defensive end Amani Bledsoe to Orlando for quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson
The Corral-McCarron was irreparably broken. DTR offers some upside. However, many former NFL quarterbacks, including Corral, have not fared well in spring football. See Paxton Lynch and Kellen Mond. But the gamble is worth it. Orlando adds a solid defensive end to its roster.
Grades: B+ for Birmingham | B+ for Orlando
Power Rankings
1. DC - The Defenders move into first place with their strong showing over the Battlehawks. Strong offense and clutch defense can carry a team.
2. Orlando - The Storm continue to stack wins against the league's weak sisters. 4-0 is 4-0. Becht has his new team humming.
3. Dallas - The Renegades drop two spots after being shot down by the Aviators. Dallas will need to rebound after Columbus ran them over.
4. St. Louis - The Battlehawks sit at 2-2 with losses to Dallas and DC and wins over Birmingham and DC. They are the favorite for the fourth and final playoff spot but quarterback remains a question mark.
5. Louisville - The Kings show the most promise of the 1-3 teams. The defense is strong. But will Chandler Rogers be the answer at QB?
6. Columbus - If the Aviators can channel their Friday night magic into other games, look out. That running game was impressive. Woody Hayes would be proud.
7. Birmingham - The Stallions might need to be put down or sent to the glue factory. Either way, DTR has a lot of pressure on him.
8. Houston - The Gamblers should call the 1-800 number.
1-800-Fire Sumlin
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