Latest news with #2025UFLChampionshipGame
Fox Sports
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
UFL 2025: Every Touchdown from Defenders-Panthers Championship Game
The 2025 UFL Championship Game had a little bit of everything and a lot of scoring. In the end, the DC Defenders took down the Michigan Panthers at The Dome at America's Center in St. Louis on Saturday in an action-packed game that featured 13 touchdowns and three field goals. Jordan Ta'amu and the Defenders' offense put on a show, scoring a UFL record 58 points. Let's take a look at every touchdown scored in Saturday's title game! DC Defenders 58, Michigan Panthers 34 Michigan got on the board first, going 67 yards in six plays on the game's opening drive to kick things off with a bang. Nate McCrary broke through a huge crease, beat his opponents to the sideline and turned on the jets for a 35-yard touchdown in the first few minutes of regulation. Just like that, the Panthers jumped out to a 6-0 lead. The Defenders answered on their first drive of the game, knotting things up at 6-all with a touchdown drive that took twice as long — 12 plays and over six minutes. Facing a third-and-10 from Michigan's 26-yard line, Ta'amu dropped back and found Jayden Mickens wide open on a seam route. Ta'amu lofted a pass into the bread basket, and Mickens corralled it with ease. The tie was short-lived, however, as Michigan scored again on a creative play-action pass on its second drive of the game just before the end of the first quarter. QB Bryce Perkins baited the Defenders' defense with a fake hand off to RB Toa Taua, which allowed WR Saiosi Mariner to break wide open on the right sideline. Without a defensive back in sight, Perkins lofted a softball to Mariner, who ran it in for an uncontested 8-yard touchdown and a 13-6 lead. The second quarter was pure fireworks. After the Defenders added a field goal first thing to close the gap slightly, 13-9, the Panthers went three-and-out on the following drive. That swung the momentum toward the Defenders, who went on to score 22 unanswered points and grab a double-digit lead in the process, 31-13. The first score was on a nice corner route from Cornell Powell. Ta'amu showed off his accuracy, lofting a pass to the spot where Powell would end up, and the receiver ran a perfect route to secure the 27-yard touchdown. A fumble by the Panthers on the ensuing kickoff gave the ball right back to the Defenders deep in the red zone. Ta'amu & Co. only needed four plays and roughly two minutes to hit paydirt, with the quarterback cashing in for the rushing score. Michigan went three-and-out on their next drive, and just like that, the Defenders were back on the field. Ta'amu led his squad downfield, and RB Deon Jackson finished things off with a 5-yard touchdown. The Panthers scored on the following drive, going 84 yards in just two plays to keep things close, 31-19. The drive was highlighted by Perkins' short pass to WR Malik Turner, who turned it into a dazzling 71-yard touchdown. What's better than a 71-yard score? A 73-yard score. The Defenders did just that, one-upping the Panthers with a jaw-dropping score of their own on the very next drive, as Ta'amu connected with WR Ty Scott to make it a 37-19 game at halftime. The Defenders opened the second-half scoring with a field goal to put them ahead by 20-plus points, but after the Panthers coughed the ball up on their first drive of the third quarter, DC was back in the driver's seat. Jackson picked up his second rushing score of the day, this time from 17 yards out, to make it 46-19 midway through the third quarter. DC opened the fourth quarter with another explosive scoring play. Ta'amu led his team downfield, capping off a lengthy 10-play drive with a 1-yard touchdown pass to TE Briley Moore. With that, the Defenders were leading 52-19. The Panthers scored back-to-back touchdowns — both coming from the dynamic duo of Perkins and Turner — after opting to go for an alternative kickoff. With those scores and a field goal, they were able to pull within 18 points, 52-34, midway through the fourth quarter. It was too little too late, however, as the Defenders added one last score for good measure. With 3:40 to play, RB Chris Rowland punched in a 19-yard touchdown to seal the game, 58-34. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience United Football League DC Defenders Michigan Panthers recommended Get more from United Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Fox Sports
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
UFL Championship Game By The Numbers: Defenders win with near-perfect game
The 2025 UFL Championship Game was a thriller from start to finish. In the end, Jordan Ta'amu and the DC Defenders took down Offensive Player of the Year and regular-season MVP Bryce Perkins and the Michigan Panthers , 58-34. Here are the numbers to know after Saturday's tilt: 6: Shannon Harris was named interim head coach of the Defenders just six days before the first game of the regular season after Reggie Barlow accepted the head coaching position at Tennessee State. That didn't stop Harris from earning UFL Coach of the Year honors or winning the 2025 championship title. 11: The Defenders were nearly perfect on offense in Saturday's title game. They had 11 offensive drives and didn't punt once. They scored on their first 10 drives, as they put up eight touchdowns and two field goals before finishing the game kneeling on the final drive. Overall, the high-scoring game featured 23 drives and only had three punts. 46-6: The Panthers were leading 13-6 after the first quarter, but the game turned drastically in the second quarter when the Defenders rolled off 25 unanswered points. Following a Michigan score, DC then rolled off another 21 unanswered points, ultimately going on a 46-6 run from the start of the second quarter to the start of the fourth. 58: The Defenders provided plenty of offense in the title game, as their 58 points scored shattered the UFL record for most points in a single game (regular or postseason). The previous record was held by the Arlington Renegades, who put up 47 points in a regular-season game in 2024. 92: The 92 combined points between Michigan and DC also set a UFL single-game record, breaking the mark set just last week in the USFL Conference title game (73 points) between Michigan and the Birmingham Stallions. 168: Michigan receiver Malik Turner set a UFL single-game record with 168 receiving yards on 10 catches. He also became the first UFL player with three receiving touchdowns in a game. 190: While the Defenders had the top-ranked passing offense in the league during the regular season, their run game was a big part of their playoff success. After running for a season-high 187 yards on the ground vs. the St. Louis Battlehawks in the XFL Conference title game, the Defenders topped that mark with 190 yards on Saturday night. 338: While it came in a losing effort, regular-season MVP QB Bryce Perkins set season highs with 338 passing yards and four passing touchdowns on Saturday. Perkins was able to overcome a late-season ankle injury to help Michigan put up 44 points in the Panthers' USFL Conference title game win and 34 points in their UFL title game loss. 390: UFL Championship Game MVP Jordan Ta'amu set a UFL record with 390 passing yards. The former Ole Miss QB went 21 for 28 for 390 yards and four touchdowns en route to leading his team to the title. He finished the season with 22 touchdowns and only five interceptions over the course of his 11 starts during the season (regular and postseason). 1,014: The 2025 UFL Championship Game was the first game with over 1,000 yards of offense in league history. DC's 580 yards of offense was a single-team record and the game's combined 1,014 yards also set a new bar for the UFL. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily ! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience United Football League DC Defenders Michigan Panthers recommended Get more from United Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Fox Sports
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Decision time for DC's Shannon Harris tops storylines from 2025 UFL season
Jordan Ta'amu had a simple request for the DC Defenders organization after an emphatic 58-34 win over the Michigan Panthers in the 2025 UFL Championship Game on Saturday — remove the interim tag for head coach Shannon Harris. "We're trying to take the tag off," Ta'amu said. That sentiment is certainly warranted, considering Harris led the Defenders to a UFL title in his first season after replacing then-head coach Reggie Barlow just a week before the season began. Barlow took the head coaching job at Tennessee State, and Defenders defensive coordinator Gregg Williams followed a week later; Williams' son Blake Williams took over as the defensive coordinator for the Defenders after his departure. Despite major changes to the Defenders' coaching staff, they still managed to finish the season on top, championship trophy in hand and with Harris earning UFL Coach of the Year honors. "He never blinked," tight end Briley Moore said about Harris. "He preached to really have us come together as one throughout the season, no matter what happened. It's because of that we were able to keep our poise last week and beat them (the St. Louis Battlehawks) at home. And this week not to flinch in a big game. Shout out to Coach (Harris)." Harris said it's "yet to be determined" whether he'll follow Barlow and Williams to Tennessee State or accept a potential offer to remain the head coach of the Defenders permanently and defend the UFL title. "We still have a lot of meetings to go, and we still have things to talk over … but these guys here, it would be hard to leave these guys," Harris said. Where Harris lands will be one of the top storylines to keep an eye on this offseason. Here's a look at the other big themes from Saturday's title game and the 2025 UFL season overall. Ta'amu's revenge game Moore said he texted Ta'amu on Friday after learning the UFL leader in passing touchdowns did not earn Offensive Player of the Year or MVP honors. "When you're holding up that trophy on that stage, I'm going to be chanting M-V-P," Moore said he texted Ta'amu. Moore's prediction became a reality, as Ta'amu let his play do the talking on Saturday, passing for 390 yards and four touchdowns in a runaway win over the Panthers. Ta'amu helped the Defenders score on their first 10 possessions. Over the postseason, the Defenders scored on a jaw-dropping 17 of their 21 possessions and averaged 47 points a game, winning by an average of 21 points per contest. The Defenders dominated on offense, scoring the most points in UFL history (58) against what had been a tough Panthers defense — and Ta'amu rightfully earned MVP honors for the championship game. "When playoff time hit, we told them, 'This is a different season,'" Harris said. "These guys were ready for that moment. The one thing we challenged each other on — from coaches to players and support staff — is that we are going to finish the drills. … We were not going to end this game and not be winners. That was the approach." Not earning UFL MVP or Offensive Player of the Year served as extra motivation for Ta'amu. "I told [my teammates] pregame that I [was] going to put my body on the line for them," Ta'amu said. "Bryce Perkins is a great quarterback and he deserved all the awards, but it just gave us a big chip on our shoulders to go out there and play even harder." Perkins puts up numbers in loss for Panthers While Michigan failed to earn a title, Perkins showed up for the Panthers. The Virginia product finished 60% of his passes (21 of 35) for 338 passing yards, four touchdowns and just one interception. His favorite target was Malik Turner, who totaled 10 receptions for 168 receiving yards and three scores. However, the one area Michigan struggled with was running the football, totaling just 104 yards on the ground. Perkins was limited by a balky ankle, rushing for just eight yards on four carries. It's all about the quarterback Scoring was up this postseason, with games averaging a combined score of 73.7 points during the playoffs this year compared to 38 combined points per game in the 2024 postseason. One of the reasons for improved production in the postseason was the play of Ta'amu and Perkins. Elsewhere, the Arlington Renegades had the UFL's regular-season passing leader in Luis Perez, but they still failed to make the playoffs for a second straight season. The Birmingham Stallions failed to defend their championship title because they had instability at the most important position on the field, using five different quarterbacks due to injury. Jalan McClendon emerging as the Houston Roughnecks' starter helped them improve from 1-9 in 2024 to 5-5 this season. He was helped by private QBs coach Jordan Palmer, who worked with various players during the offseason. "You've got to walk into Week 1 with your leading quarterback, having your guy in place," UFL head of football operations Daryl Johnston said. "Then, as you get into the season, if you want to get some reps for No. 2 or No. 3 with the way the [Collective Bargaining Agreement] is structured now, then that's an opportunity for you to develop that position. But you have to have your guy in place in Week 1, and I hope that's the lesson our teams learn this year." Travis Feeney named 2025 UFL Sportsman of the Year The Battlehawks' linebacker was awarded the first Sportsman of the Year award, which is given to a player who exemplifies exceptional leadership, integrity and commitment to making a difference both on the field and in the community. Feeney was selected by a panel of league and team executives, coaches and players from all eight teams. The Washington product donated his time participating in community events in the UFL's home base of Arlington, Texas and in St. Louis. Feeny volunteered his time as an advocate for CARE St. Louis Adoption Center, the Adaptive Training Foundation and is an ambassador for the American Cancer Society. "Over the last three years, no one embodies this award more than Travis," said Battlehawks head coach Anthony Becht. "His commitment on and off the field has been tremendous." Building local support remains a work in progress Building more fan interest in local markets — a stated goal by the league entering this season — remains a work in progress as the UFL heads into a third season. "We are looking at every way to reengage and look at our marketplace in each separate silo as we move forward," said UFL president and CEO Russ Brandon. "We're a great product. We know it's affordable. We're trying to activate as much as possible in each of these local markets, and we have a great plan in place, I believe, to do that." UFL co-owner Danny Garcia said the league's vision for the future remains what is best to ensure long-term growth. "What I want to see is … this league clicking in with its consumer, it's audience … [and] this league continuing to … be that opportunity for its athletes, where their performance here matters," she said. "Where they know their expressing their love of football and their incredible skill at football, and it is being appreciated, … enjoyed and … celebrated. "We really have so many of our ingredients put down and planted, that it's just about letting it breathe and grow." Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for more than a decade, covering the Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him at @eric_d_williams . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily ! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience United Football League DC Defenders Michigan Panthers recommended Get more from United Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Fox Sports
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Defenders' rout of Panthers in UFL title game proves who the true MVP is
At the start of the fourth quarter, DC Defenders QB Jordan Ta'amu stood among his teammates as they chanted "M-V-P! M-V-P!" before sealing a 58-34 rout of the Michigan Panthers in the 2025 UFL Championship Game on Saturday. Ta'amu's evening was made that much sweeter with newly minted UFL MVP, Offensive Player of the Year and All-UFL QB Bryce Perkins standing on the opposite sideline. Ta'amu, the league's leader in passing touchdowns, continued what is the most impressive season by a passer in UFL history with 390 passing yards, completing 75% of his passes (21 of 28) for four touchdowns — in three quarters. At halftime, Ta'amu had completed 16 of 20 passes for 320 yards, as everything the Defenders did offensively worked. His counterpart, Perkins, finished with 338 passing yards, four touchdowns and one interception, completing 60% of his throws (21 of 35). Perkins completed eight of 13 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown in the first half. "I'd rather have a championship with the team than my own individual honors," Ta'amu said. Here are a couple of my biggest takeaways from Saturday's tilt. Unstoppable force vs. even more unstoppable force Heading into this matchup, the Defenders knew they had a large advantage: their No. 1-ranked passing offense against the Panthers' dead-last passing defense. Instead of outsmarting themselves, Coach of the Year Shannon Harris and Assistant Coach of the Year Fred Kaiss dialed up an offensive game plan that led to the Defenders putting up more than 500 yards of total offense and 50 points in three quarters against the USFL Conference champions. Before the game began, Michigan likely thought it had its own psychological and statistical advantages. The Panthers beat the Defenders by double digits, 38-14, in Week 6 of the regular season. That win was powered by a rushing attack that put up 213 yards and a Michigan defense that allowed just 250 total yards in the mid-season rout. While the Panthers' rushing offense didn't miss the bus this time around, their defense got left in the dust. Against the Defenders' big-play offense, the Panthers were left without an ability to sit on the ball, run it or play complimentary football. The Defenders ultimately turned the title game into a track meet and forced Michigan to keep up. The Defenders put up 379 yards and 37 points in the first half, including 31 points in the second quarter alone. Even with offensive success that led to 19 first-half points, the Panthers' defense could not give its offense any help, allowing 18 first downs on the Defenders' first 40 plays. Wideout Jaydon Mickens caught six passes for 132 yards and a touchdown en route to joining an exclusive club of men who have won both a Super Bowl and a UFL championship. Aside from Perkins, Malik Turner played best among Panthers players with 10 catches for a UFL record 168 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Both teams combined to score 92 points and put up more than 1,000 yards of offense. Defenders take over Michigan must've felt good about its chance of winning because of how difficult it was to survive the playoffs and punch its ticket to St. Louis. The Panthers beat the three-time defending spring football champion Birmingham Stallions for the first time; Birmingham won the USFL titles in 2022 and 2023 and the inaugural UFL title in 2024. The Stallions have been the standard every other franchise has been chasing since spring football returned in 2022. The Defenders would've known that too when they pulled off an upset win against Skip Holtz's squad in Week 1. With wins against the three best teams in the sport over the past two years, including two in the 2025 playoffs, it's fair to say that the Defenders are not just the 2025 champions. With Ta'amu, Harris and an explosive offensive identity that makes them a threat in every game they play, the Defenders are the team everyone else will be chasing in 2026. RJ Young is a national college football writer and analyst for FOX Sports. Follow him at @RJ_Young . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily ! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience United Football League DC Defenders Michigan Panthers recommended Get more from United Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Fox Sports
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
UFL Championship Game live updates: Highlights from Defenders vs. Panthers
The 2025 UFL Championship Game is here! It all comes down to this, as Jordan Ta'amu and the DC Defenders take on Bryce Perkins and the Michigan Panthers at The Dome at America's Center in St. Louis on Saturday night (8 p.m. ET). Live Coverage for this began on 7:02p ET recommended Get more from United Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
