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Fox Sports
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
2025 UFL Power Rankings: Battlehawks, Stallions rise; Defenders, Panthers fall
Week 9 of the 2025 UFL season featured some narrow wins, dominating performances and one shocking upset. The St. Louis Battlehawks took sole possession atop the XFL Conference with a 39-13 win over the struggling San Antonio Brahmas , marking the team's league-leading fifth consecutive win. The Birmingham Stallions snagged a 26-22 victory over the visiting Michigan Panthers on Saturday in what was a preview of the USFL Conference title game, while the Arlington Renegades got back on track with a 30-12 victory over the Memphis Showboats in a weather-delayed game. In the final game of the weekend, the Houston Roughnecks stunned the DC Defenders in a last-minute thriller, 24-21 . [MORE: What is the UFL? Everything to know about the 2025 United Football League ] That said, here's a look at my updated UFL Power Rankings following Week 9: 8. San Antonio Brahmas (1-8) Current odds to win 2025 title: N/A Jashaun Corbin continued to be the shining light in an otherwise dark season for the Brahmas, who were clobbered by the Battlehawks. He rushed for 85 yards on 14 rushes, which was just 19 yards short of what San Antonio was able to amass with Kellen Mond at quarterback. The former Texas A&M signal-caller finished 14-for-26 for 103 yards, while the San Antonio defense didn't do much to keep the offense in the game. In total, the Brahmas' defense gave up more than 400 yards, including 169 yards on the ground. 7. Memphis Showboats (2-7) Current odds to win 2025 title: N/A In a mostly forgettable season for Memphis, the Showboat quarterbacks E.J. Perry and Dresser Winn played a mostly forgettable game against Arlington last week. Neither threw for more than 100 yards — 89 and 83, respectively — and neither got much help from a rushing attack that accumulated just 42 yards on 20 rushes. Though the Renegades committed 11 penalties for 96 yards, the Showboats could do little to nothing to take advantage of those opportunities. 6. Houston Roughnecks (4-5) Current odds to win 2025 title: N/A Head coach Curtis Johnson has done a remarkable job keeping his team composed and engaged this season with many ups and downs, and a win against the best team in the UFL is certainly sweet. It'll serve as proof of what Houston can do in 2026, especially if it's able to return the duo of QB Jalan McClendon and WR Justin Hall. McClendon completed 21 of 30 passes for 232 yards, including 10 for 126 yards to Hall, who is the Roughnecks' best offensive weapon. Houston can secure its first non-losing season with a win this weekend. 5. Arlington Renegades (4-5) Current odds to win 2025 title: N/A In a game about pride, the Renegades showed what they might've been capable of had one or two plays gone their way prior to Week 9 and earned them the chance to play in the postseason. As it stands, an 18-point shellacking of the Showboats will have to do. QB Luis Perez completed 20 of 30 passes for 206 yards with two touchdowns, and wideout Tyler Vaughns enjoyed an outstanding day with eight catches for 107 yards and a score. The Arlington defense also recorded five sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception to help the Renegades earn a chance to finish this season without a losing record. 4. DC Defenders (6-3) Current odds to win 2025 title: +470 Despite QBs Jordan Ta'amu and Mike DiLiello combining to complete 31 of 51 passes for 371 yards, the Defenders fell to the Roughnecks in the only upset of the weekend. Two fumbles contributed to their woes, but it seemed Houston found itself playing for its pride at a moment when DC knew it was already playing postseason football. However, no team should feel good about accepting a loss to an opponent it knows it should beat. That will be the message interim head coach Shannon Harris delivers his team with postseason football just over a week away. 3. Michigan Panthers (6-3) Current odds to win 2025 title: +185 Without Bryce Perkins, former LSU quarterback Danny Etling earned another chance to start. He ended the game completing 22 of 39 pass attempts for 239 yards with two touchdowns. And while the Panthers' rushers pushed the ground game tally to over 100 yards, their defense couldn't get off the field. Of 13 third-down attempts by the Stallions, the Panthers allowed 11 conversions and did not record a single takeaway. 2. Birmingham Stallions (6-3) Current odds to win 2025 title: +280 In a game that served to decide which team would have home-field advantage in the USFL Conference Championship Game, the Stallions found a way to defeat what had been a red-hot Panthers team. J'Mar Smith's play has given head coach Skip Holtz a solid starter at quarterback, a position that has seen more rotations than a 50-yard spiral. Smith went 22-for-31 for 307 yards with two touchdowns against a stingy defense. Not only did Smith spread the ball around to 10 different receivers, but he also made sure the offense converted 11 of 13 third downs in the biggest game of the regular season. 1. St. Louis Battlehawks (7-2) Current odds to win 2025 title: +195 The Battlehawks had the luxury of knowing they play for the XFL Conference title in two weeks, and there were signs that they're still getting better this late in the season. While Max Duggan and Brandon Silvers each saw significant time behind center, the offense never showed it was out of sync, with the duo combining to complete 19 of 27 passes for 233 yards and the offense averaging better than six yards per play. The result was the kind of performance that head coach Anthony Becht knew his club was capable of all season, as St. Louis tries to win its first XFL Conference title with the best home-field advantage in spring pro football. 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 recommended Get more from United Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Fox Sports
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
J'Mar Smith finding his groove headlines top UFL storylines from Week 9
With his team on their fourth starting quarterback, Birmingham Stallions head coach Skip Holtz may have lucked into his most productive option at the position in J'Mar Smith. The Louisiana Tech product is heating up when the Stallions need him most — at the end of the regular season and heading into the playoffs. Smith went 22-for-31 for a season-high 307 yards and two touchdowns in Birmingham's 26-22 victory over the visiting Michigan Panthers on Saturday in what was a preview of the USFL Conference title game. Smith connected with 10 different pass catchers. He also helped Birmingham finish an impressive 11-of-13 on third down, which included converting six plays on the money down of third-and-7 or longer. "You try and stay out of third and long situations because you get behind the chains, and they can do anything they want defensively," Smith said. "But a couple of guys made some great plays. You get the ball into their hands, and they made the first down or went and scored touchdowns, and that's what happened. "It's all credit to those skill guys — the O-line and the running backs — to go out there to make it happen, and Coach Holtz giving us the job to go out and execute." The Stallions averaged 20.6 points a game through the first seven games of the year, but they've averaged 27 points a contest in the past two games that Smith has started at QB. With the win, the Stallions improved to 6-3 on the season with one game left, while the Panthers dropped to 6-3. In the XFL Conference, the St. Louis Battlehawks (7-2) continued their winning ways, topping the San Antonio Brahmas (1-8) by double digits, 39-13, for the team's league-leading fifth win in a row. The 39 points was a season-high for St. Louis. The Arlington Renegades (4-5) got back on the winning track with a 30-12 victory over the Memphis Showboats (2-7) in a game delayed three hours by thunderstorms. In the final game of the weekend, the Houston Roughnecks (4-5) stunned the DC Defenders (6-3) in a down-to-the-wire thriller, 24-21. Here's a look at other storylines from Week 9: Proud dad moment: CB Micah Abraham scores TD in first game for Battlehawks Signed two weeks ago, Abraham immediately made his presence felt in his first action for St. Louis. The son of former NFL cornerback and St. Louis defensive coordinator Donnie Abraham, the Marshall product forced a fumble and returned it 70 yards for a touchdown. "I was happy for him when he scored on that touchdown," Battlehawks head coach Anthony Brecht said. "Donnie was really serious. He was like, 'Hey Coach, we got to keep going.' But how exciting is that? I have a son who plays football, and it's so rewarding to see your kids (be successful.) His mom was here, so I'm really proud of him." Becht said Abraham played around 20 plays in his debut, finishing with four combined tackles — highlighted by tracking down Brahmas RB Jaden Shirden on an 86-yard kickoff return and saving a score at the end of the first half. "We're going to need him," Becht said. "We only have four corners, and we're rolling with these guys. We're not going to find someone else to help us at this point." Brahmas missing Wade Phillips on defense San Antonio interim head coach Payton Pardee has done a commendable job of keeping the Brahmas together and putting a competitive team on the field with Phillips stepping away earlier this season due to health concerns. However, the Brahmas have missed the longtime defensive guru's presence on the field. During last year's run to the UFL title game, San Antonio had one of the top defenses in the league. The Brahmas held opponents to a league-best 15.3 points per game and led the league in sacks (32.0) in 2024. This season, the Brahmas are giving up a league-worst 22.3 points per game and have notched a league-low 12.0 sacks. "It's tackling, technique and knowing our assignment and executing that with the proper technique," Pardee said, when asked about his team's defensive struggles. "I believe in the guys that we have in this locker room, and I know we can improve." While San Antonio has struggled on defense, running back Jashaun Corbin has been a revelation. He finished with 85 rushing yards and a touchdown in the loss in Week 9 and has collected 337 rushing yards over his past three games. In his first start in four games, QB Kellen Mond was efficient, going 14-for-26 for 103 yards, with no touchdowns and no interceptions. The Brahmas also had two dropped touchdown passes which would have improved Mond's numbers. Renegades' Marquette King executes heads-up fake punt With his team up 9-6 on the road at Memphis, King took advantage of an overaggressive rush from the Showboats, faking the punt and taking off down the sideline for a 37-yard run and a first down. The quick thinking by King led to a 40-yard field goal from kicker Lucas Havrisik. "That was Marquette being Marquette," Arlington head coach Bob Stoops said. "He felt the rush, and he's got great experience. He felt they were a little overzealous when they were coming from the side, and he pulled it down. He's a great athlete. He can run. He makes a guy miss him, and he picks up a huge first down." The Pro Football Hall of Famer was on the sideline during the Defenders vs. Roughnecks contest in Houston over the weekend to show his support for DC receiver Javon Antonio. Owens said he spent a lot of time with Antonio at Colorado and has served as a mentor for him. Antonio finished with two receptions for 24 yards on three targets. Owens said the UFL offers a good opportunity for young players to develop and try to reach the next level. "They've just got to take it one day at a time," he added. "Don't take it for granted to be where they are, and give themselves the best opportunity, just by going out there and making plays. This is where it starts." Meanwhile, Cornell Powell had another strong performance for the Defenders, finishing with eight receptions for 104 yards and two scores. With head coach and offensive guru Ken Whisenhunt stepping down earlier this season for personal reasons, the Showboats have struggled offensively under interim head coach Jim Turner. Memphis has averaged 15.4 points per game and a league-low 85 rushing yards a contest. Turner has started E.J. Perry, Troy Williams and Dresser Winn at quarterback but has yet to find consistency at the position. He'll turn to Winn as the starter for the final game of the regular season. "I would say it's just continuity on offense," Turner said when asked about his team's struggles on offense. "I've put the team in these situations a little bit. I'm probably the main problem offensively, because I've done so many different things at quarterback. … I think it's just continuity. It's just playing together better and finding a way to get across the goal line. To score instead of kicking." 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 recommended Get more from United Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Fox Sports
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Five things to watch for in Week 9 of the 2025 UFL season
The St. Louis Battlehawks (6-2) get a test run at The Dome at America's Center this weekend to kick off Week 9 of the UFL season when they host the San Antonio Brahmas (1-7) on Friday (8 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app). Friday's contest is the last home game of the regular season for the Battlehawks, who are a league-best 4-1 at home this year, averaging nearly 30,000 fans a game. The UFL announced that St. Louis will host the DC Defenders (6-2) in the XFL Conference title game on June 8 regardless of how the two teams finish the final two games of the season. The Battlehawks and the Defenders are tied for the top spot in the XFL Conference and will meet in Washington, D.C. on May 30 in the final game of the regular season. St. Louis will also host the UFL title game on June 14. "It's a blessing," Battlehawks head coach Anthony Becht said, when asked about his team's home-field advantage. "It's a blessing to play in a place that's loud, and on third down it's hard for the other team. I wish we could play all 10 (games) here. That would be awesome, and they would show up every week. "We are very fortunate to have a fan base like this here, and we don't take it for granted ever because we know how important it is." [MORE: What is the UFL? Everything to know about the 2025 United Football League ] Elsewhere, the Memphis Showboats (2-6) host the Arlington Renegades (3-5) on Saturday (noon ET), followed by the Michigan Panthers (6-2) hitting the road to face the Birmingham Stallions (5-3) at Protective Stadium (3 p.m. ET). In the weekend's finale, the Houston Roughnecks (3-5) host the Defenders on Sunday (4 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app). Here's a closer look at five things to watch for in Week 9: 1. Stallions vs. Panthers offers USFL Conference title preview With Birmingham hosting Michigan in the first round of the playoffs in a few weeks, both teams will keep things simple and look to rest key players with the hopes of entering the postseason as healthy as possible. The Panthers already started doing that last week, as head coach Mike Nolan did not play star quarterback Bryce Perkins in his team's win over the Roughnecks because of a lingering ankle injury. Perkins also missed practice this week due to the injury, so Michigan signed quarterback Colby Suits to add depth to the position group. "The biggest decision will be how healthy our roster is and what we need to do, but we won't know that probably until the middle of the week," Nolan said. "That's probably the most important thing, because we want to be healthy going into the playoffs. So, we'll see how that goes. I know that there's a little rivalry going on between us and Birmingham, so I know everybody will want to play, but we'll see." Birmingham defeated the Panthers earlier this season in Week 2 in Detroit, 21-12. The Stallions are undefeated (6-0) against the Panthers dating back to the return of the legacy USFL in 2022. "Once you get in, anybody can win it," said Birmingham head coach Skip Holtz, whose Stallions have reached the postseason for a fourth straight year. "We've got to keep growing." Starting quarterback Alex McGough, who went on IR earlier this year with a right shoulder injury, was a limited participant in practice this week and could be healthy enough to return to the field this weekend. 2. DE Breeland Speaks returns for Panthers The reigning UFL Defensive Player of the Year, Speaks returned to the team's active roster after being placed on IR for six weeks with a left pectoral injury. Speaks led the league with 9.5 sacks last year but had six combined tackles and no sacks through two games played this season prior to his injury. With the Panthers already clinching a spot in the postseason, returning to the field this weekend gives Speaks a few weeks to knock the rust off. The Panthers are sixth in the UFL in sacks with 13 on the season and have just seven takeaways this year. 3. QB Kellen Mond returns as Brahmas' starter Benched for three games in favor of Kevin Hogan, Mond returns to the starting job as San Antonio hits the road this weekend. A San Antonio native and Texas A&M product, Mond started the first five games of the season, completing 57% of his passes for 597 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He was sacked 10 times, posting a 69.1 passer rating and going 1-4 as a starter. Mond replaces Hogan, who is out this week due to an injury to his throwing hand. The Brahmas signed Alan Bowman to serve as the team's third-stringer this week. 4. Battlehawks bring back QB Chevan Cordiero St. Louis lost starting quarterback Manny Wilkins for the year with an Achilles tendon tear but get back some depth at the position with the return of Cordiero, who started the season as the third-string QB for St. Louis before landing on IR with a hamstring issue. Cordiero didn't appear in any games this season prior to the injury and joins a quarterback room that includes starter Max Duggan and backup Brandon Silvers. To make room for Cordiero, St. Louis released QB Trae Self. In another roster move, the Showboats released running back Wes Hills this week. 5. Defenders WR Cornell Powell shines Powell is the new league leader in touchdown receptions with two weeks left in the regular season. The 27-year-old Clemson product tops the UFL with five touchdown receptions on the season. Powell totaled four receptions for 59 yards and two touchdowns on eight targets in the Defenders' win over the Renegades last week. He has 21 receptions for 314 yards and five scores on 44 targets so far this season. 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 recommended Get more from United Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Fox News
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Luis Perez's head-scratching decision headlines UFL storylines from Week 8
With the Arlington Renegades trailing by three points and needing only a field goal to send the game into overtime, quarterback Luis Perez took matters into his own hands — with disastrous results. Instead of spiking the ball to set up a long field goal, Perez faked the spike and tried to connect on a quick out route to get a couple yards closer. However, DC Defenders cornerback Deandre Baker picked off the fluttering pass to seal a 33-30 victory and a spot in the postseason. "I thought we were just spiking the football and were going to kick the field goal," Arlington head coach Bob Stoops said. "And Luis thought he had the out route, so he threw it. It didn't work that way." Despite Perez's season-high 350 passing yards, the Renegades were eliminated from the playoffs for a second consecutive season after the critical turnover. Like last year, the Renegades struggled to get over the hump in close games. Now 3-5, all five losses for Arlington have been by a touchdown or less. The Renegades were 1-5 in one-score games last season. With the victory, the Defenders (6-2) were one of four teams to punch their ticket to the playoffs over the weekend, as the teams in the postseason have been decided with two weeks left in the regular season. On Saturday, St. Louis Battlehawks linebacker Travis Feeney forced Birmingham Stallions running back C.J. Marable to fumble with his team driving and 16 seconds left. Cornerback Myles Jones recovered it, and St. Louis held on for a 29-28 victory in front of 30,114 fans at The Dome at America's Center. St. Louis (6-2) clinched a playoff berth with the victory and Arlington's loss. Even with the setback, the Stallions (5-3) also clinched a postseason berth because the Michigan Panthers (6-2) topped the Houston Roughnecks (3-5) on the road, 30-18. The UFL announced that no matter how teams finish, the USFL Conference title game will be held at Protective Stadium in Birmingham and the XFL Conference championship tilt will be held in St. Louis on June 8. Elsewhere, the Memphis Showboats (2-6) outlasted the San Antonio Brahmas (1-7) in overtime, 24-22. Here's a look at other storylines from Week 8: A frontrunner for 2025 UFL Offensive Player of the Year, Saylors finished with 118 rushing yards on 16 carries in Week 8 — including a 1-yard touchdown to tie the game late in the fourth quarter and a 2-yard run for the ensuing 1-point conversion that served as the winning score. Saylors now leads the league in rushing yards (466) and is tied for the league lead in rushing touchdowns (five) with two games left. The Battlehawks have the top rushing offense in the league, averaging 141 rushing yards a contest. St. Louis is now riding a four-game winning streak. "Birmingham's defense knew we were running the football," St. Louis head coach Anthony Becht said. "We knew we were running the football, and we just kept pounding it away. Ultimately, that was the difference in the football game. But just really proud of the way he (Saylors) played and what he brings to the table. "He's a captain. He's our best player honestly, and he lives up to those expectations. In the biggest games, in the biggest moments, you've got to show up, and he did." A late-game scratch, league MVP candidate Bryce Perkins did not play against the Roughnecks due to an ankle injury. Perkins was limited in practice during the week but fully participated Friday and was listed as probable for the game. However, Michigan head coach Mike Nolan had been rotating Perkins and second-stringer Etling earlier in the year, and the latter performed very well (14-for-22 passes for 167 passing yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions). "As I settled in and just got to see what the defense was doing, I kind of got into the rhythm of seeing the plays," Etling said. "I got into the rhythm of playing live football again. It's kind of just like old hat. I've been playing football for a long time, so it's no biggie once you get into a rhythm." Houston QB Jalan McClendon completed 30 of 50 passes for 316 yards and two touchdowns in the loss. However, he did throw a pick-six in the second half with the game still within reach; Michigan CB Keni Lovely returned it 55 yards for the score. The Ole Miss product is one of only two quarterbacks (Perez is the other) to start every game this season and continues to churn out prolific passing performances for the Defenders. Ta'amu finished 15-for-26 with 240 passing yards and two touchdowns in the win. He also ran for 24 yards and even caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from receiver Chris Rowland. Ta'amu leads the league in passing yards (1,990) and passing touchdowns (16). He's also No. 16 in the UFL in rushing yards (171). "I'm just excited for this opportunity to rewrite history," Ta'amu said about his team reaching the postseason. "The last two years it hurt, not winning those championships. We felt like in the locker room that we were the better team." While his team has struggled to get wins, the USC product has put together some highlight performances over the last two weeks. The latest highlight-reel catch was an acrobatic, one-handed grab for a 5-yard touchdown at the back of the end zone from Perez. Vaughns finished with three catches for 51 yards and two scores on eight targets. [MORE: Renegades WR Tyler Vaughns' one-handed TD highlights top UFL plays from Week 8] Over the last two games, Vaughns has 12 catches for 178 yards and three touchdowns. He's sixth in receptions (30), seventh in receiving yards (344) and tied for fourth in touchdown receptions (three) with two games left. FOX's Friday night game had a little bit of everything, including a blocked punt followed by a missed field goal. The two teams combined for five turnovers and 128 penalty yards. San Antonio tight end Steven Stilianos threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Dee Anderson for a touchdown, while another player who usually has his hand on the ground — Memphis defensive tackle Josiah Bronson — reeled in a touchdown-saving interception. In the end, Memphis QB Troy Williams led his team to two straight two-point conversions in OT for the Showboats' second win this season. Jashaun Corbin finished with 25 carries for 145 rushing yards and a score for the Brahmas. 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!
Fox Sports
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Luis Perez's head-scratching decision headlines UFL storylines from Week 8
With the Arlington Renegades trailing by three points and needing only a field goal to send the game into overtime, quarterback Luis Perez took matters into his own hands — with disastrous results. Instead of spiking the ball to set up a long field goal, Perez faked the spike and tried to connect on a quick out route to get a couple yards closer. However, DC Defenders cornerback Deandre Baker picked off the fluttering pass to seal a 33-30 victory and a spot in the postseason. "I thought we were just spiking the football and were going to kick the field goal," Arlington head coach Bob Stoops said. "And Luis thought he had the out route, so he threw it. It didn't work that way." Despite Perez's season-high 350 passing yards, the Renegades were eliminated from the playoffs for a second consecutive season after the critical turnover. Like last year, the Renegades struggled to get over the hump in close games. Now 3-5, all five losses for Arlington have been by a touchdown or less. The Renegades were 1-5 in one-score games last season. With the victory, the Defenders (6-2) were one of four teams to punch their ticket to the playoffs over the weekend, as the teams in the postseason have been decided with two weeks left in the regular season. On Saturday, St. Louis Battlehawks linebacker Travis Feeney forced Birmingham Stallions running back C.J. Marable to fumble with his team driving and 16 seconds left. Cornerback Myles Jones recovered it, and St. Louis held on for a 29-28 victory in front of 30,114 fans at The Dome at America's Center. St. Louis (6-2) clinched a playoff berth with the victory and Arlington's loss. Even with the setback, the Stallions (5-3) also clinched a postseason berth because the Michigan Panthers (6-2) topped the Houston Roughnecks (3-5) on the road, 30-18. The UFL announced that no matter how teams finish, the USFL Conference title game will be held at Protective Stadium in Birmingham and the XFL Conference championship tilt will be held in St. Louis on June 8. Elsewhere, the Memphis Showboats (2-6) outlasted the San Antonio Brahmas (1-7) in overtime, 24-22. Here's a look at other storylines from Week 8: Jacob Saylors grabs UFL rushing lead with 118-yard performance A frontrunner for 2025 UFL Offensive Player of the Year, Saylors finished with 118 rushing yards on 16 carries in Week 8 — including a 1-yard touchdown to tie the game late in the fourth quarter and a 2-yard run for the ensuing 1-point conversion that served as the winning score. Saylors now leads the league in rushing yards (466) and is tied for the league lead in rushing touchdowns (five) with two games left. The Battlehawks have the top rushing offense in the league, averaging 141 rushing yards a contest. St. Louis is now riding a four-game winning streak. "Birmingham's defense knew we were running the football," St. Louis head coach Anthony Becht said. "We knew we were running the football, and we just kept pounding it away. Ultimately, that was the difference in the football game. But just really proud of the way he (Saylors) played and what he brings to the table. "He's a captain. He's our best player honestly, and he lives up to those expectations. In the biggest games, in the biggest moments, you've got to show up, and he did." A late-game scratch, league MVP candidate Bryce Perkins did not play against the Roughnecks due to an ankle injury. Perkins was limited in practice during the week but fully participated Friday and was listed as probable for the game. However, Michigan head coach Mike Nolan had been rotating Perkins and second-stringer Etling earlier in the year, and the latter performed very well (14-for-22 passes for 167 passing yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions). "As I settled in and just got to see what the defense was doing, I kind of got into the rhythm of seeing the plays," Etling said. "I got into the rhythm of playing live football again. It's kind of just like old hat. I've been playing football for a long time, so it's no biggie once you get into a rhythm." Houston QB Jalan McClendon completed 30 of 50 passes for 316 yards and two touchdowns in the loss. However, he did throw a pick-six in the second half with the game still within reach; Michigan CB Keni Lovely returned it 55 yards for the score. Jordan Ta'amu solidifies frontrunner status for UFL MVP award The Ole Miss product is one of only two quarterbacks (Perez is the other) to start every game this season and continues to churn out prolific passing performances for the Defenders. Ta'amu finished 15-for-26 with 240 passing yards and two touchdowns in the win. He also ran for 24 yards and even caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from receiver Chris Rowland. Ta'amu leads the league in passing yards (1,990) and passing touchdowns (16). He's also No. 16 in the UFL in rushing yards (171). "I'm just excited for this opportunity to rewrite history," Ta'amu said about his team reaching the postseason. "The last two years it hurt, not winning those championships. We felt like in the locker room that we were the better team." While his team has struggled to get wins, the USC product has put together some highlight performances over the last two weeks. The latest highlight-reel catch was an acrobatic, one-handed grab for a 5-yard touchdown at the back of the end zone from Perez. Vaughns finished with three catches for 51 yards and two scores on eight targets. [MORE: Renegades WR Tyler Vaughns' one-handed TD highlights top UFL plays from Week 8] Over the last two games, Vaughns has 12 catches for 178 yards and three touchdowns. He's sixth in receptions (30), seventh in receiving yards (344) and tied for fourth in touchdown receptions (three) with two games left. FOX's Friday night game had a little bit of everything, including a blocked punt followed by a missed field goal. The two teams combined for five turnovers and 128 penalty yards. San Antonio tight end Steven Stilianos threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Dee Anderson for a touchdown, while another player who usually has his hand on the ground — Memphis defensive tackle Josiah Bronson — reeled in a touchdown-saving interception. In the end, Memphis QB Troy Williams led his team to two straight two-point conversions in OT for the Showboats' second win this season. Jashaun Corbin finished with 25 carries for 145 rushing yards and a score for the Brahmas. 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 recommended Get more from United Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
