UFL action continued on Easter Sunday in San Antonio, Texas, for a week one tilt between the DC Defenders and San Antonio Brahmas.
The stage is set in San Antonio.@XFLDefenders at @XFLBrahmas
Tune in on @ESPN at 12pm ET.#UFL2024 | @Alamodome pic.twitter.com/KMjqup3yXk— UFL (@XFL2023) March 31, 2024
Last time the DC Defenders were at the Alamodome, they were playing for an XFL Championship against the Arlington Renegades, where they ultimately lost 35-26. This time around they face the Brahmas, now led by HC Wade Phillips. Phillips coached the Houston Roughnecks last season alongside offensive coordinator AJ Smith, who joins Phillips in San Antonio.
The winner of this game would take sole control of the XFL conference after the Renegades and Battlehawks both lost their games earlier in the weekend.
First Quarter
The Brahmas wasted no time displaying their new-look offense. OC AJ Smith dialed up a WR pass with Jontre Kirklin on the first drive, which fell incomplete. Still, San Antonio drove down the field to start the game and capped it off with an Anthony McFarland 28-yard touchdown reception to give the Brahmas their first lead and score of 2024.
FIRST TD OF THE SEASON BELONGS TO ANTHONY MCFARLAND 😤
— San Antonio Brahmas (@XFLBrahmas) March 31, 2024
The Defenders offense struggled in their first possession, ending with a three and out punting the ball back to San Antonio. The DC defense stood tall on the following possession with relentless pressure on Chase Garbers.
DC’s offense began to find their groove in the next drive, putting points on the board with a 50-yard field goal by Matthew McCrane for DC’s first points of the season. San Antonio led 7-3 after the first quarter of play.
50-YARD FG FOR OUR FIRST POINTS OF SEASON! #DefendDC pic.twitter.com/hToZrTA8zj
— D.C. Defenders (@XFLDefenders) March 31, 2024
Second Quarter
Chase Garbers and San Antonio’s offense continued their…