United Football League - The story of the XFL-USFL Merger

[BengalErnst]

XFL Week 18:

July 25, 2024

Ottawa, ONTARIO, CANADA -

-- (0-0)Centurions - Blackjacks(0-0)
(COL): QB -
(OTT): QB -

-- (0-0)Stars - Battlehawks(0-0)
(PHI): QB Walker -
(CHA): QB Heinicke -

XFL Week 18:

July 26, 2024

Barcelona, SPAIN -

-- (0-0)Argonauts - Bravos(0-0)
(): QB -
(): QB -

-- (0-0)Conquerors - Fleet(0-0)
(MEX): QB -
(SD): QB -

XFL Week 18: Panthers Fall to Stampede 20-19 in Season Finale

July 27, 2024

Oklahoma City, OK - The Detroit Panthers fell to the Oklahoma City Stampede, 20-19. After the Stampede scored the game-tying touchdown with 1:04 remaining, QB Adrian Martinez found a wide-open TE Marcus Baugh on the one-point conversion to take their first lead of the game since early in the first quarter. Detroit had time to drive downfield and send K Jake Bates out to win the game with his leg with three seconds left, but the star kicker pushed a 53-yard attempt wide right. It was still an impressive showing from the Panthers. After giving up 162 rushing yards and seven sacks and recording no sacks of their own against the Stampede in their Week 2 matchup, the Panthers only gave up 103 rushing yards and one sack and recorded five sacks of their own. For the second straight week, Etling made the start for the Panthers. Etling totaled 231 yards on the afternoon. After a Panthers three-and-out to start the game, the Stampede found the endzone on their first possession with a RB CJ Marable one-yard touchdown run. TE Jace Sternberger helped Oklahoma City get down the field with a 49-yard catch-and-run. The two-point conversion was no good, but the Stampede led 6-0 early. Detroit responded with points of their own with a 39-yard Bates field goal. The Panthers defense started to make an impact late in the first quarter with sacks on back-to-back plays from DL Garrett Marino and DB Bryce Torneden. Detroit tallied more sacks on the drive than they did all game in their last matchup against Oklahoma City in Week 2. Etling gave Detroit the lead to start the second quarter with a 23-yard rushing touchdown. The eight-play, 75-yard drive lasted five minutes and featured five plays of over 10+ yards. RB Toa Taua ran in the one-point attempt to make it a 10-6 game. The Panthers were not done getting to Martinez, as LB Javin White notched his first sack of the season. Etling made another splash before halftime with a 46-yard bomb to WR Siaosi Mariner for a touchdown and took a 10-point lead into the break.

Oklahoma City did not waste any time, opening the second half with a touchdown. It was another Marable rushing score, this time from 20 yards out. Martinez ran in the one-point conversion to get within a field goal. With QB Bryce Perkins now in the game for Detroit, the quarterback made a big play with his legs near the end of the third quarter, even hurdling a Oklahoma City defender for an 18-yard gain. Perkins was hurt on the run, and Etling came back into the game. Perkins did not return to the and was ruled questionable due to a hamstring injury. Etling finished what Perkins started, putting together another scoring drive capped off by a 44-yard field goal by Bates to lead 19-13 in the early phases of the fourth quarter. Oklahoma City had the ball with two minutes remaining in the game and on Detroit's side of the field. Martinez was looking to go deep to Sternberger, but DB Kai Nacua made a potential game-saving play with a pass breakup with one hand. It did not mean as much, as the Stampede converted a fourth down two plays later with an 18-yard pass to WR Kevin Austin. With 1:04 on the clock, Martinez found a wide open Sternberger for the game-tying touchdown. The Stampede took the lead with a successful one-point conversion with a pass to TE Marcus Baugh. That made the difference in this game, as Oklahoma City went on to win and clinch the one seed in the Western Conference.

-- (0-0)Panthers 19 - 20 Stampede(0-0)
(DET): QB Etling - 16/31 195 yards, 1 TD, RB Taua - 8 carries, 26 yards, WR Mariner - 7 catches, 110 yards, 1 TD
(OKC): QB Martinez - 14/28 163 yards, 1 TD, RB Marable - 10 carries, 56 yards, 2 TDs, TE Sternberger - 2 catches, 53 yards, 1 TD

-- (0-0)Commanders - Guardians(0-0)
(SA): QB Rosen -
(NY): QB -

-- (0-0)Apollos - Breakers(0-0)
(ORL): QB Gilbert -
(NO): QB -

-- (0-0)Stallions - Bandits(0-0)
(STL): QB Kizer -
(TB): QB Rourke -

XFL Week 18: Crusaders Clinch Home Field with 13-12 Win over Thunder

July 27, 2024

London, ENGLAND - The London Crusaders secured home-field advantage for the Eastern Conference Championship with a 13-12 victory over the Berlin Thunder in front of 44,379 fans. London held a 13-6 lead at the 2-minute warning, but the Thunder scored on a 37-yard touchdown pass from QB Quinten Dormady to WR Jontre Kirklin with 1:56 remaining to shave the Crusaders' lead to one point. Dormady completed a pass to Kirklin from the 2 yard line after a London penalty for a 2-point conversion, which the referees initially ruled short of the goal line. Officials overturned the spot of the ball on review, which gave Berlin a 14-13 lead, but London challenged an ineligible man downfield penalty that negated the conversion. Dormady then threw an incomplete pass on the following attempt from the 7 yard line, and London maintained the lead. London punted on its next drive. With 50 seconds left to make a comeback, Berlin reached the 33 yard line with 12 seconds to play. K Ryan Santoso attempted an unsuccessful 51-yard field goal that WR Hakeem Butler tipped to seal the Crusaders one-point triumph to end the regular season.

The Crusaders initially built a 10-point lead in the first half. The teams committed a combined three turnovers in the first 16 minutes of play, but London broke through on a 22-yard touchdown pass from QB AJ McCarron to WR Steven Mitchell with 11:54 to play in the second quarter. McCarron also found TE Jake Sutherland for a 1-point conversion to complete the drive and put London ahead, 7-0. K Andre Szmyt increased the Crusaders' lead to 10-0 with 2:03 remaining before halftime on a 32-yard field goal, which completed a 13-play, 82-yard drive that covered 7:16 of game time. Santoso attempted a 59-yard field goal for Berlin with 16 seconds left in the half, but TE Kemari Averett blocked the attempt to preserve the first-half shutout. Berlin scored its first points on the first drive after halftime when RB Morgan Ellison rushed 6 yards for a touchdown to cap an 8-play, 75 yard march.

-- (0-0)Thunder 12 - 13 Crusaders(0-0)
(BER): QB Dormady - 15/27 188 yards, 1 TD, RB Ellison - 11 carries, 43 yards, 1 TD, WR Kirklin - 7 catches, 127 yards, 1 TD
(LON): QB McCarron - 10/24 115 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Saylors - 12 carries, 50 yards, WR Pearson - 3 catches, 36 yards

-- (0-0)Generals - Alphas(0-0)
(COL): QB -
(ATL): QB -

XFL Week 18: Renegades Cap off Season with 32-31 Win over Defenders

July 28, 2024

Washington, DC - The Dallas Renegades took down the Washington Defenders at Audi Field, 32-31. Dallas closes out the season winning three of their last four games, after starting out the year with six consecutive losses. The Renegades jump started the game with an impressive 10-play, 63-yard drive that concluded with a 27-yard field goal knocked in by K Jonathan Garibay. On the ensuing kickoff, Defenders' WR Chris Rowland ripped off a 55-yard return, setting DC up in Dallas territory for their first drive of the afternoon. K Matt McCrane would convert on a field goal from 44 yards out, knotting things up at 3-3. Following back-to-back punts by both teams, QB Luis Perez would be picked off for just the third time this season, with DC DB Gareon Conley coming up with the interception. Dallas' defense came up with a big fourth down stop to begin the second quarter, with LB Donald Payne picking up the crucial tackle for loss. The Renegades capitalized on the stop with a 40-yard field goal by Garibay just eight plays later, giving them a 6-3 lead. On the stemming kickoff, Rowland returned it 84 yards to the house for DC, giving Dallas their first deficit of the game at 9-6. After another punt by the Renegades, the Defenders would score yet again, as QB Jordan Ta'amu connected with WR Vyncint Smith for a 43-yard touchdown. Trailing 15-6, the Renegades would find paydirt just before halftime, as Perez hit WR Tyler Vaughns in the back of the end zone for a five-yard touchdown. A successful two-point conversion reception by RB Devin Darrington from Perez made it 15-14 going into the half.

Starting on defense in the third quarter, the Renegades were hit with two big pass interference penalties. The Defenders would score once again, as RB CamRon Harris punched it in from a yard out, putting Dallas down 21-14. The Renegades would settle for another field goal on their first drive of the second half, as Garibay converted from 36 yards out. Dallas forced a DC three-and-out and were driving as the third quarter came to a close. The Renegades re-captured the lead early in the fourth quarter, as Perez found Vaughns in stride for a 34-yard touchdown, his second of the afternoon. Vaughns would make good on the two-point conversion rush, putting Dallas up 25-21. The Defenders responded with a 5-play, 69-yard scoring drive of their own, finished off with a 40-yard touchdown pass from Ta'amu to WR Brandon Smith. A successful two-point conversion from Ta'amu to TE Alex Ellis put DC back in front, 29-25. On the ensuing kickoff, Dallas WR Juwan Manigo gave himself up in his end zone, resulting in a wild safety for the Renegades. A second interception thrown by Perez gave the Defenders the ball back. Dallas' defense would come up huge with back-to-back sacks on Ta'amu, thanks to Payne and DL DaVonte Lambert, pushing McCrane to miss a 54-yard field goal. The Renegades marched down the field to regain the lead late, as Perez linked up with WR Deontay Burnett for a 7-yard touchdown. A one-point conversion rush by RB De'Veon Smith put Dallas up, 32-31, with 2:28 remaining. A fourth down stop on the last drive of the game gave the Renegades the win in their season finale.

-- (0-0)Renegades 32 - 31 Defenders(0-0)
(DAL): QB Perez - 23/37 215 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Smith - 20 carries, 94 yards, WR Vaughns - 5 catches, 84 yards, 2 TDs, TE Cannella - 7 catches, 52 yards
(DC): QB Ta'amu - 18/34 218 yards, 2 TDs, RB Harris - 7 carries, 31 yards, 1 TD, WR Smith - 2 catches, 51 yards, 1 TD

-- (0-0)Legends - Iron(0-0)
(LA): QB -
(BIRM): QB -

-- (0-0)Express - Dragons(0-0)
(MEM): QB -
(SEA): QB -

-- (0-0)Maulers - Musketeers(0-0)
(PIT): QB -
(PAR): QB Mond -

XFL Week 18: Showboats Finish Season with 19-12 Win Over Houston

July 28, 2024

Salt Lake City, UT - Showboats RB Darius Victor scored two rushing touchdowns and the defense made a huge late-game stop as the Showboats defeated the Houston Roughnecks 19-12. The victory in the season finale for Salt Lake City snapped an eight-game losing streak and bookended a season that started with a win over Houston and ended with a win over Houston (1-9). Houston trailed 12-9 late in the third quarter, but looked to have taken the lead when DB Markel Roby intercepted QB Josh Love and took it all the way back to the end zone. The return for a touchdown was negated by a penalty during the return. The Salt Lake defense held Houston to a field goal early in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 12-12. On the ensuing possession, the Showboats took over at their own 47-yard line and drove 53 yards for the go-ahead score. Love passed for 44 yards on the drive and Victor hit paydirt from 2 yards out for his second score of the game. A Love-to-Daewood Davis pass for the one-point conversion left Salt Lake with a 19-12 lead and 6:10 remaining in the contest. Houston drove all the way to the 13-yard line behind QB Nolan Henderson. But on 3rd-and-3 from the 13, DL Lamont McPhatter stopped WR Justin Hall for no gain. On 4th-and-3, the Showboats defense forced an incompletion with less than a minute left to seal the victory.

Salt Lake led 6-3 at the intermission in a battle of field goals. The Showboats K Matt Coghlin was 2-for-2 in the first half, including a 46-yarder on the last play of the first half to give Salt Lake the lead at halftime. The Showboats pushed their lead to 12-3 on a 2-yard Victor touchdown run with 5:55 remaining in the third quarter. Houston answered on its next possession with a 61-yard march capped by a RB Kirk Merritt 1-yard touchdown run. K JJ Molson's early fourth quarter field goal tied it at 12-12. Victor rushed for 54 yards on 10 carries and scored both the Showboats' touchdowns. Love was 20-of-29 for 152 yards with 1 interception. WR Jonathan Adams paced the Salt Lake receiving corps with six receptions for 59 yards. Henderson led Houston with 43 yards rushing and 232 yards passing. Houston out-gained Salt Lake 323-203, but the Showboats' defense found stops when they needed them. Salt Lake held Houston on 4th-and-2 from the Showboat 8-yard line in the first quarter and on 4th-and-3 on the final Roughnecks possession of the game.

-- (0-0)Roughnecks 12 - 19 Showboats(0-0)
(HOU): QB Henderson - 21/34 232 yards, 4 carries, 43 yards, RB Thompson - 9 carries, 6 yards, 1 TD, WR Hall - 8 catches, 70 yards
(SLC): QB Love - 20/29 152 yards, 1 INT, RB Victor - 10 carries, 54 yards, 2 TDs, WR Adams - 6 catches, 59 yards

-- (0-0)Otters - Vipers(0-0)
(VAN): QB -
(LV): QB Hundley -

XFL Week 18:

July 29, 2024

Hamburg, GERMANY -

-- (0-0)Greys - Sea Devils(0-0)
(CAL): QB -
(HAM): QB -

-- (0-0)Sea Bears - Alliance(0-0)
(WIN): QB -
(MON): QB -

[BengalErnst]

XFL Quarter-Final:

August 3, 2024

New York, NY -

-- (0-0)(0-0)
(): QB
(): QB

-- (0-0)(0-0)
(): QB
(): QB

XFL Quarter-Final: Berlin Best Crusaders 25-15

August 4, 2024

London, ENGLAND - Berlin jumped out to an early 13-0 lead, and fought off a second half rally from the London Crusaders as the Brahmas advanced, 25-15, in front of 40,237 fans. The Berlin offense fired on all cylinders with a season-high 410 total yards. They also recorded their longest rush of the season on a 69-yard RB Anthony McFarland score on their first play of the second half, and the team's longest reception of the season on a QB Chase Garbers to WR Justin Smith 63-yard touchdown connection in the second quarter. Garbers led Berlin down the field on their first possession of the game, a 10-play, 62-yard drive to the five-yard line of the Crusaders, before being turned down by a DB Kameron Kelly interception. London tried to get tricky on their ensuing drive with a flea flicker, but they were unable to execute, turning the ball over themselves on a fumble recovered by DB Teez Tabor at the 20-yard line. DB Tavante Beckett, the league's third leading tackler, forced his sixth fumble of the season on the play. The Thunder made London pay with a 15-yard touchdown strike from Garbers to WR Marquez Stevenson for the game's first points. RB Morgan Ellison picked up the one-point conversion to lead 7-0, diving across defenders and the goal line with an outstretched arm. Berlin extended their lead on the first play of the second quarter with a Garbers-to-Smith touchdown connection for 63 yards, 13-0. London tallied their first points of the game with a 46-yard Andre Szmyt field goal at 11:41 pulling within, 13-3. The Crusaders were looking for more before halftime, but DL Caeveon Patton sacked QB AJ McCarron to force a punt. A field goal was all Berlin's defense allowed in the first half, taking a 13-3 lead into the break.

After a defensive stop, RB Anthony McFarland extended Berlin's lead on their first play of the second half with a 69-yard touchdown run untouched up the middle. The two-point attempt was unsuccessful, but the Thunder led 19-3. The Crusaders then responded with 12 unanswered points in the span of 13 seconds. After a McCarron touchdown pass to TE Jake Sutherland, the defense of London found the endzone with a LB Pita Taumoepenu 10-yard fumble return for a score on the Thunder's first play of their ensuing drive. Berlin was able to add a field goal with a 31-yard K Ryan Santoso boot, but their defense went right back to work with a DL Wyatt Ray sack to force a London punt early in the fourth quarter. With 1:56 left in the game, Santoso knocked in a 45-yard field goal which put the game away.

-- (0-0)Thunder 25 - 15 Crusaders(0-0)
(BER): QB Garbers - 15/21 197 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB McFarland - 11 carries, 115 yards, 1 TD, RB Lovett - 18 carries, 83 yards, WR Kirklin - 5 catches, 61 yards, WR Smith - 4 catches, 76 yards, 1 TD, WR Stevenson - 5 catches, 56 yards, 1 TD
(LON): QB McCarron - 19/29 179 yards, 1 TD, RB Saylors - 14 carries, 79 yards, WR Butler - 6 catches, 59 yards, WR Shepherd - 3 catches, 51 yards

-- (0-0)(0-0)
(): QB
(): QB

DeFilippo Steps Down from Showboats

August 5, 2024

Memphis, TN - The United Football League has announced that John DeFilippo has stepped down as head coach of the Memphis Showboats. "We are truly grateful for Coach DeFilippo's contributions to the Memphis Showboats, UFL, and Legacy USFL," said UFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations, Daryl Johnston. "We wish John all the best in his future endeavors."

[BengalErnst]

XFL Semi-Final: Panthers Fall 31-18 to Stampede in Western Conference Championship

August 10, 2024

Oklahoma City, OK - A season full of promise and adversity for the Detroit Panthers ended as the team fell 31-18 to the Oklahoma City Stampede in the Western Conference Championship. It was Detroit's third loss to Birmingham this season. Detroit scored the game's first points and led 12-0 after the first quarter, but the Stampede finished the game strong with 28 unanswered points. The Panthers offense was 5-for-5 on their drives to open the game, scoring one touchdown and four K Jake Bates field goals in the first half. However, Oklahoma City climbed back. After a wild third quarter which featured six combined turnovers (four interceptions and two fumbles), the game entered the fourth quarter tied 18-18. Oklahoma City took their first lead of the game at 13:42 in the fourth quarter and did not look back. QB Matt Corral, who entered during the third quarter for Oklahoma City in place of QB Adrian Martinez, threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to WR Amari Rodgers. That was all the Stampede needed to steal the victory away and advance to their third straight spring league championship game.

Detroit opened on offense and hit paydirt just five plays into the game with a 35-yard touchdown pass from QB Danny Etling to WR Siaosi Mariner. The Panthers led 6-0 after failing to convert their one-point attempt. The Panthers defense made a big play of their own not long after, stopping the Stampede from converting a 4th-and-1 on Oklahoma City's 42-yard line. LB Noah Dawkins stopped RB Ricky Person for no gain. Detroit took advantage of plus territory, extending their lead with a 53-yard Bates field goal with 9:19 left in the first quarter. Etling and Mariner hooked up again for 16 yards on 3rd-and-13 late in the first quarter. An unnecessary roughness penalty on Oklahoma City, a defenseless hit on Mariner, tacked on extra yards to push Detroit deeper into Stampede territory. Bates finished the drive with another field goal, this time from 42 yards out, to give the Panthers a 12-0 lead heading into the second quarter, their biggest lead against Oklahoma City this season. It was also the first time this season Detroit held Oklahoma City scoreless through the first 15 minutes. Oklahoma City's offense started to find success in the second quarter, as Martinez connected with TE Jace Sternberger for a gain of 38. Later in the drive on third-and-goal, DB Keith Gipson broke up a jump ball to TE Jordan Thomas to keep the Stampede out of the endzone. Despite 75 passing yards from Martinez on the drive, Detroit held Oklahoma City to a 23-yard K Chris Blewitt field goal. Detroit's offense did not skip a beat, running their way into Stampede territory with a 25-yard RB Nate McCrary rumble. The Panthers had to settle for another field goal, a 39-yard boot from Bates for his third make of the game to keep their 12-point lead. Dawkins continued his dominant performance with a sack fumble on Martinez, which DL RonDell Carter recovered on the 15-yard line. The Stampede still found a way to keep Detroit out of the endzone, as Bates kicked his fourth field goal of the game to lead 18-3. Oklahoma City started their ensuing drive on the 50 after a Bates kickoff out of bounds and Martinez made the Panthers pay with a 50-yard touchdown pass to Thomas on the first play of the drive. The two-point attempt was unsuccessful, but the touchdown gave the Stampede some momentum. With 1:56 before halftime, Bates attempted his fifth field goal of the first half, but he pulled the 51-attempt wide left. The Stampede took advantage of the miss with a make of their own from 43 yards, making it nine unanswered points heading into the break, but Detroit still led 18-12.

After a nice kickoff return, Birmingham's offense took over at Detroit's 43-yard line to open the third quarter. Martinez took a deep shot on their first play, but DB Adonis Alexander met the ball at the apex for an interception and came down at the one-yard line. Facing fourth down, Detroit pulled out a successful fake punt when DB Kai Nacua completed an 18-yard pass to DB Kendrick Whitehead. On the very next play, however, Etling was stripped and sacked and Oklahoma City recovered the loose ball for their first takeaway of the game. The Panthers defense took the ball right back two plays later with a DL Walter Palmore forced fumble on Martinez, which was recovered by LB Mike Tafua at Detroit's 45-yard line. Etling could not do anything with the gift, punting the ball away to the Stampede after three plays. Oklahoma City and Detroit continued to go back and forth with turnovers with three interceptions in five plays. Etling's second interception of the sequence resulted in a 48-yard game-tying pick six by DB Daniel Isom. It was the sixth turnover of the quarter between both teams. The one-point conversion was unsuccessful, making it an even 18-18 heading into the fourth quarter. Corral threw a 43-yard pass to WR Gary Jennings to start the fourth quarter. He finished the drive with a seven-yard touchdown pass to Rodgers for Oklahoma City's first lead of the game. The one-point conversion was unsuccessful, but they led 24-18. Detroit tried to get something to go their way, but Oklahoma City kept their momentum with a blocked field goal on Bates on a 44-yard attempt. The Panthers were unable to get on the board in the second half, falling to the Stampede again.

-- (0-0)Panthers 18 - 31 Stampede(0-0)
(DET): QB Etling - 18/29 182 yards, 1 TD, 3 INTs, RB McCrary - 11 carries, 62 yards, WR Mariner - 4 catches, 60 yards, 1 TD
(OKC): QB Martinez - 10/19 164 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, QB Corral - 9/11 120 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Marable - 8 carries, 77 yards, WR Williams - 3 catches, 50 yards, WR Jennings - 2 catches, 59 yards, TE Thomas - 2 catches, 62 yards, 1 TD

XFL Semi-Final:

August 11, 2024

New York, NY -

-- (0-0)(0-0)
(): QB
(): QB

XFL Veterans Bowl:

August 18, 2024

St. Louis, MO -

-- (0-0)Stampede 25 - 0 Bolts(0-0)
(BIRM): QB Martinez - 13/23 98 yards, 1 TD, 11 carries, 52 yards, 2 TDs, RB Person - 13 carries, 102 yards, RB Marable - 10 carries, 45 yards, WR Williams - 4 catches, 36 yards
(BER): QB Garbers - 24/35 156 yards, RB McFarland - 9 carries, 32 yards, 6 catches, 38 yards, WR Turner - 5 catches, 49 yards

[BengalErnst]

Year Six UFL Financial Report Released

September 1, 2024

New York, NY -