Louisville Kings take down UFL-leading DC Defenders for signature win
· Yahoo Sports
On Thursday, Louisville Kings coach Chris Redman said there's not much separating his team at the bottom of the United Football League standings and the first-place DC Defenders.
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"I think everyone's beatable — and everybody can beat you," Redman told reporters during a Zoom call. "It all depends on how you go out and play and execute. That's what we're working on: just being consistent. If we can be consistent, we can be just as good as any (team) and hold up a trophy at the end of the season, for sure."
Two days later, Redman's players proved him right by going into Audi Field and upsetting the defending UFL champions, 30-13, to end a two-game losing streak and keep their playoff hopes alive.
Louisville improved to 3-4 with the victory, while DC fell to 5-2 with the loss.
Here are three takeaways from the game:
The turning point: Chandler Rogers' response to a jaw-dropping hit
The Kings were in big trouble when Defenders defensive end Derick Roberson blindsided Chandler Rogers on a quarterback scramble and knocked the ball loose.
It appeared, for a moment, that DC was going to retain possession at its own 33-yard line with a 13-3 lead and 1:07 on the clock in the second half. Then, the officials flagged Roberson for unnecessary roughness — negating the turnover and setting up Louisville's offense in the red zone.
After spending one snap in the medical tent, Rogers returned to the field and connected with wideout Tarik Black for a 9-yard touchdown — the team's first since an April 26 win over the Dallas Renegades. That was the first score in a 27-0 run for the visitors.
"The hit turned me up," said Rogers, who completed eight consecutive passes (including two touchdowns) after getting leveled, during a third-quarter sideline interview with FOX's Jake Butt. "When everybody was oohing, it really pissed me off; I ain't going to lie. I'm playing mad right now."
Rogers completed 17 of his 26 passes for 201 yards and the two touchdowns.
Louisville capitalized on second-half takeaways
The Kings forced four turnovers during the second half. All of them led to points on the scoreboard.
The first came on the kickoff immediately after Louisville's opening drive of the third quarter ended in a 50-yard field goal by Tanner Brown. As Defenders wideout Erik Ezukanma neared midfield on the return, tight end Jalen Wydermyer knocked the ball loose. Cornerback Bryce Hall recovered at Louisville's 45-yard line. Four plays later, Rogers and Black hooked up for their second touchdown of the afternoon.
The second came on the first play of a DC drive starting at its own 14-yard line. Free safety Keaton Ellis picked off quarterback Jordan Ta'amu to set his offense up at the 22. On the next snap, Rogers found wideout Lucky Jackson for a completion at the goal line. Running back James Robinson finished the job with a 1-yard run.
The third spoiled the Defenders' best drive of the second half. Cornerback Cameron Dantzler came down with an interception in the back of the end zone. Rogers and the offense rattled off a nine-play, 44-yard drive that ended in a 49-yard field goal from Brown and chewed 5:15 off the clock.
The fourth effectively iced the game. An official review determined DC wide receiver Cornell Powell fumbled after coming down with a catch for a 23-yard gain. Cornerback Corey Mayfield Jr. was credited with the takeaway.
The Kings dominated on the ground
Louisville outgained DC by 56 yards on the ground, 145-89.
Not bad for a team that entered the weekend dead last in the UFL when it comes to moving the ball on the ground. The Kings had 32 minutes, 15 seconds of possession to the Defenders' 27:46.
Ian Wheeler led the way with 64 yards on eight carries. Robinson added 58 yards on 13 attempts.
This story will be updated.
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Reach Louisville men's basketball reporter Brooks Holton at [email protected] and follow him on X at @brooksHolton.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville Kings vs DC Defenders UFL score, Kings earn signature win