UFL Week 6 Recap: The Race Towards the Playoffs Tightens

As we slowly but surely approach the UFL playoffs, one thing is for certain — it’s getting tight at the top. Six of the league’s eight teams are .500 or better and the two teams on the outside looking in on the playoffs are just a game behind their division rivals. With four games left, it’s anyone’s guess as to which teams will represent the XFL and USFL Divisions in the playoffs and in the UFL Championship Game. Here’s a look back on all the action from Week 6:

Battlehawks 12, Renegades 6

The lowest-scoring game of the weekend was ugly but had its share of highlights. It also helps that our beloved Battlehawks won the game, got revenge on the rival Renegades, and put themselves back in the playoffs.

Hakeem Butler scored another spectacular touchdown, a 30-yard strike from Max Duggan. However, Butler only had one catch on the day and while it was for the only touchdown in the game, the Battlehawks coaching staff have to find a way to get the ball to last year’s OPOY more frequently.

The Battlehawks defense had itself a day, forcing three fumbles and an interception of Renegades QB Luis Perez. The defense forced back-to-back fumbles on Arlington’s final two drives of the game, cementing the W and moving the Battlehawks to 4-2 on the season.

Battlehawks LB Pita Taumoepenu was the team’s defensive MVP, with five tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery on the day. The Battlehawks have a prime opportunity to go to 5-2 next week, when they travel to Memphis to take on the 1-5 Showboats. 

Meanwhile, Arlington finds themselves on the outs of the playoffs and unable to move the ball despite scoring at least 30 points the last two weeks. The Renegades defense had 5.5 sacks but still couldn’t build any meaningful offensive momentum all night. It’s clear the Battlehawks’ coaching staff’s adjustments paid off. Arlington plays Michigan at home in Week 7.

Read more about the Battlehawks’ big win on Sports Hub STL.

Roughnecks 21, Showboats 20

Don’t look now, but the hottest UFL team might be the one in Houston. The Roughnecks were, at one point, wallowing in the league cellar with the Showboats, but back-to-back victories have them just a game out of the playoffs.

Jalan McClendon has admirably stepped in for the injured Anthony Brown and lit it up over the past three weeks. His hot streak continued against Memphis with this 13-yard strike to Justin Hall:

But it was Houston’s defense and special teams that truly took over this weekend. The Roughnecks special teams partially blocked a punt to set up a field goal, while the defense contributed an interception and this incredible sack, fumble, scoop, and score: 

For Memphis, it’s yet another disappointing loss. But to make things worse, this is a self-inflicted one thanks to sloppy play and more bizarre coaching decisions. Outside of the turnovers and poor third-down playcalling, Showboats head coach Jim Turner decided to kick a field goal down four points and at Houston’s 9-yard line. This could have been inspired by EJ Perry having to sub in for the injured Dresser Wynn, but Perry was the team’s previous starter — why not go for it?

This mirrors a decision former Memphis head coach Ken Wisenhunt made in Week 2, where his team was down five to the Defenders and he opted for three. Wisenhunt was rewarded for his efforts with a blocked field goal, though the Showboats converted to go down 21-20 with five minutes left.

Turner then opted to kick the ball off, rather than attempt a fourth and twelve alternate kickoff play, but that would prove to be the wrong decision. Houston was able to run the clock down and secure their second-straight victory.

The Roughnecks travel to Birmingham to take on the Stallions in Week 7.

Panthers 38, Defenders 14

If the Roughnecks aren’t your choice for the league’s hottest team, then the Panthers must be. Michigan has been rolling since their loss to Birmingham and it’s thanks to QB Bryce Perkins, who has been absolutely electric this season. Perkins has flashed his full arsenal of skills this year, from his arm to his escapability and knack for making big plays when necessary. He did it again this week:

This wasn’t much of a game from the jump, as Michigan took the lead early and never trailed. The closest DC got was a 7-6 score at the beginning of the second quarter. Michigan kept scoring and stonewalled the Defenders offense.

However, the score didn’t reflect individual numbers for two of DC’s top players. Defenders QB Jordan Ta’amu’s passing day, which was stellar. Ta’amu threw for 255 yards and two touchdowns. His top receiver, Chris Rowland, had six catches for 144 yards and a touchdown. 

With numbers like that, you’d think DC would be rolling as it has all season. Alas, these two were the only ones making plays for the team, and the score reflected that. Football is a team sport, and the Defenders defense simply could not contain Bryce Perkins — and he made them pay.

The Panthers look to be the top team in the league but still have their struggles against the rival Stallions. They’ll face off in Week 9.

Stallions 26, Brahmas 3

The 2024 XFL Championship Game rematch went just like the previous matchup — a complete and utter domination by the three-time champs. San Antonio had one drive that went more than five plays, went three-and-out seven times, and amassed just 178 yards of offense. They also coughed up the ball on consecutive fourth quarter drives, including this game-sealing fumble:

Case Cookus had the Stallions cooking, with two touchdowns and 166 yards passing. Since coming in relief for the injured Alex McGough and Matt Corral, Cookus has been both a productive player and a fan favorite for the Stallions. He has 347 yards with four touchdowns and one interception thus far this season.

However, he left the game after getting banged up, forcing Birmingham’s head coach Skip Holtz to play his fourth QB of the season, Andrew Peasley. Peasley was injured on a red zone QB run, bringing Cookus back into the game. Fortunately, Cookus was able to throw this great pass to former Green Bay Packer Jace Sternberger:

San Antonio’s season has been a nightmare from start to finish. No matter who’s starting under center, the quarterbacks have been ineffective, the running game has stalled, and the defense has been productive on the stat sheet but not much else. It will be a long remainder of the season for the Brahmas, who will look longingly at last year’s title game appearance to remind themselves of better days.

UFL Week 7 Schedule