ARLINGTON, Texas – Trailing 27-12 at halftime, the DC Defenders (4-1, 2-1 XFL) staged a dramatic comeback to defeat the Arlington Renegades (3-2, 2-1 XFL) 37-33 on April 27, 2025, reclaiming first place in the XFL conference. Quarterback Jordan Ta’amu led the charge with a season-high 308 passing yards and four touchdowns (three passing, one rushing), culminating in a clutch two-minute drill to secure the road victory.
With 1:53 remaining and trailing 33-30, Ta’amu orchestrated a game-winning drive. He completed three passes, including a 23-yard third-down strike to Braylon Sanders, positioning DC at Arlington’s 17-yard line. Deon Jackson scored on a two-yard run, and Ta’amu’s one-point conversion run gave the Defenders a 37-33 lead. Arlington’s final drive ended when FS Josh Proctor intercepted Luis Perez in the endzone with 57 seconds left, sealing the win.
Arlington jumped ahead 8-0 in the first quarter on Deontay Burnett’s 63-yard touchdown catch and a two-point conversion, followed by Lucas Havrisik’s 39-yard field goal. DC responded in the second with a 37-yard touchdown pass from Ta’amu to Cornell Powell, cutting the deficit to 11-6. The Renegades extended their lead with Kalen Ballage’s 24-yard touchdown run (19-6) and De’Veon Smith’s two-yard score (27-12). DC’s Matt McCrane added a 20-yard field goal before halftime, making it 27-15.
The Defenders surged in the third quarter. Jaydon Mickens’ 48-yard punt return set up Ta’amu’s 17-yard touchdown pass to Chris Rowland, followed by Abram Smith’s two-point conversion run, narrowing the gap to 27-22. Havrisik’s 42- and 47-yard field goals pushed Arlington’s lead to 33-22, but DC answered with an 11-play, 65-yard drive. Ta’amu’s two-yard rushing touchdown and Javon Antonio’s two-point conversion catch made it 33-30 with seven minutes left.
A forced fumble by DT Niles Scott, recovered by Scott himself, gave DC possession late. Scott and Andre Mintze’s third-down sack forced an Arlington punt, setting up Ta’amu’s final drive. “Ta’amu finished the afternoon with season-highs in passing yards (308), completions (23) and matched a season-high in passing touchdowns (3),” the team noted in postgame notes.
Powell led receivers with four catches for 89 yards and a touchdown, while Sanders had three receptions for 87 yards and a score. Rowland matched a career-high seven catches for 61 yards. Defensively, Anthony Hines III recorded nine tackles, and Kelvin Joseph added eight. Mintze and Derrick Roberson combined for three sacks.
The Defenders’ resilience, fueled by Ta’amu’s leadership and defensive stops, overcame Arlington’s early dominance. The Renegades’ 17-point first-half lead evaporated as DC outscored them 25-6 in the second half. The win marked DC’s second straight comeback, solidifying their XFL conference lead.
DC faces the Michigan Panthers (3-2) on May 4 at noon, broadcast on ESPN2. Arlington, now tied for second in the conference, looks to rebound after losing their first-place standing. The Defenders’ offensive firepower and defensive tenacity position them as contenders in the UFL’s inaugural season.
