By Zachary McMahon-
The DC Defenders played the Houston Roughnecks at Space City Financial Stadium at the University of Houston in Houston, TX on Sunday afternoon in UFL Week Nine action. The Defenders came in on a two-game winning streak against the Arlington Renegades and the San Antonio Brahmas. The Roughnecks had lost the last two games against the Michigan Panthers and Birmingham Stallions.
The Defenders got a touchdown on their opening drive with a 44-yard touchdown pass from Jordan Ta’amu to Cornell Powell. On the conversion, Marvin Moody intercepted the pass from Ta’amu and returned it for a two-point conversion.
After a Roughnecks three & out, Matt McCrane capped off a 11-play drive with a 35-yard field goal as the Defenders ended the quarter with a 9-2 lead.
The Roughnecks took the lead in the second quarter, former Defenders quarterback Jalan McClendon threw a touchdown pass to Keke Chism, which made it 11-9.
The Roughnecks scored two touchdowns in the third quarter, as Chism had his second touchdown reception, and Lorenzo Lingard had a touchdown run, and the Roughnecks lead 24-9 at the end of the third.
The Defenders scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, on a comeback attempt with Deon Jackson had a 10-yard touchdown run and backup Mike DiLetto passed for a touchdown to Powell with five seconds left. The Defenders attempted a three-point conversion as Chris Rowland was not able to cross the goalline in time.
DiLetto threw an incomplete pass on the alternate kickoff attempt and the Roughnecks survive 24-21.
The Defenders will play the St. Louis Battlehawks for first place in the XFL Division on Friday night at 8 p.m. on FOX. The Roughnecks will finish the season against the Michigan Panthers at 3 p.m. kickoff on Saturday afternoon on ESPN/ESPN+.
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