UFL Week 1 Review

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Now to the UFL. Week 1 had some excitement and close games: walk-off kicks and almost a pic-6 were just some of the great action.

Matchup 1: Birmingham Stallions 27 - 14 Arlington Renegades

I thought that Birmingham would win, and I was right. I was surprised that with 9 seconds left in the first half, Birmingham was down 8, but then Matt Corral found Deon Cain in the endzone from 39 yards out with a dime. The extra point system is the same as last year’s XFL: 1 point on an attempt from the 2-yard line, 2 points from the 5-yard line, and 3 points from the ten. But, you aren’t kicking, you are passing or running as if you were scoring a touchdown or going for two in the CFL. In the game, Matt Corral went 12/21 passing with 201 yards, 1 TD, and one interception. Adrian Martinez entered the game and went 2/6 for 26 yards but 1 interception. CJ Marable had 67 yards and 1 TD rushing. For Arlington, Luis Perez went 19/28 with 214 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. The Renegades didn’t run the ball well, only collecting 59 rushing yards. Isiah Winstead caught their lone touchdown in week 1.

Matchup 2: St. Louis Battlehawks 16 - 18 Michigan Panthers

This game showed us who the next best NFL star is. Yes, that says NFL, not UFL. While kickers aren’t usually considered stars, they won this game in epic fashion. Jake Bates who didn’t kick a field goal in college, kicked his first-ever field goal after high school- a 64-yard game-winner. For St. Louis, their QB AJ McCarron went 24/37 passing with 216 yards and 2 touchdowns. For Michigan, EJ Perry went 12/24 with no touchdowns but 2 interceptions. EJ Perry had 2 rushing touchdowns to even the TDs. Finally, Jake Bates kicked that game-winner. After that kick, multiple NFL teams including the Detroit Lions have looked into getting him.

Matchup 3: DC Defenders 12 - 27 San Antonio Brahmas

Brahmas fans, your team is back! Your team beat the team that went 9-1 last year and you CENTER scored a touchdown. Chase Garbers looked great, going 19/25 with 158 yards and 2 touchdowns. The punter Brad Wing threw a 40-yard touchdown to the center Alex Mollette. Garbers also ran for a touchdown to seal the win. Jordan Ta’amu went 25/45 with 235 yards. He took a brutal hit and had to come out for a few plays late in the game, but when he came back San Antonio’s defence cut off his first pass for a 95-yard interception return to the 4 yard-line. After that, Ta’amu looked awful, overthrowing his receivers nowhere near the players. For the first time ever, the San Antonio Brahmas are undefeated (at 1-0).

Matchup 4: Memphis Showboats 18 - 12 Houston Roughnecks

Of all of the games this week, I know the least of this game. I didn’t watch this game or any highlights of this game, but it doesn’t look like a very exciting game. There were only three combined touchdowns, but all three had failed tries. The try is when the team goes for 1, 2, or 3. For Memphis, Case Cookus went 23/40 with 204 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. For Houston, Jarrett Guarantano started and went 16/21 with 157 yards and no touchdowns. The team's lone touchdown was a rushing touchdown by Guarantano. If I had to predict, I would predict that of the USFL Conference teams, these two don’t make the playoffs.

Game Of The Week: St. Louis Battlehawks @ Michigan Panthers

Player Of The Week Choices: Matt Corral, Chase Garbers, or Jake Bates

For week one, I’ll do this poll, but after that, I’m planning on doing a separate post for player of the week in all sports, MLB, NBA, NFL, UFL, CFL, whatever is in-season. But my choice is Chase Garbers because of how he led his team that went 3-7 last year to victory over the team that went 9-1. But, you’ve seen the stats, you choose!