In a battle that came down to the wire, the D.C. Defenders remained unbeaten in the 2025 UFL season with a hard-fought 17-12 win over the Memphis Showboats on Saturday night at Audi Field. With strong defensive stands, timely playmaking, and a dramatic fourth quarter, D.C. moved to 2-0 while handing Memphis their first loss.
A Defensive Standoff Turns to Fourth Quarter Drama
Heading into the final quarter, the Defenders clung to a narrow 9-6 lead. That changed quickly when Showboats quarterback EJ Perry broke loose for a 16-yard touchdown run—the game’s first touchdown—to give Memphis a 12-9 lead with under 12 minutes remaining.
But D.C. answered fast and furiously. Just five plays after the Perry score, quarterback Jordan Ta’amu connected with Chris Rowland for a 45-yard strike that put the Defenders deep into Memphis territory. Three plays later, Ta’amu hit tight end Ben Bresnahan on a 3rd-and-goal pop pass for the go-ahead score. D.C. added a creative 2-point conversion on a reverse pass by Rowland to push the lead to 17-12.
Showboats Come Close, But Defenders Deliver the Final Blow
Memphis refused to go quietly, driving all the way to the D.C. 25-yard line in the game’s final minutes. Looking to cut the deficit to two and retain possession under the UFL’s alternate 4th-and-12 rule, the Showboats lined up for a 43-yard field goal. But D.C.’s Devonnsha Maxwell had other plans, bursting through the line to block Matt Coghlin’s attempt—essentially sealing the win.
D.C. ran the clock down to one second before punting back to Memphis. A last-gasp attempt at laterals failed to spark a miracle, and the Defenders walked off victorious.
Stat Leaders and Standouts
Despite the loss, Showboats quarterback EJ Perry delivered a solid performance, completing 18-of-28 passes for 205 yards with one interception. He added 26 rushing yards and Memphis’ lone touchdown on the ground. Wide receiver Jonathan Adams was electric, hauling in 9 catches for 128 yards—becoming the first UFL receiver this season to top the 100-yard mark.
For the Defenders, Jordan Ta’amu threw the game’s winning touchdown and led a balanced offensive attack. Chris Rowland was instrumental, both as a receiver and on the successful 2-point trick play.
Linebacker Steele Chambers once again led the Memphis defense with a game-high 10 tackles. Defensive tackle Boogie Roberts, a former Defender, notched the game’s only sack and one of the team’s three tackles-for-loss.
Special Teams: A Swing Factor
Kickers played a pivotal role throughout the night. D.C.’s Matt McCrane was perfect, going 3-for-3 with field goals from 33, 27, and 38 yards. Memphis’ Matt Coghlin hit two field goals (22 and 33 yards) but had the potential game-tying kick blocked in the clutch.
Looking Ahead
The Showboats (1-1) return home next Saturday, April 12, to take on the Houston Roughnecks at 1:30 PM CT. Meanwhile, the Defenders (2-0) continue their strong start, fueled by a blend of stout defense and timely offensive execution.
The Barn 