Defenders protect their Audi Field win streak in home opener
Defensive backs #15 Michael Joesph (left) & #36 D. J. Swearinger celebrate the first Defenders win of 2024 | Image by Jamie LeBlanc of the NSMT
The DC Defenders had an exciting home opener April 7th filled with lead changes and potential season records. Breakout Defenders star and former NFL receiver for the Houston Texans, Keke Coutee caught a game-high 40 yards on three receptions. His longest catch was for 18 yards, which also marked a game-high. These 40 yards were a third of Defenders QB Jordan Ta’amu’s total yardage, slinging out 212 yards and going 16-for-32. Ta’amu also had 5 rushing attempts in which he added 17 to the team’s 82 total rushing yards.
Wide receiver #81 Keke Coutee looks to advance the ball against a tough Houston defense | Image by Jamie LeBlanc of the NSMT
Houston took an early 6-0 lead when DB Corn Elder picked off a deflected pass and returned it for a 98-yard touchdown. The pick 6 tied for the longest interception return in spring football history, matching a 98-yard touchdown return by the Birmingham Bolts in the 2001 version of the XFL.
DC. was finally able to answer with 1:30 left in the first quarter with a Darius Hagans 1-yard rush on the goal line. Now trailing 9-6 due to a 52-yard Houston field goal, Ta’amu found former NFL receiver and second-round UFL pick Chris Rowland for a 42-yard gain. The Defenders quickly took another shot at Houston with a connection to TE Briley Moore-McKinney for a 21-yard touchdown pass. Houston’s J.J. Molson drained his second field goal of the half with a 42-yard kick on the final play before the intermission to make it 12-12 at the break.
Wide receiver #2 Brandon Smith stretches out for a big gain | Image by Jamie LeBlanc of the NSMT
Houston QB Reid Sinnett swiftly put the Roughnecks back on top 18-12 five minutes into the third quarter by finding Keke Chism for a 34-yard pass and the Roughnecks only touchdown of the game. The Defenders responded by pulling within 3 points thanks to a 13-minute drive that end with a 43-yard Matthew McCrane field goal two minutes into the fourth quarter, putting Houston in a must-score position.
After a two-minute stop by the Defenders, Jordan Ta’amu finally pushed DC in front with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Ty Scott with 6:04 left in the game, which was the dagger that sealed the win for DC. The Defenders had a few speed bumps this season but are improving their offensive consistency by maintaining possession of the football an average of 30 minutes per game.
Quarterback #10 Jordan Ta'amu stood strong in the pocket against a rough Houston pass rush | Image by Jamie LeBlanc of the NSMT
The Defenders now have their eyes set on this Saturday the 13th at the Arlington Renegades for a rematch of last season’s XFL Championship Game. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET, on ESPN.