DC Defenders overwhelm the Michigan Panthers in a record-breaking UFL championship spectacle
The DC Defenders claimed the 2025 United Football League championship with a 58-34 victory over the Michigan Panthers in St. Louis on Saturday, capping a historic offensive explosion that rewrote league record books.
Offensive onslaught secures DC’s dominance
Quarterback Jordan Ta’amu orchestrated a near-flawless performance, completing 21 of 28 passes for 388 yards and four touchdowns while adding a rushing score. His connection with receiver Ty Scott proved lethal, highlighted by a 73-yard touchdown strike just 22 seconds after Michigan’s Malik Turner scored a 71-yard TD before halftime. The Defenders scored on their first 10 possessions, amassing 580 total yards—a UFL single-game record—including 190 rushing yards and four ground touchdowns.
Panthers’ MVP efforts fall short
Michigan quarterback Bryce Perkins, the 2025 UFL regular season MVP, threw for 338 yards and four touchdowns but couldn’t overcome critical turnovers. A first-half interception and fumbled kickoff return at their 7-yard line fueled DC’s 25-point scoring surge, turning a 13-6 deficit into a 31-13 lead. Turner’s 10-catch, 168-yard, three-touchdown effort kept hope alive, with two fourth-quarter scores exploiting the UFL’s fourth-and-12 onside-kick rule.
Historic performances and records
The Defenders’ 58 points set a new UFL championship benchmark, surpassing all previous postseason outputs. Ta’amu’s 388 passing yards and Scott’s 73-yard dagger before halftime exemplified DC’s big-play capability, with six completions exceeding 25 yards. Michigan’s defense, which allowed 34.6 PPG during the regular season, had no answers for DC’s balanced attack.
Playoff paths converge in fireworks
Both teams entered as conference runners-up—DC (6-4) fell to St. Louis Battlehawks in the XFL Conference before avenging them 36-18 in the title game. Michigan (6-4) upset USFL Conference champion Birmingham Stallions 44-29 to reach the final.
Ta’amu’s MVP performance sealed DC’s championship pedigree, while Michigan’s late rally highlighted Perkins’ resilience. The record-breaking clash reaffirmed the UFL’s entertainment value, blending innovative rules with offensive fireworks in a landmark showcase for spring football.
