Louisville Kings surge past Columbus Aviators 42-27 to enter UFL playoffs on four-game winning streak

In United Football League action, the Louisville Kings improved to 6-4 with a 42-27 road win over the Columbus Aviators, who finished 3-7 after a wild regular-season finale.

Kings strike immediately

Louisville did not waste any time making noise. On the first play from scrimmage, Eric Garror intercepted Jalen Morton and returned it for a touchdown, giving the Kings a 7-0 lead before their offense had even taken the field.

Columbus answered quickly. Jonah Dalmas drilled a 58-yard field goal, then the Aviators got the ball right back when Xavier Benson forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff. Morton took advantage, rolling right and finding Keke Chism for a 23-yard touchdown that put Columbus ahead 10-7.

First quarter turns chaotic

The opening quarter kept swinging. Tyler Hudson gave Louisville strong field position with a 53-yard kickoff return, and after an offsides penalty kept the drive alive following a blocked field goal, Chandler Rogers ran in from 16 yards out to put the Kings back in front 14-10.

The drama did not stop there. After a brawl led to the ejection of Cameron Dantzler, Dalmas stepped up from 61 yards and hit a four-point field goal, the longest field goal of the UFL season, tying the game at 14.

Louisville grabs halftime edge

With Louisville already locked into the postseason, Rogers sat the rest of the way and N’Kosi Perry took over. Perry helped guide a 12-play, 51-yard drive that ended with Ian Wheeler’s 3-yard touchdown run, his sixth rushing score of the season.

Columbus responded when Morton connected with Easop Winston on gains of 21 and 14 yards before Toa Taua finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. But Louisville answered before halftime, as Perry hit Isaiah Winstead for a 48-yard catch and later a one-handed touchdown, giving the Kings a 28-21 lead.

Kings close it out late

Dalmas kept Columbus close after halftime, hitting from 49 and 51 yards to trim the deficit to 28-27. He later missed from 60 yards, and Louisville made the Aviators pay.

Mike DiLiello led a fourth-quarter scoring drive capped by Jaden Shirden’s 17-yard touchdown run. After a defensive stop, Wheeler broke loose for 61 yards to set up another Shirden score. The Kings finished with 205 rushing yards for the second straight week and closed the regular season with four straight wins.