Defenders Chris Rowland taunts Showboats fans after 35-yard TD reception as Defenders draw first blood in 36-21 route of Saturday afternoon. photo by Don Mooney
Memphis, TENN- The D.C. Defenders racked up a season-high 431 yards of offense en route to a 36-21 victory over the Memphis Showboats Sunday afternoon at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Defenders wasted no time taking care of business in Memphis. Following a Memphis punt on the opening possession of the game, QB Jordan Ta’amu would lead the D.C. offense on a seven-play, 77-yard scoring drive in just three minutes. On fourth down, Ta’amu connected with WR Chris Rowland for a score from 35 yards out, giving the Defenders an early 6-0 lead. A quick three-and-out by the Showboats gave D.C. the ball back, with them driving as the first quarter came to an end.
photo by Don Mooney
WR Keke Coutee found the end zone on a 6-yard rush to start the second quarter, capping off the Defenders’ 14-play, 89-yard scoring drive. Ta’amu hit TE Kaden Smith on the ensuing two-point conversion, extending the D.C. lead to 14-0. After another Memphis punt, Ta’amu would give the Showboats the ball right back with an interception thrown in the back of the end zone, picked off by CB D.J. Daniel. Back-to-back punts by the two teams led to Memphis’ first points of the game, as RB Darius Victor pounded in a 6-yard touchdown. A successful one-point conversion pass from QB Josh Love to WR Jonathan Adams made it 14-7. p
D.C. responded accordingly with a two-minute drill executed to perfection, as the Defenders marched down the field, eventually finding TE Alex Ellis for a 15-yard score. Ta’amu ran it in for the two-point conversion, giving them a 22-7 lead heading into the break.
One of few highlights for Showboats this afternoon. photo by Don Mooney
The Defenders stayed hot in the second half, as their offense went on a nine-play, 62-yard scoring drive to start the third quarter. Ta’amu ran in a QB keeper for a one-yard touchdown, followed by a two-point conversion pass to K. Smith, pushing the D.C. advantage to 30-7. After yet another Memphis punt, Ta’amu would throw his second interception of the day, as CB Delrick Abrams picked it off in his own end zone.
The Showboats would make good on the turnover at the start of the fourth quarter, as Love linked up with WR Vinny Papale for a 14-yard touchdown, shortening the gap to 30-13. D.C. countered once again, as QB Jalan McClendon ran in a four-yard touchdown, increasing the lead to 36-13. The Defenders came up with their first takeaway of the game on the next drive, as CB Dareon Conley picked off Love. D.C. couldn’t capitalize on the interception, going three-and-out before Memphis would score on a 1-yard QB sneak by Love. A successful two-point conversion pass from Love to Adams made things interesting at 36-21.
Defender receiver waltzes to end zone for 2-point conversion. photo by Don Mooney
But D.C. answered quickly. Ta’amu drove his team 61 yards in seven plays, finding Alex Ellis with a 15-yard touchdown pass. That score came with 14 seconds remaining in the first half, put the Defenders back in front 22-7 and quickly restored momentum to the D.C. sideline. That momentum continued early in the third quarter. Ta’amu’s 1-yard touchdown run pushed the D.C. lead to 30-7 less than five minutes into the second half.
Inspite of the heat Defenders prevail. photo by don Mooney
Vinny Papale scored his fifth receiving touchdown of the season early in the fourth quarter, hauling in a 14-yard strike from Josh Love, who came on in relief of Troy Williams. The two backup quarterbacks traded rushing touchdowns late in the game to account for the final score.
The Showboats wrap up the 2024 United Football League season at 6 p.m. Sunday, June 2 at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, hosting the Houston Roughnecks.