ST. LOUIS — The D.C. Defenders are officially UFL champions, putting on an offensive showcase in a dominant 58-34 win over the Michigan Panthers on Saturday night. The win marks the most points scored by any team in the league’s two-season history.
The game, held in St. Louis, began as a close contest. The Panthers took early leads of 6-0 and 13-6, keeping D.C. on its toes through the first quarter. But the Defenders quickly responded with an offensive explosion, building a commanding 37-19 lead by halftime.
D.C. widened the gap further with a touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter, stretching the lead to 52-19 and putting the game well out of reach for Michigan.
Quarterback Jordan Ta’amu delivered a standout performance, completing 21 of 28 passes for 390 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed for 28 yards and scored an additional touchdown on the ground, earning MVP-level praise for his all-around efforts.
The game was attended by 14,559 fans, according to reporter Mike Mitchell. While solid by UFL standards, the number is a noticeable drop from the 2024 UFL title game, which drew 27,396 spectators when Birmingham faced San Antonio in the same city.
Nonetheless, the Defenders’ emphatic win cements their place in league history and sets a high bar for seasons to come.
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