Jordan Ta’amu completed the go-ahead conversion pass to Josh Hammond as the D.C. Defenders defeated the Arlington Renegades 28-26 in overtime on Sunday in Washington, locking up first place in the XFL’s North Division and home-field advantage for the division championship game April 30.
Ta’amu finished 14-of-20 passing for 188 yards with two touchdowns and an interception for D.C. (8-1). D’Eriq King added a passing touchdown and an interception.
Arlington (4-5) rallied from a 26-9 fourth-quarter deficit to force overtime. De’Veon Smith punched in two 1-yard touchdown runs in the quarter, and Russolino made a field goal in the final five seconds of regulation to knot it up.
The Renegades and Defenders traded failed conversion attempts in overtime until Ta’amu connected with Hammond. Then Renegades QB Luis Perez’s third pass attempt was incomplete. He finished the game 31 for 41 for 335 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.
Sea Dragons 30, Battlehawks 12
Ben DiNucci passed for 260 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score as Seattle defeated St. Louis to forge a tie for second in the North Division.
A.J. McCarron’s second-quarter TD pass to Darrius Shepherd gave the Battlehawks a 9-8 lead, but the Sea Dragons took the lead for good later in the quarter. DiNucci found Jordan Veasy for a 2-yard touchdown toss and a 14-9 advantage. McCarron threw for 186 yards and a touchdown, but he also had two interceptions.
For Seattle, T.J. Hammonds rushed for 59 yards and a touchdown and Jahcour Pearson had seven catches for 115 yards, including a 68-yard touchdown. Defensively, Bryce Thompson had seven tackles, including two for a loss. Tariqious Tisdale had two of the Sea Dragons’ four sacks.
–Field Level Media
