De’Veon Smith’s one-point conversion run provided the difference as the Arlington Renegades edged the host D.C. Defenders 32-31 on Sunday in Washington, D.C., in both teams’ season finale.
Luis Perez connected with Deontay Burnett for a 7-yard touchdown catch to tie the score with 2:28 remaining in the fourth quarter to conclude a nine-play, 41-yard scoring drive for the Renegades (3-7).
The Defenders (4-6) had gone up 31-25 on multiple scores with 11:41 remaining in regulation. Jordan Ta’amu hit Brandon Smith for a 40-yard touchdown catch, followed by Ta’amu’s two-point conversion pass to Alex Ellis. On the ensuing kickoff, Arlington returner Juwan Manigo was tackled in the end zone by Vyncint Smith for a safety.
Ta’amu finished 18 of 34 for 218 yards and two touchdowns. Perez was 23-of-37 passing for 215 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Smith ran for 94 yards on 20 carries, while Tyler Vaughns caught five passes for 84 yards and two touchdowns for the Renegades.
Showboats 19, Roughnecks 12
Darius Victor scored a tiebreaking touchdown for host Memphis with about six minutes left, and Houston’s 12-play drive stalled at the 13-yard line in the final minute.
Victor rushed for 54 yards and two scores, both in the second half, as the Showboats (2-8) ended their season one game ahead of the Roughriders (1-9) in the USFL Conference. Josh Love completed 20 of 29 passes for 152 yards and threw one interception.
Matt Coghlin kicked field goals of 29 and 46 yards in the first half for Memphis.
Houston’s Nolan Henderson went 12-of-34 passing for 232 yards. Kirk Merritt scored the Roughnecks’ lone touchdown late in the third quarter to pull within 12-9, before J.J. Molson kicked a tying field goal of 39 yards with about 11 minutes left in the game.
Molson also booted a 25-yarder in the first half.
–Field Level Media
