By Brian Gertler
ST. LOUIS, Missouri (March 27, 2024) – This Saturday marks the kickoff of week two for the UFL. The Battlehawks return home to the Dome at America’s Center to face the defending XFL champions, the Arlington Renegades. Both teams are off to a lackluster start, having suffered disappointing losses to two USFL teams. The Renegades fell to the two-time USFL champions, the Birmingham Stallions, last Saturday, while the Battlehawks were upset by the Michigan Panthers, who showcased a stout defensive performance. As the Saturday night showdown in St. Louis approaches, here are some key points to watch during the game:
Similar Offensive and Defensive Run Issues
The Battlehawks and the Renegades both faced challenges with their run game and protecting the quarterback in their previous matchups. The Renegades managed only 59 total rushing yards last week, while the Battlehawks had 62. It’s evident that both teams may need to adopt a new approach to their rushing game in terms of scheming and player involvement.
The Battlehawks’ second-string running back, Jacob Saylors, struggled, averaging a mere 1.2 yards per carry on six attempts. Saylors faced difficulty in finding running lanes and often resorted to lateral movements to evade defenders, a tactic the Panthers effectively countered.
The Renegades had no answer to the Stallions’ rushing attack, surrendering a league-worst 171 rushing yards. The Battlehawks followed closely behind, allowing 112 yards, with surprise star running back Wes Hill accounting for 85 rushing yards. One notable response to the poor rush defense was the Battlehawks’ decision to waive defensive end Elorm Lumor the day after the loss to Michigan. On April 2nd, they re-signed defensive end Chris Garrett to the inactive roster. Garrett, who was among the Battlehawks’ final training camp cuts, appears to be a player they trust to bolster their defensive depth. Notably, Garrett holds a Super Bowl ring from his rookie year with the LA Rams.
QBs the Lone Bright Spots
(Credit-XFL/Arlington Renegades/Joker Mag)
Both AJ McCarron and Luis Perez demonstrated their ability to keep their teams competitive throughout the game, despite facing significant pressure from the opposing defense. McCarron showcased his skill by throwing for 216 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions, while Perez managed 214 yards passing with one touchdown and one interception. It is reasonable to expect that the Battlehawks will encounter a more forgiving passing defense compared to that of the Panthers, suggesting the potential for an even stronger offensive performance from McCarron and the team’s rushing game.
However, the Renegades are likely to excel in controlling possession better than the Panthers, thanks to Perez’s excellent game management skills. Anticipating a high-scoring affair between these two top-tier quarterbacks, with McCarron possibly having the edge in terms of upside.
Dome Sweet Dome
(Credit – Explore St. Louis)
It’s no surprise that the projected ticket sales for the first home game are expected to meet or exceed last year’s totals. Despite the NCAA MBB Final Four games, an STL City soccer match happening simultaneously, Wrestlemania, and a weekend home Cardinals baseball game earlier in the day, the Battlehawks are still anticipating a turnout of over 30,000 fans. With offseason improvements made to both the sound and light systems at the venue, as noted by Gavin Semler at PFN, the dome should experience minimal to no audio issues during game time, unlike sporadic occurrences last season. Despite any technical challenges, one thing remains certain: opposing teams often struggle when playing at the Dome.