The Shakedown: Battlehawks vs. Roughnecks – A Season Opening Banger in the UFL

By: Cory Lozier (HOU) and Amirah Razman (StL)

Our weekly breakdowns associated with UFL games will follow the format of both correspondents providing a brief write-up of who they think holds the advantage at each position group on the field. This will be followed up with a brief prediction of how the game will turn out, followed by a score prediction. Las Vegas betting odds will be provided, along with how the correspondents would play their money when evaluating the match-up.

The United Football League returns for its second season after the merger between the USFL (United States Football League) and the XFL. This year’s season opener should be a banger as the Houston Roughnecks will be taking on the St. Louis Battlehawks with more than the win at stake.

Houston is going to want to start strong and develop a big presence, not only in their division (USFL Division) but throughout the league to let the other teams know they can and will be the team to beat. Meanwhile, St. Louis has been a force to be reckoned with since coming back. Their fan base continually shows up and they are consistently in the playoff conversation. Another year with a talented roster may be a step in the right direction for them.

Advantage: St. Louis Battlehawks

This matchup between Jacob Saylors (STL) and ZaQuandre White (HOU) is definitely one you’re going to want to see. Both of these teams may be a little closer matched than we think. White will look to put together a great performance to start the season and show why he was given the title of “shiftiest back in the SEC” only three years ago. He’s a multidimensional back who can catch out of the back field, make players miss, and stay on his feet to extend the play.

Advantage: St. Louis Battlehawks

Advantage: St. Louis Battlehawks

Having a powerhouse at receiver is going to give any team a leg up on their competition. That is exactly what the Battlehawks have in WR/TE Hakeem Butler. He’s a dependable playmaker that can change the way their offense moves down field with his splash play ability.

The Battlehawks receiving core is one to look out for, however Houston has a solid group of their own. They get athleticism from WR Keke Chism. The Nolan Henderson (QB)/Justin Hall (WR) connection will remain strong between the two returning vets. The Roughnecks were able to add to their veteran receiving core by picking up former Brahmas Receiver T.J. Vasher. Vasher will be a great WR2 option and make this group another to watch out for this season.

Advantage: Houston Roughnecks

Amirah Razman (STL) 

Both STL and HOU bolster a talented WR/TE corps. STL has one of the league’s household names in Hakeem Butler, who was named the league’s Offensive Player of the Year last season with 652 yards, 45 receptions, and 5 touchdowns. Other notable STL receivers include Jahcour Pearson, Denzel Mims, and Gary Jennings (who returns to the Battlehawks after a year-long stint with the Stallions). Expect Butler and Pearson to split reps this season. With their overall star-studded roster, STL gets the advantage.

As Jake Sutherland returns for STL, expect him to continue to make an impact on the offensive side of the ball like he has the past few seasons. He consistently shows up in critical moments, and is a strong, tough playmaker. HOU got a new TE room this offseason, signing Josh Pederson, Geor’Quavius Spivey, and Cam Sutton. All three have USFL and college experience. Expect some improvement with HOU’s TE room, but Sutherland is experienced and an explosive playmaker when the ball is in his hands.

Advantage: St. Louis Battlehawks

Last year the Houston O-Line operated in the middle of the pack in regards to overall performance in the UFL. They gave up the 2nd most sacks in the entire league only beaten out by the Memphis Showboats offensive line. About half of the O-Line is returning from the 2024 season with new additions of Samuel Jackson (G), T.J. Bradley(T), and even former Pittsburgh Steeler Zach Banner (T). The Banner addition is a good way to get this front line playing at a higher level and ,hopefully, keeping the quarterback upright a little more.

Advantage: Push

Amirah Razman (STL) 

Notable names returning to STL’s All-Pro offensive line this season include Jaryd Jones-Smith, Steven Gonzalez, Abdul Beecham, Juwann Bushell-Beaty, and Mike Panasiuk. Their reliability is what has enabled them to make some explosive plays on offense the past few seasons. HOU’s OL is underwhelming at most; and while they have made a splash this offseason to improve their OL depth, it remains to be seen whether these improvements will actually make an impact.

Advantage: St. Louis Battlehawks

A big focus for this matchup will be how well they can stop the run and that starts up front. They were the third best team in the league last season giving up only 88.4 yards per game on the ground. With only two D-Lineman returning from last season it may take the team a few games to learn from each other and gel.

Advantage: Push

Amirah Razman (STL) 

STL added some D-Line depth this offseason, with Freedom Akinmoladun, Austin Faoliu, and Chris Garrett returning. STL’s defense has been hot-and-cold dating back to their XFL days, but their D-line can capitalize when they’ve shaken off some rust. HOU’s old D-line was decimated with injuries all last season and many have left the team. HOU once again is dealing with a fresh set of new faces. When healthy, HOU’s D-line can make some big plays. STL gets the advantage here solely because of the fact that they have more experienced guys on the roster. Expect both teams to show solid improvements defensively this season.

Advantage: St. Louis Battlehawks

Houston added to their linebacker room in a big way. They went out and grabbed former 2023 Oklahoma State University Linebacker Xavier Benson. In his last season at Oklahoma State he tallied 65 total tackles with his selling points being his open field tackling and his speed at getting to the quarterback. However, the Roughnecks are still trying to find their standout player at linebacker.

Advantage: St. Louis Battlehawks

Amirah Razman (STL) 

STL sees most of their linebackers returning this season, such as Pita Taumoepenu, Travis Feeney, and Willie Harvey, who have come up big for STL defensively last season. HOU also sees their linebacker core in J.T. Tyler and Marvin Moody return, both stepping up in major ways while their core was decimated with injuries last season. Both teams have a plethora of experience under their belt, so it is hard to tell who truly gets an advantage here.

Advantage: Push

The Roughnecks have their best opportunity to shine with their DB’s. Markel Roby was their star on the defensive side of the ball last year and nothing says it’s going to be any different this year. He led the team in tackles and interceptions. Despite losing their top 3 sack leaders, Roby and other returning veterans like Corn Elder and Colby Richardson, are a staple in Houson to and important to creating a great defense.

Advantage: Houston Roughnecks

Amirah Razman (STL) 

STL sees Chris Payton-Jones, Kameron Kelly, Brandon Sebastian, and Lukas Denis returning this season. Again, STL’s defense has not always played perfect, solid football. However, Jones, Kelly, Sebastian and Denis have all played a big role at some point last year. HOU gets the advantage because they have generally had an impressive defensive showing. Although STL has as well, defensive miscues last season have come back to haunt them.

Advantage: Houston Roughnecks

Both of these teams have a very talented roster, I believe it will be the questions I have at the Quarterback position that will set them apart. St. Louis has shown for years, throughout the XFL and now into the UFL, that they can be dominant. However, that was with A.J. McCarron under center and this year could be different. Houston has had its ups and downs but once they get things figured out they’re usually a solid, dependable team. Houston, 28 – 24

Amirah Razman (STL) 

Advantage Count: St. Louis Battlehawks (6), Houston Roughnecks (1), Push (1)

This is Houston’s first game with their entirely revamped roster and coaching staff, so it’s hard to tell how well they’re going to perform. This will also be St. Louis’ first game in the post-A.J. McCarron era. STL’s experienced, star-studded roster will give them a plethora of points, and therefore the “W”. St. Louis, 25-6.

This will be a close one until later in the game when one team (Houston Roughnecks) pull away. I do think the lines are going a lot off of last year, and in my opinion the Battlehawks lost a player that was a game changer. Houston should get the win outright, and the over will hit.

Amirah Razman (STL)

STL covers. Take the under in this match-up as well — there will be points scored, but not as much to take the over.