By: RJ Reid
The San Antonio Brahmas’ struggles continued against the Saint Louis Battlehawks. On Sunday, April 6, 2025, the Brahmas were defeated once again by their XFL Conference foe 26-9 in Saint Louis. The Battlehawks continue to be the only team the Brahmas have yet to defeat in the regular season.
First Half: Battlehawks Dominate Both Sides of the Ball
The first half showcased a dominant performance by the Battlehawks, who led 17-3 at halftime. St. Louis controlled the game through a potent rushing attack and a stifling defense. On the other side, the Brahmas struggled to find offensive rhythm. St. Louis capitalized on scoring opportunities while limiting San Antonio’s output.
Running back Jacob Saylors was the standout performer, scoring two rushing touchdowns. His first came on a 20-yard run with 11:04 left in the second quarter, capping a seven-play, 61-yard drive. His second touchdown stretched the lead to 17-0 before San Antonio’s late field goal. Saylors finished the half with significant contributions to the Battlehawks’ 192 total yards compared to the Brahmas’ 135.
Quarterback Manny Wilkins was highly effective. He completed 5 of 6 passes for 96 yards and adding 46 yards on 6 rushing attempts. His accuracy kept the Brahmas’ defense off balance. One notable play was a 58-yard pass to Gary Jennings Jr. in the second quarter. It was the longest pass play of the season for St. Louis at that point.
St. Louis outgained San Antonio in the first half. A significant portion of their 192 yards come on the ground. This aligns with their season-opening performance against Houston (273 rushing yards), underscoring their strength in the run game.
San Antonio managed only a field goal by Donald De La Haye as time expired in the first half. Their 135 yards of offense reflected difficulty sustaining drives against a stout Battlehawks defense.
The Brahmas committed penalties that aided St. Louis’ scoring drives, including infractions that kept the Battlehawks’ second touchdown march alive.
Second Half: Brahmas Offense Continues to Sputter
The second half saw the Battlehawks maintain their control, ultimately securing a 26-9 victory. San Antonio showed some resilience, but St. Louis’ defense and Saylors’ continued brilliance ensured victory was secured.
Early in the third quarter, Saylors scored his third rushing touchdown of the game on a 5-yard run. This tied the UFL single-game record for rushing touchdowns and set a new Battlehawks franchise mark.
St. Louis recorded 4.0 sacks, tying their single-game franchise record. They also held San Antonio to under 10 points for the second consecutive week – a franchise first. The Brahmas’ offense finished with limited production beyond their 135 first-half yards, unable to mount a significant comeback.
San Antonio added a rushing touchdown by Jashaun Corbin, but it was too little, too late. The Battlehawks defense remained stout as San Antonio was unable to score in the fourth quarter.
Key Performances
Jacob Saylors (St. Louis RB): 3 rushing touchdowns (20, 1, and 5 yards), 46 yards on 11 attempts. His record-setting day was the backbone of the Battlehawks’ offense.
Manny Wilkins went 12-of-16 for 162 yards passing, no touchdowns or interceptions. He also made significant rushing contributions (46 yards in the first half alone). His efficiency and versatility were critical.
Battlehawks Defense: 4.0 sacks, held San Antonio to 9 points, and limited their yardage. This unit’s consistency was pivotal.
Kellen Monds performance was subpar for a second straight week. He went 13-27 for 129 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception. His struggles continued against a tough defense, unable to spark a comeback.
Analysis: What We Learned
The Battlehawks’ ability to rack up yards on the ground makes them a formidable force in the UFL. Teams must prioritize stopping their run game. Allowing fewer than 10 points in consecutive weeks signals that St. Louis has one of the league’s elite defenses.
Missing key players exposed San Antonio’s lack of depth. Their offense needs more consistency from Mond. Better injury management is also necessary to compete with top teams. The Brahmas have produced subpar quarterback play for first two weeks of the season. Perhaps Mond is not the answer at quarterback. Coach Wade Phillips may look to another option to provide a much-needed offensive spark.
This game highlighted St. Louis as a serious contender early in the UFL season. Conversely, San Antonio faces an uphill battle to regain footing after an 0-2 start.
A Sneak Peek at Next Week
The Brahmas remain on the road. This time they travel to the Motor City to face the Michigan Panthers (1-1). The Panthers are coming off a tough loss against the Birmingham Stallions. Check back for more on AFN!