Anthony Becht’s Bold Declaration Sets the Stage for a Strong 2025 UFL Campaign
St. Louis Battlehawks head coach Anthony Becht accomplished his two key objectives heading into the 2025 UFL season: securing a playoff spot and winning home games.
After wrapping up the regular season with a six-game winning streak and posting an impressive 8-2 record, the Battlehawks will remain in St. Louis as they aim for a championship.
The Battlehawks will host the DC Defenders in the XFL Conference Championship Game on Sunday, which will be broadcast on FOX. The winner will face either the Birmingham Stallions or the Michigan Panthers for the UFL title, after the USFL Conference Championship Game earlier that day. Both championships will be played at The Dome at America’s Center, where the Battlehawks enjoyed an average home crowd of 30,000 fans this season.
Tae Crowder talks about his pair of pick sixes today@Gatorade pic.twitter.com/zmMv3f5Lvq
— United Football League (@TheUFL) June 1, 2025
“We’re incredibly grateful to be in this position, and we’re excited for next week’s game in St. Louis,” Becht shared.
Becht chose to rest most of his starters, including QB Max Duggan and RB Jacob Saylors, during a close Week 10 win over the Defenders. In the other postseason matchup, the defending champion Stallions will host the Panthers. Birmingham cruised to a dominant road victory over the Memphis Showboats in Week 10, while the Panthers suffered a loss to the Houston Roughnecks.
Meanwhile, the Arlington Renegades bounced back to a .500 record with a win over the San Antonio Brahmas.
Here’s a closer look at other key developments from Week 10:
Tae Crowder Shines in Birmingham’s Defense
Birmingham’s standout linebacker, Tae Crowder, had a game to remember, leading the Stallions’ defense with two turnovers, three sacks, and holding Memphis to just 201 total yards in the season finale. Crowder made UFL history by becoming the first player to record two pick-sixes in a single game.
His first interception came off a tipped pass from defensive lineman Carlos Davis, and Crowder weaved through the Showboats’ defense for a touchdown. His second pick-six was a 75-yard return, where he tricked Memphis receiver Isiah Hennie by faking a pitch to his teammate, Chapelle Russell, before sprinting into the end zone.
“I feel like the coaches do a great job of working the turnover drills throughout the week,” Crowder said. “And we’re just flying around as a defense, and it paid off today.”
Panthers Honor Kicker Jake Bates with Bobblehead Giveaway
In their final home game of the regular season, the Panthers honored kicker Jake Bates with bobbleheads for the first 2,000 fans. Bates, who made a major impact with the Panthers last year, went 17-for-22 on field goals, including a UFL-record 64-yard game-winner.
His stellar performance earned him a spot as the kicker for the NFL’s Detroit Lions, where he went 26-for-29 on field goals in his rookie season.
“My life and my family’s life have changed forever because of this league,” Bates said. “I’m going to be the biggest supporter of it forever because it did so much for me, and I’m so thankful for it.”
Bates was replaced this season by B.T. Potter, who has gone 11-for-16 on field goals with a long of 56 yards.
Arlington’s Luis Perez Tops UFL Passing Leaderboard
With MVP candidate Jordan Ta’amu resting in Week 10, Arlington’s QB Luis Perez took the opportunity to claim the league’s passing crown for the second consecutive season. Perez led the Renegades to a win over the Brahmas, completing 26 of 32 passes for 283 yards and a touchdown. The San Diego native, typically not known for his mobility, also ran for a 7-yard touchdown.
Consider it done. 😤
Luis Perez takes it in himself!
📺: ABC pic.twitter.com/VCemIg3do0
— Arlington Renegades (@XFLRenegades) June 1, 2025
Perez finished the season with 2,298 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and five interceptions, topping the UFL’s passing leaderboard once again.
Despite his individual success, Perez couldn’t guide the Renegades to the playoffs for the second year in a row. Head coach Bob Stoops missed the game due to an injury, leaving offensive coordinator Chuck Long to fill in as interim head coach.
Roughnecks’ Opportunistic Defense Powers Strong Finish
Houston’s defense made a statement in the final game of the regular season, forcing four turnovers and holding Michigan to just 12 points. Panthers head coach Mike Nolan opted not to play starting QB Bryce Perkins, who’s recovering from an ankle injury. Instead, he started third-string QB Rocky Lombardi and rotated in backup Danny Etling.
The Roughnecks finished the season tied with St. Louis for the most takeaways in the league (17).
Stallions’ QB Situation Still Unsettled
Birmingham’s J’Mar Smith seems to have secured the starting QB role, having excelled over the past three weeks with 758 yards, six touchdowns, and just one interception. However, with Alex McGough (shoulder) and Matt Corral (abdomen) potentially returning from injury, head coach Skip Holtz faces decisions about his quarterback depth for the playoffs.
Holtz gave Andrew Peasley some game time in the second half of the Week 10 victory, as he continues to evaluate his quarterback options heading into the postseason.
“With the way the game went, it gave us an opportunity to put him in and evaluate his performance,” Holtz said. “We’re getting ready to make some decisions on what that quarterback room is going to look like for the playoffs.”
Leave a Reply