The Battlehawks Brief: Week 3
Two undefeated teams. Conference rivals. One swept the series in 2023, the other returned the favor in 2024. Our “Blue Masquerade” theme can’t disguise the level of intensity expected when your St. Louis Battlehawks host the D.C. Defenders this Sunday (2 p.m. CT/ABC).
Focusing on the numbers, the Battlehawks lead the league in scoring (57 points/28.5 avg), total offense with 779 yards (389.5 avg), and rushing yards (437). The Defenders rank third in total offense (554 yards) and fourth in scoring (17.5 avg).
Defensively, St. Louis leads the league in total defense and has held the opposition to just 15 points this season, breaking last year’s mark (20) for the fewest points allowed over a two-game span in team and UFL history. The Defenders rank second in total defense and have allowed 23 total points in their first two games.
–We had a great turnout last week, so be sure you are in place by 11 a.m. for the “Hawk Walk”.
–Fun to see Archie B. Hawk finally made his long-awaited debut last week. He had a nameplate on an office in 2020, but will now be making regular visits in the McDonald’s Flight Deck each game and visiting schools and other events in the community year round. Don't forget we will have another special halftime as UFL Owner Dany Garcia and President Russ Brandon will be present to make a live announcement on ABC.
–Another strong group of game captains this week: Juwann Bushell-Beatty, Frank Darby, Jacob Saylors, Brandon Sebastian, and Manny Wilkins.
Congratulations to Wilkins, who earned UFL Offensive Player of the Week honors for Week 2. Wilkins recorded 162 passing yards with a 75% completion rate (12-16) vs the Brahmas. His 58-yard completion to Gary Jennings Jr. is the longest pass play of the season for St. Louis.
In typical Manny-fashion, he deflected the credit and praised teammate Jacob Saylor’s three touchdowns as the story of the game.
Wilkins now leads the UFL with 452 total yards (pass/rush) and leads all quarterbacks with a 76.3 completion percentage and efficiency rating.
–Speedy and full recovery wishes to Abdul Beecham, who had surgery on a finger earlier this week. Look forward to seeing him return in a few weeks and am anxious to see Dohnovan West and Cole Spencer step in at right guard. Hakeem Butler (hamstring) is “trending upwards” as is Chris Garrett (knee).
“Just making sure that two quality players on our roster are ready to get on the field and play at level that they can help us not only this game or the next game, but the rest of the season,” said Anthony Becht.
–With Chevan Cordeiro (hamstring) down this week, #13 Trae Self was signed as the third quarterback for Sunday. Self completed 801 passes for 10,336 yards and 74 touchdowns in 43 games at Stephen F. Austin University. He also rushed for 636 yards and 15 touchdowns.
–Also good to see #85 Jerome Kapp back this week. Kapp had at least one special teams tackle in seven of the last eight regular season games for the Battlehawks last year and recovered a fumble on a muffed punt in Week 7 against Birmingham.