D.C. Celebrates Cinco De Mayo With A Comeback in the Fourth Quarter In A Low-scoring Affair

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The D.C Defenders (3-3) won their second of the three-game homestand against the San Antonio Brahmas (4-2) on Sunday afternoon, 18-12 at Audi Field in Washington, May 5th. 

The Brahmas struck first in the second quarter scoring a 43-yard field goal by PK Ryan Santoso. The Defenders responded in the waning minutes of the first half with a two-yard rushing touchdown by RB Cam’ron Harris to head to the locker room with a 6 to 3 lead. 

Extending their lead early in the third quarter was D.C. by way of a Matthew McCrane 54-yard field goal, but not for long after a two-yard touchdown from Quinten Dormady to running back John Lovett in the aspiring seconds in the third to send it at 9 apiece heading into the final quarter. 

Field goals from McCrane (58 yards) and Santoso (40) evened it back at 12 for the Defenders and the Brahmas through the midway point of the final 15 minutes. 

Just the third touchdown from each team as the Defenders grabbed back the lead at 18 to 12 with a 13-yard touchdown reception from Jordan Ta’Amu to receiver Kelvin Harmon with 5:07 to go in the game which ended the game due to the D.C. defense stepping up and securing the win. 

The Defenders will gear up to continue their homestand when they take on popular kicker Jake Bates and the Michigan Panthers next Sunday, May 11th at Audi Field. Kick-off is set for 12:00 ET with the game broadcast on ESPN.

POSTGAME NOTES 

• Defenders QB Jordan Ta’Amu went 14-22 (64%) for 179 yards and 1 TD for a passer rating of 147. 
• Defenders WR Kelvin Harmon led D.C. receivers with 101 yards and 1 TD.
• Birmingham led in rushing yards with 200 to D.C.s 115 yards
• A breakout party for Darius Hagans who ran for 63-yards on 113 attempts for an average of 4.8 yards per attempt 
• Despite allowing 200 rushing yards, the Defender’s defense did not allow a rushing touchdown 
• The Defenders were two of three from the Red Zone 
• Despite the win, the Brahmas maintained possession longer than the Defenders (31:34 to 28:26) 
• Both teams ran the ball 31 times 
• Both teams passed the ball for an over 60% completion percentage 
• The Brahmas had more first downs than the Defenders (17 to 16) 
• Kicker Matt McCrane made two of his three field goal attempts; made a 54-yarder and 58-yarder, missed 56 yarder