D.C. Drops a Heartbreaker to the Michigan Panthers at Home at the Mid-point of the Season

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The D.C Defenders (3-4) lost their final game during their three-game homestand against the Michigan Panthers (5-2) on Sunday afternoon, 22-9 at Audi Field in Washington, May 12th. 

The Defenders had to battle from behind from the start of the game after the Panthers quickly scored 13 points in the first quarter off of a rushing and passing touchdown before D.C. responded toward the end of the first quarter with a 70–yard bomb from quarterback Jordan Ta’Amu to speedy receiver Ty Scott. 

But the touchdowns fell to a stop, and the Panthers MVP and social media star Jake Bates decided to show out. Bates, a potential NFL prospect, finished the game going three for three with a long of 51 yards accounting for a total of 9 of the 22 points for Michigan. 

A field goal from Defenders’ Matt McCrane was a little too late in the fourth quarter but wrapped up the scoring for D.C. at just nine total points, their least amount of points all year. It was also the first time this year that the Defenders used a quarterback other than Ta’Amu as they played backup quarterback Jalan McClendon. 

The Defenders will gear up to switch up and hit the road when they take on the loudest stadium in the league and the St. Louis Battlehawks next Sunday, May 19th at The Dome at America’s Center. Kick-off is set for 12:00 ET with the game broadcast on ABC.

POSTGAME NOTES 

• Kicker Matt McCrane made one of his two field goal attempts; made a 37-yarder and missed 47 yarder

• Defenders QB Jordan Ta’Amu went 10-14 (71%) for 127 yards and 1 TD for a passer rating of 172 
• Backup quarterback QB Jalan McClendon went 9-14 for 73 yards for a passer rating of 108. 
• Defenders WR Ty Scott led D.C. receivers with 87 yards on just two catches and 1 TD.
• The Panthers led with 187 rushing yards to the Defender’s 58 yards 
• Neither team converted a fourth down attempt and went a combined zero for three.
• The Panthers maintained possession of the ball almost ten minutes longer than D.C.
• Both teams passed the ball for an over 60% completion percentage 
• The Panthers had double as many first downs as the Defenders (9 to 18)