Lovett Runs for UFL Record 153 Rushing Yards in Brahmas’ 18-12 Loss to D.C. Defenders

WASHINGTON, D.C. - San Antonio Running Back John Lovett ran for a UFL record 153 rushing yards, but it was the D.C. Defenders that came away with a 18-12 win Sunday afternoon at Audi Field. With both teams jockeying for a playoff spot at the top of a crowded XFL Conference, the Defenders (3-3, 2-2 XFL) avenged an earlier loss to the Brahmas (4-2, 2-2 XFL) at the Alamodome in the opening weekend.

Lovett rushed 23 times to pace the Brahmas’ rushing attack which finished with a season-high 200 yards. Quinten Dormady completed 16-of-26 passes with a touchdown and interception. He threw for just 70 yards as the Brahmas had 258 yards of offense. 

After heading into the fourth quarter tied 9-9, San Antonio was looking for another fourth quarter comeback on the road. D.C.’s Matt McCrane nailed his second 50+ yard field goal of the game with 12:59 to go. His 58-yarder gave the Defenders a 12-9 lead.

San Antonio kicker Ryan Santoso’s 40-yard field goal tied the game at 12-12 with 7:27 left to play. 

D.C.’s Jordan Ta’amu found Kelvin Harmon for a 13-yard touchdown with 5:07 left. That was all the Defenders needed to clinch a victory at home.

The second quarter featured all the first half scoring. San Antonio took the first lead of the game with a Santoso 43-yard field goal. Under two minutes before halftime, the Defenders snatched the lead with a Cam’Ron Harris two-yard rushing touchdown. The two-point attempt was no good as D.C. led 6-3 at halftime. 

McCrane’s 54-yard field goal in the third quarter gave the Defenders a 9-3 lead. San Antonio tied the game, 9-9, when Dormady found Lovett for a 2-yard TD catch with nine seconds left in the quarter. Jontre’ Kirklin looked to have secured the one-point conversion on a reverse but it was overturned after a review. 

San Antonio tight end Cody Latimer was the team’s leading receiver with 35 yards on six catches. Linebacker Jordan Williams led the defense with 10 tackles. Ta’amu threw for 179 yards on 14-of-22 passing. 

San Antonio (4-2) will be on the road again in their next matchup against the Houston Roughnecks (1-5) at Rice Stadium on Sunday, May 12 at 2 p.m. CT on ESPN. D.C. (3-3) will host the Michigan Panthers (4-2) on Sunday, May 12 at 11 a.m. CT on ESPN.