Spring football fans witnessed a thrilling start to the 2026 United Football League (UFL) season as the St. Louis Battlehawks edged out the defending champion DC Defenders 16-10 in a dramatic opener at The Dome at America’s Center. The contest delivered on all fronts—record-breaking kicks, coaching debuts, and the kind of intense rivalry that has defined both teams since their inaugural seasons.
All eyes were on the Battlehawks, who entered the new campaign under the leadership of first-year head coach Ricky Proehl. Proehl, a St. Louis icon for his role in the city’s only Super Bowl win with the Rams and a former Battlehawks assistant, was stepping into big shoes after replacing Anthony Becht. Becht, who led the team for three years, departed for Orlando to coach the Storm. But if Proehl felt the weight of expectation, he didn’t show it. Speaking to UFL News Hub before the matchup, Proehl reflected, “You know, it's interesting because as a player, I never— I got nervous the night before the game. People were like, hey, were you nervous during the Super Bowl? Were you nervous during the playoff games? Or, you know, and I didn't. I got nervous the night before. Just because the anticipation, the playing, the visualizing in my mind of plays I could make, you know, when there was opportunities, you know, were going to happen and what defenses they were playing and how I'd run my route, different things that would come up. I would get nervous. And then when it was game time, I just played. And that's going to be my message to the team.”
The game got off to a historic start, thanks to DC Defenders kicker Matt McCrane. With 9:08 remaining in the first quarter, McCrane drilled a 60-yard field goal—the first in UFL history to be worth four points under a new league rule. The UFL’s decision to award 4 points for field goals of 60 yards or more, part of a suite of innovations for its third season, immediately paid off in excitement and spectacle. McCrane, who has been with the Defenders since 2023 and is known for his powerful leg, showcased why he’s considered one of the league’s top specialists. According to league records, he made 2 of 3 field goals from 50 yards or more last season, but this 60-yarder set a new standard.
St. Louis answered quickly with a 58-yard field goal from Tucker McCann, narrowing the score to 4-3. The first quarter continued to deliver, as DC running back Deon Jackson capped off a drive with a one-yard touchdown plunge. The Defenders attempted a two-point conversion, but the Battlehawks’ defense held firm, keeping the score at 10-3 in favor of DC as the quarter ended.
The second quarter was a defensive struggle, with both teams battling for field position and momentum. St. Louis managed to chip away at the deficit with another field goal from McCann, this time from 27 yards out. The halftime scoreboard read 10-6, and fans could feel the tension mounting as both teams headed to the locker room.
Throughout the week, anticipation buzzed in St. Louis. Battlehawks fans were eager to see how the team would respond under Proehl’s leadership, especially given the franchise’s reputation for consistency—they’ve never finished a season with a losing record since their 2020 debut. Proehl, for his part, emphasized discipline and composure. “We talk about all the time, poise under pressure, just being smart. They're going to, you know, they get chippy, and they're a physical football team as well as we are too. And we just got to let the pads do the talking. And we can't afford to be penalized for stupid mistakes, whether it's taunting, whether it's, you know, retaliating. And that's what I pride myself on when I was a player, just being a smart football player and not having costly mistakes. And hopefully, our football team will take on that personality that I had as a player, because that's what I stress in our meetings on the football field, just playing smart football,” Proehl told reporters.
Coming out of halftime, the Battlehawks seized the initiative. Quarterback Brandon Silvers, who finished the day with 198 passing yards on 16-of-28 attempts, orchestrated a clinical drive capped by a 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tyler Neville. McCann’s extra point gave St. Louis its first lead of the game, 13-10. The Battlehawks’ defense, which had been quietly effective all game, ramped up the pressure—recording seven sacks, five tackles for loss, and two interceptions on DC’s Jordan Ta’amu. Ta’amu, who completed 9 of 16 passes for 123 yards and two picks, struggled to find rhythm against the relentless St. Louis pass rush.
St. Louis extended their lead in the fourth quarter with yet another field goal from McCann, this time from 25 yards out. That made it 16-10, and the Battlehawks’ defense did the rest, stifling the Defenders’ late attempts at a comeback. The final whistle sounded, and a jubilant St. Louis crowd celebrated the start of the Proehl era with a hard-fought victory over their rivals.
Statistically, the Battlehawks outgained the Defenders 238 to 153 in total offense, with 198 yards through the air and 66 on the ground. Running back Jarveon Howard contributed 45 rushing yards on 11 carries and added 24 yards on four receptions. Wide receiver Gary Jennings Jr. provided a spark with a 64-yard catch, while Neville’s lone reception was the game-winning touchdown. The Battlehawks were penalized just once, a testament to the discipline Proehl demanded.
On the other side, DC’s Deon Jackson was a workhorse, carrying 17 times for 57 yards and a score. Seth Williams led Defenders receivers with 51 yards on three catches. But the Defenders were undone by 11 penalties and the inability to sustain drives against a swarming St. Louis defense.
Health was a minor concern for the Battlehawks heading into the opener, with Proehl admitting, “No, nothing, nothing real serious. You know, we may have a couple of guys that, that won't play that we'd love to have, but I think we're just— we've got to be smart. This is, you know, it's early in the season and you know, we got to keep these guys healthy for the long haul. So, yeah, there's going to be a couple of guys that may surprise some people, but I'm confident in their backups that they can come through and have a big game.” His confidence in the team’s depth proved justified as St. Louis executed their game plan to near perfection.
The rivalry between these two powerhouses—dating back to 2020—remains as fierce as ever, and this latest chapter only adds to the lore. The Battlehawks’ victory avenged last season’s playoff defeat, when the Defenders triumphed 36-18 in the XFL Conference Championship.
Looking ahead, both teams face quick turnarounds. The Defenders will travel to face the Columbus Aviators next Friday at 8 pm on Fox, while the Battlehawks visit the Dallas Renegades on Tuesday night, March 31, at 8 pm on FS1. As the UFL’s third season gets underway, fans can expect more innovation—like the 4-point field goal—and more drama from these spring football stalwarts.
For now, St. Louis celebrates a statement win and a promising start to a new era, while DC regroups and looks to bounce back in a league that’s already making history.