Defenders edge Renegades to stay alive in XFL Conference race

Field Level Media|published: 05/18/2025, 5:57pm EDT

Mar 30, 2025; Washington, D.C., USA; DC Defenders quarterback Jordan Ta'amu (10) runs onto the field pregame against the Birmingham Stallions at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Emily Faith Morgan-Imagn Images

Jordan Ta'amu passed for 240 yards and two touchdowns and Deon Jackson rumbled for 89 yards and a touchdown on the ground as the DC Defenders defeated the Arlington Renegades 33-30 on Sunday in Washington.

The win helped DC (6-2, 4-1) keep pace in the XFL Conference race with the St. Louis Battlehawks, who are also 6-2 with two games to play.

Defenders wideout Cornell Powell, who had two touchdown receptions, powered into the end zone early in the fourth quarter for a 33-23 lead. Holton Ahlers answered with a 1-yard touchdown run with 3:58 left, but Renegades quarterback Luis Perez was intercepted by Deandre Baker on the ensuing drive, wrapping up the Defenders win.

The Defenders withstood a 350-yard passing day from Perez, who connected with Tyler Vaughns from five yards away for their second touchdown pairing of the day to pull the Renegades within 21-17 at the half.

DC extended its lead to 27-17 on Ta'amu's 4-yard touchdown pass to Powell four minutes into the second half, and the Defenders held the Renegades (3-5, 2-3) at arm's length the rest of the way.

--Field Level Media