It’s a day late and a dollar short, yeah yeah, I get it. But, give me a break. Mondays are busy. I still have to weigh in on the week that was in the UFL because it absolutely ruled and served as a reminder that spring football actually goes pretty hard. While we’re all gearing up for the NFL Draft, it’s nice to take a break every once in awhile to enjoy some actual football. That’s just what I did over the weekend as the 2024 UFL season kicked off with four fantastic match-ups. In case you missed it, allow me to hit the highlights for you.
Battlehawks-Panthers
The Michigan Panthers were projected to be one of the worst teams in the UFL prior to the season starting. So, for them to get the win over the established St. Louis Battlehawks was one of the surprises of the weekend. I don’t think anyone saw it going down the way that it did, though. Kicker Jake Bates hit an absolutely insane 64-yard field goal to lift the Panthers over the Battlehawks, 18-16. It was the first field goal he’d ever made in an actual game. Yes, he’s already reportedly fielded calls from the NFL.
64 YARDS FOR THE WIN 😱
— UFL (@XFL2023) March 30, 2024
JAKE BATES WITH A BOOT FOR @USFLPANTHERS pic.twitter.com/nx25x1PEIK
Renegades-Stallions
I have been and will continue to be a Matt Corral apologist. I had him as QB1 coming out of Ole Miss in that putrid 2022 class of quarterbacks, and I still maintain that if he could get a proper shot at a job in the NFL, he could run with it. Am I in denial? Maybe. Do I care? Absolutely not. I’m just along for the ride, baby. So, I wasn’t surprised to see that Corral went off to the tune of 201 yards and an absolute bucket touchdown to Deon Cain. He was also the highest rated passer in the UFL in Week 1 with an 85.6 rating from PFF.
WHAT A RESPONSE BY THE STALLIONS 🔥
— UFL (@XFL2023) March 30, 2024
Matt Corral with a BEAUTY to Deon Cain 🎯 pic.twitter.com/onYxzxjg9l
As a side note, just look at the pocket Corral had to throw from on that dime. I mean, you want to talk about an offensive line holding up…that is what that looks like. Tremendous stuff from the big boys up front.
Brahmas-Defenders
Punter Brad Wing threw a 40-yard touchdown to the team’s starting center, Alex Mollette, who was playing as the wing on a trick play. Need I say more?
I repeat: a 40-yard touchdown pass to the center how can you not love the UFL!? Spring football is back baby. pic.twitter.com/AoQm8ge6qG
— Stoney Keeley (@StoneyKeeley) March 31, 2024
I mean, that is just poetry in motion. As if that wasn’t dramatic enough, Defenders Jean Delance was later ejected from the game because he spit on a guy! Holy shit, we are so back.
Roughnecks-Showboats
Something about those Memphis Showboats uniforms just looks so clean. Despite losing to the Showboats, Houston Roughnecks linebacker Reuben Foster, former Alabama Crimson Tide stud and first round pick of the 49ers, had himself a day. Foster led the Roughnecks with six tackles and an interception. But, make no mistake about it, it was the Showboats evening, best exemplified by Vinny Papale’s absolutely ridiculous toe drag swag touchdown.
Absolutely filthy 🔥🔥🔥@vinny_papale pic.twitter.com/WCgq8Keqb2
— Memphis Showboats (@USFLShowboats) April 1, 2024
Same, dude. Same. That was all of us watching that touchdown snag. After the catch, Papale dropped a proposal celebration in honor of his sister’s recent engagement. It just goes to show you that the UFL manages to sprinkle in a little feel-good on top of the hard-hitting action. I’m here for it.
I don’t know if I’m going to have the bandwidth to write a weekly recap article for you guys the way I have in years past, but this past weekend was so much that I had to do it at least once. Spring football is so back, baby.
Week 2 UFL Slate
- 4/6: Brahmas-Showboats
- 4/6: Renegades-Battlehawks
- 4/7: Stallions-Panthers
- 4/7: Roughnecks-Defenders
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley.
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