WASHINGTON, DC — The Arlington Renegades disappointing 2024 campaign ends in success Sunday Afternoon in the nation’s capital. The Renegades got a season-finale win against the DC Defenders 32-31, that acts as revenge from earlier this year. The first matchup in week 3 slipped out of the Renegades hands due to poor execution late. A cataclysmic collapse allowed DC to win the game with a FG despite being down 10 with just under 3 minutes to play.
This time the Renegades left no doubt, adding to this brewing rivalry. Both teams got off to slow starts as field goals littered the stat sheet and the party didn’t get started until Defenders returner and wide receiver, Chris Rowland returned an 84-yard kickoff to the house. That was the first kick return of the UFL season and gave DC all the momentum moving forward.
The Renegades were able to stay in the game with huge contributions from QB Luis Perez and especially WR Tyler Vaughns who was filling in as wide receiver #1 due to Javonte Payton out with injury. Vaughns caught a huge touchdown right before half, that seized the momentum the Defenders built up. From there the Renegades offense took off and withstood the challenges that DC presented.
They hung around enough until Vaughns was able to put the team on his back in the early 4th, having one of the best 3-play sequences you’ll see from any player this season. He made an impressive toe-tap catch on a crucial third down, he then proceeded to catch a 34-yard pass on his way to the endzone. Then, Vaughns turns nothing into something when a broken trick play, that was meant for him to throw it, ended up with him strolling into the endzone. Vaughns wasn’t the only former USC product to make an impact, Deontay Burnett essentially had the game-winning TD with 2:28 remaining. That proved to be too much for the Defenders as they couldn’t muster up the same magic on their offensive possessions late in the 4th.
QB Luis Perez finished 23-37 passing, 215 yards and 3 TDs, leading the Renegades to a 3-1 finish to the season after starting 0-6. Tyler Vaughns finished with 5 catches for 84 yards and 2 touchdowns, his best statline of the season.
Although the Renegades season was overall disappointing, there is a lot to be learned from it. They know they have a team full of guys who won’t give up despite the situation. Moving forward, it will be interesting to see how the roster changes as there is a lot to be desired when it comes to key positions, especially the QB position moving forward.
