The San Antonio Brahmas continued their impressive start to the United Football League (UFL) 2024 season, improving to 3-1 with a commanding 19-9 victory over the Michigan Panthers at The Alamodome. Quarterback Quinten Dormady, making his first start of the season, led the charge with an efficient performance, completing 23-of-37 passes for 269 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

Dormady, who led the XFL in completion percentage in 2023, picked up right where he left off, connecting with nine different receivers and showcasing his ability to spread the ball around. Two Brahmas receivers, Justin Smith and Jontre Kirklin, had particularly impressive outings, each tallying over 100 receiving yards. Smith finished with seven receptions for 107 yards, while Kirklin hauled in five catches for 105 yards.

The Brahmas’ offense wasted no time getting on the board, with John Lovett finding the end zone on a five-yard run less than five minutes into the first quarter. Marquez Stevenson’s one-point conversion run gave San Antonio an early 7-0 lead.

Not to be outdone, the Brahmas’ defense made their presence felt early and often. Taron Vincent recorded a sack on the Panthers’ first offensive play, setting the tone for a dominant defensive performance. The Brahmas’ pass rush was relentless, registering a season-high six sacks from six different players, including Jordan Williams, Tim Ward, Wyatt Ray, Prince Emili, Taron Vincent, and Jalen Dalton.

Despite the Panthers’ efforts to get on the board, the Brahmas’ defense stood tall, forcing three turnovers (two fumbles and one interception) and limiting Michigan to just three points in the first half. The Panthers’ lone score came on a 49-yard field goal by Jake Bates as time expired in the second quarter.

Dormady and the Brahmas’ offense continued to move the ball effectively, with the quarterback connecting with Stevenson for a four-yard touchdown pass to extend San Antonio’s lead to 16-0. The Brahmas’ ability to generate big plays, with three plays of 10+ yards on the scoring drive, proved crucial in maintaining their momentum.

In the fourth quarter, the Brahmas’ defense once again came up big, with Jordan Mosley forcing and recovering a fumble at the Panthers’ 27-yard line. The turnover led to a 36-yard field goal by Ryan Santoso, effectively putting the game out of reach.

The Panthers managed to find the end zone late in the game, with Danny Etling connecting with Marcus Simms for a 42-yard touchdown pass. However, any hopes of a miraculous comeback were quickly dashed when Jalen Dalton sacked Etling for a 16-yard loss on the ensuing drive, and Mosley intercepted Etling’s desperation heave on 4th-and-20.

With the win, the Brahmas solidified their position as one of the top teams in the UFL, thanks in large part to their balanced offensive attack and suffocating defense. Through four games, the Brahmas are allowing an average of just 16.3 points per game, a testament to their defensive prowess.

The Panthers, meanwhile, fell to 2-2 on the season, despite a valiant effort from their quarterbacks, E.J. Perry and Danny Etling, who combined to complete 18-of-27 passes for 141 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

Looking ahead, the Brahmas will face a tough test on the road against the Arlington Renegades in Week 5, while the Panthers will look to bounce back against the Memphis Showboats.

As the UFL season progresses, the San Antonio Brahmas have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with, thanks to the strong play of Quinten Dormady and a defense that consistently rises to the occasion. With a balanced attack and a stifling defense, the Brahmas appear poised to make a deep run in the playoffs and potentially challenge for the UFL championship.