The St. Louis Battlehawks continued their impressive run in the United Football League (UFL) with a commanding 45-12 victory over the D.C. Defenders at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. on Sunday. The win not only extended the Battlehawks’ winning streak to a franchise-best four games but also ended the Defenders’ undefeated streak at home.

St. Louis’ defense and special teams set the tone early, giving the offense excellent field position inside Defenders territory for seven of their nine scoring drives. This dominant performance led to a 33-point victory, the largest margin in Battlehawks history.

The Battlehawks’ offense was firing on all cylinders, with quarterback A.J. McCarron completing 14 of 24 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Hakeem Butler had a career day, hauling in an 80-yard touchdown reception, the longest passing play in team history and the longest play of any kind in the UFL this season. Butler finished with a season-high 147 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

St. Louis’ running game also made a significant impact, with Wayne Gallman II and Jacob Saylors each scoring their team-leading second rushing touchdowns of the season. Quarterback Manny Wilkins added to the rushing attack with his first touchdown of the year.

Kicker Andre Szmyt had a record-breaking performance, converting a franchise-record four field goals, including a 51-yarder that gave the Battlehawks a 14-0 lead late in the first quarter.

The Defenders showed signs of life late in the first half, with running back Cam’Ron Harris scoring on a 1-yard rush and quarterback Jordan Ta’amu connecting with Kelvin Harmon for a 15-yard touchdown. However, failed two-point attempts on both scores left D.C. trailing 17-12 at halftime.

The second half was all Battlehawks, as their defense held the Defenders scoreless and the offense exploded for 25 points in the fourth quarter alone. St. Louis’ defensive unit was relentless, forcing three interceptions, two blocked punts, a fumble recovery, and two turnovers on downs. They held D.C. to just 163 total yards, the Defenders’ lowest output of the season.

Despite the lopsided final score, the Defenders did have some bright spots. Quarterback Jordan Ta’amu completed 12 of 23 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown, while Kelvin Harmon led the team with 37 receiving yards and a score. D.C. also had a perfect red zone percentage, converting both of their opportunities inside the 20-yard line.

The Battlehawks’ victory keeps them tied atop the XFL Conference with the San Antonio Brahmas at 4-1, while the Defenders fall to 2-3. St. Louis will look to extend their winning streak to five games when they host the Houston Roughnecks in Week 6, while D.C. will aim to bounce back at home against the Brahmas.

As the UFL season reaches its midway point, the Battlehawks have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with, thanks to their balanced offensive attack, opportunistic defense, and game-changing special teams plays. With A.J. McCarron at the helm and a talented roster firing on all cylinders, St. Louis appears poised to make a deep run in the playoffs and potentially challenge for the UFL championship.

The Defenders, meanwhile, will need to regroup and address their struggles on both sides of the ball if they hope to remain in contention for a postseason berth. With a crucial matchup against the Brahmas looming in Week 6, D.C. will have the opportunity to prove they can compete with the league’s elite and keep their playoff hopes alive.