HOUSTON, TX — March 28, 2025
The 2025 UFL season kicked off with a one-sided clinic as the St. Louis Battlehawks dismantled the Houston Roughnecks 31-6 at TDECU Stadium. From the first drive, St. Louis controlled the pace, executing on offense and flying around on defense. Let’s break down how the game played out, possession by possession.

---

1st Quarter: Wilkins and the Run Game Set the Tone

Drive 1 – Battlehawks:
Manny Wilkins showcased his legs early, picking up key first downs on scrambles. However, a holding penalty derailed the drive, and on 4th & inches, Jarveon Howard was stuffed. Turnover on downs.

Drive 2 – Roughnecks:
Houston barely had time to celebrate. On the second play, Anthony Brown’s pass was tipped and picked off by safety Qwynnterrio Cole. Interception.

Drive 3 – Battlehawks:
A steady mix of Jacob Saylors’ runs and a few short passes moved St. Louis into the red zone. Wilkins then scrambled to the 3-yard line, and Saylors punched it in. The 2-point attempt failed.
Score: Battlehawks 6 – Roughnecks 0

Drive 4 – Roughnecks:
A quick three-and-out, with Houston coming up a yard short on 3rd down. Punt.

Drive 5 – Battlehawks:
Saylors continued his dominance, already hitting 10 touches. Wilkins uncorked a deep pass to Jahcour Pearson, and a screen to Howard converted 3rd & 4. The drive ended with the quarter.
End of 1st Quarter: Battlehawks 6 – Roughnecks 0

---

2nd Quarter: Wilkins Takes Over

Drive 5 (continued):
Wilkins missed a wide-open Hakeem Butler, but bounced back with a laser to Frank Darby down to the 1-yard line. Wilkins then leapt over the pile for a touchdown.
Score: Battlehawks 12 – Roughnecks 0

Drive 6 – Roughnecks:
A couple first downs gave Houston life, but Brown’s deep shot was nearly intercepted—and then his next pass was. Safety Lukas Denis came down with pick #2.
Interception.

Drive 7 – Battlehawks:
A holding penalty forced a 3rd & 18, but a screen to Saylors bailed them out. Another 3rd & 18, and Pearson saved the drive with a huge catch-and-run. Rodrigo Blankenship hit a 48-yard FG to extend the lead.
Score: Battlehawks 15 – Roughnecks 0

Drive 8 – Roughnecks:
Another three-and-out after an incomplete slant on 3rd down. Punt.

Drive 9 – Battlehawks:
A 32-yard punt return and a flag gave St. Louis a short field. Wilkins hit Darby to the 20, but couldn’t punch it in. Blankenship added another field goal before the half.
Halftime Score: Battlehawks 18 – Roughnecks 0

---

3rd Quarter: Houston Flounders, St. Louis Cruises

Drive 10 – Roughnecks:
Two short runs and a dropped 3rd down pass. Punt.

Drive 11 – Battlehawks:
Wilkins stayed in. Saylors broke a big 25-yard run, but Houston stiffened on 4th & 1, stuffing another attempt.
Turnover on downs.

Drive 12 – Roughnecks:
Nolan Henderson entered at QB. He missed two wide-open receivers on 3rd down and went three-and-out.
Punt.

Drive 13 – Battlehawks:
Jarveon Howard broke off a 19-yard run. Saylors followed with more solid gains. Wilkins made precise throws to move the chains.
End of 3rd Quarter: Battlehawks 18 – Roughnecks 0

---

4th Quarter: Wilkins Seals It, Duggan Finishes

Drive 13 (continued):
Inside the 10, Wilkins drew a pass interference on a fade to Butler. On the next play, he dove in for his second rushing TD.
Score: Battlehawks 24 – Roughnecks 0

Drive 14 – Roughnecks:
Henderson looked better, hitting Justin Hall and Keke Chism. They moved into the red zone, but a 4th down pass was knocked away by Kameron Kelly.
Turnover on downs.

Drive 15 – Battlehawks:
Max Duggan entered. On his second play, Howard burst for a 74-yard touchdown, breaking tackles and sealing the blowout. Duggan added a 1-point run.
Score: Battlehawks 31 – Roughnecks 0

Drive 16 – Roughnecks:
Henderson scrambled for big gains and hit Chism again. He found Justin Hall for a short TD to avoid the shutout.
Score: Battlehawks 31 – Roughnecks 6

Drive 17 – Roughnecks:
They attempted a 4th-and-12 onside (UFL’s alternative), and got bailed out by a facemask. But Henderson was sacked twice by Pita Taumoepeau to end it.

Drive 18 – Battlehawks:
St. Louis kneeled it out.

---

Final Thoughts

• St. Louis outgained Houston 400+ to ~190, dominated time of possession, and looked championship-ready.
• Houston had just 48 yards in the first half and was shut out until late in the fourth.
• Wilkins, Saylors, Howard, and Pearson led a perfectly balanced offensive attack.
• The defense forced two picks and four sacks.

---

Final Score: Battlehawks 31, Roughnecks 6