ARLINGTON, TX — The vibes were hot before the kickoff. The action? Even hotter. A pregame scuffle set the tone for a physical, penalty-ridden rivalry clash, but it was the Arlington Renegades who kept their cool—and kept rolling—as they smashed the San Antonio Brahmas 33-9 in the UFL season opener.

Let’s break down the big storylines from Week 1’s Texas tilt.

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🔥 Ground Game Glory: Kalen Ballage Breaks a UFL Record

The clear MVP? Renegades running back Kalen Ballage, who bulldozed his way to 110 rushing yards, including a record-setting 77-yard touchdown run, the longest in UFL history. Arlington’s O-line was mauling up front, and Ballage made the Brahmas pay for every missed tackle.

Even De’Veon Smith, signed just weeks ago, chipped in with threww short-yardage TDs (3 carries, 3 yards, three touchdowns)—Arlington’s backfield is looking scary deep already.

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🧠 Luis Perez Plays Point Guard

He’s not flashy. He’s not mobile. But Luis Perez did exactly what Arlington needed: manage the game, avoid big mistakes (outside of one pick), and convert when it mattered. The veteran QB went to his safety valve Sal Cannella multiple times, especially in key moments, and tacked on a few sneaky scrambles to move the chains.

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💪 Arlington’s Defense Is Nasty

Defensive coordinator Jay Hayes might be building something special. The Renegades’ front seven lived in the backfield, sacking Kellen Mond, blowing up screens, and forcing San Antonio into long down-and-distances all day.

Willie Taylor III and Donald Payne were monsters, and Marquette King’s booming punts pinned the Brahmas deep repeatedly.

Most impressive? Despite a few cracks late, Arlington’s D was bend-but-don’t-break to perfection.

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😬 Brahmas Beat Themselves (Again and Again)

The Brahmas showed flashes—especially a gritty second-quarter pick by Corey Mayfield Jr. and some explosive moments from Jacob Harris—but penalties killed drive after drive.

Kellen Mond showed poise at times, but he missed open receivers and looked rattled under pressure. His 3-point first half told the story: San Antonio couldn’t finish.

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🧊 Deestroying Gets His Points

Shoutout to YouTube sensation turned kicker Donald De La Haye (Deestroying)—he nailed a 39-yard field goal early to get the Brahmas on the board. But he also missed a 56-yarder wide left late that could’ve made the score look more respectable.

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🗣️ Final Word

The Renegades looked like contenders, plain and simple. They dominated in the trenches, executed when it mattered, and kept their composure in a chippy rivalry matchup. The Brahmas? They’ve got talent, but they’re undisciplined, inconsistent, and already staring down a brutal Week 2 trip to the Battledome in St. Louis.

Final Score: Arlington Renegades 33, San Antonio Brahmas 9
Arlington moves to 1-0, San Antonio drops to 0-1