The United Football League’s fourth week of action didn’t just entertain — it shook up both conference standings. The San Antonio Brahmas stunned the Defenders. The Renegades clawed their way back into the mix. And the Stallions re-established themselves as a top-tier contender.

As playoff races begin to simmer, here’s your deep-dive into Week 4’s matchups, momentum shifts, and what it all means heading into Week 5.

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Week 4 Game Recaps

Michigan Panthers 27, Memphis Showboats 9

Location: Ford Field – Attendance: ~12,000

The Panthers handled business in front of their home crowd, dismantling a Memphis team still searching for its first win. Quarterback Bryce Perkins orchestrated the offense with precision, going 17-of-24 for 188 yards and a touchdown while adding another on the ground. The Panthers’ defense forced three turnovers and pitched a near-shutout, allowing just one touchdown late.

Panthers Record: 3–1
Showboats Record: 0–4

Stat Watch: Michigan leads the USFL Conference in both point differential and defensive scoring efficiency.

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Arlington Renegades 30, St. Louis Battlehawks 15

Location: Choctaw Stadium – Attendance: ~13,400

The Renegades made a major statement, knocking off a red-hot Battlehawks squad with a dominant showing on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Luis Perez threw for 221 yards and 2 TDs, and Deontay Anderson’s 101-yard interception return was the dagger that sealed it. St. Louis couldn’t overcome the defensive pressure or the energy shift in the second half.

Renegades Record: 2–2
Battlehawks Record: 3–1

Hot Take: Arlington might be the most dangerous .500 team in the league. Balanced. Hungry. Trending up.

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Birmingham Stallions 23, Houston Roughnecks 16

Location: Protective Stadium – Attendance: ~14,600

After suffering their first loss in Week 3, the Stallions bounced back with grit. Matt Corral led with 195 yards and two touchdowns — including a deep strike to Deon Cain — while the defense limited the Roughnecks’ red zone success. Houston hung tough behind Jalan McClendon, who threw for 236 yards and ran for a score, but late drives stalled under pressure.

Stallions Record: 3–1
Roughnecks Record: 1–3

Key Note: Birmingham’s bounce-back win proved they still have championship DNA, but Houston’s effort showed they’re no pushover.

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San Antonio Brahmas 24, D.C. Defenders 18

Location: Alamodome – Attendance: ~17,200 (season high)

The Brahmas delivered the upset of the week, handing the previously unbeaten Defenders their first loss in a scrappy, physical showdown. San Antonio’s defense harassed Jordan Ta’amu all night, logging 3 sacks and 2 takeaways. On offense, Quinten Dormady was efficient and effective, managing the game and capitalizing on short fields.

Brahmas Record: 1–3
Defenders Record: 3–1

Turning Point: After three tough losses, San Antonio finally played complementary football — and it paid off big time.

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Attendance & Engagement: UFL Buzz Building

Week 4 delivered a noticeable surge in fan interest:

• Average attendance: ~14,400 per game (up from ~9,800 in Week 3)
• Highest crowd: San Antonio’s 17K+ at the Alamodome
• Most online traction: Brahmas fans exploded with the #BrahmaBullRush hashtag after the upset over D.C.

Fan Trend: More fans are buying in — literally and figuratively. Cities like St. Louis, Birmingham, and San Antonio are creating real home-field advantages.

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Major Storylines from Week 4

Brahmas Finally Deliver

After three weeks of missed opportunities, San Antonio broke through. The defense looked like one of the best in the league — a unit that can carry them if the offense avoids turnovers.

Arlington Roars Back

The Renegades’ 30-point outburst came with their cleanest game of the year. If Luis Perez keeps this rhythm and the defense keeps scoring, Arlington could be a legit title threat.

Houston: Better Than the Record?

The Roughnecks are now 1–3, but they’ve lost three games by a combined 19 points. The pieces are there — McClendon is progressing, the defense is fast — but they’ve got to finish drives.

Birmingham Regroups

The Stallions’ Week 3 stumble now looks like a blip. They returned to form in Week 4 with solid trench play and deep-ball threats back in action. That said, the offense still hasn’t hit its ceiling.

Panthers Keep Rolling

Quietly, Michigan might be the most complete team in the league. They’ve got the QB, they’ve got the defense, and now they’ve got momentum. Week 5 could be a true statement game.

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Final Word

The UFL’s Week 4 gave us signature wins, breakout performances, and the kind of tension that turns casual fans into diehards. Teams like Michigan and Arlington are peaking at the right time. San Antonio proved they’re not dead yet. And the league itself? It’s finding its groove — in the stands, on the field, and across the timeline.

image credit: 2C2K Photography from Houston, TX, USA, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons