In week four of the UFL, the St. Louis Battlehawks looked to continue their hot start to the season after back-to-back thrilling victories against conference rivals. This week, they followed through and defeated USFL opponent, the Memphis Showboats, with a final score of 32-17.

The Battlehawks’ offense has been a key reason for their success so far. They are led by quarterback AJ McCarron and running back Jacob Saylors along with receivers Hakeem Butler, Marcell Ateman and Darrius Shepherd.

The game started off hot, as 23 of the 49 total points scored in this game came in the first quarter. On the first drive, the Battlehawks started off with a 54-yard field goal, giving kicker Andre Szmyt his second 50+ yard field goal of the season. Memphis promptly responded with a touchdown on their first drive. The four-play drive was capped off with a 17-yard reception by wide receiver Vinny Papale. St. Louis fired back with an 11-yard rushing touchdown by Saylors, which gave the Battlehawks a 9-6 lead.

Later in the first, the Showboats were again set up in plus territory. Quarterback Case Cookus threw a pass that was picked off by cornerback Lavert Hill, who ran the ball back to the Memphis 41. McCarron and the offense took advantage of this. Running back Wayne Gallman punched it in from the two, and Ateman caught the 2-point conversion, putting St. Louis up 17-6 at the end of the first quarter.

After this exciting start, the offense started to cool off a bit. Szmyt missed a 45-yard kick, which ended a 20-kick streak of made field goals across the league. Halfway through the second, Memphis turned up the gas with a 6-yard rushing touchdown by running back Darius Victor and a 2-point conversion to cut the lead to just 3. 

St. Louis was unable to respond as McCarron was picked off near midfield by cornerback Quenton Meeks, and the ball was returned all the way at the St. Louis 14. The defense held strong however, only allowing a field goal to tie the game at 17. The Battlehawks built some momentum back, driving into field goal range with under a minute left. Szmyt redeemed himself with a 47-yard field goal right before the half, giving St. Louis their 3-point lead back.

In the third quarter, things turned to a standstill, as zero points were scored in the entire period. The Battlehawks got moving in the fourth quarter, driving inside the Memphis 10 yard line. They finished with a 7-yard touchdown reception by tight end Jake Sutherland to push their lead to 26-17.

After a stop, the Battlehawks looked to put the game away. However, after a 15-yard reception, receiver Jahcour Pearson fumbled and the Showboats took the ball back at the Memphis 33. The Battlehawks defense stopped the damage again. This was in part achieved thanks to a 57-yard rush up the middle by Saylors. It led to an 8-yard touchdown reception by Pearson to put St. Louis up by 15 with just under five minutes left. After one more stop, the Battlehawks defeated the Showboats 32-17.

This game was won by high flying offense and lock down defense in the second half. Saylors rushed for 103 yards, and McCarron threw for 222 yards and three touchdowns on an efficient 35-45 accuracy. The Battlehawks were also efficient in the red zone, going 4-4 on touchdowns when inside the 20.

Despite the fumble, Pearson also had a bit of a breakout game with 70 yards and a touchdown. Butler has continued to have a very nice season with 61 yards and eight receptions against Memphis. After a tough first half, the defense responded well, shutting out Memphis in the second half and allowing only one third down conversion all game.

The Battlehawks now stand atop the XFL Conference at 3-1, and will travel to Washington, D.C., to face their conference rival, the D.C. Defenders, next week. St. Louis will try to get a firmer grasp on first place, while the 2-2 Defenders will try to rebound after a tough loss against the still undefeated Birmingham Stallions.

Edited by Grace Ainger | gainger@themaneater.com

Copy Edited by Briana Iordan | biordan@themaneater.com

Edited by Genevieve Smith | gsmith@themaneater.com