DC’s 38-point margin is the largest win in UFL history as Deon Jackson, Gareon Conley, and Briley Moore star in a dominant homecoming. April 11, 2026.

Houston Gamblers 7, DC Defenders 45 Audi Field, Washington, DC

The DC Defenders didn’t just win their home opener on Saturday — they made UFL history. A 45-7 demolition of the Houston Gamblers at Audi Field is the largest margin of victory in league history, and DC’s 28-0 halftime advantage set another record. Deon Jackson broke loose on DC’s second play from scrimmage, Gareon Conley returned a pick 70 yards to the house, and a trick play TD from Briley Moore had Audi Field rocking before the half was over. This Defenders team is for real.

How It Happened

First Quarter: Jackson’s 60-yard touchdown on DC’s second play from scrimmage set the tone immediately. The UFL’s leading rusher picked up right where he left off after a three-touchdown week, and McCrane followed with a 60-yard four-point field goal — his second of that range this season — to make it 11-0.

Second Quarter: Houston’s offense kept digging its own grave. Ta’amu was picked off by Major Burns in the end zone, but the Gamblers couldn’t capitalize — Tagovailoa fumbled on a fourth-and-short keeper, and Bryce Thompson scooped it up for DC. McCrane connected from 46 yards to push the lead to 14-0. Conley then intercepted Tagovailoa and returned it 70 yards to the house — 21-0. The coup de grâce came at the two-minute warning: offensive coordinator Fred Kaiss called a fullback trick play, Ta’amu rolled right to draw the defense, and Briley Moore slipped out left completely untouched into the end zone. DC went to halftime up 28-0 — the largest halftime lead in UFL history.

Third Quarter: McCrane added a 38-yard field goal before Houston finally got on the board — Tagovailoa connecting with Justin Hall for a 6-yard score, the Gamblers’ first passing touchdown of the entire 2026 season.

Fourth Quarter: Ta’amu found Moore on a 20-yard touchdown pass — Moore going up over two defenders to haul it in for his second score — before Abram Smith rumbled 15 yards for the final margin. DC’s second consecutive 40-plus point performance.

Offensive Summary

DC’s ground game was the story — 27 carries, 163 yards, three rushing touchdowns, 6.0 yards per carry. Ta’amu managed the game efficiently at 15-of-27 for 173 yards and a touchdown. Tagovailoa was under siege for Houston — sacked four times, completing 52.5% of his passes for 171 yards with Hall providing the lone bright spot (9 rec, 69 yds, TD on 13 targets).

Defensive / Special Teams

DC’s defense was dominant all afternoon — four sacks, seven tackles for loss, and five pass breakups. Gabe Taylor led with six tackles and his first sack of the season. Derick Roberson added two sacks and Boogie Basham chipped in another. McCrane was a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals and 5-for-5 on extra points. Houston never attempted a field goal and punted three times.

Players of the Game

🏈 Offensive: Briley Moore (DC) — 44 total yds, 2 TD (1 rush, 1 rec) 🏈 Defensive: Gareon Conley (DC) — 1 INT, 70-yd TD return, 2 tackles 🏈 Offensive (HOU): Justin Hall (HOU) — 9 rec, 69 yds, 1 TD

Team Statistics

Quarter-by-Quarter Scoring

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter: Deon Jackson 60-yd rush TD (McCrane PAT); McCrane 60-yd four-point FG — DC 11, HOU 0

2nd Quarter: McCrane 46-yd FG; Gareon Conley 70-yd INT return TD (McCrane PAT); Briley Moore 24-yd rush TD (McCrane PAT) — DC 28, HOU 0 (halftime)

3rd Quarter: McCrane 38-yd FG; Taulia Tagovailoa to Justin Hall 6-yd TD pass (Hoyland PAT) — DC 31, HOU 7

4th Quarter: Jordan Ta’amu to Briley Moore 20-yd TD pass (McCrane PAT); Abram Smith 15-yd rush TD (McCrane PAT) — DC 45, HOU 7 (final)

Passing Summary Jordan Ta’amu (DC): 15/27, 173 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT, 72.0 RTG Taulia Tagovailoa (HOU): 21/40, 171 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT, 61.6 RTG

Rushing Summary Deon Jackson (DC): 5 att, 70 yds, 14.0 avg, 1 TD (long: 60) Abram Smith (DC): 9 att, 37 yds, 4.1 avg, 1 TD Jordan Ta’amu (DC): 4 att, 26 yds, 6.5 avg Briley Moore (DC): 1 att, 24 yds, 24.0 avg, 1 TD Jalen White (HOU): 10 att, 28 yds, 2.8 avg Taulia Tagovailoa (HOU): 4 att, 23 yds, 5.8 avg

Receiving Leaders Justin Hall (HOU): 9 rec, 69 yds, 7.7 avg, 1 TD (13 targets) Ty Scott (DC): 4 rec, 49 yds, 12.2 avg Mason Fairchild (DC): 2 rec, 34 yds, 17.0 avg Lawrence Keys III (HOU): 2 rec, 33 yds, 16.5 avg Briley Moore (DC): 1 rec, 20 yds, 1 TD

Key Notes

• DC’s 38-point margin of victory is the largest in UFL history; the Defenders also set the record for the largest halftime lead at 28-0
• Deon Jackson has scored four touchdowns in the last two games — the UFL’s leading rusher is locked in at exactly the right time
• Briley Moore’s trick play TD was the highlight of the half — Ta’amu rolled right, Moore slipped out left from the I-formation untouched; his second score saw him go up over two defenders for a 20-yard reception
• Justin Hall’s 6-yard TD catch was Houston’s first passing touchdown of the entire 2026 season
• Matt McCrane hit a 60-yard four-point field goal for the second time this season — he’s been one of DC’s most consistent weapons
• DC improves to 2-1 with back-to-back 40-plus point performances; they host St. Louis next Saturday
• [Verify UFL standings implications before publishing]

Up Next

Houston Gamblers: Thursday, April 16 vs. Louisville Kings, 7:00 PM CDT at Shell Energy Stadium, Houston, TX DC Defenders: Saturday, April 18 vs. St. Louis, 12:30 PM EDT at Audi Field (ABC)