- May 21, 2026
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The Louisville Kings have lived up to their name.
The first-year UFL franchise has capped the season with a win in the United Bowl. The 27-20 victory came against the D.C. Defenders at their home field in Washington.
Louisville trailed 16-7 at the half, before scoring 20 unanswered points. A 60-yard, four-point field goal from D.C. kicker Matt McCrane cut the margin to seven, and the Defenders failed to convert on fourth and five from the Louisville six with less than two minutes to play.
The Louisville offense sputtered for much of the game. Quarterback Chandler Rogers finished with 81 passing yards and two interceptions. The Kings had 181 rushing yards, including a 44-yard touchdown from tailback Ian Wheeler, who had spent time in the offseason and preseason with the Bears in 2024 and 2025.
Former NFL running back James Robinson, who gained 1,070 yards as an undrafted rookie with the Jaguars in 2020, added 69 yards and a touchdown.
The Defenders lost quarterback Jason Bean to a shoulder injury. E.J. Perry nearly led the comeback.
Washington outgained Louisville, 319 to 261. D.C. had three turnovers, including a fumble that was returned for a touchdown by Louisville. That gave the Kings their only first-half points.
The Kings were led by former NFL quarterback Chris Redman. He made the most of his first year of coaching at any level.
The victory capped a three-game sweep of the Defenders by the Kings. Louisville won 30-13 in Week 7 at D.C., and 33-30 in Week 8 at home.
The first-year UFL franchise has capped the season with a win in the United Bowl. The 27-20 victory came against the D.C. Defenders at their home field in Washington.
Louisville trailed 16-7 at the half, before scoring 20 unanswered points. A 60-yard, four-point field goal from D.C. kicker Matt McCrane cut the margin to seven, and the Defenders failed to convert on fourth and five from the Louisville six with less than two minutes to play.
The Louisville offense sputtered for much of the game. Quarterback Chandler Rogers finished with 81 passing yards and two interceptions. The Kings had 181 rushing yards, including a 44-yard touchdown from tailback Ian Wheeler, who had spent time in the offseason and preseason with the Bears in 2024 and 2025.
Former NFL running back James Robinson, who gained 1,070 yards as an undrafted rookie with the Jaguars in 2020, added 69 yards and a touchdown.
The Defenders lost quarterback Jason Bean to a shoulder injury. E.J. Perry nearly led the comeback.
Washington outgained Louisville, 319 to 261. D.C. had three turnovers, including a fumble that was returned for a touchdown by Louisville. That gave the Kings their only first-half points.
The Kings were led by former NFL quarterback Chris Redman. He made the most of his first year of coaching at any level.
The victory capped a three-game sweep of the Defenders by the Kings. Louisville won 30-13 in Week 7 at D.C., and 33-30 in Week 8 at home.