Locals In The UFL: 2024 Week Two Recap
Apr 7, 2024, 5:17 PM
A view of the UFL and San Antonio Brahmas logos on footballs on the sideline during the second half against the DC Defenders at Alamodome on March 31, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/UFL/Getty Images)
(Photo by Matthew Stockman/UFL/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Multiple players with ties to the state of Utah participated in the second week of the 2024 United Football League season.
Local Players in the UFL: Week 2 Recap
RELATED STORIES
The UFL is a new spring professional football league created from a merger of the XFL and USFL in 2023.
Here is how the local players performed during the second week of the UFL season:
#LocalsInTheUFL
Former Utah Utes
Francis Bernard – Linebacker – D.C. Defenders (1-1)
The former Utah linebacker had five total tackles and three solo tackles in D.C.’s 23-18 win over the Houston Roughnecks on Sunday, April 7.
Next Game: @ Arlington Renegades on Saturday, April 13 at 11 a.m. (MT) on ESPN/ESPN+
Still unbeaten at Audi Field 😏🛡️ pic.twitter.com/eh9lRkQtrR
— D.C. Defenders (@XFLDefenders) April 7, 2024
T.J. Pledger – Running Back – Houston Roughnecks (0-2)
The former Utah running back ran the ball 11 times for 47 yards and had three receptions for 10 yards in Houston’s 23-18 loss to the D.C. Defenders on Sunday, April 7. Pledger also had one tackle.
Next Game: @ Michigan Panthers on Sunday, April 14 at 10 a.m. (MT) on ABC/ESPN+
On to Week 3 pic.twitter.com/IUkTcqM4X1
— Houston Roughnecks (@XFLRoughnecks) April 7, 2024
Darrin Paulo – Offensive Tackle – Memphis Showboats (1-1)
The former Utah offensive lineman and the Showboats suffered a 20-19 loss to the San Antonio Brahmas on Saturday, April 6.
Next Game: @ Birmingham Stallions on Saturday, April 13 at 5 p.m. (MT) on FOX
Salesi Uhatafe – Offensive Tackle – Memphis Showboats (1-1)
The former Utah offensive lineman and the Showboats suffered a 20-19 loss to the San Antonio Brahmas on Saturday, April 6.
Next Game: @ Birmingham Stallions on Saturday, April 13 at 5 p.m. (MT) on FOX
Troy Williams — Quarterback – Memphis Showboats (1-1)
The former Utah quarterback suffered a 20-19 loss to the San Antonio Brahmas on Saturday, April 6.
Next Game: @ Birmingham Stallions on Saturday, April 13 at 5 p.m. (MT) on FOX
Onto the next one for our Showboats. pic.twitter.com/6DcKw6XrU6
— Memphis Showboats (@USFLShowboats) April 6, 2024
Corrion Ballard – Safety – Michigan Panthers (1-1)
The former Utah defensive back had nine total tackles and five solo tackles in Michigan’s 20-13 loss to the Birmingham Stallions on Sunday, April 7.
Next Game: vs. Houston Roughnecks on Sunday, April 14 at 10 a.m. (MT) on ABC/ESPN+
Mika Tafua — Defensive End — Michigan Panthers (1-1)
The former Utah defensive lineman had two tackles in Michigan’s 20-13 loss to the Birmingham Stallions on Sunday, April 7.
Next Game: vs. Houston Roughnecks on Sunday, April 14 at 10 a.m. (MT) on ABC/ESPN+
We will come back stronger. pic.twitter.com/tNDrgpDjJd
— Michigan Panthers (@USFLPanthers) April 7, 2024
Pita Taumoepenu – Linebacker – St. Louis Battlehawks (1-1)
The former Utah linebacker had five total tackles, four solo tackles, two sacks, and three tackles for loss in St. Louis’ 27-24 win over the Arlington Renegades on Saturday, April 6.
Next Game: @ San Antonio Brahmas on Sunday, April 14 at 1 p.m. (MT) on ABC/ESPN+
ANOTHER sack for @PitaTaumoepenu 👏 pic.twitter.com/ax2jjujaJj
— St. Louis Battlehawks (@XFLBattlehawks) April 7, 2024
Former BYU Cougars
Tomasi Laulile — Defensive Tackle – Arlington Renegades (0-2)
The former BYU defensive lineman and the Renegades suffered a 24-27 loss to the St. Louis Battlehawks on Saturday, April 6.
Next Game: vs. D.C. Defenders on Saturday, April 13 at 11 a.m. (MT) on ESPN/ESPN+
Tough one in St. Louis pic.twitter.com/BL25eUGhuc
— Arlington Renegades (@XFLRenegades) April 7, 2024
Kai Nacua – Safety – Michigan Panthers (1-1)
The former BYU defensive back had three total tackles and one solo tackle in Michigan’s 20-13 loss to the Birmingham Stallions on Sunday, April 7.
Next Game: vs. Houston Roughnecks on Sunday, April 14 at 10 a.m. (MT) on ABC/ESPN+
Former Weber State Wildcats
Adam Rodriguez – Defensive End – Houston Roughnecks (0-2)
The former Weber State defensive lineman had two tackles in Houston’s 23-18 loss to the D.C. Defenders on Sunday, April 7.
Next Game: @ Michigan Panthers on Sunday, April 14 at 10 a.m. (MT) on ABC/ESPN+
Former Southern Utah Thunderbirds
Brock Miller – Punter – Michigan Panthers (1-1)
The former Southern Utah punter punted five times with an average of 46.2 yards per kick in Michigan’s 20-13 loss to the Birmingham Stallions on Sunday, April 7.
Next Game: vs. Houston Roughnecks on Sunday, April 14 at 10 a.m. (MT) on ABC/ESPN+
Former High School Standouts
Gabriel Sewell Jr. – Linebacker – Houston Roughnecks (0-2)
The former Desert Hills standout had four total tackles and two solo tackles in Houston’s 23-18 loss to the D.C. Defenders on Sunday, April 7.
Next Game: @ Michigan Panthers on Sunday, April 14 at 10 a.m. (MT) on ABC/ESPN+
RELATED: United Football League Reveals Inaugural Regular Season Schedule
2024 UFL Teams & Stadiums
USFL Conference
- Birmingham Stallions – Protective Stadium
- Houston Roughnecks – Rice Stadium
- Memphis Showboats – Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium
- Michigan Panthers – Ford Field
XFL Conference
- Arlington Renegades – Choctaw Stadium
- D.C Defenders – Audi Field
- San Antonio Brahmas – The Alamodome
- St. Louis Battlehawks – The Dome at America’s Center
Kyle Ireland is a Sports Producer and Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com. Listen to Ireland on Yards After College: An NFL Podcast. Follow him on X (@kyleireland), Threads (@kyleirelandksl), and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
