Locals In The UFL: 2024 Week Seven Recap
May 12, 2024, 4:12 PM
Troy Williams #11 of the Memphis Showboats drops back to pass in the first quarter against the Arlington Renegades at Choctaw Stadium on May 11, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Multiple players with ties to the state of Utah participated in the seventh week of the 2024 United Football League season.
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Local Players in the UFL: Week 7 Recap
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 seventh week of the UFL season:
#LocalsInTheUFL
Former Utah Utes
Francis Bernard – Linebacker – D.C. Defenders (3-4)
The former Utah linebacker had five total tackles and four solo tackles in D.C.’s 22-9 loss to the Michigan Panthers on Sunday, May 12.
Next Game: @ St. Louis Battlehawks on Sunday, May 19 at 10 a.m. (MT) on ABC/ESPN+
— D.C. Defenders (@XFLDefenders) May 12, 2024
T.J. Pledger – Running Back – Houston Roughnecks (1-6)
The former Utah running back had 11 carries for 30 yards in Houston’s 15-12 loss to the San Antonio Brahmas on Sunday, May 12.
Next Game: @ Birmingham Stallions on Saturday, May 18 at 6 p.m. (MT) on ESPN2/ESPN+
Darrin Paulo – Offensive Tackle – Memphis Showboats (1-6)
The former Utah offensive lineman and the Showboats suffered a 47-23 loss to the Arlington Renegades on Saturday, May 11.
Next Game: @ Michigan Panthers on Saturday, May 18 at 2 p.m. (MT) on FOX
Salesi Uhatafe – Offensive Tackle – Memphis Showboats (1-6)
The former Utah offensive lineman and the Showboats suffered a 47-23 loss to the Arlington Renegades on Saturday, May 11.
Next Game: @ Michigan Panthers on Saturday, May 18 at 2 p.m. (MT) on FOX
— Memphis Showboats (@USFLShowboats) May 11, 2024
Troy Williams — Quarterback – Memphis Showboats (1-6)
The former Utah quarterback was 14/21 passing for 127 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in Memphis’ 47-23 loss to the Arlington Renegades on Saturday, May 11. Williams also ran the ball six times for 34 yards and a touchdown.
Next Game: @ Michigan Panthers on Saturday, May 18 at 2 p.m. (MT) on FOX
Former @Utah_Football QB Troy Williams scored twice before suffering an injury during Week 7 of @TheUFL season.#LocalsInTheUFL #UFL #GoUtes https://t.co/vngadIaxy9
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) May 12, 2024
Corrion Ballard – Safety – Michigan Panthers (5-2)
The former Utah defensive back had three total tackles and one solo tackle in Michigan’s 22-9 win over the D.C. Defenders on Sunday, May 12.
Next Game: vs. Memphis Showboats on Saturday, May 18 at 2 p.m. (MT) on FOX
Mika Tafua — Defensive End — Michigan Panthers (5-2)
The former Utah defensive lineman had two total tackles and one solo tackle in Michigan’s 22-9 win over the D.C. Defenders on Sunday, May 12.
Next Game: vs. Memphis Showboats on Saturday, May 18 at 2 p.m. (MT) on FOX
PANTHERS WWWWWIN! 👏🐾 pic.twitter.com/ziQDAJJSFn
— Michigan Panthers (@USFLPanthers) May 12, 2024
Pita Taumoepenu – Linebacker – St. Louis Battlehawks (5-2)
The former Utah linebacker had three total tackles, one solo tackle, one sack, and one tackle for loss in St. Louis’ 30-26 loss to the Birmingham Stallions on Saturday, May 11.
Next Game: vs. D.C. Defenders on Sunday, May 19 at 10 a.m. (MT) on ABC/ESPN+
that's a sack! 😤 @PitaTaumoepenu | #kakaw pic.twitter.com/avstMqhXX1
— St. Louis Battlehawks (@XFLBattlehawks) May 11, 2024
Former BYU Cougars
Tomasi Laulile — Defensive Tackle – Arlington Renegades (1-6)
The former BYU defensive lineman had one tackle in Arlington’s 47-23 win over the Memphis Showboats on Saturday, May 11.
Next Game: @ San Antonio Brahmas on Sunday, May 19 at 2 p.m. (MT) on FOX
THAT'S A W 🤠
Let's finish the season strong 💪
(sponsored by @UTArlington) pic.twitter.com/QRmOT6JgLB
— Arlington Renegades (@XFLRenegades) May 11, 2024
Kai Nacua – Safety – Michigan Panthers (5-2)
The former BYU defensive back had eight total tackles and seven solo tackles in Michigan’s 22-9 win over the D.C. Defenders on Sunday, May 12.
Next Game: vs. Memphis Showboats on Saturday, May 18 at 2 p.m. (MT) on FOX
Samson Nacua – Wide Receiver – Michigan Panthers (5-2)
The former BYU wide receiver had six receptions for 45 yards in Michigan’s 22-9 win over the D.C. Defenders on Sunday, May 12.
Next Game: vs. Memphis Showboats on Saturday, May 18 at 2 p.m. (MT) on FOX
Former Utah State Aggies
Siaosi Mariner – Wide Receiver – Michigan Panthers (5-2)
The former USU wide receiver had one reception for five yards in Michigan’s 22-9 win over the D.C. Defenders on Sunday, May 12.
Next Game: vs. Memphis Showboats on Saturday, May 18 at 2 p.m. (MT) on FOX
Former Weber State Wildcats
Adam Rodriguez – Defensive End – Houston Roughnecks (1-6)
The former Weber State defensive lineman had two total tackles, one solo tackle, and one tackle for loss in Houston’s 15-12 loss to the San Antonio Brahmas on Sunday, May 12.
Next Game: @ Birmingham Stallions on Saturday, May 18 at 6 p.m. (MT) on ESPN2/ESPN+
— Houston Roughnecks (@XFLRoughnecks) May 12, 2024
Former Southern Utah Thunderbirds
Brock Miller – Punter – Michigan Panthers (5-2)
The former Southern Utah punter punted five times with an average of 47.8 yards per kick in Michigan’s 22-9 win over the D.C. Defenders on Sunday, May 12.
Next Game: vs. Memphis Showboats on Saturday, May 18 at 2 p.m. (MT) on FOX
Former High School Standouts
Gabriel Sewell Jr. – Linebacker – Houston Roughnecks (1-6)
The former Desert Hills standout and the Roughnecks suffered a 15-12 loss to the San Antonio Brahmas on Sunday, May 12.
Next Game: @ Birmingham Stallions on Saturday, May 18 at 6 p.m. (MT) on ESPN2/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).
