Takeaways From Week 4 of 2025 UFL Season Action

Image via X @XFLBrahmas

Week 4 of the UFL season concluded with performances on the field improving and creating excitement.

For the first time this season, all four games in a week had at least one team score 20 or more points. Three of the four games were decided in the final minutes. Here’s a look at scores from each game:

• Michigan Panthers 27, Memphis Showboats 9

• Arlington Renegades 30, St. Louis Battlehawks 15

• Birmingham Stallions 23, Houston Roughnecks 16

• San Antonio Brahmas 24, D.C. Defenders 18

I have four main takeaways from Week 4 action:

Payton Pardee: UFL’s New Rising Star

Image via X @XFLBrahmas

The League of Opportunity has found a young coach who is taking advantage of his opportunity and improving his team’s performance. 28-year-old Brahmas interim head coach Payton Pardee led the team to the biggest upset of the season, beating the Defenders in D.C. 24-18.

After scoring just 18 total points in the first two games, former offensive coordinator A.J. Smith left the team as Pardee was named the new OC. Pardee would go on to handle head coaching, offensive, and special teams duties in their three-point loss to the Michigan Panthers after Wade Phillips was not feeling well, resulting in him stepping away from the team last week.

Pardee has led the Brahmas to scoring 47 points in the last two games. His impact on special teams also led to Matthew Sexton returning a punt for a touchdown on Sunday.

The Brahmas have only one win through four games, but they finally host a home game on Sunday against the also-one-win Houston Roughnecks, which gives them their best shot at making a run. Pardee has brought a whole new energy level to the team.

Jalan McClendon Causes a Perfect Storm in Houston

Image via X @XFLRoughnecks

Speaking of Houston, we have a problem…but a good problem. Nolan Henderson lit it up for the Roughnecks in their Week 3 win against the Showboats, leading to his first start. That would not last long, as Henderson was knocked out of Saturday’s game against the Stallions with a shoulder injury.

XFL fans will be familiar with the next man in line: Jalan McClendon. In 2020, McClendon’s spring football career began as the third-string quarterback on the LA Wildcats, as he only appeared in the first game against….the Roughnecks. He finally got his shot to shine in 2023 with the Vegas Vipers. McClendon was the third string behind Luis Perez and Brett Hundley, but would start four games, throwing for 873 yards and five touchdowns to one interception.

Since joining the UFL, he joined the Defenders last year as Ta’amu’s backup, as he threw for 129 yards in five games. Henderson’s injury opened the door for McClendon, who finished the game on Saturday at quarterback and performed well with 236 yards and a rushing touchdown.

McClendon was electric despite throwing an interception on the final drive against Birmingham. With a quarterback controversy in Houston, I don’t think Henderson should lose his job because he got hurt, but if he is out for a while. McClendon keeps performing well. It’ll be hard for Roughnecks head coach Curtis Johnson to move away from McClendon.

Quarterback Injuries Highlights Two Sides to the Story

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Henderson was not the only starting quarterback who got hurt. St. Louis’s Manny Wilkins suffered a horrible non-contact injury on Saturday against the Renegades, likely ending his season. Birmingham’s Matt Corral was hurt late in their win against Houston.

We discussed McClendon’s rise already, but the other two quarterbacks who stepped up were Max Duggan and Case Cookus. Duggan struggled against Arlington, completing just 47% of his passes for 78 yards and two interceptions with 42 rushing yards, but did have the Battlehawks within five yards of tying the game for his team. Cookus didn’t play long in his game against the Roughnecks, but did have a critical 36-yard completion late in the fourth quarter.

It’s horrible to see the number of quarterback injuries, and we can only hope for quick recoveries, especially for Wilkins, as fans hope to see him back on the field next year. On the flip side, the UFL is starting to show its depth at quarterback, with guys like McClendon, Duggan, and Cookus able to be the next men up.

Renegades’ Defense Deserves Respect

Image via X @XFLRenegades

Is it just me, or is everyone sleeping on the Renegades’ defense?

Every UFL team has allowed at least 50 points this season….except Arlington, which has allowed a league-low 36 points. They lead the league in pass deflections with 30. The Renegades’ defense is also second in the UFL in yards allowed per game (224) and sacks (10).

They came up big in Saturday’s win over St. Louis, creating three turnovers and scoring two defensive touchdowns. Arlington also sacked the Battlehawks a season-high six times.

While the Stallions and Defenders’ defenses are great, it’s time to give Arlington’s unit more attention and respect.