Article Summary
In a surprising turn of events, the Arlington Renegades were eliminated from the playoffs for the second consecutive season after a critical turnover in their game against the DC Defenders. The Renegades, trailing by three points, needed only a field goal to send the game into overtime. However, quarterback Luis Perez attempted a quick out route instead of spiking the ball, resulting in an interception by Deandre Baker. The Renegades have struggled in close games, with all five losses being by a touchdown or less. The victory secured a spot in the postseason for the Defenders, who are now one of four teams to have clinched a playoff berth.
What This Means for You
- Be aware of the importance of situational awareness in football games, as a lapse in judgment can lead to costly turnovers and losses.
- Understand the significance of close games in a team’s overall record – even a single point can make a difference in the final standings.
- Recognize the importance of efficient clock management, particularly towards the end of games when every second counts.
- Keep an eye on the postseason picture, as the Defenders have secured a playoff spot while the Renegades face another disappointing end to their season.
Original Post
With the Arlington Renegades trailing by three points and needing only a field goal to send the game into overtime, quarterback Luis Perez took matters into his own hands — with disastrous results.
Instead of spiking the ball to set up a long field goal, Perez faked the spike and tried to connect on a quick out route to get a couple yards closer. However, DC Defenders cornerback Deandre Baker picked off the fluttering pass to seal a 33-30 victory and a spot in the postseason.
“I thought we were just spiking the football and were going to kick the field goal,” Arlington head coach Bob Stoops said. “And Luis thought he had the out route, so he threw it. It didn’t work that way.”
Despite Perez’s season-high 350 passing yards, the Renegades were eliminated from the playoffs for a second consecutive season after the critical turnover. Like last year, the Renegades struggled to get over the hump in close games. Now 3-5, all five losses for Arlington have been by a touchdown or less.
With the victory, the Defenders (6-2) were one of four teams to punch their ticket to the playoffs over the weekend, as the teams in the postseason have been decided with two weeks left in the regular season.
Key Terms
- Arlington Renegades
- DC Defenders
- Luis Perez
- Deandre Baker
- UFL Playoffs
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