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Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
HBCU picks up championship coach as offensive coordinator
Tennessee State University alumnus Shannon Harris made history this summer. As interim head coach, he led the DC Defenders to a dominant 58–34 victory over the Michigan Panthers in the UFL Championship Game on June 14, 2025, securing the franchise's first UFL title. It was the first time an HBCU graduate coached a professional football team to a championship. Now Harris is listed on the Tennessee State University athletics website as the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach. A former quarterback for TSU in the early 2000s, Harris stepped into the interim head coach role on March 22, 2025. That change followed Reggie Barlow's departure from the Defenders to become TSU's new head coach. Despite the late-season transition, Harris guided the Defenders to a 6–4 regular-season record. He then led the team through the playoffs and claimed the championship. In recognition of his leadership, Harris earned the 2025 UFL Coach of the Year Award, officially named the Buddy Teevens Award. He became the first HBCU alumnus to receive the honor, marking a major milestone in HBCU representation in professional football. Now back at TSU, Harris joins the staff in a key leadership role. His return is a full-circle moment. Along with playing for the Tigers, he has coached at Virginia State, Alcorn State, Alabama State, and Tennessee State. Harris brings championship experience and deep Tiger pride to the program. His presence strengthens TSU's mission to develop an explosive offense. With his leadership, Tennessee State University football looks to rise in the Ohio Valley Conference and beyond. The post HBCU picks up championship coach as offensive coordinator appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Miami Herald
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
HBCU history made as DC Defenders take UFL crown
Shannon Harris, a former quarterback at Tennessee State University, made history Saturday night by becoming the first HBCU graduate to coach a team to a professional sports championship. Harris led the DC Defenders to a record-breaking 58-34 victory over the Michigan Panthers in the 2025 UFL Championship Game. The Defenders exploded with a 31-6 run in the second quarter, setting the tone for their dominant finish. Quarterback Jordan Ta'amu was named UFL Championship Game MVP, throwing for a record-setting 390 yards on 21-of-28 passing and four touchdowns. Jaydon Mickens caught six passes for 132 yards, fueling the aerial assault. Michigan came out strong, scoring on its first two drives to seize a 13-6 lead. DC answered with 25 unanswered points, including a 22-yard field goal and touchdown drives capped by Cornell Powell's 19-yard grab and Ta'amu's quarterback sneak on fourth-and-goal. A two-point conversion extended the lead to 23-13. Shortly before halftime, Deon Jackson broke free for a 5-yard rushing touchdown, pushing the advantage to 31-13. Although Michigan's Bryce Perkins connected with Malik Turner for a 71-yard touchdown late in the half, Ta'amu struck again with a 73-yard pass to Ty Scott, giving DC a comfortable 37-19 lead at intermission. In the third quarter, DC secured its lead when Jackson scored from 17 yards out following an interception. Briley Moore added a touchdown catch early in the fourth quarter, pushing the score to 52-19. Michigan rallied with three consecutive possessions and the benefit of UFL's 4th-and-12 rule, narrowing the gap to 52-34 before DC's defense sealed the win with a final touchdown. The 58 points were the most ever scored in UFL history and signaled a new era for spring football-and for coaches emerging from HBCU programs. Players from Virginia State as well as star receiver Chris Rowland, also from Tennessee State, are also a part of the HBCU legacy of this championship team. The post HBCU history made as DC Defenders take UFL crown appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Fox Sports
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Five things to watch for in 2025 UFL Championship Game
And then there were two. It all comes down to this, as the DC Defenders take on the Michigan Panthers in the 2025 UFL Championship Game on Saturday evening at The Dome of America's Center in St. Louis. The Panthers handled the Defenders in the teams' singular meeting earlier this season — a 38-14 victory in Week 6. However, Michigan head coach Mike Nolan knows this time will be very different, with the 2025 title on the line. "They're a better football team, and I'd like to think we are a better football team too," Nolan said. "I think it will be a very good game. They are very explosive on offense. … We've got two really good offenses going to battle in this football game, and you've got two really good defenses as well, so I think it will be an entirely different game than the first one for all kinds of reasons. "It's a lot more meaningful, and I think their team has improved an awful lot since we played them last time. They were going through a lot of transitions with the coaching change in the middle of the season and things like that, and they were just adapting to the new things. … Right now, they're running on all cylinders. They're doing a real good job." Defenders head coach Shannon Harris recently earned UFL Coach of the Year honors for how he deftly handled the departure of former head coach Reggie Barlow and ex-defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, leading DC to a 6-4 regular-season record, a postseason berth and a spot in a spring football championship for the second time in three seasons. Harris and the Defenders throttled the St. Louis Battlehawks on their home turf last week, 38-16, in the XFL Conference title game. Their reward? Facing a Michigan squad that is peaking at just the right time after defeating the defending champion Birmingham Stallions on the road in the USFL Conference title game, 44-29, to advance. Here's a closer look at what to watch for in the 2025 UFL Championship Game. 1. How can the Panthers slow down Defenders QB Jordan Ta'amu? The engine of the Defenders' offense all season and the most impactful player in the UFL, Ta'amu will be tough to contain for a Michigan defense allowing 292 passing yards a contest — the fourth-worst mark in the regular season. Ta'amu finished first in passing touchdowns (17) and second in passing yards (2,153) during the regular season. He totaled 204 passing yards and a score in last week's win over the Battlehawks. If the Panthers want to win Saturday's title game, defensively they must limit the Defenders' explosive passing game led by Ta'amu. The Defenders have balance on offense, too. Deon Jackson ran for 110 yards and two scores on 21 carries last week. 2. How can the Defenders bottle up Michigan's running game? In the previous matchup between these two teams, the Panthers rolled up 213 yards on the ground on their way to a convincing victory at Ford Field. Toa Taua has been the catalyst for Michigan's running game. He finished the regular season sixth in the UFL with 356 yards and led the league with six rushing touchdowns. Taua kept it going in the postseason, picking up 85 rushing yards and three scores in Michigan's win over Birmingham. The Defenders have struggled to stop the run, however, allowing 118 rushing yards per contest in the regular season. They also allowed the second most rushing touchdowns (12) and the most yards per carry (4.8) in the UFL this year. 3. Who will win the turnover battle? One of the areas Michigan has struggled with this year is forcing turnovers. The Panthers finished with just 10 takeaways during the regular season — only the Memphis Showboats (2-8) had fewer during the year (five). The Defenders forced 16 turnovers and finished with a plus-5 turnover differential during the regular season, while the Panthers finished with a minus-2 turnover differential over that same span. The Panthers did win the turnover battle last week against the Stallions, however, coaxing three takeaways and losing a fumble. "In order to win a championship, you want to play a clean game," Nolan said. "It's very difficult for any team — this goes for DC or us — to win any game, especially a championship game if you're not playing a clean game." 4. Who is the X-factor for the Panthers? Quarterback Bryce Perkins, the 2025 UFL Offensive Player of the Year, finished second in passing touchdowns (nine) and completion percentage (69%) and fourth in passing yards (1,342) despite missing three games with an ankle injury. What makes Perkins difficult to contain is his ability to create chunk plays with his feet. Perkins finished with 269 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns for the Panthers during the regular season. Only the Battlehawks' Max Duggan rushed for more yards as a quarterback (299). Perkins rushed for 34 yards and a score last week. How the Defenders attack Perkins and his ability to run the ball will go a long way in deciding this game's outcome. 5. Who are the X-factors for the Defenders? The Defenders led the UFL in tackles for loss (59) and finished third with 22.0 sacks. One of the reasons for their success defensively has been the one-two pass-rushing punch of defensive ends Derek Roberson and Andre Mintz. The Defenders were the only team in the UFL with two players who finished with at least five sacks. Both Roberson and Mintze totaled 5.5 sacks each, while All-UFL performer defensive tackle Joe Wallace finished second in the league in tackles for loss (10) and totaled 4.5 sacks. The Defenders' front seven has the tough task of slowing down Michigan's running game and putting consistent pressure on Perkins in the passing game if they want to wear the crown this year. Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for more than a decade, covering the Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him at @eric_d_williams . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily ! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience United Football League DC Defenders Michigan Panthers recommended Get more from United Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Fox News
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Five things to watch for in Week 6 of the 2025 UFL season
The St. Louis Battlehawks have work to do. Head coach Anthony Becht said at the start of the year that he believed the Battlehawks built a roster that could win the 2025 UFL Championship Game, which takes place on June 14 in front of his team's hometown fans in St. Louis. [MORE: What is the UFL? Everything to know about the 2025 United Football League] If the playoffs started today, however, the Battlehawks would miss out and be watching from home. "We've got a huge game next week against a divisional opponent," Becht said. "And I'm just asking everyone to bring a friend." The contest Becht is referring to is the opening game of Week 6, with the Battlehawks hosting the Arlington Renegades in an all-important XFL Conference tilt on Friday night (8 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app). It's a crucial matchup, with both teams sitting at 3-2 on the season and fighting for the second playoff spot in the division. The Renegades won the previous head-to-head matchup earlier this year, a 30-15 victory in Arlington in Week 4. Elsewhere, the Memphis Showboats (1-4) travel to face the Houston Roughnecks (2-3) on Saturday (noon ET). Closing out the week, the Michigan Panthers (3-2) host the DC Defenders (4-1) at Ford Field on Sunday (noon ET), followed by the San Antonio Brahmas (1-4) traveling to face the Birmingham Stallions (3-2) at Protective Stadium (4 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app). Here's a closer look at five things to watch for in Week 6: One of the main reasons for Arlington's continued success on defense this season is Harris' sharp play. The USC product and Los Angeles native just earned UFL Defensive Player of the Week honors for the second consecutive week, finishing with two picks and six combined tackles in a late-game loss to the Defenders last week. Through five weeks, Harris leads the league in interceptions (three), pass breakups (11) and forced fumbles (two). "He's continually coming up with big plays," head coach Bob Stoops said about Harris. "And he plays multiple positions … so he understands all the positions. He's really a bright player, on top of being a skilled player." One of the top runners in spring football, Memphis brought Hills back to shore up the team's depth at running back. Williams finished with 277 rushing yards and five touchdowns in eight games for the Panthers in 2024. The year prior, Hills led the legacy USFL in rushing with 679 yards and 10 touchdowns while playing for current Memphis offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone as a part of the now defunct New Orleans Breakers organization. The Showboats also activated receiver Daewood Davis from IR. An All-UFL selection in 2024 who finished with 41 receptions for 446 receiving yards and five touchdowns, Davis signed with the NFL's Carolina Panthers after the 2024 UFL season but was released due to injury. The Renegades also executed a trade this week, sending linebacker Storey Jackson to the Brahmas for defensive end Ikenna Enechukwu. Kellen Mond could be holding a clipboard for the Brahmas when they travel to Birmingham this weekend. An ineffective Mond was replaced in the second half by Jarrett Guarantano in San Antonio's home-opening loss to the Roughnecks in Week 5. However, Brahmas head coach Payton Pardee indicated that the quarterback switch could be permanent, as he declined to name a starter for this weekend's game. "I believe in all three quarterbacks we have," Pardee said. "I think they're all very talented. They all have unique skill sets, so I feel very confident in the players that we have in that room, but that's going to be something that we evaluate this week in practice." In five starts, Mond has completed 56.8% of his passes for 597 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Guarantano finished 6-of-15 for 29 yards in his first action of the season last week. Houston defeated Memphis by one point, 18-17, on the road in Week 3 — the team's first victory of the season at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. This week, the Showboats get a shot at revenge when they travel to face the Roughnecks in Houston. Starting for the first time this season, Memphis QB Dresser Winn earned Offensive Player of the Week honors for Week 5, completing 17 of his 29 passes for 235 yards and a touchdown in a 24-20 overtime win over Birmingham. Winn gets an opportunity to see if he can play efficient football for a second straight week against a Houston defense holding opponents to 14.3 points per game over the past three weeks, with the Roughnecks winning two of those. On the other side, Houston QB Jalan McClendon continues to play solid football. Since taking over as the team's starter, he has completed 70% of his passes for 407 yards, with no touchdowns and two interceptions. McClendon has also rushed for 34 yards and a score. The UFL announced this week that it handed down a one-game suspension without pay to Nacua after a video emerged showing him striking a Battlehawks fan in an altercation after the Panthers' Week 5 road game in St. Louis. Nacua, who agreed to participate in community service, will miss this weekend's away game against the Defenders. Nacua is the older brother of Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua. His other brother, Kai Nacua, plays in the UFL as a safety for Michigan. Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for more than a decade, covering the Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him at @eric_d_williams. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
Fox Sports
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Five things to watch for in Week 6 of the 2025 UFL season
The St. Louis Battlehawks have work to do. Head coach Anthony Becht said at the start of the year that he believed the Battlehawks built a roster that could win the 2025 UFL Championship Game, which takes place on June 14 in front of his team's hometown fans in St. Louis. [MORE: What is the UFL? Everything to know about the 2025 United Football League ] If the playoffs started today, however, the Battlehawks would miss out and be watching from home. "We've got a huge game next week against a divisional opponent," Becht said. "And I'm just asking everyone to bring a friend." The contest Becht is referring to is the opening game of Week 6, with the Battlehawks hosting the Arlington Renegades in an all-important XFL Conference tilt on Friday night (8 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app). It's a crucial matchup, with both teams sitting at 3-2 on the season and fighting for the second playoff spot in the division. The Renegades won the previous head-to-head matchup earlier this year, a 30-15 victory in Arlington in Week 4. Elsewhere, the Memphis Showboats (1-4) travel to face the Houston Roughnecks (2-3) on Saturday (noon ET). Closing out the week, the Michigan Panthers (3-2) host the DC Defenders (4-1) at Ford Field on Sunday (noon ET), followed by the San Antonio Brahmas (1-4) traveling to face the Birmingham Stallions (3-2) at Protective Stadium (4 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app). Here's a closer look at five things to watch for in Week 6: 1. Renegades CB Ajene Harris leads league in interceptions One of the main reasons for Arlington's continued success on defense this season is Harris' sharp play. The USC product and Los Angeles native just earned UFL Defensive Player of the Week honors for the second consecutive week, finishing with two picks and six combined tackles in a late-game loss to the Defenders last week. Through five weeks, Harris leads the league in interceptions (three), pass breakups (11) and forced fumbles (two). "He's continually coming up with big plays," head coach Bob Stoops said about Harris. "And he plays multiple positions … so he understands all the positions. He's really a bright player, on top of being a skilled player." 2. RB Wes Hills returns to UFL with Showboats One of the top runners in spring football, Memphis brought Hills back to shore up the team's depth at running back. Williams finished with 277 rushing yards and five touchdowns in eight games for the Panthers in 2024. The year prior, Hills led the legacy USFL in rushing with 679 yards and 10 touchdowns while playing for current Memphis offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone as a part of the now defunct New Orleans Breakers organization. The Showboats also activated receiver Daewood Davis from IR. An All-UFL selection in 2024 who finished with 41 receptions for 446 receiving yards and five touchdowns, Davis signed with the NFL's Carolina Panthers after the 2024 UFL season but was released due to injury. The Renegades also executed a trade this week, sending linebacker Storey Jackson to the Brahmas for defensive end Ikenna Enechukwu. Kellen Mond could be holding a clipboard for the Brahmas when they travel to Birmingham this weekend. An ineffective Mond was replaced in the second half by Jarrett Guarantano in San Antonio's home-opening loss to the Roughnecks in Week 5. However, Brahmas head coach Payton Pardee indicated that the quarterback switch could be permanent, as he declined to name a starter for this weekend's game. "I believe in all three quarterbacks we have," Pardee said. "I think they're all very talented. They all have unique skill sets, so I feel very confident in the players that we have in that room, but that's going to be something that we evaluate this week in practice." In five starts, Mond has completed 56.8% of his passes for 597 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Guarantano finished 6-of-15 for 29 yards in his first action of the season last week. 4. Roughnecks host Showboats in rematch Houston defeated Memphis by one point, 18-17, on the road in Week 3 — the team's first victory of the season at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. This week, the Showboats get a shot at revenge when they travel to face the Roughnecks in Houston. Starting for the first time this season, Memphis QB Dresser Winn earned Offensive Player of the Week honors for Week 5, completing 17 of his 29 passes for 235 yards and a touchdown in a 24-20 overtime win over Birmingham. Winn gets an opportunity to see if he can play efficient football for a second straight week against a Houston defense holding opponents to 14.3 points per game over the past three weeks, with the Roughnecks winning two of those. On the other side, Houston QB Jalan McClendon continues to play solid football. Since taking over as the team's starter, he has completed 70% of his passes for 407 yards, with no touchdowns and two interceptions. McClendon has also rushed for 34 yards and a score. 5. Panthers WR Samson Nacua suspended one game for altercation with fan The UFL announced this week that it handed down a one-game suspension without pay to Nacua after a video emerged showing him striking a Battlehawks fan in an altercation after the Panthers' Week 5 road game in St. Louis. Nacua, who agreed to participate in community service, will miss this weekend's away game against the Defenders. Nacua is the older brother of Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua. His other brother, Kai Nacua, plays in the UFL as a safety for Michigan. Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for more than a decade, covering the Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him at @eric_d_williams . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily ! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience United Football League Get more from United Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
