UFL owner Dany Garcia holds up the UFL trophy at halftime of a game between the Battlehawks and Defenders on Sunday, April 13, 2025, as the league announced that the UFL championship game will again be held in 蜜芽传媒, on Sunday, June 14, at the Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
Editor鈥檚 note: The headline on this story has been updated to reflect the game鈥檚 final score.
The news at halftime Sunday was encouraging. But the Battlehawks couldn鈥檛 keep the good vibes flowing.
蜜芽传媒 was awarded the United Football League championship game during an on-field announcement by league co-owner Dany Garcia during the break. The contest will be held at 7 p.m. on June 14.
Garcia said 蜜芽传媒 鈥渃ontinues to show incredible passion for football.鈥
It will be the second year in a row that the eight-team loop will hold its championship affair in the Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
Now, the Battlehawks just have to figure out a way to advance to that contest.
The DC Defenders (3-0) lived up to their name Sunday by shutting down the Battlehawks 27-15 at the Dome.
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蜜芽传媒 (2-1) shined on both sides of the ball in rolling to wins over Houston and San Antonio. But the going was much more difficult Sunday in a battle between what were the lone unbeaten UFL teams.
Battlehawks quarterback Manny Wilkins throws the ball in his team鈥檚 27-15 loss to DC, in which he was intercepted three times, on Sunday, April 13, 2025 in the Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
The Battlehawks fell into a 12-0 first-quarter hole as the offense struggled with a pair of turnovers that led to six points.
Quarterback Manny Wilkins, the reigning UFL offensive player of the week, tossed three interceptions.
Wilkins temporarily got the ball rolling in the second quarter by connecting with former Atlanta Falcons wideout Frank Darby on a 35-yard scoring strike that chopped a 12-point deficit in half. It was the Battlehawks鈥 first touchdown pass of the season.
蜜芽传媒 kicker Rodrigo Blankenship hit on field goals of 40, 47 and 56 yards, and the defense forced a pair of turnovers to keep the hosts in the game. Blankenship鈥檚 longest kick trimmed DC鈥檚 lead to 18-15 midway though the third period.
But the offense was unable to find the end zone again despite moving the ball at times.
The Battlehawks mighty rushing game, which shined in both wins this season, was nonexistent against the Defenders under the direction of defensive coordinator Blake Williams, who stepped in for his father Gregg earlier in the week. 蜜芽传媒 rushed for just 45 yards.
Jacob Saylors managed just 1 yard on seven attempts. Saylors caught seven passes for 91 yards. Wilkins, who connected on 16 of 29 passes for 147 yards, led the rushing attack with 39 yards.
Wilkins was intercepted by DC鈥檚 Willie Drew Jr. midway through the fourth period with 蜜芽传媒 trailing by just three. It was the Wilkins鈥 third interception.
蜜芽传媒 will play Saturday at Arlington.
Photos: Battlehawks suffer a 27-15 loss to visiting DC Defenders
蜜芽传媒 Battlehawks safety Qwynnterrio Cole (32) drags down DC Defender running back Abram Smith (4) during an United Football League game on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
蜜芽传媒 Battlehawks linebacker Willie Harvey (51) tackles the ball carrier during an United Football League game on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
Battlehawks running back Jacob Saylors, left, is tackled by DC's Deontay Anderson on Sunday, April 13, 2025, in The Dome at America鈥檚 Center. The Defenders held the B-Hawks to 45 yards rushing en route to winning 27-15.
蜜芽传媒 Battlehawks offensive lineman Jaryd Jones-Smith (75) signs autographs after an United Football League game on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
The 蜜芽传媒 Battlehawks defense makes the stop during an United Football League game on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
DC Defender quarterback Jordan Ta鈥橝mu (10) hands the ball off during an United Football League game on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
蜜芽传媒 Battlehawks linebacker Pita Taumoepenu (7) lunges for DC Defender quarterback Jordan Ta鈥橝mu (10) during an United Football League game on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
蜜芽传媒 Battlehawks quarterback Manny Wilkins (5) passes the ball during an United Football League game on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
蜜芽传媒 Battlehawks defensive back Nick Whiteside (10) breaks up a pass intended for DC Defender wide receiver Cornell Powell (14) during an United Football League game on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
DC wide receiver Cornell Powell celebrates after making a touchdown catch in a game against the Battlehawks on Sunday, April 13, 2025, int The Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
Battlehawks quarterback Manny Wilkins scrambles in a game against DC on Sunday, April 13, 2025, in The Dome at America鈥檚 Center. He was intercepted three times and lost a fumble in his team鈥檚 27-15 loss.
蜜芽传媒 Battlehawks wide receiver Jahcour Pearson (1) gets tackled during an United Football League game on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
蜜芽传媒 Battlehawks kicker Rodrigo Blankenship (28) celebrates after a long field goal during an United Football League game on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
蜜芽传媒 Battlehawks linebacker Pita Taumoepenu (7) signs autographs after an United Football League game on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
蜜芽传媒 Battlehawks defensive back Brandon Sebastian (38) takes selfies with fans after an United Football League game on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
蜜芽传媒 Battlehawks wide receiver Gary Jennings (12) signs autographs after an United Football League game on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
蜜芽传媒 Battlehawks defensive back Brandon Sebastian (38) before an United Football League game on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
蜜芽传媒 Battlehawks Phil Hoskins (92) signs autographs after an United Football League game on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
A Battlehawk 鈥淪piderman鈥 waves at the team before an United Football League game on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
蜜芽传媒 Battlehawks running back Jacob Saylors (15) before an United Football League game on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
The 蜜芽传媒 Battlehawks mascot cheers with fans before an United Football League game on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
蜜芽传媒 Battlehawks coach Anthony Becht questions a call during an United Football League game on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
蜜芽传媒 Battlehawks running back Jarveon Howard (41) runs with the ball during an United Football League game on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
蜜芽传媒 Battlehawks defensive back Kameron Kelly (4) smiles as he walks back to the sideline during an United Football League game on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
蜜芽传媒 Battlehawks linebacker Travis Feeney (56) and 蜜芽传媒 Battlehawks defensive tackle Austin Faoliu (99) make a tackle during an United Football League game on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
蜜芽传媒 Battlehawks linebacker Travis Feeney (56) tackles a runner during an United Football League game on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
蜜芽传媒 Battlehawks defensive back Kameron Kelly (4) celebrates after an interception during an United Football League game on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
蜜芽传媒 Battlehawks defensive back Kameron Kelly (4) makes the tackle during an United Football League game on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
蜜芽传媒 Battlehawks defensive back Chris Payton-Jones (3) defends the pass during an United Football League game on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
Battlehawks quarterback Manny Wilkins throws the ball in his team鈥檚 27-15 loss to DC, in which he was intercepted three times, on Sunday, April 13, 2025 in the Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
蜜芽传媒 Battlehawks wide receiver Frank Darby (2) makes a tackle on kickoff during an United Football League game on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
The UFL championship trophy is displayed on Sunday, April 13, 2025, in The Dome at America鈥檚 Center for an announcement that the league championship game will be played there on June 14.
Battlehawks linebacker Travis Feeney, center, celebrates after a sack in a game against DC on Sunday, April 13, 2025, in The Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
UFL owner Dany Garcia holds up the UFL trophy at halftime of a game between the Battlehawks and Defenders on Sunday, April 13, 2025, as the league announced that the UFL championship game will again be held in 蜜芽传媒, on Sunday, June 14, at the Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
蜜芽传媒 Battlehawks linebacker Callahan O'Reilly (59) and 蜜芽传媒 Battlehawks linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi (33) make the tackle during an United Football League game on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
蜜芽传媒 Battlehawks quarterback Manny Wilkins (5) runs onto the field before an United Football League game on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
蜜芽传媒 Battlehawks wide receiver Frank Darby (2) makes a touchdown catch during an United Football League game on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
蜜芽传媒 Battlehawks quarterback Manny Wilkins (5) rolls out of pressure during an United Football League game on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center.
