Panthers, Defenders' TDs highlight top plays from UFL conference championships

The 2025 UFL conference championship games are in the books. The Michigan Panthers were able to end the Birmingham Stallions' quest for a four-peat, winning the USFL title game, 44-29. In the XFL title game, the DC Defenders decisively defeated the St. Louis Battlehawks, 36-18.

Before we look ahead to the Panthers-Defenders UFL title game on Saturday, let's look at some of the highlight plays from conference championship week. 

Right before halftime in Sunday's game against the Battlehawks, the Defenders were able to get three more points thanks to a hit from Derick Roberson on Max Duggan, which caused a fumble. That play gave the Defenders the ball deep in St. Louis territory, allowing them to kick a field goal right before the first-half buzzer.

Darby helped provide St. Louis' offense with a much-needed spark in the fourth quarter, making his way downfield for a 48-yard gain after a reception.

Stallions quarterback J'Mar Smith was able to throw a touchdown to Thomas in the second quarter of Sunday's game when the tight end kept his feet inbounds for an 18-yard score.

It wouldn't be an edition of top plays without Perkins. He made another highlight play in Sunday's game against the Stallions, breaking out of multiple tackles before running downfield for a 29-yard gain.

Cain turned what should've been a modest first-down gain into a big play for the Stallions in the second quarter of Sunday's game. He slipped out of a pair of tacklers before running downfield to get a 66-yard gain.

The Defenders ran a bit of an unconventional flea flicker in Sunday's game against the Battlehawks. In the third quarter, quarterback Jordan Ta'amu pitched the ball to running back Abram Smith, who handed the ball back to Ta'amu. The