A little over a month has passed since the Kansas City Chiefs won back-to-back Super Bowls. While fans will have to wait a bit longer for more NFL action, are there any UFL games today?
Semi-pro football returns in 2024 with a twist. While the XFL and USFL both crowned champions last year, an offseason merger has brought the two leagues together into one group: the United Football League, or UFL. The leagues kept four teams from their products to split the UFL into two divisions, the XFL Conference and the USFL Conference.
With the new league ready to kick off, what is the UFL schedule for this weekend? Here’s a look at the UFL games today, including the start time, TV channels, and more.
UFL Games Today: TV Schedule, Start Times, and More
So are there any UFL games today? The new league starts its inaugural season on Saturday, March 30, with two matchups. All eight teams will play this weekend, with two more games kicking off on Sunday. Here’s a look at each of the UFL games this weekend.
D.C. Defenders at San Antonio Brahmas
- Date: Sunday, March 31, 2024
- Start time: Noon ET
- Channel: ESPN
After two games, the UFL schedule continues on Sunday as the D.C. Defenders head to the Alamodome to take on the San Antonio Brahmas. These are not the same Defenders from last season. D.C. ran out to a 9-1 record in 2023 before falling to the Renegades in the XFL Championship game.
QB Jordan Ta’amu returns under center, but the signal caller’s three interceptions in the championship game put the Defenders in a hole. Additionally, D.C. utilized a dual-QB system last season; however, former Miami Hurricane QB D’Eriq King will not return this season. Additionally, the Defenders will be without XFL leading rusher Abram Smith, who is recovering from a torn ACL.
The Brahmas used the offseason to go through some roster overhaul. Former Cal Golden Bears QB Chase Garbers gets the nod to start Week 1 over Quinten Dormady and Tom Flacco. San Antonio has some weapons for Garbers with WR Jontre Kirklin and TE Cody Latimer. Will bringing in long-time NFL coach and coordinator Wade Phillips pay off for the Brahmas this season?
Memphis Showboats at Houston Roughnecks
- Date: Sunday, March 31, 2024
- Start time: 3 p.m. ET
- Channel: ESPN
The final UFL game of the weekend has the Memphis Showboats heading to Rice Stadium to take on the Houston Roughnecks. The Showboats finished 5-5 in their inaugural USFL season in 2023. However, like the Brahmas, the team saw an overhaul this offseason. The changes started at the top; head coach Todd Haley was replaced by former New Orleans Breakers HC John DeFilippo.
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DeFilippo brought in a new QB, with Case Cookus getting the nod under center. The former Northern Arizona signal-caller had two stints with the Philadelphia Stars before getting drafted by Memphis in the 2024 UFL Dispersal Draft. Cookus took over for Bryan Scott after an injury and led the Stars to the 2022 USFL Championship game. Unfortunately, Cookus would leave the game with a broken leg, and the Stars fell 33-30.
Not only did the Showboats bring in Cookus, but Memphis also added RB Darius Victor and WR Jonathan Adams to bolster the offensive weapons. The Roughnecks have a sturdy pass rush, but that will only hold up so long if Houston is unable to slow down the Showboats’ air and ground attack. Houston might be in for a long matchup in the final UFL game today.
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