Locals In The UFL: 2024 Week Nine Recap
May 26, 2024, 3:58 PM
E.J. Perry #4 of the Michigan Panthers celebrates with his teammates in the locker room after the game against the Houston Roughnecks at Ford Field on April 14, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images for UFL)
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images for UFL)
SALT LAKE CITY – Multiple players with ties to the state of Utah participated in the ninth week of the 2024 United Football League season.
Local Players in the UFL: Week 9 Recap
The UFL is a new spring professional football league created from a merger of the XFL and USFL in 2023.
Here is how the local players performed during the ninth week of the UFL season:
#LocalsInTheUFL
Former Utah Utes
Francis Bernard – Linebacker – D.C. Defenders (4-5)
The former Utah linebacker has been suspended and did not play in D.C.’s 36-21 win over the Memphis Showboats on Sunday, May 26.
Next Game: Regular season finale vs. Arlington Renegades on Sunday, June 2 at 10 a.m. (MT) on ABC/ESPN+
Big W in Memphis 🛡️ pic.twitter.com/KYqRUs3H70
— D.C. Defenders (@XFLDefenders) May 26, 2024
T.J. Pledger – Running Back – Houston Roughnecks (1-8)
The former Utah running back had one carry for five yards in Houston’s 26-22 loss to the Michigan Panthers on Sunday, May 26.
Next Game: Regular season finale @ Memphis Showboats on Sunday, June 2 at 5 p.m. (MT) on FOX
Darrin Paulo – Offensive Tackle – Memphis Showboats (1-8)
The former Utah offensive lineman and the Showboats suffered a 26-21 loss to the D.C. Defenders on Sunday, May 26.
Next Game: Regular season finale vs. Houston Roughnecks on Sunday, June 2 at 5 p.m. (MT) on FOX
Salesi Uhatafe – Offensive Tackle – Memphis Showboats (1-8)
The former Utah offensive lineman and the Showboats suffered a 26-21 loss to the D.C. Defenders on Sunday, May 26.
Next Game: Regular season finale vs. Houston Roughnecks on Sunday, June 2 at 5 p.m. (MT) on FOX
Troy Williams — Quarterback – Memphis Showboats (1-8)
The former Utah quarterback was 4/7 passing for 15 yards in Memphis’ 26-21 loss to the D.C. Defenders on Sunday, May 26.
Next Game: Regular season finale vs. Houston Roughnecks on Sunday, June 2 at 5 p.m. (MT) on FOX
— Memphis Showboats (@USFLShowboats) May 26, 2024
Corrion Ballard – Safety – Michigan Panthers (7-2)
The former Utah defensive back was inactive for Michigan’s 26-22 win over the Houston Roughnecks on Sunday, May 26.
Next Game: Regular season finale @ Birmingham Stallions on Saturday, June 1 at 12 p.m. (MT) on ESPN/ESPN+
Mika Tafua — Defensive End — Michigan Panthers (7-2)
The former Utah defensive lineman had three total tackles, one solo tackle, and 0.5 sacks in Michigan’s 26-22 win over the Houston Roughnecks on Sunday, May 26.
Next Game: Regular season finale @ Birmingham Stallions on Saturday, June 1 at 12 p.m. (MT) on ESPN/ESPN+
Pita Taumoepenu – Linebacker – St. Louis Battlehawks (6-3)
The former Utah linebacker had one tackle in St. Louis’ 36-22 loss to the Arlington Renegades on Saturday, May 25.
Next Game: Regular season finale vs. San Antonio Brahmas on Saturday, June 1 at 2 p.m. (MT) on FOX
alright. deep breaths.
*inhale, exhale*
let us have it. pic.twitter.com/drHv3L3hHd
— St. Louis Battlehawks (@XFLBattlehawks) May 25, 2024
Former BYU Cougars
Tomasi Laulile — Defensive Tackle – Arlington Renegades (2-7)
The former BYU defensive lineman had two tackles and one solo tackle in Arlington’s 36-22 win over the St. Louis Battlehawks on Saturday, May 25.
Next Game: Regular season finale @ D.C. Defenders on Sunday, June 2 at 10 a.m. (MT) on ABC/ESPN+
Better luck next time, Battlehawks 😏🤠 pic.twitter.com/6dEdooSDvg
— Arlington Renegades (@XFLRenegades) May 25, 2024
Kai Nacua – Safety – Michigan Panthers (7-2)
The former BYU defensive back had three total tackles, two solo tackles, and one pass breakup in Michigan’s 26-22 win over the Houston Roughnecks on Sunday, May 26.
Next Game: Regular season finale @ Birmingham Stallions on Saturday, June 1 at 12 p.m. (MT) on ESPN/ESPN+
Samson Nacua – Wide Receiver – Michigan Panthers (7-2)
The former BYU wide receiver had one reception for 13 yards in Michigan’s 26-22 win over the Houston Roughnecks on Sunday, May 26. Nacua also recorded two tackles.
Next Game: Regular season finale @ Birmingham Stallions on Saturday, June 1 at 12 p.m. (MT) on ESPN/ESPN+
Former Utah State Aggies
Siaosi Mariner – Wide Receiver – Michigan Panthers (7-2)
The former USU wide receiver had eight receptions for 95 yards in Michigan’s 26-22 win over the Houston Roughnecks on Sunday, May 26.
Next Game: Regular season finale @ Birmingham Stallions on Saturday, June 1 at 12 p.m. (MT) on ESPN/ESPN+
No trap game here 😼 pic.twitter.com/1w5x721ICB
— Michigan Panthers (@USFLPanthers) May 26, 2024
Former Weber State Wildcats
Adam Rodriguez – Defensive End – Houston Roughnecks (1-8)
The former Weber State defensive lineman had one tackle in Houston’s 26-22 loss to the Michigan Panthers on Sunday, May 26.
Next Game: Regular season finale @ Memphis Showboats on Sunday, June 2 at 5 p.m. (MT) on FOX
— Houston Roughnecks (@XFLRoughnecks) May 26, 2024
Former Southern Utah Thunderbirds
Brock Miller – Punter – Michigan Panthers (7-2)
The former Southern Utah punter punted twice with an average of 46.5 yards per kick in Michigan’s 26-22 win over the Houston Roughnecks on Sunday, May 26.
Next Game: Regular season finale @ Birmingham Stallions on Saturday, June 1 at 12 p.m. (MT) on ESPN/ESPN+
Former High School Standouts
Gabriel Sewell Jr. – Linebacker – Houston Roughnecks (1-8)
The former Desert Hills standout and the Roughnecks suffered a 26-22 loss to the Michigan Panthers on Sunday, May 26.
Next Game: Regular season finale @ Memphis Showboats on Sunday, June 2 at 5 p.m. (MT) on FOX
RELATED: United Football League Reveals Inaugural Regular Season Schedule
2024 UFL Teams & Stadiums
USFL Conference
- Birmingham Stallions – Protective Stadium
- Houston Roughnecks – Rice Stadium
- Memphis Showboats – Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium
- Michigan Panthers – Ford Field
XFL Conference
- Arlington Renegades – Choctaw Stadium
- D.C Defenders – Audi Field
- San Antonio Brahmas – The Alamodome
- St. Louis Battlehawks – The Dome at America’s Center
Kyle Ireland is an insider for Utah’s NHL team for KSLSports.com. Follow him on X (@kyleireland), Threads (@kyleirelandksl), and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
