Storm Surge into Playoffs Following 31-24 Victory over Dallas at Fort Hood
FORT HOOD, TX – May 15, 2026 – On a historic night time at Fort Hood, the Storm clinched a playoff berth of their inaugural season after taking down the Renegades 31-24 within the first skilled soccer sport ever performed on a army base.
Powered by 4 dashing touchdowns, a superb 11-16 on third down, and one other environment friendly night time from Jack Plummer, Head Coach Anthony Becht is now headed to his third straight UFL postseason.
In the primary skilled soccer sport ever performed on a army base, Orlando earned the primary scoring alternative of Week Eight.
After the protection compelled a three-and-out, Chris Rowland instantly sparked the offense. The UFL’s chief in all-purpose yards slipped a deal with and burst 25 yards upfield for the primary explosive play of the night time.
However, Michael Lantz pushed a troublesome 51-yard discipline objective large into the Fort Hood wind.
Dallas capitalized on the missed alternative. Austin Reed engineered a robust opening drive that featured a 22-yard catch-and-run from Drake Stoops earlier than stalling contained in the crimson zone. Colton Theaker linked from 31 yards out to present the Renegades an early 3-0 lead.
After one other missed kick from Lantz, this one from 52 yards, Dallas as soon as once more took benefit of favorable discipline place.
Reed continued his sharp first half by creating chunk performs with each his arm and legs. A 12-yard scramble ignited the drive earlier than he rolled proper and delivered a strike to Greg Ward on the transfer. Reed capped the possession with a wonderfully positioned back-shoulder throw to Emmanuel Butler in the long run zone for the primary landing scored at Fort Hood.
Reed’s eighth passing landing of the season and Butler’s fourth receiving landing pushed Dallas forward 10-0.
With the wind lastly at his again within the second quarter, Lantz settled Orlando down with a 43-yard discipline objective to chop the deficit to 10-3.
Moments later, the Storm protection delivered a key response as Pheldarius Payne broke by the road and introduced down Reed for a drive-killing sack.
KJ Hamler then flipped momentum with a 26-yard punt return that set Orlando up close to midfield. Plummer responded with certainly one of his finest drives of the night time, finishing six of seven passes earlier than ending it himself.
On the objective line, Plummer elevated over the pile for a Superman-style dashing landing to tie the sport at 10. The quarterback closed the primary half with 135 passing yards and a 70 p.c completion fee.
Orlando exploded out of halftime.
Plummer stored the ball on a learn choice and took off untouched for a 71-yard landing run, the longest rush by any participant within the UFL this season. The rating capped 17 unanswered factors from Orlando and gave the Storm their first lead of the night time.
Dallas responded instantly because the offense erupted within the third quarter.
Reed rolled to his left and launched a deep ball to Seth Green, who received behind the protection for a 36-yard landing strike.
Green’s first landing of the season got here in entrance of his father, Colonel Bryan Green, who was in attendance celebrating. Following the rating, the 2 shared a particular second on the sideline.
Orlando refused to decelerate.
The Storm dominated on third down all through the night time and transformed three extra throughout a 69-yard scoring drive. At that time, Orlando was an eye-popping 8-for-12 on third down conversions.
Rowland continued his standout efficiency with a 13-yard catch on third-and-long earlier than Jashaun Corbin powered in a two-yard dashing landing to revive Orlando’s lead at 24-17 coming into the fourth quarter.
Dallas desperately wanted a response however couldn’t maintain a drive. Following a holding penalty on fourth-and-17, the Renegades had been backed into a fourth-and-27 from their very own 35-yard line. Unable to transform, Orlando took over along with his finest discipline place of the night time at the Dallas 35.
The Storm continued to punish Dallas on third down. Facing third-and-nine, Elijah Badger hauled in a 14-yard reception to maneuver the chains, Orlando’s ninth conversion on 13 makes an attempt.
Moments later, Hamler took a handoff into the tip zone from three yards out to cap Orlando’s fourth consecutive landing drive and prolonged the result in 31-17.
Reed nonetheless had yet one more reply.
The quarterback sparked one other scoring drive with a 13-yard scramble earlier than Ellis Merriweather ripped off a 16-yard run. Reed later discovered Green for 19 yards to maneuver into the crimson zone.
Facing fourth-and-nine, Reed as soon as once more trusted Butler and delivered a landing strike for his or her second connection of the night time, pulling Dallas inside seven with below six minutes remaining.
Dallas lastly received a defensive cease on third down and compelled Orlando to punt.
However, the Renegades’ dropped third cross of the night time proved to be the costliest. A would-be first down bounced into the air and was intercepted by Deion Jennings, signaling the sport and formally sending Orlando to the postseason.
Despite Orlando’s 4 dashing touchdowns, Rowland starred by the air with 9 receptions for 91 yards. Isaiah Mack anchored the protection with six tackles, a sack, and two tackles for loss.
Reed accounted for 3 whole touchdowns, nevertheless it was not sufficient as Dallas dropped its fifth straight sport. After an amazing begin to the season, the Renegades now discover their playoff hopes in severe jeopardy.
Following the victory, the Storm will return residence for a vital Week Nine showdown towards the DC Defenders at 8:00 PM ET on FOX.
