Battlehawks: New year, same mission

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - The Battlehawks lost their first game of the season against the Michigan Panthers with a final score of 18-16.

Week one of the United Football League (UFL) kicks off Saturday, March 30, and the St. Louis Battlehawks are looking to set the tone with their first game of the season.

The Battlehawks will start the season on the road for the third consecutive year, facing the Michigan Panthers at 3 p.m. on FOX. Last year, they beat the San Antonio Brahmas 18-15 on the road with a clutch from A.J. McCarron thrown to Austin Proehl.

Run it back

There are a bunch of familiar faces that have returned to the Battlehawks this year, including star quarterback A.J. McCarron and receivers Hakeem Butler and Darrius Shepherd. Head Coach Anthony Becht is also back for another exciting season.

A.J. McCarron set the XFL record for touchdown es with 24 last season. He ranked second with 203 completions and 2,150 ing yards. Butler scored eight touchdowns and finished second in the league with 51 receptions and 599 receiving yards.

Last season, Shepherd led the XFL with 907 kick return yards. During week three against the D.C. Defenders, he racked up a season-high 190 yards, including an 80-yard return that was the second-longest run in the XFL. He also dominated at receiver with 48 receptions for 519 receiving yards.

New Additions

They might have lost some players, but they made room for 26 players to help the team to another winning season. A really good addition to the Battlehawks is 2023 XFL’s Defensive Player of the Year defensive end Pita Taumoepenu, All-XFL honorees defensive tackle Austin Faoliu and wide receiver Jahcour Pearson.

Taumoepenu led the XFL with four forced fumbles and ranked second in the league with 7.5 sacks while playing for the Las Vegas Vipers. Faoliu and Pearson played for the Seattle Sea Dragons. Faoliu racked up 24 tackles and one sack. Pearson led the XFL with 670 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

Michigan Panthers: What you need to know

The Michigan Panthers were a part of the USFL last year. They finished second in their division with a 4-6 record. They are led by Head Coach Mike Nolan.

The Panthers have a solid defense led by defensive end Breeland Speaks and All-USFL safety Shalom Luani. Their offense is led by last year’s All-USFL running back Reggie Corbin and wide receiver Corey Coleman.

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