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FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Renegades (3-0) held off a furious late rally from the Columbus Aviators (0-3) Sunday afternoon at Toyota Stadium, securing a gritty 28-23 victory to remain unbeaten in the 2026 UFL season.
Despite being outgained in total yards (225-288) and facing a Columbus passing attack that racked up 230 yards, Dallas was opportunistic on defense and mistake-free on offense. The Renegades forced two turnovers — including a momentum-shifting interception returned for a touchdown — while committing zero of their own.
Quarterback Austin Reed carved up the Aviators secondary for 147 yards and two touchdown passes. Running back Dae Dae Hunter powered the ground game with 62 yards and a score on 11 carries, while Tyler Vaughns led the receiving corps with five catches for 41 yards. The Dallas defense added three sacks and limited Columbus to just 74 rushing yards.
Columbus quarterback Jalan McClendon threw for 230 yards and two touchdowns but was picked off twice. John Lovett was a dual-threat bright spot with a receiving touchdown in the first quarter and a rushing score late in the third.
The game started with Columbus drawing first blood. McClendon found Lovett for an 8-yard touchdown pass, and Ryan Coe added the extra point for a 7-0 lead at the 10:31 mark of the first quarter.
Dallas responded in the second quarter. Reed hit Deontay Burnett for a 2-yard touchdown to tie it at 7-7. After Columbus reclaimed the lead with a 53-yard field goal from Coe (10-7), the Renegades seized control. McClendon’s pass was intercepted by Shaun Wade, who lateraled to Ajene Harris for a 17-yard pick-six touchdown return. C. Theaker’s extra point gave Dallas a 14-10 halftime edge.
The third quarter belonged to the Renegades. Hunter punched in a 1-yard touchdown run, and Reed connected with Emmanuel Butler on a 2-yard scoring strike. Suddenly it was 28-10. Columbus answered late in the period with Lovett’s 2-yard rushing touchdown, cutting the deficit to 28-17 heading into the final frame.
The Aviators mounted one last charge in the fourth. McClendon found Antwane Wells for a 2-yard touchdown pass with 2:05 remaining, pulling Columbus within five at 28-23. But the two-point conversion failed when McClendon’s pass to Zaquandre White was stopped short, and Dallas’ defense held firm the rest of the way.
The Renegades improved to 3-0 with an efficient, balanced attack and a defense that made the big plays when it mattered most. Columbus dropped to 0-3 but showed fight in the second half, outgaining Dallas and controlling the clock (30:23 to 29:37).
These 2 will face off once again on Friday night in Columbus, Ohio, as the Renegades look to stay unbeaten while the Aviators still are searching for their first win of 2026
