Locals In The UFL: 2024 Week Six Recap
May 5, 2024, 5:07 PM | Updated: May 12, 2024, 11:53 am
Siaosi Mariner #14 of the Michigan Panthers prepares in the locker room prior to 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 sixth week of the 2024 United Football League season.
Local Players in the UFL: Week 6 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 sixth week of the UFL season:
#LocalsInTheUFL
Former Utah Utes
Francis Bernard – Linebacker – D.C. Defenders (3-3)
The former Utah linebacker and the Defenders beat the San Antonio Brahmas, 18-12, on Sunday, May 5.
Next Game: vs. Michigan Panthers on Sunday, May 12 at 10 a.m. (MT) on ESPN/ESPN+
Dub in D.C. 🛡️😏 pic.twitter.com/VwzIhPZ5id
— D.C. Defenders (@XFLDefenders) May 5, 2024
T.J. Pledger – Running Back – Houston Roughnecks (1-5)
The former Utah running back had seven carries for 38 yards and one reception for six yards in Houston’s 22-8 loss to the St. Louis Battlehawks on Saturday, May 4.
Next Game: vs. San Antonio Brahmas on Sunday, May 12 at 1 p.m. (MT) on ESPN/ESPN+
— Houston Roughnecks (@XFLRoughnecks) May 4, 2024
Darrin Paulo – Offensive Tackle – Memphis Showboats (1-5)
The former Utah offensive lineman and the Showboats suffered a 39-21 loss to the Birmingham Stallions on Saturday, May 4.
Next Game: @ Arlington Renegades on Saturday, May 11 at 11 a.m. (MT) on ESPN/ESPN+
Salesi Uhatafe – Offensive Tackle – Memphis Showboats (1-5)
The former Utah offensive lineman and the Showboats suffered a 39-21 loss to the Birmingham Stallions on Saturday, May 4.
Next Game: @ Arlington Renegades on Saturday, May 11 at 11 a.m. (MT) on ESPN/ESPN+
— Memphis Showboats (@USFLShowboats) May 4, 2024
Troy Williams — Quarterback – Memphis Showboats (1-5)
The former Utah quarterback was 6/13 passing for 65 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in Memphis’ 39-21 loss to the Birmingham Stallions on Saturday, May 4. Williams also had two carries for 11 yards.
Next Game: @ Arlington Renegades on Saturday, May 11 at 11 a.m. (MT) on ESPN/ESPN+
Touchdown Troy 🙌#LocalsInTheUFL #UFL #GoUtes https://t.co/to3GaTGXhz
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) May 5, 2024
Corrion Ballard – Safety – Michigan Panthers (4-2)
The former Utah defensive back had six total tackles and four solo tackles in Michigan’s 28-27 win over the Arlington Renegades on Sunday, May 5.
Next Game: @ D.C. Defenders on Sunday, May 12 at 10 a.m. (MT) on ESPN/ESPN+
Mika Tafua — Defensive End — Michigan Panthers (4-2)
The former Utah defensive lineman had one tackle in Michigan’s 28-27 win over the Arlington Renegades on Sunday, May 5.
Next Game: @ D.C. Defenders on Sunday, May 12 at 10 a.m. (MT) on ESPN/ESPN+
Pita Taumoepenu – Linebacker – St. Louis Battlehawks (5-1)
The former Utah linebacker had three total tackles and two solo tackles in St. Louis’ 22-8 win over the Houston Roughnecks on Saturday, May 4.
Next Game: @ Birmingham Stallions on Saturday, May 11 at 2 p.m. (MT) on FOX
— Pita Taumoepenu jr (@PitaTaumoepenu) May 5, 2024
Former BYU Cougars
Tomasi Laulile — Defensive Tackle – Arlington Renegades (0-6)
The former BYU defensive lineman had two total tackles, one solo tackle, and one tackle for loss in Arlington’s 28-27 loss to the Michigan Panthers on Sunday, May 5.
Next Game: vs. Memphis Showboats on Saturday, May 11 at 11 a.m. (MT) on ESPN/ESPN+
— Arlington Renegades (@XFLRenegades) May 5, 2024
Kai Nacua – Safety – Michigan Panthers (4-2)
The former BYU defensive back had six total tackles and four solo tackles in Michigan’s 28-27 win over the Arlington Renegades on Sunday, May 5.
Next Game: @ D.C. Defenders on Sunday, May 12 at 10 a.m. (MT) on ESPN/ESPN+
Samson Nacua – Wide Receiver – Michigan Panthers (4-2)
The former BYU wide receiver had two receptions for 27 yards in Michigan’s 28-27 win over the Arlington Renegades on Sunday, May 5.
Next Game: @ D.C. Defenders on Sunday, May 12 at 10 a.m. (MT) on ESPN/ESPN+
JAKE BATES IS A MICHIGAN LEGEND
A walk-off W in Detroit 🔥 pic.twitter.com/dYN1hIbpKY
— Michigan Panthers (@USFLPanthers) May 5, 2024
Former Utah State Aggies
Siaosi Mariner – Wide Receiver – Michigan Panthers (4-2)
The former USU wide receiver had four receptions for 45 yards and one touchdown in Michigan’s 28-27 win over the Arlington Renegades on Sunday, May 5.
Next Game: @ D.C. Defenders on Sunday, May 12 at 10 a.m. (MT) on ESPN/ESPN+
Siaosi for 6️⃣#LocalsInTheUFL #UFL #AggiesAllTheWay https://t.co/3KdqBrB6ck
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) May 5, 2024
Former Weber State Wildcats
Adam Rodriguez – Defensive End – Houston Roughnecks (1-5)
The former Weber State defensive lineman had one pass breakup in Houston’s 22-8 loss to the St. Louis Battlehawks on Saturday, May 4.
Next Game: vs. San Antonio Brahmas on Sunday, May 12 at 1 p.m. (MT) on ESPN/ESPN+
Former Southern Utah Thunderbirds
Brock Miller – Punter – Michigan Panthers (4-2)
The former Southern Utah punter punted twice with an average of 52.0 yards per kick in Michigan’s 28-27 win over the Arlington Renegades on Sunday, May 5.
Next Game: @ D.C. Defenders on Sunday, May 12 at 10 a.m. (MT) on ESPN/ESPN+
Former High School Standouts
Gabriel Sewell Jr. – Linebacker – Houston Roughnecks (1-5)
The former Desert Hills standout had one tackle in Houston’s 22-8 loss to the St. Louis Battlehawks on Saturday, May 4.
Next Game: vs. San Antonio Brahmas on Sunday, May 12 at 1 p.m. (MT) on ESPN/ESPN+
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 a Sports Producer and Locals in the NFL Insider for sports.ksl.com. Listen to Ireland on Yards After College: An NFL Podcast. Follow him on X (@kyleireland), Threads (@kyleirelandksl), and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
