The Orlando Storm couldn’t quite pull off the hat trick against the DC Defenders on Sunday in a semifinal game of the UFL playoffs. Playing the defenders for the third straight week, after having defeated DC on the previous two occasions, the Storm lost in the all-important playoff game 28-22, ending Orlando’s season in Daytona Stadium.
The Defenders, the defending UFL champions, will now go on to Saturday’s United Bowl in Washington. There they will host the Louisville Kings, who defeated the St. Louis Battlehawks 29-20 in Sunday’s other semifinal.
The Storm, which had defeated the Defenders 27-19 and 29-23 in each of the previous two weeks, found themselves in a 17-6 hole after an interception led to a DC field goal to start the second half. The Storm rallied twice to keep it close, but could never get over the top.
Orlando Storm receiver Elijhah Badger runs after a catch against the DC Defenders in a UFL playoff game at Daytona Stadium in Daytona Beach on Sunday. DC won the game 28-22. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
“I make no excuses for this loss. They were prepared. This wasn’t about playing a team or beating a team three times. It was one game. We weren’t at our best today,” Storm coach Anthony Becht said. “I’m sick for our players, but there’s a lot of bright spots to really embrace about this season.
“We had a really, really good run and we feel good about it. It just came down to they made more plays than us.”
It was only the third loss of the season for the Storm, in their first year of playing in Orlando as a UFL expansion team. Orlando started off the season 4-0 and after stumbling to two straight losses, rattled off four more victories and earned the top seed headed into the playoffs at 8-2.
Orlando, playing for the first time at Daytona Municipal Stadium due to a conflict with Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, appeared to gain some momentum in the third quarter in front of an announced 6,000-plus fans. Orlando’s Kana’i Mauga intercepted a pass and raced 60 yards for a pick-6 touchdown to bring the Storm within 17-13.
But DC answered quickly to make it 24-13 and kept Orlando at bay from there. Orlando scored on a Jack Plummer to Chris Rowland 40-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter, but could only muster a field goal the rest of the way.
Storm head coach Anthony Becht congratulates wide receiver K.J. Hamler (3) during a UFL playoff game against the DC Defenders at Daytona Stadium in Daytona Beach on Sunday. DC won the game 28-22. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
“Ultimately, the red zone was not kind to our offense today, and that’s unfortunate,” Becht said. “I really felt like we were moving the ball well, but … from an execution standpoint we were not at our best.”
It was a raucous crowd in Daytona, many making the trip from Orlando.
“The venue was great. I want to thank the city of Daytona,” Becht said. “I want to thank the fans, as well. The Orlando fans were incredible, and we continue to build that. I can’t wait to see them next year.
“They know how to win and have a winning culture. I gotta figure out a way to get us over the hump. When I say us, I mean the last couple of years.”
Before Orlando, Becht spent three seasons as head coach of the St. Louis Battlehawks and was 22-8. He was 15-5 and made the playoffs in each of the past two seasons in St. Louis.
Orlando will likely be back for the 2027 season. The UFL has a unique setup. Each of the 10 league teams are based in Arlington, Texas, which is where they all practice every day. The teams then fly into the host cities on game day.
Chris Hays can be found on X.com @OS_ChrisHays.