The UFL has a new champion. The D.C. Defenders defeated the Michigan Panthers in St. Louis on Saturday night, 58-34. It was the most points scored by any team in two seasons of UFL action. The game was back and forth at first, with the Panthers leading 6-0 and 13-6 in the first half. By intermission, D.C. built a 37-19 lead.

Malik Turner pulls the Panthers closer with an incredible 71-yard touchdown. The Defenders follow that up with a 73-yard receiving touchdown from Ty Scott.

Shannon Harris took over the Defenders six days before the 2025 UFL season. His success in the role hasn't surprised his long-time mentor, Fred Kaiss.

The United Football League has named former HBCU quarterback Shannon Harris, now head coach of the DC Defenders, as the 2025 UFL Buddy Teevens Coach of the Year. As a former quarterback at Tennessee State, Harris made his mark in 2001. That year, he set a school record for total offense in a season with 3,137 yards.