Shannon Harris, a former quarterback at Tennessee State College, made historical past Saturday night time by turning into the primary HBCU graduate to teach a workforce to an expert sports activities championship. Harris led the DC Defenders to a record-breaking 58-34 victory over the Michigan Panthers within the 2025 UFL Championship Sport.
The Defenders exploded with a 31-6 run within the second quarter, setting the tone for his or her dominant end. Quarterback Jordan Ta’amu was named UFL Championship Sport MVP, throwing for a record-setting 390 yards on 21-of-28 passing and 4 touchdowns. Jaydon Mickens caught six passes for 132 yards, fueling the aerial assault.
Michigan got here out robust, scoring on its first two drives to grab a 13-6 lead. DC answered with 25 unanswered factors, together with a 22-yard subject objective and landing drives capped by Cornell Powell’s 19-yard seize and Ta’amu’s quarterback sneak on fourth-and-goal. A two-point conversion prolonged the result in 23-13. Shortly earlier than halftime, Deon Jackson broke free for a 5-yard speeding landing, pushing the benefit to 31-13.
Large offensive performs set the tone
Though Michigan’s Bryce Perkins linked with Malik Turner for a 71-yard landing late within the half, Ta’amu struck once more with a 73-yard move to Ty Scott, giving DC a snug 37-19 lead at intermission.
Within the third quarter, DC secured its lead when Jackson scored from 17 yards out following an interception. Briley Moore added a landing catch early within the fourth quarter, pushing the rating to 52-19. Michigan rallied with three consecutive possessions and the advantage of UFL’s 4th-and-12 rule, narrowing the hole to 52-34 earlier than DC’s protection sealed the win with a remaining landing.
The 58 factors had been essentially the most ever scored in UFL historical past and signaled a brand new period for spring soccer—and for coaches rising from HBCU applications. Gamers from Virginia State in addition to star receiver Chris Rowland, additionally from Tennessee State, are additionally part of the HBCU legacy of this championship workforce.
