Panthers vs. Defenders live score, updates, highlights from 2025 UFL championship

As spring turns to summer, the UFL season is set to conclude with a big-time matchup.

The DC Defenders will meet the Michigan Panthers in the 2025 UFL championship game on Saturday night at The Dome of America’s Center in St. Louis. 

Both teams have had challenging paths to reach the title bout. The Defenders downed the St. Louis Battlehawks 38-16 in the XFL Conference championship game, while the Panthers knocked off the defending champion Birmingham Stallions 44-29 in the USFL Conference title game to advance.

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The Panthers beat the Defenders in the teams’ only meeting earlier this season, claiming a 38-14 victory in Week 6. However, all bets are off with the league title on the line.

The Sporting News is tracking the live score, updates, and more from the 2025 UFL championship game. 

Defenders vs. Panthers score

Defenders vs. Panthers live updates, results, highlights from UFL championship game

(All times Eastern)

Fourth quarter

11:18 p.m. —TOUCHDOWN!: Running back Chris Rowland scores from 19 yards out. That’s 573 total yards of offense for the Defenders.

Defenders 52 Panthers 34

11:14 p.m. — FIELD GOAL!: B.T. Potter converts to get Michigan a little closer.

11:06 p.m. — The Panthers pick up another 4th-and-12 and retain possession again!

Defenders 52 Panthers 31

11:00 p.m. — TOUCHDOWN!: Malik Turner for the third time tonight. This game is getting interesting in a hurry.

10:57 p.m. — The Panthers convert on 4th-and-12 (the UFL version of the onside kick), so they retain possession with 12 minutes to go in the game.

Defenders 52 Panthers 25

10:50 p.m. —TOUCHDOWN!: The Panthers are trying to mount a miraculous comeback late. Perkins finds Turner for his second touchdown of the game. Conversion was unsuccessful.

Defenders 52 Panthers 19

10:43 p.m. — TOUCHDOWN!: Ta’amu tosses the dagger to tight end Briley Moore. The Defenders have now scored the most points ever in a UFL game.

Third quarter

Defenders 46 Panthers 19

10:23 p.m. —TOUCHDOWN! Deon Jackson finds the end zone for the second time today. The conversion attempt failed.

10:20 p.m. — INTERCEPTION! Kiondre Thomas picks off Perkins at midfield as he tries to force the issue down field. DC is set up with great field position again.

Defenders 40 Panthers 19

10:13 p.m. —FIELD GOAL!: McCrane splits the uprights again to give DC a three-score lead.

Halftime: Defenders 37 Panthers 19

Second quarter

9:45 p.m. —TOUCHDOWN!: Ta’amu with a bomb to Ty Scott! Conversion attempt was unsuccessful. What a first half of football.

Defenders 31 Panthers 19

9:39 p.m. —TOUCHDOWN! Perkins finds Malik Turner over the middle and he runs 71 yards to the house. What. A. Play.

Defenders 31 Panthers 13

9:34 p.m. — TOUCHDOWN!: Deon Jackson bursts into the end zone and extends the DC lead. Conversion attempt was successful.

Defenders 23 Panthers 13

9:19 p.m. —TOUCHDOWN!: Ta’amu powers into the end zone on 4th-and-goal. Conversion is good. It’s all going DC’s way in the second quarter.

9:15 p.m. —FUMBLE! Panthers kick returner Xavier Malone coughs it up, putting the Defenders on their opponent’s 7-yard line.

Defenders 15 Panthers 13

9:10 p.m. — TOUCHDOWN!: Ta’amu drops one in to wide receiver Cornell Powell in the corner of the end zone. Conversion attempt is unsuccessful. Backup quarterback Mike DiLiello on the call.

9:08 p.m. — Two former Ole Miss Rebels connect as Ta’amu finds wide receiver Braylon Sanders along the right sideline for a nice 30-yard gain.

9:02 p.m — The Defenders finally play some defense and get a sack on Perkins, forcing a punt.

Panthers 13 Defenders 9

8:58 p.m. — FIELD GOAL!: After a promising Defenders drive stalls in the red zone, kicker Matt McCrane hits a short field goal.

First quarter

Panthers 13 Defenders 6

8:46 p.m. — TOUCHDOWN!: Perkins finds Siaosi Mariner wide open for the walk in TD. Conversion attempt is good.

8:45 p.m. — Panthers running back Toa Taua bowls over former NFL first round pick DeAndre Baker for a first down.

Panthers 6 Defenders 6

8:35 p.m. — TOUCHDOWN!: The Defenders answer right back. Jordan Ta’amu throws and absolute dime to Jaydon Mickens. The conversion attempt failed. 

8:30 p.m. — The Defenders are wearing down the Panthers early. After a couple of runs, wide receiver Chris Rowland breaks off a 25-yard catch and run.

Panthers 6 Defenders 0

8:23 p.m. — TOUCHDOWN!: Panthers running back Nate McRary finds a crease and coasts into the end zone. The conversion attempt failed.

8:21 p.m. — Panthers quarterback Bryce Perkins is in rhythm early, completing three straight passes to wide receiver Malik Turner.

8:18 p.m. — The Defenders kick off to the Panthers’ Xavier Malone, and we are underway.

Pregame

8:05 p.m. — The teams are making their way to the field from the locker rooms. Here we go…

8:03 p.m. — Puka Nacua’s younger brother, Kai, is bringing some heat for the Panthers!

7:40 p.m. Michigan Panthers offensive lineman Ryan Nelson letting everyone know he’s mic’d up for tonight’s game.

7:35 p.m. —DC Defenders quarterback Jordan Ta’amu checks in before the UFL championship. We’re under 30 minutes until kickoff.

Defenders vs. Panthers start time

• Date: Saturday, June 14
• Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET

The clash between the DC Defenders and Michigan Panthers will kick off at 8 p.m. ET from The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis.

What channel is Defenders vs. Panthers on today?

• TV Channel: ABC
• Live stream: ESPN+, Fubo

Saturday’s UFL title game will be broadcast on ABC. Cord cutters can catch all the action on Fubo, which comes with a free trial for new subscribers.

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UFL Conference championship

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Saturday, June 14