Columbus Aviators secured their first win of the 2026 UFL season with a 28-14 victory over the previously undefeated Dallas Renegades on FOX UFL Friday at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The result marked a significant upset as Dallas entered the game with a 3-1 record, having won their first three contests of the season. For Columbus, the win improved their record to 1-3 after starting the year with three consecutive losses.
The Aviators’ quarterback Jalan McClendon completed 10 of 15 passes for 126 yards and one touchdown, whereas running back John Lovett carried the ball 15 times for 80 yards. Wide receiver Keke Chism contributed four receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown, and tight finish Alize Mack added three catches for 56 yards. On the opposing side, Dallas quarterback Austin Reed threw for 144 yards on 13-of-27 passing with two touchdowns but was intercepted late in the fourth quarter, a turnover that proved pivotal in sealing the Renegades’ first loss of the season.
According to verified game logs from the United Football League’s Week 4 schedule, the Aviators scored first on a rushing touchdown early in the second quarter to make it 7-0 after Dallas’ opening-drive score. Columbus then answered with two touchdown drives — one rushing and one passing — to take a 14-7 lead before halftime. Dallas tied the game at 14-all just before the break, setting up a decisive second half.
Columbus regained the lead early in the third quarter when a fumble by Dallas was recovered in the end zone for an Aviators touchdown, giving them a 21-14 advantage. The Renegades failed to score in the third quarter, and the Aviators extended their lead midway through the fourth quarter with another score to make it 28-14. With under two minutes remaining, Dallas drove into Columbus territory but threw an interception at the two-minute warning, effectively ending any chance of a comeback.
The game was part of a busy Week 4 slate that began Thursday night with the Louisville Kings earning their first UFL win in overtime against the Houston Gamblers, 24-22 at Shell Energy Stadium. That game featured Kings kicker Tanner Brown making five field goals and quarterback Jason Bean completing 17 of 34 passes for 192 yards. Houston’s Taulia Tagovailoa rushed for a touchdown and passed for 64 yards, while running back Marcus Yarns gained 111 yards on the ground.
Saturday’s doubleheader includes a noon ET matchup between the St. Louis Battlehawks and DC Defenders at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., both teams entering with 2-1 records. The afternoon features the Orlando Storm (3-0) facing the Birmingham Stallions (1-2) at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, with the Storm seeking to maintain their perfect start to the season.
Looking ahead to Week 5, the Dallas Renegades will host the Louisville Kings on Friday night at 8 p.m. ET on FOX, while the Columbus Aviators travel to face the Houston Gamblers. The St. Louis Battlehawks will visit the Orlando Storm on Saturday evening, and the DC Defenders will take on the Birmingham Stallions later that day.
The 2026 UFL season consists of a 10-week regular season running from March 27 to May 31, followed by playoffs beginning the week of June 7. All eight teams compete in a balanced schedule, with games broadcast across FOX, FS1, ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2, including select Spanish-language broadcasts on FOX Deportes and ESPN Deportes.
As the league enters its third season, parity remains a defining characteristic, with no team having secured more than three wins through the first four weeks. The Aviators’ victory over the Renegades underscores the competitive balance that has characterized the 2026 campaign, where every game carries significant playoff implications.
Fans wishing to follow live updates, official statistics, and future schedules can visit the United Football League’s official website or download the league’s mobile app for real-time scoring and news alerts.
What are your thoughts on the Aviators’ upset win and what it means for the playoff race? Share your perspective in the comments below and join the conversation on social media using #UFLWeek4.
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