The D.C. Defenders overcame four touchdown passes by opposing quarterback A.J. McCarron by producing four turnovers and four sacks in remaining undefeated with a 34-28 win over the visiting St. Louis Battlehawks on Sunday.

The Defenders won the battle for first place in the North Division, with the Battlehawks falling to 2-1 — although each of their first three games this season have been on the road.

D.C. starting quarterback Jordan Ta’amu threw for 196 yards and a touchdown while also adding a rushing score as the Defenders grinded out 136 yards on the ground. Michael Joseph had one of D.C.’s two interceptions, good for a first-quarter, 41-yard pick-six. Davin Bellamy added two sacks for the Defenders.

McCarron finished 26-for-42 for 262 yards for St. Louis, with Hakeem Butler catching nine passes for 105 yards and a score in defeat.

Renegades 10, Guardians 9

Kyle Sloter led one touchdown drive all day, but his scoring pass in the fourth quarter and De’Veon Smith’s conversion run were enough to lift host Arlington over Orlando in a defensive struggle.

Sloter averaged only 5.4 yards per pass attempt for the Renegades (2-1), but completed all but five of his 23 passes for 124 yards without a turnover. But despite Arlington’s offense posting only 178 total yards, its defense sacked Guardians quarterback Paxton Lynch four times.

Lynch completed 19 of 31 passes for 219 yards while also leading the Guardians (0-3) in rushing with 10 carries for 43 yards and a score.

–Field Level Media