2026 Houston Gamblers season

2026 Houston Gamblers season
Owner	Alpha Acquico, LLC
Head coach	Kevin Sumlin
Home stadium	Shell Energy Stadium
Results
Record	4–6
Conference place	7th in UFL
Playoffs	Did not qualify
Uniform

The 2026 Houston Gamblers season was the third season for the Houston Gamblers, marking their first season under the Gamblers name in the UFL after spending the past two seasons as the Houston Roughnecks.

In the aftermath of their Week 7 home loss to the expansion team Orlando Storm, the Gamblers failed to improve from their 5–5 record from last season, and failed to match this record 2 weeks later.

Much like last year, the Gamblers started out slow as their record throughout the first four games of the season was 1–3, but they managed to complete a 3–3 turnaround to finish one game shy of last year's win total. This was because they had to go through a quarterback carousel throughout the first three weeks of the season, where they started three quarterbacks in three straight games. Houston went 2–3 both at home and on the road, which ultimately cost them a trip to the playoffs.

The biggest lowlight of the season came in Week 3 against the defending UFL champions DC Defenders, where they lost by the score of 45–7, which is the biggest loss in UFL history. Following their Week 9 home loss to the St. Louis Battlehawks, the Gamblers were eliminated from playoff contention for the fifth consecutive season and secured their first losing record since going 1–9 as the Roughnecks in 2024. However, one of the few bright spots of the season included a season sweep over their longtime rival the Birmingham Stallions, with their second win in the series eliminating the latter from playoff contention.

Offseason

Coaching Changes

On December 31, 2025, Kevin Sumlin would be hired as the head coach of the Gamblers, replacing Curtis Johnson. On February 24, 2026, the Gamblers announced their full 2026 coaching staff.

Draft

Main article: 2026 UFL draft

Teams were allowed to protect up to 12 players from their 2025 rosters.

Staff

Houston Gamblers staff

	Head coach Head coach – Kevin Sumlin Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – Eric Price Running backs – KC Gundy Wide receivers – Tyron Carrier Offensive line – Tim Holt			Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Marvin Sanders Linebackers – Grant Dickerson Safeties – Ted Bolin

Sources:

Final roster

2026 Houston Gamblers final roster

	Quarterbacks  8 Hunter Dekkers 15 Nolan Henderson  9 John Rhys Plumlee Running backs 34 Marcus Major 22 Kirk Merritt 32 Jalen White 21 Marcus Yarns Wide receivers 87 Kaden Davis 11 Justin Hall  3 Lawrence Keys III 13 Jontre Kirklin 10 Kai Locksley 17 Jalen Moreno-Cropper  7 JaVonta Payton Tight ends 80 Armani Rogers 85 Geor'Quarius Spivey 89 Cam Sutton		Offensive linemen 79 Gottlieb Ayedze T 71 Jackson Carman G/T 64 Victor Curne G 54 Avery Jones G/C 65 Jack Kramer C 73 Tedi Kushi T 70 Jalen McKenzie T 77 Gareth Warren G Defensive linemen  2 Christopher Allen DE 95 Israel Antwine DT 72 Kyon Barrs DT 99 Jerrod Clark DT 55 Kenny Dyson DE 92 Malik Fisher DE 59 Jah Joyner DE 90 Rashard Lawrence DT		Linebackers 19 Eugene Asante 28 Marvin Moody Jr.  5 Charlie Thomas 47 DaShaun White Defensive backs  1 Damon Arnette CB 24 Nico Bolden S 18 Major Burns S 33 Mello Dotson CB 25 Glendon Miller S  6 Quinton Newsome CB  4 Roman Parodie CB 20 Ameer Speed CB  0 Kary Vincent Jr. CB 26 Eli Walker S Special teams 46 John Hoyland K 45 Marco Ortiz LS 44 Mike Rivers P		Reserve lists 50 active, 0 inactive

Schedule

All times Central

Week	Date	Time	TV	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance
1	March 28	3:00 p.m.	Fox	at Dallas Renegades	L 17–36	0–1	Toyota Stadium	8,870
2	April 5	5:00 p.m.	NFL Network	Birmingham Stallions	W 22–20	1–1	Shell Energy Stadium	7,744
3	April 11	11:00 a.m.	ESPN	at DC Defenders	L 7–45	1–2	Audi Field	12,167
4	April 16	7:00 p.m.	NFL Network	Louisville Kings	L 22–24 (OT)	1–3	Shell Energy Stadium	4,880
5	April 26	11:00 a.m.	ABC	Columbus Aviators	W 17–13	2–3	Shell Energy Stadium	5,166
6	May 1	7:00 p.m.	Fox	at Columbus Aviators	L 17–24	2–4	Historic Crew Stadium	8,347
7	May 10	5:00 p.m.	FS1	Orlando Storm	L 23–24	2–5	Shell Energy Stadium	4,409
8	May 16	2:00 p.m.	ABC	at St. Louis Battlehawks	W 23–16	3–5	The Dome at America's Center	21,609
9	May 24	6:00 p.m.	ESPN2	St. Louis Battlehawks	L 15–21	3–6	Shell Energy Stadium	6,217
10	May 30	2:00 p.m.	ESPN2	at Birmingham Stallions	W 26–13	4–6	Protective Stadium	5,253

Game summaries

Week 1: at Dallas Renegades

Week 1: Houston Gamblers at Dallas Renegades – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Gamblers	3	0	8	6	17
Renegades	6	17	10	3	36

at Toyota Stadium • Frisco, Texas

• Date: March 28
• Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Overcast, 58 °F (14 °C)
• Game attendance: 8,870
• Referee: Jason Autrey
• TV announcers (Fox): Curt Menefee, Joel Klatt and Jake Butt
• Game Book

Game information

First quarter DAL – Steven Jones Jr. 30-yard interception return (run failed), 9:46. Renegades 6–0. HOU – John Hoyland 44-yard field goal, 2:07. Renegades 6–3. Drive: 7 plays • 26 yards • 3:15 Second quarter DAL – Ellis Merriweather 3-yard pass from Austin Reed (Colton Theaker kick), 11:47. Renegades 13–3. Drive: 10 plays • 60 yards • 5:20 DAL – Tyler Vaughns 14-yard pass from Austin Reed (Colton Theaker kick), 7:03. Renegades 20–3. Drive: 5 plays • 45 yards • 2:29 DAL – Colton Theaker 51-yard field goal, 0:03. Renegades 23–3. Drive: 11 plays • 22 yards • 5:03 Third quarter DAL – Greg Ward 66-yard pass from Austin Reed (Colton Theaker kick), 14:44. Renegades 30–3. Drive: 1 plays • 66 yards • 0:15 HOU – Jalen Moreno-Cropper 93-yard kick return (Jalen White two-point run), 14:31. Renegades 30–11. DAL – Colton Theaker 26-yard field goal, 8:30. Renegades 33–11. Drive: 11 plays • 72 yards • 6:01 Fourth quarter HOU – Hunter Dekkers 3-yard run (pass failed), 7:03. Renegades 33–17. Drive: 9 plays • 77 yards • 3:06 DAL – Colton Theaker 41-yard field goal, 0:51. Renegades 36–17. Drive: 4 plays • 5 yards • 1:00 Top passers HOU – Hunter Dekkers – 19/29, 227 yards DAL – Austin Reed – 26/40, 376 yards, 3 TD Top rushers HOU – Hunter Dekkers – 3 rushes, 28 yards, TD DAL – Lorenzo Lingard – 8 rushes, 36 yards Top receivers HOU – Jalen Moreno-Cropper – 5 receptions, 59 yards DAL – Tyler Vaughns – 7 receptions, 144 yards, TD

The Gamblers had a rough start to their season, as they were down 30–3 early in the third quarter and ultimately lost to Austin Reed and the Dallas Renegades by the score of 36–17 in the process starting 0–1 for the fourth straight season, a streak that dates back to the 2023 season.

Week 2: vs. Birmingham Stallions

Week 2: Birmingham Stallions at Houston Gamblers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Stallions	0	7	7	6	20
Gamblers	0	6	3	13	22

at Shell Energy Stadium • Houston, Texas

• Date: April 5
• Game time: 5:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Overcast, 66 °F (19 °C)
• Game attendance: 7,745
• Referee: Kole Knueppel
• TV announcers (NFL Network): Mark Jones, Kirk Morrison, Cole Cubelic and Harry Douglas
• Game Book

Game information

First quarter No scoring plays Second quarter HOU – John Hoyland 32-yard field goal, 5:54. Gamblers 3–0. Drive: 13 plays • 44 yards • 7:09 HOU – John Hoyland 37-yard field goal, 1:11. Gamblers 6–0. Drive: 8 plays • 49 yards • 2:46 BIR – Jaydon Mickens 6-yard pass from Matt Corral (Jonathan Garibay kick), 0:24. Stallions 7–6. Drive: 6 plays • 60 yards • 0:47 Third quarter BIR – Deon Cain 12-yard pass from Matt Corral (Jonathan Garibay kick), 11:11. Stallions 14–6. Drive: 7 plays • 63 yards • 3:49 HOU – John Hoyland 26-yard field goal, 6:22. Stallions 14–9. Drive: 9 plays • 61 yards • 4:49 Fourth quarter HOU – John Hoyland 24-yard field goal, 14:56. Stallions 14–12. Drive: 9 plays • 68 yards • 4:35 HOU – Jalen White 3-yard run (John Hoyland kick), 6:57. Gamblers 19–14. Drive: 14 plays • 57 yards • 7:10 BIR – Anthony McFarland Jr. 1-yard run (pass failed), 2:02. Stallions 20–19. Drive: 9 plays • 59 yards • 4:55 HOU – John Hoyland 50-yard field goal, 0:00. Gamblers 22–20. Drive: 9 plays • 43 yards • 2:02 Top passers BIR – Matt Corral – 21/27, 226 yards, 2 INT HOU – Nolan Henderson – 15/23, 186 yards Top rushers BIR – Anthony McFarland Jr. – 7 rushes, 37 yards, TD HOU – Jalen White – 26 rushes, 82 yards, TD Top receivers BIR – Justyn Ross – 5 receptions, 70 yards HOU – Jontre Kirklin – 5 receptions, 85 yards

The Gamblers rebounded at home, as kicker John Hoyland successfully made a 50-yard field goal as time expired to upset the Stallions, 22–20. This win improved the Gamblers to 1–1 and snapped a five-game losing streak against Birmingham, beating them for the first time since Week 5 of the 2023 season.

Despite the win, quarterback Nolan Henderson left with a dislocated finger, keeping him out for next week.

Week 3: at DC Defenders

Week 3: Houston Gamblers at DC Defenders – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Gamblers	0	0	7	0	7
Defenders	11	17	3	14	45

at Audi Field • Washington, D.C.

• Date: April 11
• Game time: 11:00 a.m. CDT
• Game weather: Partly cloudy, 66 °F (19 °C)
• Game attendance: 12,167
• Referee: Bryan Banks
• TV announcers (ESPN): Lowell Galindo, Kirk Morrison, Aaron Murray and Eric Mac Lain
• Game Book

Game information

First quarter DC – Deon Jackson 60-yard run (Matt McCrane kick), 12:30. Defenders 7–0. Drive: 2 plays • 69 yards • 0:41 DC – Matt McCrane 60-yard four-point field goal, 7:59. Defenders 11–0. Drive: 6 plays • 15 yards • 2:53 Second quarter DC – Matt McCrane 46-yard field goal, 12:40. Defenders 14–0. Drive: 4 plays • 4 yards • 1:43 DC – Gareon Conley 70-yard interception return (Matt McCrane kick), 9:57. Defenders 21–0. DC – Briley Moore 24-yard run (Matt McCrane kick), 0:35. Defenders 28–0. Drive: 9 plays • 76 yards • 4:43 Third quarter DC – Matt McCrane 38-yard field goal, 8:24. Defenders 31–0. Drive: 9 plays • 45 yards • 6:41 HOU – Justin Hall 6-yard pass from Taulia Tagovailoa (John Hoyland kick), 4:02. Defenders 31–7. Drive: 8 plays • 53 yards • 4:23 Fourth quarter DC – Briley Moore 20-yard pass from Jordan Ta'amu (Matt McCrane kick), 12:38. Defenders 38–7. Drive: 5 plays • 55 yards • 1:54 DC – Abram Smith 15-yard run (Matt McCrane kick), 4:42. Defenders 45–7. Drive: 8 plays • 60 yards • 4:34 Top passers HOU – Taulia Tagovailoa – 21/40, 171 yards, TD, INT DC – Jordan Ta'amu – 15/27, 173 yards, TD, INT Top rushers HOU – Jalen White – 10 rushes, 28 yards DC – Deon Jackson – 5 rushes, 70 yards, TD Top receivers HOU – Justin Hall – 9 receptions, 69 yards, TD DC – Ty Scott – 4 receptions, 49 yards

The 38-point margin of defeat marked the worst in UFL history. With the horrific loss, the Gamblers dropped to 1–2.

Week 4: vs. Louisville Kings

Week 4: Louisville Kings at Houston Gamblers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Kings	3	13	0	6	2	24
Gamblers	3	3	16	0	0	22

at Shell Energy Stadium • Houston, Texas

• Date: April 16
• Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Partly cloudy, 79 °F (26 °C)
• Game attendance: 4,880
• Referee: Chris Coyte
• TV announcers (NFL Network): Lowell Galindo, Kirk Morrison, Aaron Murray and Eric Mac Lain
• Game Book

Game information

First quarter LOU – Tanner Brown 59-yard field goal, 11:19. Kings 3–0. Drive: 7 plays • 21 yards • 3:41 HOU – John Hoyland 50-yard field goal, 6:35. Tied 3–3. Drive: 9 plays • 44 yards • 4:44. Second quarter LOU – James Robinson 1-yard run (Tanner Brown kick), 14:55. Kings 10–3. Drive: 10 plays • 51 yards • 6:40 LOU – Tanner Brown 21-yard field goal, 5:08. Kings 13–3. Drive: 13 plays • 66 yards • 7:29 HOU – John Hoyland 59-yard field goal, 1:07. Kings 13–6. Drive: 5 plays • 14 yards • 0:36. LOU – Tanner Brown 58-yard field goal, 0:02. Kings 16–6. Drive: 6 plays • 11 yards • 1:05 Third quarter HOU – Marcus Yarns 68-yard run (kick failed), 14:41. Kings 16–12. Drive: 1 play • 68 yards • 0:19 HOU – Taulia Tagovailoa 6-yard run (John Hoyland kick), 9:50. Gamblers 19–16. Drive: 8 plays • 58 yards • 3:15 HOU – John Hoyland 50-yard field goal, 2:05. Gamblers 22–16. Drive: 11 plays • 52 yards • 5:54. Fourth quarter LOU – Tanner Brown 52-yard field goal, 14:54. Gamblers 22–19. Drive: 5 plays • 26 yards • 2:11 LOU – Tanner Brown 48-yard field goal, 10:05. Tied 22–22. Drive: 5 plays • 14 yards • 2:43 Overtime LOU – Tre' McKitty two-point conversion pass from Jason Bean. Kings 24–22. Top passers LOU – Jason Bean – 17/34, 192 yards, INT HOU – Taulia Tagovailoa – 18/23, 182 yards, 2 TD Top rushers LOU – Jason Bean – 6 rushes, 20 yards HOU – Marcus Yarns – 8 rushes, 111 yards, TD Top receivers LOU – JaVonta Payton – 3 receptions, 46 yards HOU – Justin Hall – 4 receptions, 44 yards

Down 16–6 at halftime, third-string quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa entered the game at the beginning of the third quarter and led the Gamblers to a 16–8 scoring run in the second half, including 16 unanswered points in the third quarter, which were the only points in that quarter. But it was not enough to beat the previously winless Louisville Kings, who would seal the game with a two-point pass conversion and defensive stop in overtime and pick up their first win in franchise history while dropping the Gamblers to 1–3.

Week 5: vs. Columbus Aviators

Week 5: Columbus Aviators at Houston Gamblers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Aviators	0	13	0	0	13
Gamblers	7	7	0	3	17

at Shell Energy Stadium • Houston, Texas

• Date: April 26
• Game time: 11:00 a.m. CDT
• Game weather: Partly cloudy, 81 °F (27 °C)
• Game attendance: 5,166
• Referee: Adam Savoie
• TV announcers (ABC): Roy Philpott, Roddy Jones, Harry Douglas and Cole Cubelic
• Game Book

Game information

First quarter HOU – Jalen White 1-yard run (John Hoyland kick), 7:51. Gamblers 7–0. Drive: 13 plays • 75 yards • 7:09 Second quarter HOU – Nolan Henderson 5-yard run (John Hoyland kick), 13:53. Gamblers 14–0. Drive: 12 plays • 65 yards • 6:51 CLB – Jalan McClendon 1-yard run (Ryan Coe kick), 8:57. Gamblers 14–7. Drive: 10 plays • 67 yards • 4:56 CLB – Toa Taua 7-yard run (kick failed), 0:32. Gamblers 14–13. Drive: 8 plays • 46 yards • 3:38 Third quarter No scoring plays Fourth quarter HOU – John Hoyland 23-yard field goal, 14:20. Gamblers 17–13. Drive: 10 plays • 31 yards • 5:19 Top passers CLB – Jalan McClendon – 15/22, 160 yards HOU – Nolan Henderson – 13/25, 146 yards Top rushers CLB – ZaQuandre White – 10 rushes, 38 yards HOU – Nolan Henderson – 6 rushes, 37 yards, TD Top receivers CLB – Alizé Mack – 3 receptions, 42 yards HOU – Lawrence Keys III – 3 receptions, 43 yards

In a battle of 1–3 teams, the Gamblers stayed home to host yet another expansion team. This time, it was the Columbus Aviators, who upset the Renegades the week prior. The Gamblers raced out to a 14–0 lead in the second half, before allowing back-to-back touchdowns from the Aviators (the latter coming with a missed extra point). After a scoreless third quarter, Houston put the final touches of the game via a 23-yard field goal from John Hoyland, followed by a fumble from Aviators quarterback Jalan McClendon, who was with Houston just last season. Houston snapped its two-game losing streak and improves to 2–3.

Week 6: at Columbus Aviators

Week 6: Houston Gamblers at Columbus Aviators – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Gamblers	7	3	7	0	17
Aviators	7	14	3	0	24

at Historic Crew Stadium • Columbus, Ohio

• Date: May 1
• Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Partly cloudy, 48 °F (9 °C)
• Game attendance: 8,347
• Referee: Francisco Villar
• TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Kugler, Devin Gardner and Jake Butt
• Game Book

Game information

First quarter CLB – John Lovett 3-yard run (Ryan Coe kick), 6:40. Aviators 7–0. Drive: 14 plays • 73 yards • 8:20 HOU – Marcus Majors Jr. 13-yard run (John Hoyland kick), 2:26. Tied 7–7. Drive: 7 plays • 71 yards • 4:14 Second quarter CLB – Antwane Wells Jr. 9-yard pass from Jalan McClendon (Ryan Coe kick), 11:21. Aviators 14–7. Drive: 11 plays • 67 yards • 6:05 HOU – John Hoyland 33-yard field goal, 8:01. Aviators 14–10. Drive: 6 plays • 22 yards • 3:20 CLB – ZaQuandre White 7-yard run (Ryan Coe kick), 5:44. Aviators 21–10. Drive: 5 plays • 72 yards • 2:17 Third quarter CLB – Ryan Coe 48-yard field goal, 9:54. Aviators 24–10. Drive: 6 plays • 37 yards • 3:21 HOU – Lawrence Keys III 9-yard pass from Taulia Tagovailoa (John Hoyland kick), 0:48. Aviators 24–17. Drive: 5 plays • 57 yards • 2:09 Fourth quarter No scoring plays Top passers HOU – Taulia Tagovailoa – 6/10, 65 yards, TD CLB – Jalan McClendon – 20/26, 187 yards, TD Top rushers HOU – Nolan Henderson – 2 rushes, 37 yards CLB – John Lovett – 17 rushes, 65 yards, TD Top receivers HOU – Justin Hall – 3 receptions, 20 yards CLB – Tay Martin – 6 receptions, 103 yards

In a rematch of last week, the Gamblers faced off against the Aviators, this time, on the road. The Aviators struck first, scoring on a 3-yard touchdown run from running back John Lovett, thus taking a 7–0 lead. Houston tied it up by scoring a rushing touchdown of their own. Columbus responded at the start of the second quarter, by having Jalan McClendon throw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Antwane Wells Jr., to retake the lead at 14–7. While John Hoyland managed to cut the deficit to 14–10 courtesy of a 33-yard field goal, the Aviators responded with a 7-yard touchdown run from ZaQuandre White to head into the half with a 21–10 advantage. In the third quarter, the Aviators got a 48-yard field goal to extend the lead to 24–10. The Gamblers attempted a rally, but only managed a 9-yard passing touchdown from Taulia Tagovailoa, which was followed up by a scoreless fourth quarter, sealing the 24–17 Aviators win, dropping the Gamblers to 2–4.

Week 7: vs. Orlando Storm

Week 7: Orlando Storm at Houston Gamblers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Storm	7	10	0	7	24
Gamblers	3	10	7	3	23

at Shell Energy Stadium • Houston, Texas

• Date: May 10
• Game time: 5:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Partly cloudy, 86 °F (30 °C)
• Game attendance: 4,409
• Referee: Michael Vandervelde
• TV announcers (FS1): Kevin Kugler, Devin Gardner and Jake Butt
• Game Book

Game information

First quarter ORL – Elijhah Badger 35-yard pass from Jack Plummer (Michael Lantz kick), 6:43. Storm 7–0. Drive: 3 plays • 50 yards • 1:16 HOU – John Hoyland 23-yard field goal, 1:28. Storm 7–3. Drive: 12 plays • 67 yards • 5:15 Second quarter ORL – D. J. James 18-yard interception return (Michael Lantz kick), 14:06. Storm 14–3. HOU – Hunter Dekkers 6-yard run (John Hoyland kick), 11:28. Storm 14–10. Drive: 6 plays • 44 yards • 2:38 ORL – Michael Lantz 45-yard field goal, 7:47. Storm 17–10. Drive: 11 plays • 81 yards • 3:41 HOU – John Hoyland 23-yard field goal, 0:03. Storm 17–13. Drive: 10 plays • 54 yards • 1:46 Third quarter HOU – Jalen White 49-yard pass from John Rhys Plumlee (Michael Lantz kick), 4:05. Gamblers 20–17. Drive: 6 plays • 64 yards • 3:16 Fourth quarter ORL – Elijhah Badger 31-yard pass from Jack Plummer (Michael Lantz kick), 14:53. Storm 24–20. Drive: 8 plays • 79 yards • 4:12 HOU – John Hoyland 31-yard field goal, 12:08. Storm 24–23. Drive: 6 plays • 18 yards • 2:45 Top passers ORL – Jack Plummer – 14/24, 152 yards, 2 TD HOU – Hunter Dekkers – 24/41, 268 yards, INT Top rushers ORL – Jashaun Corbin – 7 rushes, 25 yards HOU – Marcus Majors Jr. – 6 rushes, 32 yards Top receivers ORL – Elijhah Badger – 4 receptions, 75 yards, 2 TD HOU – Jalen Moreno-Cropper – 6 receptions, 68 yards

Although the Gamblers did mount a 14–3 comeback in the second quarter, they still came up short after John Hoyland missed what would've been the lead-taking 63-yard 4-point field goal to drop the team to 2–5. Also, with Hoyland's missed 4-pointer, Defenders kicker Matt McCrane remains the only kicker in UFL history (as of Week 7) to have successfully converted on 4-point field goals, having converted 2 of them this season.

Week 8: at St. Louis Battlehawks

Week 8: Houston Gamblers at St. Louis Battlehawks – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Gamblers	14	6	3	0	23
Battlehawks	3	6	0	7	16

at The Dome at America's Center • St. Louis, Missouri

• Date: May 16
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Light rain, 78 °F (26 °C)
• Game attendance: 21,609
• Referee: Kole Knueppel
• TV announcers (ABC): Joe Tessitore, Jordan Rodgers, Brock Osweiler and Tom Luginbill
• Game Book

Game information

First quarter STL – Ramiz Ahmed 32-yard field goal, 10:48. Battlehawks 3–0. Drive: 4 plays • 10 yards • 1:53 HOU – Jontre Kirklin 4-yard pass from Hunter Dekkers (John Hoyland kick), 6:25. Gamblers 7–3. Drive: 8 plays • 66 yards • 4:09 HOU – Kary Vincent Jr. 35-yard interception return (John Hoyland kick), 4:40. Gamblers 14–3. Second quarter STL – Ramiz Ahmed 44-yard field goal, 13:06. Gamblers 14–6. Drive: 13 plays • 48 yards • 6:34 HOU – Lawrence Keys III 35-yard pass from Hunter Dekkers (kick failed), 3:26. Gamblers 20–6. Drive: 8 plays • 81 yards • 4:05 STL – Ramiz Ahmed 25-yard field goal, 0:18. Gamblers 20–9. Drive: 4 plays • 9 yards • 0:25 Third quarter HOU – John Hoyland 37-yard field goal, 5:02. Gamblers 23–9. Drive: 11 plays • 46 yards • 5:50 Fourth quarter STL – Tyler Neville 7-yard pass from Luis Perez (Ramiz Ahmed kick), 10:36. Gamblers 23–16. Drive: 7 plays • 56 yards • 3:46 Top passers HOU – Hunter Dekkers – 15/22, 155 yards, 2 TD, INT STL – Luis Perez – 26/47, 308 yards, TD, 2 INT Top rushers HOU – Kirk Merritt – 2 rushes, 22 yards STL – Jarveon Howard – 9 rushes, 31 yards Top receivers HOU – Jalen Moreno-Cropper – 5 receptions, 52 yards STL – Steven McBride – 8 receptions, 116 yards

The Gamblers took a 23–9 third quarter lead and never looked back, en route to pulling off the upset against the Battlehawks to improve themselves to 3–5.

Week 9: vs. St. Louis Battlehawks

Week 9: St. Louis Battlehawks at Houston Gamblers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Battlehawks	0	10	8	3	21
Gamblers	6	3	6	0	15

at Shell Energy Stadium • Houston, Texas

• Date: May 24
• Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Sunny, 85 °F (29 °C)
• Game attendance: 6,217
• Referee: Jason Autrey
• TV announcers (ESPN2): Lowell Galindo, Roddy Jones, Cole Cubelic and Harry Douglas
• Game Book

Game information

First quarter HOU – JaVonta Payton 7-yard pass from Hunter Dekkers (kick failed), 6:58. Gamblers 6–0. Drive: 3 plays • 43 yards • 1:28 Second quarter HOU – John Hoyland 28-yard field goal, 12:07. Gamblers 9–0. Drive: 8 plays • 58 yards • 4:02 STL – Ramiz Ahmed 36-yard field goal, 4:17. Gamblers 9–3. Drive: 5 plays • 26 yards • 2:47 STL – Hakeem Butler 38-yard pass from Luis Perez (Ramiz Ahmed kick), 0:01. Battlehawks 10–9. Drive: 4 plays • 68 yards • 0:25 Third quarter HOU – Kirk Merritt 4-yard run (two-point run failed), 10:26. Gamblers 15–10. Drive: 5 plays • 69 yards • 2:16 STL – Kylin James 2-yard run (Jarveon Howard two-point run), 3:48. Battlehawks 18–15. Drive: 12 plays • 74 yards • 6:38 Fourth quarter STL – Ramiz Ahmed 34-yard field goal, 2:56. Battlehawks 21–15. Drive: 10 plays • 27 yards • 5:46 Top passers STL – Luis Perez – 26/39, 239 yards, TD, INT HOU – John Rhys Plumlee – 11/21, 131 yards, INT Top rushers STL – Jarveon Howard – 14 rushes, 55 yards HOU – Marcus Yarns – 13 rushes, 98 yards Top receivers STL – Steven McBride – 6 receptions, 76 yards HOU – Jalen Moreno-Cropper – 4 receptions, 103 yards

Despite leading 9–0 at the beginning of the second quarter, the Gamblers were listless once again as they allowed the Battlehawks to go on a 21–6 scoring run, with the last time the Gamblers led in the game being a 15–10 lead in the third quarter. With the loss, the Gamblers not only fell to 3–6, but were also eliminated from playoff contention.

Week 10: at Birmingham Stallions

Week 10: Houston Gamblers at Birmingham Stallions – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Gamblers	3	14	6	3	26
Stallions	0	0	7	6	13

at Protective Stadium • Birmingham, Alabama

• Date: May 30
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Thunderstorm, 79 °F (26 °C)
• Game attendance: 5,253
• Referee: Chris Coyte
• TV announcers (ESPN2): Lowell Galindo, Roddy Jones, Cole Cubelic and Harry Douglas
• Game Book

Game information

First quarter HOU – John Hoyland 33-yard field goal, 4:05. Gamblers 3–0. Drive: 10 plays • 45 yards • 4:46 Second quarter HOU – Marcus Majors Jr. 1-yard run (John Hoyland kick), 12:24. Gamblers 10–0. Drive: 8 plays • 50 yards • 3:36 HOU – John Rhys Plumlee 11-yard run (John Hoyland kick), 6:45. Gamblers 17–0. Drive: 3 plays • 57 yards • 1:19 Third quarter BIR – Alex Cook 70-yard interception return (Anders Carlson kick), 8:43. Gamblers 17–7. HOU – Marcus Majors Jr. 72-yard run (kick failed), 8:26. Gamblers 23–7. Drive: 1 plays • 72 yards • 0:17 Fourth quarter BIR – Kyric McGowan 6-yard pass from Dorian Thompson-Robinson (two-point pass failed), 2:02. Gamblers 23–13. Drive: 7 plays • 48 yards • 3:25 HOU – John Hoyland 46-yard field goal, 6:09. Gamblers 26–13. Drive: 8 plays • 50 yards • 5:20 Top passers HOU – John Rhys Plumlee – 11/23, 119 yards, INT BIR – Dorian Thompson-Robinson – 13/27, 112 yards, TD Top rushers HOU – Marcus Majors Jr. – 8 rushes, 80 yards, 2 TD BIR – Snoop Conner – 7 rushes, 25 yards Top receivers HOU – Lawrence Keys III – 2 receptions, 52 yards BIR – Jaydon Mickens – 3 receptions, 42 yards

One week after being eliminated from playoff contention, the Gamblers played spoiler to their rival the Stallions, who needed a win and a Louisville loss to clinch a spot in the playoffs. This win not only gave them both a 4–6 finish and their first ever sweep of the Stallions, but it also eliminated their rivals from playoff contention for the first time in franchise history.

Standings

2026 UFL standings
Team	W	L	PCT	GB	TD+/-	TD+	TD-	PF	PA	DIFF	STK
(y) Orlando Storm	8	2	.800	–	9	26	17	232	186	46	W4
(x) St. Louis Battlehawks	6	4	.600	2	-2	21	23	212	197	15	L1
(x) Louisville Kings	6	4	.600	2	1	27	26	265	219	46	W4
(x) DC Defenders	5	5	.500	3	6	31	25	281	224	57	L4
(e) Dallas Renegades	4	6	.400	4	2	30	28	224	259	-35	W1
(e) Birmingham Stallions	4	6	.400	4	-1	24	25	190	229	-39	L2
(e) Houston Gamblers	4	6	.400	4	-6	20	26	189	236	-60	W1
(e) Columbus Aviators	3	7	.300	5	-6	27	33	216	259	-43	L1
(x)–clinched playoff berth; (y)–clinched conference; (e)–eliminated from playoff contention