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The Louisville Kings secured their first win Thursday night, 24-22 over the Houston Gamblers in overtime at Shell Energy Stadium, to improve to 1-3 in their inaugural
Here are three takeaways from the United Football League game:
Houston entered Thursday night's game dead last in the UFL when it comes to points per game (15.3) despite ranking fifth in the eight-team league in total offense (301.7 yards per game).
The Kings' defense had the Gamblers looking even worse during the first half — holding the hosts to 58 yards and three first downs. Then, the third quarter happened.
Receiving the opening kickoff of the second half, Houston found the end zone on its first play from scrimmage when Marcus Yarns broke free for a 68-yard run. That ignited a swing of 16 unanswered points for the Gamblers, erasing Louisville's 16-6 halftime lead.
The Kings' defense steadied itself with three consecutive three-and-outs during the fourth quarter, setting the table for the offense to draw level. But it got lucky on one of those drives, when a Houston holding penalty negated a 67-yard touchdown run from Yarns.
Its luck continued when a Jason Bean interception gave the Gamblers the ball at their own 45-yard line with 3:06 remaining in regulation. The Kings allowed the hosts to drive into the red zone, setting up a 38-yard field goal with 1:02 remaining in regulation, but John Hoyland couldn't connect.
In overtime, Louisville came up with three stops from the 5-yard line to secure the victory.
[IMG alt="Louisville Kings’s Jason Bean threw the ball against Orlando Storm at Lynn Family Stadium.
April 10, 2026"]https://media.zenfs.com/en/the-courier-journal/2af46388919202b86a817fc08517cf1a[/IMG]
Louisville entered Thursday night 3 for 9 in the red zone. In ended regulation sitting at 4 for 11.
Those woes ended in overtime.
Bean rolled to his right and found tight end Tre' McKitty in the back of the end zone for the only score of the period.
[IMG alt="Louisville Kings’s Tanner Brown kicks a field goal against Orlando Storm at Lynn Family Stadium.
April 10, 2026"]https://media.zenfs.com/en/the-courier-journal/2ea8ccbb044df8db67b2d99d210db274[/IMG]
No Kings player has been more consistent than kicker Tanner Brown, who entered Thursday night a perfect 7 for 7 on field-goal attempts.
Brown more than his doubled his season total with five against the Gamblers. Three of them were from 50 yards out or farther, including a 59-yarder. And for reference: the 26-year-old Oklahoma State grad entered Thursday with only one in the 50-yard range all season.
Per the NFL Network, Brown became one of only three UFL kickers to make five field goals in a game with his big night in the Lone Star State. He could have had six but missed a 55-yarder during the second quarter.
This story will be updated.
Reach Louisville men's basketball reporter Brooks Holton at [email protected] and follow him on X at @brooksHolton.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville Kings win first UFL game, defeat Houston Gamblers in OT
Continue reading...
Here are three takeaways from the United Football League game:
Louisville's defense
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Houston entered Thursday night's game dead last in the UFL when it comes to points per game (15.3) despite ranking fifth in the eight-team league in total offense (301.7 yards per game).
The Kings' defense had the Gamblers looking even worse during the first half — holding the hosts to 58 yards and three first downs. Then, the third quarter happened.
Receiving the opening kickoff of the second half, Houston found the end zone on its first play from scrimmage when Marcus Yarns broke free for a 68-yard run. That ignited a swing of 16 unanswered points for the Gamblers, erasing Louisville's 16-6 halftime lead.
The Kings' defense steadied itself with three consecutive three-and-outs during the fourth quarter, setting the table for the offense to draw level. But it got lucky on one of those drives, when a Houston holding penalty negated a 67-yard touchdown run from Yarns.
Its luck continued when a Jason Bean interception gave the Gamblers the ball at their own 45-yard line with 3:06 remaining in regulation. The Kings allowed the hosts to drive into the red zone, setting up a 38-yard field goal with 1:02 remaining in regulation, but John Hoyland couldn't connect.
In overtime, Louisville came up with three stops from the 5-yard line to secure the victory.
Louisville Kings' red zone woes end in overtime
[IMG alt="Louisville Kings’s Jason Bean threw the ball against Orlando Storm at Lynn Family Stadium.
April 10, 2026"]https://media.zenfs.com/en/the-courier-journal/2af46388919202b86a817fc08517cf1a[/IMG]
Louisville entered Thursday night 3 for 9 in the red zone. In ended regulation sitting at 4 for 11.
Those woes ended in overtime.
Bean rolled to his right and found tight end Tre' McKitty in the back of the end zone for the only score of the period.
A moment for Louisville Kings kicker Tanner Brown
[IMG alt="Louisville Kings’s Tanner Brown kicks a field goal against Orlando Storm at Lynn Family Stadium.
April 10, 2026"]https://media.zenfs.com/en/the-courier-journal/2ea8ccbb044df8db67b2d99d210db274[/IMG]
No Kings player has been more consistent than kicker Tanner Brown, who entered Thursday night a perfect 7 for 7 on field-goal attempts.
Brown more than his doubled his season total with five against the Gamblers. Three of them were from 50 yards out or farther, including a 59-yarder. And for reference: the 26-year-old Oklahoma State grad entered Thursday with only one in the 50-yard range all season.
Per the NFL Network, Brown became one of only three UFL kickers to make five field goals in a game with his big night in the Lone Star State. He could have had six but missed a 55-yarder during the second quarter.
This story will be updated.
Reach Louisville men's basketball reporter Brooks Holton at [email protected] and follow him on X at @brooksHolton.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville Kings win first UFL game, defeat Houston Gamblers in OT
Continue reading...
