Renegades kick off 2026 UFL slate with dominant win over Gamblers

FRISCO, Texas — Newly minted starting quarterback Reed wasted no time making history, shattering the UFL regular-season single-game passing record with a commanding 376-yard performance to propel the Dallas Renegades to a 36-17 victory over the Houston Gamblers on Saturday night at Toyota Stadium.

Reed, officially named the Renegades’ QB1 earlier in the week, completed 26 of 40 attempts and tossed three touchdown passes, but the offense needed an early spark. The defense provided it. Cornerback Steven Jones Jr. jumped a Nolan Henderson pass in the first quarter and raced 30 yards the other way for a pick-six, staking Dallas to a 6-0 lead it would never relinquish.

Henderson’s night unraveled quickly. The Houston signal-caller connected on just 3 of 9 throws for 34 yards and two interceptions before giving way to Hunter Dekkers. The Gamblers finished with 284 total yards and a pedestrian 3.8 yards per rush against a swarming Renegades front.

Once Dallas found its rhythm, the offense proved unstoppable. The unit piled up 427 total yards and averaged 8.9 yards per pass attempt. Wideout Tyler Vaughns torched the Gamblers secondary for seven receptions, 144 yards and a score, while Greg Ward and Ellis Merriweather each added touchdown catches to round out the aerial assault.

The Renegades (1-0) return to Toyota Stadium on April 7 for a 7 p.m. kickoff against the St. Louis Battlehawks.