The UFL’s inaugural weekend has given us big plays, exciting finishes, and plenty of highlights along the way.
Sunday’s game between the San Antonio Brahamas and DC Defenders featured a beautifully executed fake field goal resulting in a San Antonio touchdown late in the first half to extend their lead to 20-9.
After lining up for a 58-yard field goal, punter and holder Brad Wing, formerly of the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers sprung up from his position, and the kicker was sent out wide, as it appeared San Antonio might go for a pooch punt instead of trying the long field goal. After receiving the snap, Wing cocked back and threw a 40-yard strike to center Alex Mollette who hauled it in and was able to rumble into the end zone to cap off the trickery.
Insane trick play in the UFL turns a fake field goal into a touchdown reception for the CENTER! 🏈🔥🪄pic.twitter.com/Jx6dt5IO12
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 31, 2024
The Defenders were clearly caught off guard, which is to be expected. You really don’t expect to see a punter be able to launch a pass line that, even though Mollette was left wide open.
ESPN play-by-play man Mike Monaco was on top of the call, as well, immediately dubbing it the “Thick Six”
"CALL IT A THICK-SIX, BABY!" 🏈🎙️pic.twitter.com/6V0hdUvO72 https://t.co/gXNW5yD19z
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 31, 2024
Wing was interviewed shortly after the play and he said that wasn’t the route Mollette ran when they practiced the play, but if it works it works.
Social media went crazy over the big play.
deranged play design here. i dont understand what they were trying to do but hey it worked https://t.co/mp4YtXDZXX
— victoria zeller (@dirtbagqueer) March 31, 2024
Hol up the UFL might be Tough https://t.co/QBFNiUV5UQ pic.twitter.com/1LnVr828E2
— Wain🐝 (@JoeyBFutureMVP) March 31, 2024
This league rules https://t.co/j8aUqttAiR
— cole (@notcolefanacc) March 31, 2024
Yesterday in the UFL we had a 64-yard game winning FG from Jake Bates, today we've got a fake FG for a thicc six!
Spring football is THE BEST! 🔥 https://t.co/MCfU7dUxHd
— Daniel Dopp (@DanielDopp) March 31, 2024