Dallas to Host Orlando in “Hats Off To Heroes” Game at Fort Hood
by Ethan Berch
ARLINGTON, TX – May 12, 2026 – The Storm and Renegades prepare for a special night at Fort Hood. The UFL is honoring service members and their families through the league-wide Hats Off To Heroes initiative at Phantom Warrior Stadium on the Fort Hood military base near Killeen, Texas.
The Renegades will face the Orlando Storm in front of a stadium audience composed exclusively of service members and their families. Anyone with access to the installation will be welcomed to attend for free. Seating will be on a first come, first serve basis.
This is additionally a massive matchup with major playoff implications. Dallas looks to snap a four-game losing streak and keep its postseason hopes alive, while Orlando sits on the brink of clinching.
Storylines to watch:
Orlando Storm
The Storm enter Week Eight after a narrow one-point win over the Houston Gamblers. Despite allowing 415 total yards and failing to eclipse 200 themselves, Orlando escaped with a victory and snapped a two-game skid.
The Storm are now 5-2 and tied for the top spot in the UFL. A win and Orlando would officially clinch a playoff berth.
Quarterback Jack Plummer has had a strong season, but still needs to sharpen up. He ranks second in the UFL in passing yards, passing touchdowns, and passer efficiency. He completed just 58 percent last week, though two explosive strikes changed the game.
Plummer connected with Elijhah Badger twice for 30+ yard touchdowns, including the fourth-quarter score that won it. Badger continues to show star power, now ranking fourth in the league with 415 receiving yards.
Outside of those two throws, however, Plummer managed only 86 passing yards. He missed on several chances and needs to be cleaner if Orlando wants to seriously contend for a UFL title.
Chris Rowland has been a yardage machine all season. He leads the UFL in all-purpose yards with 786, averaging 112.3 per game as a versatile receiver and dangerous return man. If Rowland goes, the Storm go.
Defensively, Orlando just allowed 415 yards to Houston, 367 to Birmingham, and 295 to St. Louis over the past three weeks. There have been cracks lately, and they need to tighten up against Austin Reed and the Renegades.
Still, Orlando has held opponents to just 32 percent on third down and 31 percent on fourth down this season, showing they can get stops in key moments.
Dallas Renegades
After a 3-0 start, it has been nothing short of a collapse over the last four weeks for Dallas. The Renegades dropped three straight multi-touchdown margin losses before losing an overtime thriller to Birmingham last week.
A team that once looked like a postseason lock has now put itself in danger. Dallas enters Week Eight in a three-way tie with Birmingham and Louisville for the final playoff spot.
It is do-or-die now, and the turnaround starts with Reed. He cruised through the first three weeks as the league leader in passing yards, passing touchdowns, and efficiency.
Over the last four weeks, Reed has thrown seven interceptions. His confidence has clearly dipped, and he has looked less willing to push the ball downfield.
A confident Reed can win Dallas this football game. Orlando’s defense just surrendered 317 passing yards last week, but also held Houston to 1-for-5 in the red zone. The key for Reed and the Renegades is getting into scoring territory and finishing drives.
Reed can also lean on Ellis Merriweather in the backfield. Merriweather totaled 71 yards and two touchdowns in Week Seven. As both a runner and receiver, he is tied for the most touchdowns in the UFL among running backs and receivers with five.
Dallas hopes Fort Hood becomes a breakout stage for Merriweather.
Defensively, Dallas ranks third in the league, allowing just 176 passing yards per game. The main priority is limiting Orlando’s explosives. The Storm thrive on splash plays more than methodical drives. If Dallas removes those chunk gains, it gives itself the best chance to end the skid.
X-Factor:
This game comes down to Reed and Orlando’s explosive-play production.
If Reed regains confidence, protects the football, and pushes the ball successfully through the air, Dallas can win.
If Orlando continues to hit splash plays and stays efficient defensively in the red zone, the Storm hold the edge.