D.C. Defenders fans celebrate with a beer cup snake during the first half of the XFL game between the DC Defenders and the St Louis Battlehawks at Audi Field on March 5, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Several flags were thrown and officials had to make sure players were not coming off the sidelines to keep the fight enflamed.
Three players were thrown out of the game before the final whistle, according to Touchdown Wire.
D.C. would hang on for the 34-28 win to improve to 3-0 on the season while St. Louis fell to 2-1.
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DC Defenders takes the field before the XFL game against the St Louis Battlehawks at Audi Field on March 5, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
The Defenders were up double digits, but the BattleHawks fought back and made it a close game.
Defenders quarterback Jordan Ta’amu was 11 of 20 with 196 passing yards and a touchdown pass. He also rushed for 22 yards and a touchdown as well. D’Eriq King also had a touchdown pass in the game. He was 3 for 3 for 14 yards.
Chris Blair and Ethan Wolf caught touchdown passes for the Defenders. Lucky Jackson led D.C. with four catches for 89 yards.
McCarron had a decent game aside from two interceptions. He was 26 of 42 with 262 passing yards and four touchdown passes. Hakeem Butler, Brian Hill, Jake Sutherland and Steven Mitchell each had the touchdown catches.
A.J. McCarron #10 of the St Louis Battlehawks looks on before the XFL game against the DC Defenders at Audi Field on March 5, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Butler led the way with nine catches for 105 yards.