Howard graduate Ian Wheeler saved his best for last in Sunday’s United Football League semifinal game.
Wheeler ran 51 yards for the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter as the Louisville Kings upset the St. Louis Battlehawks 29-20 to advance to the UFL Bowl.
Less than four minutes into the fourth quarter and with the Kings trailing 20-18, Wheeler took a handoff through the right side of the line and outran St. Louis defenders to the end zone for what turned out to be the winning score.
IAN WHEELER 👑
THATS IT. THAT’S THE TWEET. pic.twitter.com/ve6Sj7rVwa
— Louisville Kings (@UFLKings) June 8, 2026
Wheeler led all running backs with 89 yards on seven carries. Alcorn State alum Jarveon Howard led the Battlehawks with 70 yards on eight carries and scored a one-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
Wheeler will be making a homecoming as the Kings will travel to Washington D.C. to face the D.C. Defenders for the UFL championship Saturday June 13.
The game will be televised on ABC and kickoff is set for 3 p.m. EST.
