Columbus Aviators Earn First Home Win Over Renegades

Aviators defeat Dallas Renegades 28-14 in front of electric home crowd at Historic Crew Stadium

Apr. 18, 2026 at 3:52am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a football game, with sharp, overlapping shapes in navy blue, red, and gold representing the Aviators' team colors and the dynamic action on the field.The Columbus Aviators' first home victory showcased the team's resilience and passion, with the fans' energy fueling an electric comeback win.Columbus Today

The Columbus Aviators (1-3) earned their first franchise win by beating the Dallas Renegades (3-1) 28-14 in front of an enthusiastic home crowd at Historic Crew Stadium on April 17. The Aviators overcame a 14-7 halftime deficit, with a highlight-reel touchdown catch by wide receiver Keke Chism and a fumble recovery by tight end Alize Mack helping spark the comeback. The Aviators' dominant rushing attack and a late interception by safety Smoke Monday sealed the victory, giving head coach Ted Ginn Jr. his first win.

Why it matters

This was a significant milestone for the first-year Aviators franchise, earning their inaugural home win in front of a passionate crowd. The victory showcased the team's resilience and potential, providing optimism for the remainder of the season after a tough 0-3 start. The win also marked a personal triumph for head coach Ted Ginn Jr., a former Ohio State star, who was able to celebrate his first career coaching victory.

The details

The Aviators fell behind 14-7 at halftime, but a highlight-reel touchdown catch by wide receiver Keke Chism just before the break kept them within striking distance. In the second half, tight end Alize Mack recovered a fumble on the Renegades' opening possession to give the Aviators their first lead of the game. The Aviators then embarked on a 97-yard, 18-play drive that ate up over 10 minutes of clock, culminating in a 2-yard touchdown run by running back Toa Taua to make it a two-score game. Safety Smoke Monday sealed the victory with a late interception, and the Aviators players celebrated on the Crew Stadium stage as head coach Ted Ginn Jr. got a water cooler dumped on him.

  • The Aviators' previous game was a 28-23 road loss against the Renegades on April 10.
  • At the two-minute warning in the first half, the wave started in the 'Flightdecke,' the Aviators' fan section.
  • With one minute remaining in the first half, head coach Ted Ginn Jr. challenged a missed pass interference call to keep possession.
  • On the first possession of the second half, quarterback Jalan McClendon fumbled the ball just before reaching the end zone.
  • The Aviators' 18-play, 97-yard drive that lasted over 10 minutes came in the second half.

The players

Ted Ginn Jr.

The head coach of the Columbus Aviators, a former wide receiver at Ohio State University.

Jalan McClendon

The quarterback for the Columbus Aviators.

Keke Chism

A wide receiver for the Columbus Aviators, who made a highlight-reel touchdown catch in the first half.

Alize Mack

A tight end for the Columbus Aviators, who recovered a fumble to give the team their first lead of the game.

Toa Taua

A running back for the Columbus Aviators, who scored the team's final touchdown to extend their lead.

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What’s next

The Aviators will look to build on this momentum as they continue their season, with their next game scheduled for April 24 against the Renegades in Dallas.

The takeaway

The Aviators' first home victory showcased the team's resilience, talent, and passionate fan base, providing hope that the franchise is on the right track in its inaugural season. The win also marked a personal milestone for head coach Ted Ginn Jr., who earned his first career coaching victory.