XFL Week 8: Sea Bears beat Vancouver: Consider a Statement Made
April 6, 2023
Winnipeg, MANITOBA, CANADA - QB Logan Woodside, WR Kenny Lawler and the rest of Winnipeg’s star-studded offense, put on an offensive clinic in front of a season-high crowd of 40,874 in a dominant 50-14 win against the visiting Vancouver Otters, putting to bed those salty memories of their worst home defeat. “That’s what we play the game for, that we got out there and we see all the brothers have success,” Lawler said. “There’s no greater feeling than that, hanging up 50 on some guys and just being able to see everybody contribute. That’s what we play the game for. That’s why we go out and practice. It’s the ultimate team sport and man, it was just great being out there.” Lawler finished with 200 receiving yards and could have had more on Thursday but was rung up on an offensive pass interference call in the first quarter and fell victim to defensive pass interference in the second. Above all else, the Sea Bears made amends for their Week 3 drubbing at the hands of the Otters, a 30-6 loss that ushered in the potential for a changing of the guard talk in the West Division. Thursday’s win righted that wrong. “It felt good because we executed our game plan,” Woodside said. “Any time you can do that, stay on the football field, create explosive plays, all of those things, it’s fun.”
Vancouver lacked the same ferocity that tamed Winnipeg back in Week 3, including the seven sacks that Woodsid endured in that loss. Woodside remained upright throughout the game as the offensive line battened down the hatches, leaving Woodside to carve the Otters for 369 yards and three touchdowns. Coming into the game, Vancouver had allowed just five touchdowns against opposing offenses all year. The Sea Bears dropped six on them. The Sea Bears were lethal from the get-go, absorbing back-to-back penalties to start the game before Woodside found WR Dalton Schoen on a 71-yard pass for the quick 7-0 lead. The lead doubled on Winnipeg’s next drive, with Lawler hauling in a 56-yard pass to make it 14-0. Vancouver came into the game without their injured Week 3 hero, starting QB Vernon Adams. Backup QB Dane Evans didn’t find the same magic, going just 12-for-21 for 113 yards and two picks, DB Demerio Houston’s league-leading sixth interception in the first quarter and DB Brandon Alexander’s over the middle in the second. Evans’ night was done just before the half with an apparent injury, with Vancouver turning to backup QB Dominque Davis.
-- (7-0)Otters 14 - 50 Sea Bears(5-2)
(VAN): QB Evans - 12/21 113 yards, 2 INTs, RB Mizzell - 10 carries, 50 yards, WR Hatcher - 4 catches, 60 yards
(WIN): QB Woodside - 19/27 369 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Oliveira - 9 carries, 67 yards, 2 TDs, WR Lawler - 7 catches, 200 yards, 1 TD, WR Schoen - 5 catches, 137 yards, 2 TDs, WR Demski - 5 catches, 62 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 8: Argonauts Handed First Loss of the Season after QB Chad Kelly Limps off Early
April 7, 2023
Calgary, ALBERTA, CANADA - Desperate for both a win and a home win, the Calgary Greys ground out a 20-7 victory over the undefeated Toronto Argonauts on Friday. Toronto’s streak of seven wins to start the 2023 UFL season halted in Calgary, while the Greys picked up their first victory at McMahon Stadium. Right from the get-go, the Argos did not look like a team that had steamrolled to an undefeated record, allowing the Greys to put together a nine-play touchdown drive on their second possession. The Boatmen responded two plays later, when when QB Chad Kelly found WR Cam Phillips down the middle for a game-tying 76-yard touchdown. But whatever spark that quick response may have ignited, flickered out for good and never came back. “I could kind of tell in warm-ups there was no energy there,” Argos Offensive Coordinator Ryan Dinwiddie said afterwards. “Guys were feeling pretty good about themselves. It was good we got punched in the mouth and we’ve got to learn from it.” To add injury to insult, Kelly limped off the field in the second quarter with what appeared to be a sore ankle and didn’t return. QB Cameron Dukes took over but could not generate anything offensively as Toronto managed just 202 yards of net offense.
Calgary led 17-7 at halftime thanks to a special teams touchdown on the final play of the second quarter. Calgary’s Griffin recovered the loose ball in Toronto’s end zone when Argonaut RB Javon Leake fumbled a punt. Facing an Argos defense that was leading the UFL in interceptions, the Greys decided instead to attack along the ground. QB Jake Maier was a tidy 22-for-24 in passing for a 91.7 completion rate, and for a conservative 149 passing yards with no interceptions. Calgary instead rushed the ball a season-high 168 yards, with RB Dedrick Mills accounting for 137 on 27 carries, against an Argonauts defense ranked second in the UFL at stopping the run. Trailing by 13 points with three minutes remaining, Toronto recovered the ball at midfield on a fumbled punt return by Calgary WR Tommylee Lewis. But the Argonauts then turned the ball over on downs on Calgary’s 41-yard line. Dukes came into the game when the hosts led 10-7.
-- (7-0)Argonauts 7 - 20 Greys(2-5)
(TOR): QB Kelly - 4/6 94 yards, 1 TD, RB Ouellette - 7 carries, 32 yards, WR Phillips - 4 catches, 94 yards, 1 TD
(CAL): QB Maier - 22/24 149 yards, RB Mills - 27 carries, 137 yards, WR Lewis - 9 catches, 58 yards
XFL Week 8: CFL Week 20
April 8, 2023
Birmingham, AL -
-- (0-0)29 - 26(0-0)
(): QB - 18/25 275 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB - 9 carries, 109 yards, 1 TD, RB - 11 carries, 50 yards, WR - 5 catches, 105 yards, 1 TD, WR - 6 catches, 84 yards, WR - 6 catches, 56 yards
(): QB - 30/45 429 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, RB - 10 carries, 21 yards, WR - 8 catches, 136 yards, WR - 7 catches, 137 yards, 1 TD, WR - 7 catches, 90 yards, 1 TD
-- (0-0)Guardians - Crusaders(0-0)
(NY): QB
(LON): QB
-- (0-0)Battlehawks - Musketeers(0-0)
(COL): QB
(PAR): QB
-- (0-0)Iron - Mercenaries(0-0)
(BIRM): QB
(MUN): QB
XFL Week 8: Alliance Outscore Renegades 24-3 in Second Half to Secure 27-14 Road Victory
April 9, 2023
Dallas, TX - The Montreal Alliance beat the Dallas Renegades, 27-14. It is the team's second consecutive win, following last week's victory over the Greys. After a rather difficult first half for the Alliance as they were held to three points, they started to find their rhythm in the second half where all three phases played well. The defense was relentless, allowing just 3 points even after a QB Cody Fajardo fumble in Montreal territory, the special teams partially blocked a punt, and the offense was on point, as they scored 24 points, including 18 in the fourth quarter. RB William Stanback had his first 100-yard game of the season with 106 on 19 carries. WR Régis Cibasu scored his first career UFL touchdown on a 37-yard pass Fajardo pass in the 4th quarter. DB Reed intercepted Renegades QB Drew Plitt in the first half. It was the first interception of his career.
-- (4-3)Alliance 27 - 14 Renegades(0-0)
(MON): QB Fajardo - 19/25 318 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, RB Stanback - 19 carries, 106 yards, WR Mack - 5 catches, 106 yards, WR Snead - 4 catches, 90 yards
(DAL): QB Plitt - 20/31 202 yards, 2 INTs, RB Smith - 9 carries, 51 yards, 1 TD, 8 catches, 61 yards, WR Bolden - 6 catches, 89 yards
-- (0-0)(0-0)
(): QB
(): QB
-- (0-0)(0-0)
(): QB
(): QB
-- (0-0)(0-0)
(): QB
(): QB
-- (0-0)(0-0)
(): QB
(): QB
XFL Week 8:
April 10, 2023
Memphis, TN -
-- (0-0)Conquerors 24 - 26 Commanders(0-0)
(MEX): QB Crum - 16/20 174 yards, RB Williams - 12 carries, 33 yards, WR - 3 catches, 56 yards
(SA): QB Fine - 23/37 296 yards, 1 TD, RB - 13 carries, 47 yards, 1 TD, WR - 6 catches, 88 yards, 1 TD, WR - 7 catches, 71 yards, WR - 4 catches, 61 yards, WR - 4 catches, 53 yards
Roger Staubach Purchases UFL’s Dallas Renegades
April 10, 2023
Arlington, TX - In a move that has excited football fans across Texas, legendary Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach has announced his acquisition of the UFL’s Dallas Renegades. The purchase marks Staubach’s first foray into team ownership, bringing his storied football career full circle. Staubach, a Hall of Famer known for his leadership and clutch performances on the field, has long been a prominent figure in Dallas sports. After retiring from the NFL, he transitioned into a successful business career, founding the Staubach Company, a commercial real estate firm that he later sold for a substantial profit. His business acumen and deep ties to the football community make him an ideal candidate to lead the Renegades.
“I’ve always believed in the power of football to bring people together and inspire greatness,” Staubach said in a statement. “The UFL provides a unique opportunity to develop talent and bring high-quality football to fans. I’m thrilled to be a part of the Dallas Renegades and look forward to building a team that the community can be proud of.”
The Dallas Renegades, a team with a passionate fan base and a promising roster, are poised for growth under Staubach’s leadership. His experience and vision are expected to elevate the team’s performance both on and off the field. Staubach’s involvement is also likely to attract additional investment and interest in the UFL, boosting the league’s profile and competitiveness. The acquisition is also expected to strengthen the bond between the Renegades and the local community, as Staubach’s legacy in Texas football is unparalleled. As the new owner, Staubach plans to focus on building a strong organizational culture, investing in player development, and enhancing the fan experience. His goal is to create a winning team that embodies the spirit of determination and resilience that defined his own career. With Roger Staubach at the helm, the Dallas Renegades are set to embark on an exciting new chapter, one that promises to bring renewed energy and enthusiasm to the UFL and its fans.