Legends Make Change at Defensive Coordinator
February 10, 2020
Los Angeles, CA - Head Coach Winston Moss is making modifications to his coaching staff following the Los Angeles Legends loss to the Houston Roughnecks on Saturday. As of Monday morning, Pepper Johnson was relieved of his duties as the team's defensive coordinator with Martin Bayless being promoted to the position.
"We recognize that there are issues we need to address for the 2020 season. While these decisions are difficult, we have given this significant thought. We are here to put the best possible product on the field for our fans. We thank Pepper for his contributions to the Legends and we are looking forward to our home opener this weekend."
XFL Week 2:
February 14, 2020
Orlando, FL -
-- (1-0)Stallions 34 - 28 Apollos(1-0)
(STL): QB Streveler - 7/17 89 yards, 14 carries, 95 yards, 1 TD, RB Mason - 13 carries, 89 yards, 1 TD, WR Jones - 2 catches, 28 yards
(ORL): QB Gilbert - 26/40 430 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Johnson - 16 carries, 93 yards, WR Moncrief - 10 catches, 207 yards, WR Marshall - 4 catches, 114 yards, 1 TD, WR Johnson - 3 catches, 42 yards
XFL Week 2: Thurman, DC Defense Thrive in XFL's First Shutout
February 15, 2020
Washington, DC - The Washington Defenders defense continued its dominance with three sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble to help it record the first shutout of 2020, beating the New York Guardians, 27-0. After a strong Week 1 that featured two defensive touchdowns and 48 combined tackles, the Defenders locked down Guardians QB Matt McGloin, holding the former Oakland Raider to just eight completions and 44 total yards. Tallying up 35 combined tackles and the team's third defensive touchdown, a league-best, LB Jameer Thurman said he believes his team's defensive presence sets a standard. "We are a different kind of defense over here," he said. "We got a certain discipline; we always want to stick to a certain standard, and we showed that today with the goose egg up there, not giving them any points at all. "It feels great."
The Defenders' first drive started deep in their territory. Despite early trouble from the Guardians' defense, QB Cardale Jones kept things moving with a 14-yard scramble on 4th-and-2 from New York's 47-yard line and capped off by a 13-yard touchdown pass to WR DeAndre Thompkins to put the Defenders up 6-0 early in the first quarter. After the score, the Defenders defense came out and clamped down on the Guardians. Two plays into the drive, following a big hit from LB Scooby Wright, DB Rahim Moore forced a strip-fumble from behind and recovered the ball to give it back to the Defenders. Defenders LB Jameer Thurman celebrates after he returned an interception returned for a touchdown. An interception to Defenders' DB Matt Elam on the following drive extended the early trouble for the Guardians, who simply could not get their offense going, tallying under 100 yards in the first half.
Two field goals from K Ty Rausa put the Defenders up 12-0 heading into halftime. McGloin, who had only five completions and 32-yards for a 36-percent completion percentage in the first half, called the output embarrassing, and said the Guardians needed to change their game plan. The second half didn't go any better for the Guardians' offense. McGloin threw a pick-six to Thurman four plays into the first drive. "We were in zone, Thurman said. "I saw two (receivers). So I went inside, 'cause I knew someone would be coming back to me. I was just in the right place at the right time. Our D-line got pressure on the play, so he had to get the ball out and then I just caught it and ran in."
Defenders defensive coordinator Louie Cioffi praised his entire defense for their sacrifices on the field. "I'm really proud of these guys, they executed our plan flawlessly," he said. "The great thing about this is guys are sacrificing being with their families and are doing this for the love of football. Every one of these guys will have this for the rest of their lives. This is the first shutout in Defenders' history and I'm proud of these guys."
Washington head coach Pep Hamilton followed Cioffi in the postgame press conference with praise for the team's overall play. "You talk about physicality now," Hamilton said. "Our guys were physical, they were aggressive to the football and, once again, we were able to take the ball away. We look forward to winning our next couple games and getting back here."
After the game, Guardians head coach Kevin Gilbride spoke to the media and expressed his displeasure, "I'm disappointed with how we played, and that's on me. When you play as poorly as we did today, one of two things is going to happen. You will either recognize that this wasn't good enough and you're going to dig down deeper and you're going to rally each other and inspire each other. Or you splinter apart." Gilbride continued, "I thought our defense played inspired football, it's not wasted. The effort that was put forth, it was quite an example of how to go about your business. Knowing the character that was demonstrated today, I would be very very surprised if we don't rally around each other and come back ready to play next week."
-- (1-0)Guardians 0 - 27 Defenders(1-0)
(NY): QB McGloin - 8/19 44 yards, 2 INTs, QB Williams - 4/8 51 yards, RB Cook - 10 carries, 39 yards, RB Victor - 5 carries, 32 yards, WR McKay - 3 catches, 30 yards
(DC): QB Jones - 20/34 276 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Pressley - 12 carries, 52 yards, RB Pumphrey - 16 carries, 56 yards, WR Ross - 4 catches, 95 yards, WR Rogers - 5 catches, 49 yards, WR Thompkins - 6 catches, 67 yards, 1 TD
McGloin Rips Coaches during and After Guardians Loss
February 15, 2020
Washington, DC - The XFL has been hoping increased in-game access to players would give fans a more unvarnished look at what goes on during a football game and Guardians QB Matt McGloin didn’t disappoint during a halftime interview. “We need to change the whole entire game plan at halftime,” McGloin said, who were blanked in their 27-0 loss. “There’s a lot going on right now. It’s embarrassing for us for an offense. There’s a lot of things for us to fix and correct.”
Guardians head coach Kevin Gilbride said he wasn’t pleased with McGloin’s play in the first half. “I need to go talk to him and figure out what the problem is because he needs to play better.” But McGloin wasn’t done, ripping the play calling after the game, too. “There’s a lot of stuff going on behind closed doors,” said. “We need to clean that up. Communication especially is one, and it showed today. At no point in time did I think we were comfortable out there. At no point in time did I think we were in a position to try to be successful. I think it was pretty easy to see.”
XFL Week 2: Queiro Seals Dragons Win with INT
February 15, 2020
Seattle, WA - LB Kyle Queiro watched an interception slip through his fingers at Seattle Dragons practice Thursday afternoon. His frustration was apparent as he yelled at himself to catch the ball, but he kept his focus and came up with a pick before the end of practice. All of that intensity paid off in a big way today as Queiro iced the game with an interception of Vipers QB Taylor Cornelius in the final seconds to seal a 17-9 victory over the Tampa Bay Vipers at CenturyLink Field on Saturday. A huge celebration ensued as Queiro was mobbed by his teammates. "What a moment, having some of my best friends with me as well, it's definitely a good feeling," he said.
Queiro's play was part of a huge day for the entire Dragons defense, with DB Jeremy Clark and DL Marcell Frazier each adding interceptions of their own and LB Steven Johnson leading the team in total tackles for the second straight week, with 10. Not to mention the four sacks the Dragons tallied as a team. It couldn't have been an easy task for the Dragons to prepare for the Vipers not knowing whether they would see Cornelius, Aaron Murray or Quinton Flowers at quarterback. However, defensive coordinator Clayton Lopez was adamant that was not a concern. "We prepare the same every week, week in and week out," Lopez said. "Whoever they put back there at quarterback, on the offensive line, at wide receiver, at running back, it makes no difference to us, we're still going to play."
The Seattle fans did not disappoint either. A raucous crowd showed up to support the Dragons in their home opener, and the players felt their support. WR Keenan Reynolds took note, saying "this is amazing, they are the best fans in the world."
-- (0-1)Vipers 9 - 17 Dragons(0-1)
(TB): QB Cornelius - 16/27 154 yards, 2 INTs, RB Patrick - 14 carries, 73 yards, RB Smith - 16 carries, 61 yards, WR Horn - 5 catches, 51 yards, TE Truesdell - 6 catches, 52 yards
(SEA): QB Silvers - 7/18 91 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Farrow - 10 carries, 45 yards, RB Gardner - 21 carries, 72 yards, WR Reynolds - 3 catches, 87 yards, 1 TD
-- (0-1)Iron 13 - 10 Express(0-1)
(BIRM): QB Falk - 17/31 194 yards, 2 INTs, RB Richardson - 16 carries, 74 yards, WR Benjamin - 7 catches, 61 yards, WR Patton - 6 catches, 91 yards
(MEM): QB Manziel - 21/31 286 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, RB Stacy - 15 carries, 52 yards, RB Badie - 4 carries, 53 yards, WR Butler - 5 catches, 57 yards, WR Davis - 5 catches, 75 yards
XFL Week 2: Artis-Payne, Jones Lift Renegades to Week 2 Win
February 16, 2020
Los Angeles, CA - The Dallas Renegades relied on their run game in the second half of a turnover-heavy game to beat the Los Angeles Legends in their home opener, 25-18. RB Cameron Artis-Payne sealed the game for the Renegades down the stretch, scoring two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. "I was just running," Payne said. "We've been focusing on finishing, so at the end of the day once we got down there, there was nothing else but to score. Offensive line did a good job wearing them down. We exploited some weaknesses after halftime," he added. "They continued to get a push to the second level on the linebackers and allowing us to get it downhill."
The Renegades gave Artis-Payne the ball 10 times in the final nine minutes, and he tallied 80 yards in that span. Dallas head coach Bob Stoops credited the former NFL back and the team's ability to establish the run in the second half of the game as "huge. That was a major part of the win," Stoops said. "I thought we put them in a tough spot defending the run."
Artis-Payne, who played four seasons with the Carolina Panthers, had his best rushing performance as a pro, finishing with 99 rushing yards on 14 attempts. He added five receptions for 32 yards. After a lackluster first half from both squads and with the game tied at 3-3, the second half featured better execution and more explosive plays. The Renegades put up back-to-back scores in the fourth quarter, scoring the first touchdown of the game, and built their lead to 19-9. Despite throwing for 305 yards and a touchdown, Dallas QB Landry Jones looked rusty in his XFL debut, throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble through three quarters. Jones, who hadn't seen game action since his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2017, called his performance "not good," and took the blame for the turnovers. "If I would've taken care of the ball, I feel like it would've been a different day altogether," he said. "Accuracy, that was my main problem." Stoops praised Jones, who sustained a knee injury in training camp and missed five weeks of practices, for fighting back, calling his second-half performance more consistent. The Legends answered with a touchdown of their own and executed a three-point PAT to close within 19-18 with 4:37 left. But the Renegades marched down the field to pad the lead, with Artis-Payne rushing off left tackle for a 14-yard touchdown with 1:14 to play. The Renegades offense turned the ball over three times, but the Legends were unable to get points off of the turnovers. Stoops credited his defense with fighting out of some tough situations the team faced early and holding the Legends offense down. "When you lose the turnover battle three to zero and still win, you're doing a lot right defensively," he said.
-- (0-1)Renegades 25 - 18 Legends(0-1)
(DAL): QB Jones - 28/40 305 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, RB Artis-Payne - 14 carries, 99 yards, 2 TDs, 5 catches, 32 yards, RB Dunbar - 10 carries, 55 yards, 5 catches, 34 yards, WR Badet - 6 catches, 53 yards, TE Parham - 5 catches, 76 yards, 1 TD, WR Crockett - 2 catches, 57 yards
(LA): QB Johnson - 18/34 196 yards, 2 TDs, RB Hood - 10 carries, 31 yards, WR Spruce - 6 catches, 89 yards, 2 TDs
-- (1-0)Commanders 23 - 17 Conquerors(1-0)
(SA): QB Woodside - 17/28 169 yards, 1 TD, RB Hill - 11 carries, 68 yards, WR Ward - 6 catches, 77 yards
(MEX): QB Wolford - 17/31 194 yards, 2 INTs, RB Rawls - 20 carries, 104 yards, RB - 12 carries, 69 yards, WR - 4 catches, 66 yards
XFL Week 2: Roughnecks Hold On To Defeat The BattleHawks, 28-24
February 16, 2020
Houston, TX - WR Cam Phillips hauled in three touchdown passes from QB PJ Walker to lead the 2-0 Houston Roughnecks to a thrilling 28-24 win over the visiting Charlotte BattleHawks in XFL action at TDECU Stadium. Houston was up 21-6 at the half, but Charlotte QB Jordan Ta'amu connected with WR De'Mornay Pierson-El with a touchdown to cut the lead to 21-12 at 8:56 in the third quarter. Ta'amu then ran one in with 1:30 to go in the third to make things snug at 21-18. However, Ta'amu made a crucial mistake with the BattleHawks driving in the fourth quarter when he threw his second interception of the contest with 10:48 to play. The ill-fated pass, intended for Alonzo Russell, instead found its way into Roughneck DB Jeremiah Johnson's grip. Johnson returned the pick to the six-yard line. Three plays later, Walker found Phillips in the end zone for their third touchdown connection. Walker then converted on the one-point conversion to make it 28-18. Charlotte tacked on a touchdown when Ta'amu found WR L'Damian Washington for a 36-yard touchdown with 1:50 to play. The Roughnecks were then able to maintain possession and run out the clock. Ta'amu's first thrown interception, 10:12 in the second quarter, was picked by DB Cody Brown, who returned it 50 yards to the one-yard line. That set up a one-yard touchdown run by James Butler. Phillips finished the game with eight catches for 63 yards and three touchdowns for Houston.
-- (1-0)BattleHawks 24 - 28 Roughnecks(1-0)
(CHA): QB Ta'amu - 30/37 284 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs, 8 carries, 32 yards, 1 TD, RB Jones - 16 carries, 44 yards, RB Michael - 19 carries, 50 yards, WR Washington - 6 catches, 77 yards, 1 TD, WR Russell - 5 catches, 42 yards, WR Pierson-El - 9 catches, 50 yards, 1 TD
(HOU): QB Walker - 21/30 170 yards, 3 TDs, RB Butler - 13 carries, 51 yards, 1 TD, WR Phillips - 8 catches, 63 yards, 3 TDs, WR Coates - 3 catches, 41 yards, WR Lewis - 4 catches, 50 yards
-- (0-1)Alphas 18 - 40 Fleet(0-1)
(ATL): QB Barrett - 16/26 208 yards, 1 TD, RB Robinson - 15 carries, 54 yards, WR Peake - 4 catches, 95 yards, 1 TD, WR Jones - 6 catches, 50 yards, WR Greene - 5 catches, 53 yards
(SD): QB Kaepernick - 24/36 241 yards, 1 TD, RB Bibbs - 11 carries, 70 yards, 2 TDs, RB Sankey - 9 carries, 52 yards, 1 TD, WR Liggins - 6 catches, 63 yards, TE Escobar - 4 catches, 51 yards, TD, WR Owusu - 6 catches, 49 yards
Stallions Excited to be Heading Home
February 17, 2020
St. Louis, MO - St. Louis' road trip started well with a win over the Memphis Express in Week 1, but the Stallions suffered a taxing, 30-20 defeat at the hands of the undefeated Orlando Apollos last week. The loss wasn't pretty, with St. Louis QB Paxton Lynch passing for 199 yards and three game-changing interceptions. "We're really going back with a whole new mindset," Stallions OL Greg Robinson said after the game. "We're trying to get things back on track and try to give a good performance."
For Stallions coach Jonathan Hayes, a new mindset after the grueling loss that saw St. Louis come heartbreakingly close to beating Orlando is exactly what's needed before his squad meets their home crowd for the first time. "I think our team is growing that way," Hayes said of the loss' effect on the Stallions. "They're maturing that way. Even at the end, no one quit. Everyone was fighting to find a way to win. That will make us better down the road. Now they've felt that sting."
"I can sit here and make an excuse. Why we did this or that or that," Lynch said. "Come on. You have to go play the game. It's not the first time we've played in a loud place, and last week was loud, too." As for loud crowds, Lynch anticipates a loud and rowdy St. Louis crowd when he and his teammates are introduced for the first time at home. "I'm expecting The Dome to be rocking," Lynch said. "We just have to do our job and put a good product on the field." And he assured the fanbase craving professional football since the Rams left for Los Angeles five years ago will be satisfied come Sunday. "St. Louis has been hungry for football," he said. "It's back now."
Cam Phillips is Ready to Play his Game
February 18, 2020
Philadelphia, PA - Cam Phillips needed a second to remember the last time he scored three touchdowns in a game. The wide receiver did it in the Houston Roughnecks' 28-24 victory over the Charlotte BattleHawks. "I think that's only my second time doing it," Phillips said, recalling a three-score game as a senior at Virginia Tech in 2017. "I was in school against ECU. This was definitely more fun. I think the timeliness of these touchdowns made it better. We needed every one of them today. I'm just glad I could help the team win."
Dragons Offense Is 'Close' to Breakout
February 19, 2020
Seattle, WA - It was one of those moments when a team needed someone to make a play, something to provide some juice, a jolt that would help determine the course of the game. With the result of team's inaugural home opener in doubt, WR Keenan Reynolds delivered a big play. The receiver caught a well-place deep ball from QB Brandon Silvers that he took 68 yards for a touchdown during the Dragons' 17-9 victory. "That was huge," said Reynolds, who caught three passes for 87 yards and caught a two-point conversion. "We were stumbling the whole first half, shooting ourselves in the foot. We saw it on film. It was actually on the same guy. We had it set up right. Coach called it and we got the look we needed."
"It was big just to get our offense going," Silvers said. "We stalled a little bit, didn't make enough plays, starting with me. That was a big change in the game. The next drive they go throw a Pick-6. That was a really big play for Keenan to get open. Tampa Bay's got a good defense. They held New York to only 200 yards last week. They've got a really good defense and they brought the pressure. I've just got to move around and make some plays."
"I look back on this game," Reynolds said. "I look back on the last game, and I don't feel like anyone has actually stopped us. I feel like we continuously shot ourselves in the foot and that's something we've definitely got to get cleaned up going into next week. We're close. We've got to keep working. We've got to get the reps, communicate, practice. All that stuff is big, but we're close. It's always good to look at the film, see what we missed, where we can get better and go from there."