XFL Week 10: Maulers Comeback to Defeat the Ghosts
April 20, 2022
New York, NY - To open things up, the Pittsburgh Maulers got the ball and they were tricky right off the bat. On a 4th and 5, QB Dwayne Haskins looked like he was going to punt, but instead threw a first down pass to WR Jalen McCleskey, keeping the drive alive but they ended up having to settle for three. QB Case Cookus and the Columbus Ghosts' offense was quickly stifled by the Maulers defense and they were forced to punt immediately. The Maulers swiftly marched down the field, but were unable to convert on 4th down and the Ghosts took over. Stuck at 3rd & 16, the Ghosts went for it and it paid off. Cookus connected with WR Duron Carter to move the chains, and bring them to the 20-yard line. On third down, Cookus decided to run it himself, coming short of the first down and almost fumbling the ball. This time they couldn’t convert on 4th down, but they were saved by the flag. With the roughing the passer call, they move forward 15-yards and get another first down. This is where the momentum stopped with 1:49 left in the half, they dropped the ball allowing the Maulers to recover the ball. The Maulers still had all of their timeouts, but a decent amount of field to march down before the time ran out in the first half. The goal was clear, get the team into scoring position. This is exactly what they did, but it wasn’t a field goal that added to their lead. Haskins, once again playing bold, connected with TE Artayvious Lynn for a touchdown. The extra-point was blocked, but they’d take a 13 point lead going into the half.
The Maulers took possession to start the second half. Haskins started the drive with a long pass, but could not find his receiver. On 3rd & 8, Haskins fumbled the ball, but luckily for the Maulers, they were able to recover. They were still forced to punt, but it kept the Ghosts out of scoring position. The Ghosts went three and out, giving it back to the Maulers in a slow start for both teams. RB Garrett Groshek fumbled the ball for the Maulers, but the officials put the play under review and although it was close, there wasn’t enough to overturn the call, giving the Ghosts the ball with great field position. In a twist of fate, just when it seemed like the Ghosts would narrow the gap, the Maulers defense forced a fumble giving them the ball once again. Even though they secured the ball again, they couldn’t get the offense moving. The Ghosts ended the third with the ball after neither team was able to have a meaningful drive. Starting out the 4th, the Maulers nearly botched the punt return, which would have given the Ghosts a defensive touchdown. WR Jeff Thomas changed the Maulers’ luck, securing the first down on the next play. The Maulers had possession, but not for long. They fumbled the ball, giving the Ghosts great field position. Cookus secured the first touchdown of the night for his team when he found WR Braxton Miller in the end-zone making the score, 13-8. Haskins continued to move the ball for the team, bringing them into scoring position. Haskins ultimately handed it off to RB Madre London to secure a touchdown and the eleven point lead. Cookus came out swinging, looking impressive, he brought his team in a position to chisel away at the Maulers lead. RB Matt Colburn was able to bring the team to 1st & Goal. RB Darnell Holland was the guy to cross the goal line and make the score, 19-16. The Maulers had the ball, but the Ghosts still had all three of their timeouts. The Maulers weren't going to go conservative. Thomas secured a huge pass from Haskins, giving them great position at the 2-minute warning. They wanted to score but they also wanted to run as much time off the clock as possible. They kicked the field goal, securing the game with 24 seconds left.
-- (4-5)Maulers 23 - 16 Ghosts(3-6)
(PIT): QB Haskins - 22/33 263 yards, 2 TDs, RB London - 13 carries, 62 yards, 1 TD, WR Thomas - 7 catches, 91 yards
(COL): QB Cookus - 22/40 229 yards, 1 TD, RB Holland - 11 carries, 47 yards, 1 TD, WR Miller - 4 catches, 76 yards, 1 TD
-- (4-5)Showboats 25 - 27 Bolts(2-7)
(MEM): QB Willis - 15/25 165 yards, 1 TD, RB Emmons - 13 carries, 90 yards, RB Washington - 21 carries, 47 yards, WR Henderson - 4 catches, 49 yards
(BER): QB Kaaya - 19/29 324 yards, 2 TDs, RB Hunt - 22 carries, 56 yards, WR Huff - 5 catches, 152 yards, 2 TDs, WR Gibson - 5 catches, 56 yards
XFL Week 10: Valor Conquer the Alphas
April 21, 2022
Atlanta, GA - Blake Bortles and the Washington Valor started the game with possession, putting the Atlanta Alphas on defense. The Valor came out strong, continuously moving the chains. But, ultimately it wasn’t enough to get into scoring position. Forced with a 4th down, they punted it away giving the Alphas their first chance with the ball. The Alphas could not do much with the ball, going three and out punting the ball back. The Valor came out strong on their next drive, moving the ball in convincing fashion. Bortles was able to keep the chains moving, getting the Valor well within scoring position. After bringing the team to the goal-line, Bortles handed it off to RB Javorius Allen to grab the first touchdown of the night. QB JT Barrett came back out, wanting to even the game for the Alphas. The first few plays didn’t look great, but RB Isaiah Crowell came out strong and picked up 13-yards to keep the drive alive. Presented with 3rd & 3, Barrett connected with TE Keith Towbridge who was able to grab some massive yardage. The Alphas were now in the best field position of the night and wanted to get on the board. At the two-minute warning the team was stuck at 4th down near mid-field. Knowing that if they went for the field goal they’d give the Valor great field position, they opted to punt it away. The Valor definitely wanted to add to their lead going into the half. Bortles was looking as good as ever, moving the ball both by land and air. Bortles spotted WR Davaris Daniels deep in the red-zone, for a long reception and ultimately another six. On the next Alphas possession, they had to punt the ball away deep in their own zone. This led to more bad news for the Alphas when the punt was blocked. DB Sherrod Baltimore grabbed the ball, giving the Valor their third touchdown of the night.
The Alphas will start out the second half down three scores and possession of the ball. The offense was looking much more fluid this time around. Barrett was moving the ball in the air and on the ground. Now, within the 30 for the first time of the game, the team moved the chains and kept their drive going before Crowell got Atlanta on the board. The Valor had the ball again, but not for long. The Valor fumbled the ball, giving the Alphas another chance to add to their score and bring the game closer. The Alphas came out in convincing fashion. Moving the ball and the chains on multiple instances. Ending the 3rd, the Alphas were in the red-zone. K Younghoe Koo came back out for the team and nailed the 29-yard attempt. K Nick Vogel knocked in a 46-yard field goal putting them up 24-10. Barrett moved the ball and brought his team in scoring position again. This time he ended the drive by tossing to WR Justin Hardy. With 3:42 left, the Valor were almost doing too good at running down the clock, calling a timeout so they could regroup. They didn't grab another touchdown, but Vogel came out with another field goal for the team, giving them a 27-17 lead with little time to go.
-- (8-1)Valor 27 - 17 Alphas(4-5)
(DC): QB Bortles - 20/28 243 yards, 1 TD, RB Allen - 22 carries, 102 yards, 1 TD, WR Daniels - 6 catches, 89 yards, 1 TD
(ATL): QB Barrett - 23/32 203 yards, 1 TD, RB Crowell - 19 carries, 88 yards, 1 TD, WR Hardy - 5 catches, 83 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 10: Ouch! Big, Big Mistakes Hurt Stampede in loss to Breakers
April 22, 2022
Detroit, MI - Four huge mistakes, the explosive plays head coach Paul LaPolice talks about being deciding factors in how a game can swing killed the Oklahoma City Stampede. A blocked punt, a screen pass and two interceptions. Four touchdowns for the Los Angeles Breakers. And while Oklahoma City had a blocked punt for a touchdown of its own, it was game over. The Stampede defense was terrific in the first half. The offense got the ball moving, but couldn’t finish the deal often enough. QB Bryce Petty did some good things but he did some bad things, too, things that put the game out of reach. And the special teams that are usually really special, let a Breaker go free right up the middle for an easy blocked punt. Oklahoma City actually led 9-8 at halftime. “Anytime you lose, it’s frustrating,” said Stampede WR Jazz Ferguson. “You always want to come out on top. We were in the game the entire time. Take away those four plays. Although the score didn’t show it, we felt the energy on the sideline. We see the film, see where we went wrong, correct those mistakes, try not to make them again and keep pushing forward.”
A beautifully set up screen pass, with QB Kyle Sloter lobbing it to RB Ezra Gray, went for a 63-yard touchdown down the left sideline early in the third quarter and it was 14-9 for the Breakers. After a 16-yard return by WR Jerrod Heard, Oklahoma City started on the 41. After Petty bobbled a snap, he tried to flip a pass to WR Geremy Davis, but the ball was tipped into the air by DL Davin Bellamy, picked off by LB Christian Sam and taken 71 yards for a touchdown. The convert made it 21-9. A 21-yard touchdown pass to TE Sal Cannella with a bit more than three minutes left in the third quarter made it 28-9. DB Aashari Crosswell stepped in front of a pass intended and ran 82 yards for a touchdown. The Stampede did get a huge special teams play of their own, with DB Donatello Brown diving to block a punt and it was picked up in the end zone by DB D'Montre Wade for the touchdown with 11:30 left in the game, making it 35-16. On fourth and less than a yard, the Breakers gambled on their own 25 and failed but another interception by Petty gave Los Angeles the ball back. Oklahoma City took a roughing the kicker penalty when Wade hit P Matt White after he had punted. With 1:25 left, it was already game over.
-- (7-2)Stampede 16 - 35 Breakers(5-4)
(OKC): QB Petty - 23/41 334 yards, 3 INTs, RB Artis-Payne - 12 carries, 70 yards, WR Davis - 8 catches, 104 yards, WR Ferguson - 4 catches, 84 yards, TE Parham - 5 catches, 60 yards, WR Martino - 3 catches, 75 yards
(LA): QB Sloter - 15/21 181 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Ellis - 18 carries, 65 yards, WR Lee - 5 catches, 79 yards, 1 TD, TE Cannella - 4 catches, 65 yards, 1 TD
-- (4-5)Guardians 3 - 30 Stallions(9-0)
(NY): QB Dolegala - 9/22 87 yards, QB Kaegi - 6/13 47 yards, 1 INT, RB Perkins - 11 carries, 43 yards, WR White - 3 catches, 39 yards
(STL): QB McGough - 16/27 207 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Scarbrough - 24 carries, 150 yards, RB Marable - 7 carries, 44 yards, 2 TDs, 4 catches, 22 yards, WR Bolden - 5 catches, 79 yards, 1 TD, WR Mitchell - 4 catches, 44 yards
XFL Week 10: Backup QB Heinicke leads Crusaders to Last-minute Comeback Victory over Tampa
April 22, 2022
Memphis, TN - Backup QB Taylor Heinicke came off the bench and led the London Crusaders to a late and dramatic scoring drive, as London edged the Tampa Bay Bandits, 20-16 before 25,236 spectators. Heinicke entered the game with two minutes remaining after QB Jordan Ta'amu was injured with the ball at the 45-yard line. Heinicke passed 16 yards to WR Malik Henry, then connected with WR Carlton Agudosi for 19 yards before Heinicke gained 17 yards on a draw. RB Christine Michael then scored on a seven-yard run. The Crusaders couldn’t have started the game more fortuitously. London scored on its opening possession, going 61 yards on only three plays. The series began with Ta'amu connecting with WR L'Damien Washington for a 32-yard pass play. That was followed by a 24-yard run by Michael. The Crusaders then immediately took advantage of a breakdown in the Tampa secondary. Ta'amu connected with a wide-open Agudosi for a five-yard touchdown. It certainly appeared as though the home team was going to bury the Bandits. However, yet again, the Crusaders lacked a killer instinct. Nothing comes easily for this team. But the Bandits finally generated some offence at the end of the quarter. A pass to WR Charone Peake was good for a 15-yard gain. RB Karlos Williams then gained 15 yards. On the opening play of the second quarter, K Ernesto Lacayo kicked a 35-yard field goal to get the visitors on the scoreboard.
The Crusaders appeared primed to increase their lead on their next series, thanks to a 20-yard pass to the always-reliable Washington. But, scrimmaging from the Tampa 23, Ta'amu attempted a sideline pass to Agudosi. However the ball was intercepted by DB Mohammed Seisay, who made a great play, stepping in front of Agudosi. The Bandits creeped closer when the Crusaders conceded. Tampa took an 8-7 lead on Lacayo’s 21-yard field goal, set up by QB BJ Daniels’ 36-yard scamper. The Crusaders regained their scoring touch following the halftime break, although they had to settle for field goals instead of touchdowns. London took a 10-8 lead on a 45-yard field goal. Following an interception by Crusaders DB Darius Hillary on a tipped pass, they increased the lead to 13-8 with a 26-yard field goal. Ta'amu gained 20 yards on the drive, avoiding a serious injury on the play when Tampa DB Godwin Igwebuike left his feet and delivered what appeared to be a head shot. It wasn’t long before hostilities began erupting between the two clubs. Lacayo kicked a 32-yard field goal late in the third quarter and then the Bandits assumed a one-point lead with his 25-yarder in the fourth period.
-- (1-8)Bandits 16 - 20 Crusaders(7-2)
(TB): QB Daniels - 13/23 125 yards, 1 INT, RB Williams - 10 carries, 71 yards, RB Gardner - 7 carries, 69 yards, WR Reynolds - 2 catches, 49 yards
(LON): QB Ta'amu - 12/21 157 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 6 carries, 41 yards, RB Michael - 21 carries, 122 yards, 1 TD, WR Henry - 3 catches, 50 yards, WR Agudosi - 4 catches, 46 yards, 1 TD
-- (6-3)Renegades 22 - 19 Defenders(3-6)
(DAL): QB Jones - 21/29 332 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, RB Farrow - 20 carries, 109 yards, WR Butler - 5 catches, 74 yards, WR Dunbar - 2 catches, 84 yards, 1 TD, WR Williams - 4 catches, 59 yards, WR Lawler - 5 catches, 69 yards
(COL): QB Mallett - 20/31 191 yards, 1 TD, RB Dixon - 10 carries, 41 yards, WR Malone - 6 catches, 73 yards
-- (8-1)Brawlers 24 - 23 Mammoths(3-6)
(PHI): QB Walker - 29/42 288 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Butler - 11 carries, 33 yards, WR Phillips - 7 catches, 105 yards, WR Fulgham - 6 catches, 88 yards, WR Coates - 5 catches, 57 yards, 1 TD
(OMA): QB Wolford - 24/33 361 yards, 2 TDs, RB Patrick - 17 carries, 106 yards, WR Callaway - 6 catches, 96 yards, 1 TD, WR Toliver - 6 catches, 63 yards, WR Johnson - 7 catches, 62 yards, TE Truesdell - 2 catches, 51 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 10: Dragons Win High Scoring Affair
April 23, 2022
Detroit, MI - Things got off to a blazing start, as RB LaMichael James took the opening kickoff 88 yards to the house, putting the Seattle Dragons on top 7-0 early. Unfortunately for the San Diego Fleet, it was the opposite for them. The Dragons quickly snuffed out their opening drive, as they had to punt after a three and out. On their first drive of the day, the Dragons did an phenomenal job of slowly marching down the field, taking up time and scoring. QB Ben DiNucci found TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins for a 5 yard touchdown and the Dragons went up 13-0. Despite a great return from RB DeAnthony Thomas, the Fleet had to punt the ball away, but in a turn of events, the punt was muffed, and the Fleet recovered it, setting them up inside the 5 yard line to end the quarter but the Fleet had to settle for three after the excellent field position. The Dragons efficiently marched the ball down the field, but had to settle for three, which gave them a 16-3 lead. On the first play, Thomas took it in from 84 yards out and it was 16-9 just like that which was exactly what the Fleet needed to jump start an offense that was dead in the water. The Dragons were able to push the ball down into Fleet territory, giving them a 19-9 lead going into halftime.
QB Josh Johnson missed a couple of throws to start the second half, which in turn resulted in another punt for the Fleet offense. Some impressive pressure from the Fleet defensive line unsettled DiNucci and the Dragons were held to a field goal attempt. However, it was blocked and a good return by DB Anthony Orange set up the Fleet with solid field position. The Dragons defense held up quite well and K Giorgio Tavecchio ended up kicking a field goal making it a 19-12 ball game. James continued to put on a show. He caught a screen out of the backfield from DiNucci and then broke multiple tackles, taking it to the house from 47 yards out. After the Fleet started to find some momentum, Johnson threw up a prayer and it was picked off by DB Mike Stevens. However, a late penalty for roughing the passer was called, and the Fleet were set up with good field position going into the 4th. Thomas ran it in from 8 yards out and it was 25-19 in the early 4th quarter. James returned another kickoff to the house and a successful two point conversion made it a 33-19 ball game. As the fourth quarter wound down, the Dragons offense continued to hum and RB CJ Prosise ran it in from one yard out to give his team a 39-19 lead. The Fleet were able to score as Johnson found WR Devier Posey on a slant route in the endzone and a two point conversion made it 39-27. DB Mar'Sean Digg somehow recovered the on side kick attempt after a bobble by WR Blake Jackson, but DB Trumaine Washington picked off Johnson, effectively ending the game.
-- (7-2)Fleet 27 - 39 Dragons(7-2)
(SD): QB Johnson - 25/38 295 yards, 1 TD, 3 INTs, RB Thomas - 14 carries, 164 yards, 2 TDs, WR Posey - 6 catches, 78 yards, 1 TD, WR Spruce - 10 catches, 113 yards
(SEA): QB DiNucci - 31/43 337 yards, 3 TDs, RB Prosise - 13 carries, 53 yards, 1 TD, RB James - 7 carries, 63 yards, 4 catches, 93 yards, 1 TD, WR Gordon - 8 catches, 101 yards, 1 TD, TE Seferian-Jenkins - 3 catches, 37 yards, 1 TD
-- (2-7)Roughnecks 3 - 19 Panthers(1-8)
(HOU): QB Osweiler - 12/29 130 yards, 2 INTs, RB Blue - 18 carries, 46 yards, WR Salter - 2 catches, 40 yards
(OAK): QB Lynch - 14/21 158 yards, 1 TD, RB Washington - 16 carries, 81 yards, RB Corbin - 15 carries, 54 yards, WR Jones - 2 catches, 44 yards
-- (5-4)Enforcers 16 - 20 Monarchs(4-5)
(CHI): QB Kizer - 13/18 226 yards, 2 TDs, RB Victor - 12 carries, 40 yards, WR Turpin - 3 catches, 94 yards, 1 TD, WR Moore - 4 catches, 66 yards
(MON): QB Murray - 13/25 130 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Hubbard - 22 carries, 131 yards, 1 TD, RB Wilder - 11 carries, 40 yards, WR Cunningham - 3 catches, 41 yards
-- (4-5)Commanders 9 - 17 BattleHawks(4-5)
(SA): QB Griffin III - 6/19 103 yards, RB Ervin - 12 carries, 109 yards, RB Hill - 20 carries, 73 yards, WR Ward - 4 catches, 84 yards
(CHA): QB McCarron - 13/23 163 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Galloway - 13 carries, 91 yards, 1 TD, RB Ware - 20 carries, 91 yards, WR Butler - 3 catches, 58 yards, WR Ateman - 5 catches, 45 yards, 1 TD
-- (2-7)Steel 13 - 17 Mountain Lions(3-6)
(BIRM): QB Cook - 11/20 109 yards, RB Yeldon - 12 carries, 90 yards, RB Richardson - 15 carries, 46 yards, 1 TD, WR Benjamin - 4 catches, 30 yards
(SLC): QB Falk - 15/22 217 yards, 1 TD, RB Booker - 20 carries, 77 yards, 1 TD, RB Turbin - 15 carries, 42 yards, WR Clay - 5 catches, 63 yards, WR Pierson-El - 2 catches, 57 yards
XFL Week 10: Jousters Defense Contain the Vipers
April 24, 2022
Memphis, TN - Not finding much luck in the air, the Toronto Jousters tried their luck on the ground, bringing them in scoring position. Although QB Luis Perez came close to the end-zone, they had to settle for three. The Vipers would also have to settle for three. After a few first down, Perez brought the team close to scoring, but the drive ended poorly with another DB Jamar Summers interception on the season, giving the Vipers the ball once again. QB Spencer Rattler couldn’t do much on this drive, ultimately punting away after three and out. Perez went for a long shot down the field and found WR Eric Rogers to grab their first touch down to put them up 10-3 with time running out in the half.
The Jousters would start the second half kicking it off to the Vipers. They also couldn’t find their rhythm and this would also be their fifth consecutive three and out. Perez brought the Jousters in scoring position, but K Boris Bede was wide on the field goal attempt keeping the game 10-3. The Vipers would take possession and take the game into the next quarter with no score from either team in the 3rd. The Vipers had the ball, but they could make much happen. The Jousters also had trouble on offense, kicking away and botching the punt, giving the Vipers great field position. The Vipers, down seven, curiously went for the field goal with just over 7-minutes left. This gave the Jousters the ball, they couldn't run out the clock completely, but they brought it down to 37 seconds. This would be the Vipers last chance, with 2 seconds to go Rattler went all out and tossed a Hail Mary that felt to the turf.
-- (7-2)Vipers 6 - 10 Jousters(3-6)
(MEX): QB Rattler - 12/26 156 yards, RB Smith - 13 carries, 37 yards, WR Holliman - 3 catches, 51 yards
(TOR): QB Perez - 13/21 183 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Cox - 14 carries, 53 yards, WR Rogers - 2 catches, 73 yards, 1 TD
-- (6-3)Apollos 17 - 21 Brigade(2-7)
(ORL): QB Stevens - 17/30 209 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, RB Johnson - 19 carries, 103 yards, WR Marshall - 5 catches, 56 yards, WR Whitehead - 3 catches, 41 yards, 1 TD
(BAL): QB Bahar - 16/23 159 yards, 1 TD, RB Whaley - 11 carries, 51 yards, 1 TD, RB Thompson - 12 carries, 65 yards, 1 TD, WR Campanaro - 4 catches, 41 yards
Ta'amu Shoulder Injury puts Crusaders in Heinicke's hands
April 24, 2022
London, ENGLAND - Now in his third season with the London Crusaders, there has been little body of work with which to distinguish QB Taylor Heinicke, a typical backup quarterback who enters the game late, when the outcome has been determined, or when the starter was injured. But that’s about to change. In what undoubtedly was his finest moment with the team, the unassuming Heinicke replaced an injured QB Jordan Ta'amu and, with two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, directed his team 65 yards over seven plays, capped by RB Christine Michaels’ seven-yard run for the winning touchdown in London’s come-from-behind 20-16 victory over the Tampa Bay Bandits. “I try not to place extra value on certain moments,” said Heinicke. “I truly feel it’s a blessing to go on the field and be able to compete. There’s a lot of people that want to be in this position. I don’t take that for granted.”
Crusaders starting quarterback Jordan Ta'amu is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season with a left shoulder injury sustained. The veteran was placed on the six-game injured list and, although no surgery’s required, London will potentially be in a struggle to make the playoffs. Ta'amu’s injury, a fractured bone in his non-throwing shoulder isn’t considered career threatening. “Taylor did a great job for us the last two weeks,” Ta'amu said. “He has a good grasp of the offense and is a really good athlete. He throws a good football. He made really great decisions in the last minutes of that game. Those were not easy throws. I have a ton of confidence in him. That’s why he’s here. With quarterbacks, time’s an ingredient for their success. You need time to practice and figure things out. I think he’s in a really good place and is ready for it. He didn’t bat an eye when he went into that game or the week before. We’re going to go on and win football games.”