Monarchs Acquire Veteran Quarterback Ryan Mallett
April 27, 2023
Montreal, QUEBEC, CANADA - The Montreal Monarchs announced that the team has acquired veteran QB Ryan Mallett from the Oakland Panthers in exchange for undisclosed draft picks. Mallett had lost the starting quarterback job in Oakland to rookie QB Carson Strong earlier this season.
"Ryan is a veteran who knows the league well and what it takes to win", said Montreal Monarchs General Manager Danny Maciocia. "We are pleased to have been able to complete this transaction. We are confident that Ryan will work well with our quarterbacks."
XFL Week 11: Field goal Carries Mountain Lions to Dramatic Victory
April 27, 2023
Salt Lake City, UT - K Jake Verity’s 48-yard field goal on the final play of the game carried the Mountain Lions to a dramatic come-from-behind 29-28 victory over the Tampa Bay Bandits before 41,024 spectators. That kick came after K Ernesto Lacayo thought he had carried the visitors to a victory with a 51-yard field goal. They thought they had the game won after QB Josh Rosen connected with WR Justyn Ross for a 45-yard touchdown with fewer than three minutes remaining in regulation time. QB Colin Kaepernick connected with WR Lil' Jordan Humphrey for two touchdowns while RB Karlos Williams scored on a short run. Lacayo added an earlier field goal. The Mountain Lions started quickly on offense, thanks to a 23-yard pass to Ross on the opening play. But on the next play, Rosen’s pass for WR Kaelin Clay was intercepted by DB Vernon Hargreaves, who returned it 45 yards, squandering a glorious opportunity for the Mountain Lions to take the lead. Kaepernick then connected with Humphrey for 12 yards, WR Rashad Greene for 14 and a huge 25-yard gain to TE Orson Charles. Inexplicably, the visitors gambled on fourth and goal from the 7, Kaepernick’s pass falling incomplete. But the Mountain Lions failed to generate a first down from deep in their own zone. Three plays later, Kaepernick connected for the 10-yard touchdown. The Mountain Lions generated a 10-play drive that consumed nearly six minutes early in the second period, but had to settle for a 26-yard field goal. Following Lacayo being wide left on a 43-yard field goal attempt, the Mountain Lions generated a six-play, 70-yard drive. The drive culminated with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Clay giving the Mountain Lions an 11-8 lead. Tampa tied the score with Lacayo’s 43-yard field goal just before halftime.
Salt Lake was held to 10 first downs and 148 net yards in the half, limited to 23 offensive plays. The Mountain Lions took the lead four minutes into the third quarter on JJ Arcega-Whiteside’s touchdown, capping a four-play, 93-yard drive. But the Bandits answered immediately, thanks to a second roughing-the-kicker penalty and a pass interference infraction. The drive was capped by Williams’ one-yard touchdown run. A 64-yard touchdown by Humphrey with one minute remaining in the quarter provided Tampa with a 25-18 lead heading into the final period.
-- (7-3)Bandits 28 - 29 Mountain Lions(8-2)
(TB): QB Kaepernick - 27/39 303 yards, 2 TDs, RB Gardner - 10 carries, 41 yards, WR Humphrey - 11 catches, 145 yards, 2 TDs, WR Greene - 6 catches, 50 yards
(SLC): QB Rosen - 24/31 382 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Booker - 12 carries, 43 yards, WR Ross - 7 catches, 99 yards, 1 TD, WR Arcega-Whiteside - 3 catches, 81 yards, 1 TD, WR Clay - 3 catches, 74 yards, 1 TD
-- (3-7)Showboats 19 - 27 Valor(4-6)
(MEM): QB Guarantano - 17/26 157 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Collins - 18 carries, 53 yards, 1 TD, WR Treadwell - 6 catches, 62 yards, 1 TD, WR Mitchell - 4 catches, 40 yards, 1 TD
(DC): QB Bortles - 20/25 200 yards, 2 TDs, RB Allen - 21 carries, 52 yards, RB Pumphrey - 13 carries, 75 yards, 1 TD, WR Daniels - 3 catches, 52 yards, WR Richardson - 3 catches, 46 yards, TE Hodges - 3 catches, 15 yards, 2 TDs
XFL Week 11: Offense Finds Footing as Dragons Stop Calgary
April 28, 2023
Calgary, ALBERTA, CANADA - After playing three straight home games at Lumen Field, the Seattle Dragons traveled to Calgary to take on the winless Calgary Greys in this Week 11 matchup. In the first quarter, PR Kelvin McKnight registered a 49-yard punt return, his longest return of the season. After McKnight secured great field position for the Dragons offense, K Dominik Eberle knocked in a 37-yard field goal, giving Seattle an early 3-0 lead. As the game transitioned into the second quarter, Greys K Jose Borregales evened the score at 3-3 after a successful 26-yard field goal attempt. Shortly after, McKnight returned a kickoff for 45-yards and the drive resulted in another Eberle field goal, this time for 27-yards, securing a 6-3 Seattle lead. Greys RB Devin Darrington scored the first touchdown of the game on the following drive, punching it in from the 3-yard line. Darrington followed it up with a successful 1-point conversion giving Calgary their first lead of the game (10-6). Eberle closed out the first half by banking a 54 yard field goal, his third of the game and the second longest in the entire XFL this season. The Greys led 10-9 heading into halftime.
The Dragons re-grouped during halftime and came out firing in the second half with QB Ben DiNucci finding WR Blake Jackson in the back of the end zone for a 20-yard touchdown reception. WR Jahcour Pearson earned Seattle a 17-10 lead after pulling in a successful 2-point conversion. The Greys offense answered with a 43-yard run by Darrington that resulted in a touchdown to cut the score to 17-16. Calgary's 1-point conversion proved unsuccessful thanks to a DL Niko Lalos interception. The fourth quarter opened with a 27-yard Eberle field goal, his fourth of the game, which widened the Dragons lead to 20-16. Soon after, Borregales matched the Dragons with a 50-yard field goal, his season high. Late in the game, the Dragons special teams unit came up big, DB Alijah Holder blocking P Mac Brown's punt, placing the ball on the 6. The Dragons capitalized on the turnover and expanded the score to 26-19 after DiNucci spotted WR Juwan Green in the endzone and completed a 4-yard touchdown pass. The Greys looked to drive the ball down field on their next series but fell short after Darrington fumbled on a catch and run that was enforced by DB Antoine Brooks and recovered by DB Rojesterman Farris. Calgary's defense took a final stand forcing the Dragons to punt on their ensuing possession, but Seattle's defense turned on the pressure. In the final moments of the game, the Greys turned the ball over on downs, continuing their winless season.
-- (7-3)Dragons 26 - 19 Greys(0-10)
(SEA): QB DiNucci - 18/35 177 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 6 carries, 43 yards, RB Bradwell - 12 carries, 32 yards, WR Jackson - 6 catches, 79 yards, 1 TD, WR Green - 5 catches, 50 yards, 1 TD
(CAL): QB Dormady - 24/44 243 yards, RB Darrington - 7 carries, 82 yards, 2 TDs, WR Latimer - 5 catches, 59 yards, WR Rambo - 6 catches, 54 yards
-- (6-4)Enforcers 24 - 25 Fleet(3-7)
(CHI): QB Johnson - 7/12 103 yards, 2 TDs, 10 carries, 32 yards, 1 TD, RB Victor - 13 carries, 44 yards, RB Rawls - 13 carries, 55 yards, WR Pierson-El - 4 catches, 65 yards, 1 TD
(SD): QB Johnson - 19/24 196 yards, 3 TDs, RB Smallwood - 20 carries, 92 yards, RB Thomas - 14 carries, 75 yards, WR Ross - 5 catches, 64 yards, WR Spruce - 3 catches, 47 yards, WR Posey - 5 catches, 36 yards, 2 TDs
XFL Week 11: BattleHawks Dominate Vipers in Mexico City
April 29, 2023
Mexico City, MEXICO - The Mexico City Vipers fell, 29-6, against the Charlotte Battlehawks. Both team's offenses struggled to start the game, going four straight drives without scoring. At start of the second quarter, BattleHawks QB AJ McCarron's 4-yard passing touchdown to WR Gary Jennings would put Charlotte on the board. After the score McCarron would connect with WR Darrius Shepherd for a successful two-point conversion giving them an 8-0 lead. With just two minutes remaining in the first half, Charlotte moved down the field but settled for a K Donny Hageman 40-yard field goal, extending their lead 11-0. Shortly after that, Charlotte would force Mexico City to a three-and-out and got the ball back with 55 seconds remaining. Three plays later, McCarron dialed up a deep ball to Shepherd for a 30-yard passing touchdown giving the BattleHawks a commanding 17-0 lead going into half time.
Mexico City would open the second half looking to answer back but QB Luis Perez would throw an interception to Charlotte DB Lavert Hill and he returned it to Vipers territory. About four minutes later Charlotte would capitalize on the turnover when RB Kareem Walker bulldozed his way in for a one-yard score extending their lead to 23-0. Late in the third quarter Mexico City would make a quarterback change putting in QB Brett Hundley. The Vipers would finally get on the board when Hundley threw a short pass to RB John Lovett, and he took it the rest of the way en route to a 17-yard passing touchdown cutting the deficit to 23-6 with six minutes remaining. Just when Mexico City seemed to have found some life, the BattleHawks would answer back on the following drive going 51 yards on five plays, capping it off with Shepherd on the receiving end of a six-yard touchdown pass, sealing the win for Charlotte, 29-6.
-- (6-4)BattleHawks 29 - 6 Vipers(2-8)
(CHA): QB McCarron - 23/29 236 yards, 3 TDs, RB Hill - 14 carries, 71 yards, WR Shepherd - 7 catches, 79 yards, 2 TDs, WR Campbell - 3 catches, 54 yards
(MEX): QB Hundley - 9/18 120 yards, 1 TD, RB Lovett - 6 carries, 19 yards, 3 catches, 44 yards, 1 TD, WR Badet - 4 catches, 34 yards
-- (4-6)Stampede 30 - 24 Panthers(4-6)
(OKC): QB Petty - 20/28 236 yards, 2 TDs, RB Artis-Payne - 19 carries, 102 yards, 1 TD, RB Brooks - 13 carries, 84 yards, WR Davis - 6 catches, 64 yards, WR Westbrook - 4 catches, 53 yards
(OAK): QB Love - 14/27 162 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, RB Corbin - 16 carries, 160 yards, 2 TDs, WR Quinn - 6 catches, 53 yards, WR Hamilton - 2 catches, 46 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 11: Jousters Squeak Past Breakers
April 29, 2023
Los Angeles, CA - The Toronto Jousters were down by nine points late in the third quarter and they were struggling to sustain drives and keep the offense on the field. Mitchell had been pulled at halftime after completing 9-of 16 passes for 149 yards and two interceptions with 80 of those yards came on the opening play of the game. There had been a couple moments to feel excited about in the first half, but not enough. Mitchell had connected with the WR Keyarris Garrett on the opening play of the game for 80 yards, but the Jousters had to settle for a field goal and the Breakers responded with three points of their own on the ensuing drive. Early in the second, the Jousters run-game got hot for a drive that finished with RB Chandler Cox scampering for 29 yards into the end zone for a genuinely spectacular touchdown, but again, the Breakers responded with a touchdown of their own a few minutes later. It was 10-10 at that point, although three field goals put the Breakers up 19-10 by the midway point of the third quarter. Then, the game seemed to change on a dime.
As it has been so many times this season, it was the Jousters defense that stepped up when DB Stanley Jean-Baptiste intercepted a pass from QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson and somewhat incredibly ran it back for a 62 yard touchdown. “It’s amazing how one play can change a game,” said DL Cordarro Law. “Before, you look at the sideline and we were all looking all sad and mad and then Baptiste makes a play that changes the entire game and the team starts to believe, and man, belief is a hell of a thing. It can take you from nothing to something.”
Two field goals later and the Jousters suddenly found themselves ahead. It wasn’t the most spectacular showing and it would have been a lot better had Arbuckle not thrown an end zone interception that gave the Breakers life late, but a win is a win. And this was a win the Stampeders definitely needed. Defensively, Law was his usual dominant self, DL Ja'Gared Davis had a sack and forced a fumble that essentially ended the game with 30 seconds left and LB Hardy Nickerson looked like he might be a player.
-- (4-6)Jousters 22 - 19 Breakers(7-3)
(TOR): QB Arbuckle - 14/18 156 yards, 1 INT, RB Cox - 15 carries, 85 yards, 2 TDs, WR Wright - 6 catches, 55 yards, WR Garrett - 4 catches, 129 yards, WR Rogers - 3 catches, 57 yards
(LA): QB Bethel-Thompson - 27/43 276 yards, 1 INT, RB Hills - 13 carries, 55 yards, 1 TD, WR Dixon - 7 catches, 92 yards, WR Adams - 5 catches, 70 yards, WR Lee - 8 catches, 55 yards
-- (2-8)Mammoths 19 - 27 Maulers(5-5)
(OMA): QB Wolford - 13/25 199 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, RB West - 19 carries, 64 yards, WR Callaway - 3 catches, 67 yards, WR Dunbar - 3 catches, 54 yards
(PIT): QB Haskins - 19/22 211 yards, 3 TDs, RB Groshek - 20 carries, 79 yards, WR Thomas - 6 catches, 99 yards, WR Gaither - 7 catches, 60 yards, 2 TDs
-- (8-2)Stallions 20 - 23 Bolts(5-5)
(STL): QB McGough - 16/25 176 yards, RB Marable - 14 carries, 65 yards, 2 TDs, RB White - 13 carries, 76 yards, WR Davis - 4 catches, 56 yards
(BER): QB Kaaya - 21/29 217 yards, 3 TDs, RB Hunt - 21 carries, 75 yards, WR Huff - 6 catches, 97 yards, 1 TD, TE Escobar - 7 catches, 63 yards
XFL Week 11: Renegades Edged in Rematch with Vancouver
April 30, 2023
Dallas, TX - Facing each other for the second time in three weeks, the Vancouver Otters avenged a loss twelve days prior to the Dallas Renegades with a 15-9 win at Choctaw Stadium. Vancouver built a 9-0 halftime lead after holding Dallas to just 46 1st-half yards. The Otters took a 3-0 advantage on a 28-yard field goal from K Parker Romo at the 1:48 mark of the 1st quarter and added a defensive touchdown on a strip sack by LB Delontae Scott and 44-yard fumble recovery by LB Jordan Williams with 6:34 remaining in the 2nd quarter. After rushing for only 18 yards in the 1st half, the Renegades clipped off 28 on the ground in their opening possession of the 2nd half to set up a season-long 53-yard field goal by K Taylor Russolino.
On Vancouver's second play from scrimmage following Russolino's field goal, Dallas LB Donald Payne intercepted QB Kurt Benkert who was just traded from Houston on Wednesday. That set up a Renegades' 16-yard touchdown pass from QB Drew Plitt to WR LuJuan Winningham, who acrobatically stretched back across his body to pull in his team-leading second receiving TD of the season at 8:39 of the 3rd quarter. The teams remained tied into the 4th quarter, when aided by a Dallas 41-yard pass interference penalty, Vancouver re-gained a three-point edge, 12-9, on a 45-yard field goal from Romo with 8:56 to play. A 48-yard connection through the air by Plitt to WR JaVonta Payton on Dallas' next possession positioned the Renegades inside Vancouver's 15-yard line. However, Russolino's right-footed kick from the right hash sailed right of the goal post from 36 yards which would have re-knotted the game with 4:05 showing. A 46-yard field goal by Romo with 1:46 left put the Otters up six, and an interception with 14 seconds left by DB Tenny Adewusi with Dallas driving in Vancouver territory iced the contest.
-- (2-8)Otters 15 - 9 Renegades(5-5)
(VAN): QB Pass - 8/14 57 yards, RB Patrick - 15 carries, 82 yards, WR Akers - 2 catches, 24 yards
(DAL): QB Sloter - 16/29 185 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Smith - 10 carries, 42 yards, 4 catches, 49 yards, WR Payton - 2 catches, 43 yards
-- (7-3)Crusaders 30 - 12 Monarchs(2-8)
(LON): QB Heinicke - 16/27 208 yards, 2 TDs, RB Michael - 17 carries, 65 yards, 1 TD, WR Henry - 5 catches, 81 yards, 1 TD
(MON): QB Mallett - 10/16 111 yards, RB Richard - 16 carries, 102 yards, 1 TD, WR Cunningham - 5 catches, 50 yards, WR Roosevelt - 2 catches, 68 yards
XFL Week 11: Commanders Face Quandary after Being Bounced
April 30, 2023
San Antonio, TX - The Philadelphia Brawlers emerged with a 28-10 victory before an announced crowd of 38,442 at Alamodome. San Antonio QB Logan Woodside left the game late in the second quarter after struggling in the first half. He was replaced by QB Mason Fine, who outperformed Woodside. “That’s a big decision that we have to make this week about what we’re going to do at that position,” Commanders head coach Marvin Lewis said. “We still believe in Logan and we still believe in our team. We do have to find a way to play better. That means we’ve got to look at every position and we’ve got to make the right decision at every position. I don’t know off the top of my head what that is, but that’s what we have ahead of us for the next few days.”
Woodside completed only eight of 13 passes for 41 yards and being intercepted twice. He was also sacked twice before being replaced by Fine, who was sacked three times. “We weren’t clicking it all on offense and I just felt like ‘Let’s do it,’” Lewis said. “I was going to do it at the half and then we got the ball back with a couple minutes left so I said ‘Let’s do it now.’
The Brawlers got off to a fast start with an eight-play, 80-yard touchdown drive after taking the opening kickoff. QB Phillip Walker completed five passes for 79 yards during the drive, which was capped when he scored on a one-yard quarterback sneak. The Commanders registered a field goal, but that was as close as San Antonio would get. RB James Butler scored on a two-yard run. WR Cam Phillips broke free for a 80-yard touchdown reception. WR Travis Fulgham added a one-handed, 11-yard touchdown catch. WR Greg Ward scored the lone Commanders touchdown, on a four-yard pass from Fine late in the second quarter to trail 21-10 after the first half.
-- (9-1)Brawlers 28 - 10 Commanders(3-7)
(PHI): QB Walker - 22/31 375 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, 3 carries, 63 yards, RB Butler - 17 carries, 30 yards, 2 TDs, WR Phillips - 9 catches, 136 yards, 1 TD, WR Fulgham - 6 catches, 127 yards, WR Miller - 5 catches, 67 yards, 1 TD
(SA): QB Fine - 16/26 210 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Ervin - 13 carries, 61 yards, WR Ward - 6 catches, 111 yards, 1 TD, WR Doctson - 8 catches, 56 yards
-- (5-5)Alphas 16 - 40 Apollos(7-3)
(ATL): QB Barrett - 18/31 262 yards, 1 TD, RB Barber - 11 carries, 76 yards, RB Smith - 15 carries, 57 yards, WR Evans - 3 catches, 63 yards, 1 TD, WR Jones - 6 catches, 62 yards, WR Hardy - 3 catches, 51 yards
(ORL): QB Gilbert - 20/24 301 yards, 1 TD, RB Johnson - 17 carries, 84 yards, 1 TD, WR Marshall - 7 catches, 95 yards, WR Moncrief - 4 catches, 80 yards, 1 TD, WR Whitehead - 3 catches, 52 yards
-- (3-7)Ghosts 34 - 31 Guardians(5-5)
(COL): QB Cookus - 19/36 300 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Colburn - 15 carries, 64 yards, RB Williams - 19 carries, 37 yards, WR Coleman - 4 catches, 78 yards, 1 TD, WR Suell - 6 catches, 76 yards, 1 TD, WR Overton - 3 catches, 68 yards
(NY): QB Dolegala - 9/17 169 yards, 1 TD, RB Perkins - 17 carries, 83 yards, 1 TD, RB Darkwa - 23 carries, 113 yards, 2 TDs, WR White - 3 catches, 88 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 11: Promising Start Goes Awry in Second Loss
May 1, 2023
Cologne, GERMANY - The Houston Roughnecks found themselves on the losing end in two of the last three games as they fell to the Cologne Defenders by a score of 37-26. Houston got on the board first in this one, as RB Max Borghi punched in a 4-yard touchdown, set up by a facemask penalty against the Defenders' defense. A successful two-point try pass attempt from QB Nathan Rourke to WR Cedric Byrd put the Roughnecks up eight. On the other end, after a defensive pass interference penalty put the ball at the 1-yard line for Cologne, the Houston defense stood tall, holding them to a 33-yard field goal. After one quarter of play, the Roughnecks led 8-3. The first points of the second quarter came just after the two-minute warning, as Cologne punched in a 1-yard touchdown. On the ensuing drive, down 9-8, Houston found themselves on the wrong end of a pick six. A successful two-point try pass made the score 17-8 going into halftime, in favor of the home team.
The Roughnecks' defense gave up a 1-yard touchdown on the opening drive of the second half, making the deficit 23-8. After another Houston punt, Cologne would tack on a 32-yard field goal, pushing their lead to 26-8. Houston's offense responded accordingly, as Rourke connected with WR Deontay Burnett for an 85-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 26-14. Cologne responded with a 30-yard touchdown pass of their own, pushing the lead back up to twenty. The following drive, RB Max Borghi punched it in for a 1-yard touchdown, his second of the game. Another field goal by the Defenders made the score 37-20. Rourke left the game early in the fourth quarter after being sacked by DL Jesse Aniebonam. QB Cole McDonald finished the game behind center. Rourke reportedly suffered a high ankle sprain and didn’t return. He did have a boot on his right leg after the game. “We’re just not going to know until some more tests are done,” Roughnecks head coach Wade Phillips said. “The doctor says you just can’t know until you get it checked out so there’s a wide range of outcomes and we’ll find that out as soon as we can. We’ll evaluate after we see what’s going on, but we’ll be smart with it. Hopefully we’re talking that he’s coming back really soon.”
A 1-yard touchdown rush by QB Cole McDonald made it 37-26 with just under two minutes remaining. After a failed 4th & 15 onside attempt, the game would end with Cologne in victory formation.
-- (9-1)Roughnecks 26 - 37 Defenders(10-0)
(HOU): QB Rourke - 18/28 305 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Borghi - 12 carries, 35 yards, 2 TDs, WR Burnett - 4 catches, 122 yards, 1 TD, WR Harris - 5 catches, 60 yards
(COL): QB Ta'amu - 19/31 245 yards, 2 TDs, RB Smith - 19 carries, 95 yards, 1 TD, WR Jackson - 5 catches, 136 yards, 1 TD, WR Hammond - 5 catches, 65 yards
-- (7-3)Brigade 14 - 10 Steel(2-8)
(BAL): QB Wilson - 13/26 182 yards, 1 TD, RB Thompson - 19 carries, 78 yards, 1 TD, RB Crowell - 13 carries, 42 yards, WR Ratliff-Williams - 4 catches, 72 yards, 1 TD
(BIRM): QB Glennon - 14/26 164 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Yeldon - 10 carries, 46 yards, RB Richardson - 13 carries, 22 yards, WR Foster - 5 catches, 56 yards, WR Benjamin - 3 catches, 41 yards, 1 TD
Vipers Trade QB Luis Perez To Renegades
May 2, 2023
Dallas, TX - The Vipers traded QB Luis Perez to the Dallas Renegades for LB Ryan Mueller. This move comes after Luis was benched for Brett Hundley after the loss against the BattleHawks in Week 11. With this in mind Hundley will be the starter with QB Jalan McClendon backing him up for the rest of the season. The Renegades gave the Vipers, Mueller who hasn’t recorded any sort of stat all season which means Mexico City gets a fresh new linebacker and could be a sneaky steal. Ryan has played in the XFL since 2020 where he played for the New York Guardians and won Defensive Play Of The Year. Dallas made this trade after they released starting QB Kyle Sloter after he had a terrible time trying to make something happen for the team.
Roughnecks' Rourke to Undergo Surgery for Lisfranc Sprain
May 3, 2023
Houston, TX - The Houston Roughnecks has issued the following statement on Nathan Rourke: "After extensive consultation with team doctors and foot specialists, Nathan was diagnosed with a Lisfranc sprain in his right foot. It has been determined that the best course of action is for Nathan to undergo surgery, which will happen very soon. The club remains hopeful that the surgery and subsequent rehab will open the door for a return late in the season. Cole McDonald will start at quarterback moving forward."
XFL 2001
Re: XFL 2001
by BengalErnst » Sat Feb 18, 2023 2:31 pm
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Re: XFL 2001
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XFL Week 12: Derrick Dillon Dazzles with 109-Yard Return, Showboats Are Suddenly on a Roll
May 4, 2023
Memphis, TN - No, it's not a championship, but the win squarely puts the Showboats in contention for a playoff spot in the Western Division after beginning the season 0-3 and 0-2 at home. But it wasn't Haley's offense that earned the win as much as it was defensive coordinator Carnell Lake's defense and Frank Gansz's special teams. Memphis' defense continued to show good form. The Showboats held the Maulers to just 127 total yards and 2-for-5 on third down. It sacked QB Troy Williams twice, tackled the ball carrier in the backfield three times, forced an interception and held the Maulers to zero points. And then there was the special teams. WR Derrick Dillon showed off his 4.29 40-yard dash speed when he returned the opening kickoff to the Maulers' 13-yard line. The Showboats managed to earn three points from that opening possession. Then, after QB Jarrett Guarantano and WR Vince Papale capped a 91-yard drive with a 37-yard catch-and-run for a 10-0 lead, Dillon had another chance to show his stuff. Late in the half, Pittsburgh coach Duce Staley opted to give kicker Chris Blewitt an opportunity to get Pittsburgh on the board with a 59-yard field attempt. Memphis countered by placing Dillon back in the end zone, just in case the kick fell short, giving Gansz credit for seeing the opportunity for a momentum-changing play. When Blewitt missed the kick wide right, it looked to be going out of bounds. But Dillon caught the ball as it was sailing over his head, lifting his heels to keep them off the end line and set about running it back 109 yards for the longest return in XFL history. And, yes, Dillon was mindful not to step out of bounds and showed athleticism enough to take one hit, spin out of it and then make a path to the end zone. In this game, he accounted for 219 total yards and a touchdown. "Gansz doesn't leave a stone unturned," Haley said. "That's something that we practiced yesterday in our little walkthrough. We do it every week at the end of the week. If the opposing team is in a long field goal situation, we put, hopefully, our fastest guy back there. In this case, it was Derrick."
After a missed extra point from K Alex Kessman, the Showboats led 19-0 at the start of the third quarter and stretched that lead to 22 before the game ended in large part due to their running game. The Showboats rushed for 97 yards in the win against one of the league's best rush defenses. With their steady performance offensively and their outstanding defense over the past five weeks, the Showboats are one of the hottest teams in the league at the start of the second half of the regular season.
-- (6-5)Maulers 0 - 22 Showboats(3-8)
(PIT): QB Williams - 13/19 145 yards, 1 INT, RB London - 11 carries, 29 yards, WR Hennie - 8 catches, 103 yards, TE Seybert - 3 catches, 49 yards
(MEM): QB Guarantano - 14/24 135 yards, 1 TD, RB Washington - 20 carries, 71 yards, WR Dillon - 3 catches, 61 yards
-- (0-11)Greys 27 - 32 Fleet(4-7)
(CAL): QB Dormady - 17/24 192 yards, 1 TD, RB Darrington - 13 carries, 116 yards, 2 TDs, RB Martin - 19 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD, WR Latimer - 6 catches, 67 yards, 1 TD, WR Rambo - 3 catches, 40 yards
(SD): QB Johnson - 13/19 217 yards, 3 TDs, RB Smallwood - 20 carries, 92 yards, 1 TD, RB Thomas - 12 carries, 49 yards, 3 catches, 46 yards, WR Ross - 3 catches, 73 yards, 2 TDs, WR Posey - 5 catches, 73 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 12: With Alex McGough Playing 'At a Really High Level,' Stallions Get Back on Winning Track
May 5, 2023
St. Louis, MO - Week 12 was all about St. Louis Stallions QB Alex McGough, who moved his team down the field single-handedly several times in a 27-13 win over the Oakland Panthers. Taking advantage of the room provided in front of him by the Panthers' defense, which hasn't been able to contain the run all season, McGough rushed for 82 yards, providing the spark to an offense desperately in need of one after St. Louis dropped three of its last five games. It started on St. Louis' first offensive play of the game, when McGough took off for 28 yards. In the second quarter, he got the Stallions into Panthers territory with another 24-yard scamper. At the half, he had 53 yards on the ground. He punctuated the win by running in a 10-yard touchdown with 3:27 left to all but seal the game. "We had a lot of success running the ball," said McGough. "And that just it takes so much pressure off me as a quarterback. Instead of having these third-and-longs to convert, when you know you can get five on first down and five on second down, you never even get to a third down. But the offensive line was just destroying them. And I just think we just rode that all the way down." McGough was undoubtedly the difference in the game for the Stallions. They were also 3-for-4 inside the red zone, converting opportunities into points, again fueled by McGough. "He's been humble because he's playing at a really high level," said St. Louis head coach Mike Martz after the game. "He really is the way he's extending plays right now. The success we've had in the red zone, I make a stupid call, and he makes four people miss and then finds a guy in the corner of the end zone and throws it to him. His ability to extend plays, throw the ball accurately and what he can do with his feet right now. I think he is doing a great job of playing quarterback right now."
McGough also completed 19 of 24 passing attempts for 133 yards and two touchdowns. St. Louis rushed for 190 yards on the afternoon, 100 of which came from RB CJ Marable in his first 100-yard game of the season. Oakland started the game with the ball, and it was QB Josh Love who got the start as the Panthers are still searching for an answer under center between Love and QB Carson Strong. Penalties hurt the Panthers beginning with the first drive of the game. A holding call on OL Sean Pollard stalled their momentum just outside the red zone, and in the beginning of the second quarter the defense was called for too many men on the field, gifting the Stallions an extra 5 yards on second down. A touchdown was called back in the third quarter thanks to a hands-to-the-face penalty on backup OL Josh Dunlap, who also committed a false start in the fourth quarter that forced Oakland to settle for a field goal after what could have been a pivotal turnover. After taking a 6-yard sack on the first drive, Love redeemed himself with a 28-yard bomb to WR Trey Quinn that moved the Panthers into Stallions territory. A holding call got them behind the chains and eventually stalled the drive on the 27, but the Panthers were able to tack on three points as they struck first with a field goal. It was the defense's time to step up on the ensuing drive. LB Noah Dawkins returned to the lineup after missing last week with an injury and immediately made his presence known by forcing a fumble on third-and-7 at the 28. The Stallions were then forced to settle for a field goal themselves, tying the game up 3-3 in the first quarter.
The first touchdown of the game didn't come until 57 seconds left in the first half when McGough hit RB Zaquandre White as he scrambled away from pressure. It was barely more than a shovel pass to White in open space, but White took it the rest of the way, evading multiple tackles on an 18-yard dash into the end zone. It put the Stallions up 13-3 just before halftime. In the rush to spike the ball, there was confusion at the line, and Love instead tried to run a play with the clock winding down and no timeouts, squandering Oakland's chances to cut the 13-3 lead before halftime. The Oakland defense was able to stop the Stallions in their tracks on their first possession of the second half. Faced with third-and-13, St. Louis went empty with trips stacked to McGough's right. The receivers all branched out into their various routes, but McGough was swallowed up before he could even get to his first read. The Stallions then punted from deep in their own territory, but a fantastic punt and good coverage by Birmingham still had the Panthers starting their first drive of the second half at their own 22. The Panthers touchdown came on a play-action pass to TE Cole Hikutini over the middle from 11 yards out. It cut the Stallions' lead to just three halfway through the third quarter. But the Stallions answered with another touchdown of their own, extending their lead to 20-10 in the fourth quarter. Not done yet, the Panthers forced a fumble as LB Frank Ginda punched the ball out and DB Kai Nacua recovered the ball. Oakland took over at the 27 with just over 11 minutes to go in the game down by 10 points. Love wasted no time hitting Quinn yet again for a 16-yard gain, putting the Panthers inside the red zone. But it was yet another red-zone opportunity that Oakland couldn't convert, going one for three on the day.
-- (8-3)Stallions 27 - 13 Panthers(4-7)
(STL): QB McGough - 19/24 133 yards, 2 TDs, 11 carries, 82 yards, 1 TD, RB Marable - 18 carries, 100 yards, WR Hardy - 4 catches, 37 yards
(OAK): QB Love - 20/34 222 yards, 1 TD, RB Scott - 13 carries, 58 yards, WR Quinn - 7 catches, 108 yards
-- (10-1)Brawlers 45 - 28 Monarchs(2-9)
(PHI): QB Walker - 13/21 244 yards, 1 TD, 13 carries, 100 yards, 1 TD, RB Butler - 20 carries, 190 yards, 4 TDs, WR Phillips - 5 catches, 133 yards, WR Coates - 3 catches, 59 yards, WR Fulgham - 3 catches, 42 yards, 1 TD
(MON): QB Mallett - 9/18 152 yards, 2 TDs, RB Richard - 23 carries, 225 yards, 2 TDs, WR Cunningham - 2 catches, 65 yards, 1 TD, WR Roosevelt - 3 catches, 50 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 12: Ghosts' Defense Comes up Big in Low-Scoring Win over Breakers
May 6, 2023
Columbus, OH - The Columbus Ghosts outlasted the Los Angeles Breakers in a back-and-forth game that ended in a 16-10 win. Columbus' defense earned a 'gold star' for the day. It forced two punts to start the game before then taking matters into its own hands when DB Amani Dennis jumped a route to nab an interception off Los Angeles QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson. Dennis then proceeded to run the ball all the way back into the end zone for Columbus' first touchdown of the game. It put the Ghosts up 13-0 in the second quarter. The defense also got a total of two sacks on Bethel-Thompson, including one in the third quarter on third-and-16 that forced the Breakers into a field goal after getting as close as the 11. The offense showed flashes of its potential, as both QB Case Cookus and Matthew Colburn contributed multiple explosive plays throughout the afternoon. Colburn finished as the team's leading rusher with 62 yards on 13 carries, including a 25-yard run that got his team into Los Angeles territory in the fourth quarter.
The Ghosts' biggest blemish came after a largely clean game. Cookus hit an unsuspecting defender with the ball as Cookus was being tackled out of bounds. The shovel pass happened before Cookus stepped out and was therefore an interception by DB Nevelle Clarke, as he stood watching the tackle happen. Things went from bad to worse as WR Terry Wright was ejected for fighting on the sideline immediately following the play. Wright had a huge 30-yard catch earlier in the game and was one of eight receivers to catch a ball from Cookus throughout the afternoon. But because of the defense, the Breakers weren't able to convert the play into points, after the Ghosts' defense stepped up and forced a field goal try. K Matt Coghlin missed the 42-yard attempt and the Ghosts clung to their 13-10 lead with 1:39 left in the third quarter. Los Angeles had first gotten on the board with 2:35 left in the first half on a strike from Bethel-Thompson to WR Johnnie Dixon. After the good point after, the Ghosts led 13-7 just before halftime. Penalties would be a consistent problem for the Ghosts throughout the afternoon. Right before the end of the first half, they failed to convert a third-and-6 after yet another penalty and sent the punt team out with 31 seconds left before halftime. Another promising drive stalled, and instead of answering Los Angeles' first score, they were unable to add to their 13-7 halftime lead. Just as they were gaining some momentum at the start of the fourth quarter, penalties again did the Ghosts in where instead of a completed pass to WR Devin Gray to set Columbus up at the Breakers' 11-yard line, WR Pro Wells was called for offensive pass interference and Cookus threw an interception at the goal line on second-and-17, giving the ball back to the Breakers. Another penalty negated a score in the fourth quarter with the Ghosts clinging to a three-point lead. It made it third-and-goal from the 11 before Cookus ran the ball in for a score. Except that touchdown was negated by a holding call and the Ghosts faced third-and-goal from the 21-yard line. Even after a great catch-and-run by Colburn, Columbus was forced to settle for a field goal, going up 16-10 with 3:15 left.
-- (7-4)Breakers 10 - 16 Ghosts(4-7)
(LA): QB Bethel-Thompson - 22/38 190 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, RB Hills - 18 carries, 74 yards, WR Adams - 3 catches, 33 yards
(COL): QB Cookus - 17/27 238 yards, 2 INTs, RB Colburn - 13 carries, 62 yards, RB Williams - 12 carries, 62 yards, WR Coleman - 6 catches, 76 yards, WR Overton - 3 catches, 67 yards
-- (3-8)Commanders 34 - 16 Steel(2-9)
(SA): QB Fine - 16/22 212 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Ervin - 14 carries, 78 yards, RB Hill - 18 carries, 61 yards, 1 TD, WR Ward - 5 catches, 91 yards, WR Doctson - 3 catches, 58 yards, 1 TD, TE Seals-Jones - 3 catches, 23 yards, 2 TDs
(BIRM): QB Glennon - 12/24 250 yards, 1 TD, RB Yeldon - 19 carries, 81 yards, WR Foster - 3 catches, 101 yards, 1 TD, WR Lodge - 4 catches, 95 yards
XFL Week 12: DiNucci Gucci Against New York
May 6, 2023
Seattle, WA - QB Ben DiNucci staggered the New York Guardians before DB Kareem Orr delivered the knockout blow. DiNucci threw three touchdown passes and Orr returned the interception 67 yards to lead the Seattle Dragons past New York 37-20. Two of the touchdown strikes came in the decisive third quarter as Seattle outscored the Guardians 17-3 with the wind to take a 27-20 advantage. Orr put Seattle ahead 34-20 as the Dragons outscored New York 27-3 in the second half. It was a rough return for starter Cody Kessler. After missing two games with a shoulder ailment, Kessler completed 19-of-30 passes for 244 yards with three interceptions and a lost fumble. Backup Jake Dolegala was 13-of-15 passing for 144 yards and a touchdown.
The Guardians dominated the opening half, holding the ball for 19 minutes 48 seconds and rolling up 236 offensive yards, compared to 104 for Seattle and New York’s offense got going with Dolegala, who replaced Kessler in the second with the score tied 3-3. K Sam Sloman connected on a 30-yard field goal to put New York up 13-3. It came after Dolegala’s 10-yard touchdown strike to WR Keenan Reynolds. Seattle opened the game with the brisk wind but could only manage a 48-yard field goal that tied the score 3-3. New York opened scoring with a 33-yard field goal, taking its opening possession 67 yards on eight plays into the wind. “It was a great team win but we’ve got to go do it again,” said Seattle head coach Dave Ragone. “We’re walking into another brawl next week on the road. They play better at home, it’s a great crowd environment and we’re going to have to beat them in their backyard if we want to be where we want to go. DiNucci battled back in that second half. I felt like he had some added pressure this week. He dug in there and had a great performance.”
-- (5-6)Guardians 20 - 37 Dragons(8-3)
(NY): QB Kessler - 19/30 244 yards, 3 INTs, QB Dolegala - 13/15 144 yards, 1 TD, RB Perkins - 17 carries, 55 yards, WR White - 8 catches, 105 yards, WR Reynolds - 7 catches, 81 yards, WR McKay - 5 catches, 81 yards
(SEA): QB DiNucci - 19/32 258 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Bradwell - 10 carries, 43 yards, WR Gordon - 4 catches, 63 yards, WR Pearson - 3 catches, 67 yards, WR - 4 catches, 55 yards
-- (5-6)Alphas 27 - 19 Renegades(5-6)
(ATL): QB Barrett - 17/26 213 yards, 2 TDs, RB Smith - 14 carries, 82 yards, 1 TD, RB Barber - 14 carries, 74 yards, WR Evans - 5 catches, 78 yards, WR Hardy - 5 catches, 61 yards, 1 TD
(DAL): QB Plitt - 16/26 276 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Smith - 17 carries, 50 yards, WR Bolden - 2 catches, 98 yards, WR Lawler - 3 catches, 81 yards, TE Cannella - 4 catches, 33 yards, 1 TD
-- (6-5)Bolts 31 - 16 Jousters(5-6)
(BER): QB Kaaya - 14/18 163 yards, 1 TD, RB Sankey - 15 carries, 100 yards, 1 TD, RB Hunt - 19 carries, 107 yards, 1 TD, WR Huff - 5 catches, 52 yards, WR Gibson - 2 catches, 46 yards, 1 TD
(TOR): QB Arbuckle - 17/35 217 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Cox - 19 carries, 147 yards, WR Garrett - 5 catches, 85 yards, 1 TD, WR Butler - 4 catches, 70 yards
XFL Week 12: Gritty Brigade Again Ride Running Game and Defense
May 7, 2023
Baltimore, MD - RB Mark Thompson continued to perform as the best touchdown machine in the XFL. Before the first quarter ended against Chicago, Thompson punched into the end zone from 6 yards out. Thompson, who finished the day with 82 yards on 22 carries, has been a force when offensive coordinator Eric Price has been able to define the run-block look for him with man-on-man blocking from the offensive line. His vision has been clear and clean because of it. "It is definitely really clean this year," Thompson said. "Last year we had a lot of things going on, and I was just grateful to be playing the game of football. It was fun being out there, but the result last year wasn't always in our favor. So this year, I'm really excited that I'm getting a chance to utilize my great offensive line."
The Brigade offense also received a boost from the return of Monmouth all-time leading passer Kenji Bahar. Baltimore averaged more than 34 points across Bahar's last three starts. Bahar has elevated his game from one year ago, not only earning the starting job but becoming the kind of player he showed himself to be in college. He finished the game completing 19 of 29 passes for 130 yards and credited Baltimore coach Curtis Johnson for his leap in development as a pro from 2022 to 2023. With Bahar behind center, Houston picked up 12 first downs and put itself in position for Nick Vogel to make two field goals (37 and 38 yards), giving the Brigade a two-score lead in the first half. "I think it's more just Coach Johnson being more of a player's coach," Bahar said. "It's not just him telling us what to do. He asks us what we want to do, what we do well. That goes to show how we play."
The Enforcers offense was erratic at best with QB DeShone Kizer completing just four of his 12 first-half pass attempts for 33 yards and an interception, though he managed an 18-yard scramble to generate some momentum for the offense in the second quarter. All but two of their first-half offensive possessions ended with punts. The two that didn't ended on a turnover on downs and an interception. Baltimore DB Jeremiah Johnson went live-eating on a Kizer pass he intercepted to set up a field goal that extended the lead to 13-0. With their first possession of the second half, the Brigade offense got into position to let Vogel have another go from the 25-yard logo, and he splashed from 34 yards out to put Baltimore up 16-0, a lead they would just make hold up. With about 10 minutes left to play, though, and just their second possession of the second half, the Enforcers mounted a 12-play, 90-yard offensive. Kizer found WR Alonzo Moore on a drag route across the formation to close the gap to 16-10 with 3:04 to play. "I just feel like we got into a rhythm there," Kizer said of the late surge. "I was throwing the ball more accurately down the stretch, getting rid of the ball before the rush could get there and just trying to find open guys." After the touchdown, Enforcers head coach Lovie Smith made the decision to take advantage of the XFL rule that allows a team to attempt a fourth-and-15 play from their own 33-yard line instead of an onside kick. The attempt failed, however, and Baltimore took possession with just over three minutes left in the game.
-- (6-5)Enforcers 10 - 16 Brigade(8-3)
(CHI): QB Kizer - 17/30 177 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Victor - 14 carries, 62 yards, WR Newman - 5 catches, 55 yards, WR Moore - 5 catches, 44 yards
(BAL): QB Bahar - 19/29 130 yards, RB Thompson - 22 carries, 82 yards, WR Hall - 6 catches, 59 yards
-- (2-9)Vipers 20 - 30 Valor(5-6)
(MEX): QB Hundley - 18/32 246 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Guice - 12 carries, 71 yards, 1 TD, RB Smith - 12 carries, 75 yards, WR Bryant - 2 catches, 84 yards, WR Badet - 3 catches, 66 yards, WR Allison - 6 catches, 44 yards, 1 TD
(DC): QB Bortles - 16/26 260 yards, 3 TDs, RB Allen - 19 carries, 125 yards, WR Daniels - 5 catches, 121 yards, 1 TD, WR Richardson - 4 catches, 51 yards, TE Hodges - 3 catches, 50 yards, 2 TDs
XFL Week 12: Apollos Burn Crusaders in Offensive Thriller
May 7, 2023
Orlando, FL - They piled up the yards and first downs faster than you could count them, with enough scoring drives and lead changes to choke a horse. With a crowd of 40,062 behind them, the Orlando Apollos took all the punches the London Crusaders could throw and remained standing, victorious. This came about as easy for Orlando as chewing up a piece of leather, though. London QB Taylor Heinicke gave the Apollos defense fits, helping his team roll up more than 400 yards of offense. But QB Garrett Gilbert matched Heinicke’s 294 passing yards and shook off two end-zone interceptions to extend Orlando's current win streak. “Two great organizations. Two great teams,” Gilbert said. “We showed a lot of resiliency. I put us in a couple of bad spots and the entire team picked me up, picked the offense up. Winning against any team is hard. London, especially, makes it difficult.”
First drive of the second quarter, and the Apollos were on the move again when another strange play interrupted the proceedings. Gilbert, under pressure, had the ball knocked loose from his hand, but did a nice job of moving his arm forward and making it look like an incomplete pass. The Crusaders challenged and won, but because nobody had recovered the ball before the whistle blew, it remained Orlando’s ball, albeit with an eight-yard loss. Two plays later, a field goal and a 17-8 Apollos lead. The Crusaders and Heinicke weren’t fazed. They scored the next 10, marching 79 yards for their second touchdown, Heinicke dissecting the Orlando defense. The first-half clock winding down now, Gilbert engineered one more drive, RB D'Ernest Johnson with a big hand in it, taking the ball to the 17 with 10 seconds left. Trying one more play before settling for three, Gilbert stepped up and made his first mistake of the night, rifling a pass into the arms of DB Kenny Robinson in the end zone. “It’s the third time I’ve done that now,” Gilbert said of taking almost sure points off the board. “I’ve got to do a much better job, not be too aggressive”
London took its 18-17 lead into the locker-room, where we presume the defensive coaches were muttering things under their breath. Heinicke had completed 15 straight passes at that point. His streak ended on London’s first possession of the second half, but Gilbert and the Orlando attack kept rolling when he finished off a six-play, 71-yard drive by hitting WR Lucky Whitehead for a 10-yard touchdown. But Heinicke warmed right up again, getting his team right back on the Apollos' doorstep from where he found WR Malik Henry for his third touchdown of the night from seven yards out to make it 25-24. Orlando’s next drive was promising, Johnson swivelling his way to a 27-yard run before Gilbert made his second mistake, underthrowing WR Jalin Marshall on another corner route and giving Robinson his second interception. By the switch to the fourth quarter, Heinicke had his team on the move again, this time settling for a field goal and 29-24 edge. Gilbert responded, driving his team to the three, where Johnson took over, bashing it in to wrestle the lead right back, 31-29, with some seven minutes to go. With the crowd in full throat, the Orlando defense found a reserve fuel supply, refusing to give up anymore.
“They’re always a team that’s going to bring it,” Apollos LB Jachai Polite said. “They’re going to play fast, they’re going to play physical and they’re a very smart team as well. I love playing games like that. That’s what football is all about. Putting your all into everything until that final whistle blows. Our team needs games like that as well. You’re only going to get better when you face adversity like that throughout the game. We didn’t tackle real well. That comes back to the fundamentals that we’ve been missing out on. We need to get better, but we’ll take the win. That was a hell of a game. We’re very happy to say we won that game.”
-- (8-3)Crusaders 29 - 31 Apollos(8-3)
(LON): QB Heinicke - 23/28 294 yards, 3 TDs, RB Jones - 11 carries, 62 yards, RB Michael - 7 carries, 53 yards, WR Henry - 7 catches, 122 yards, 3 TDs, WR - 6 catches, 68 yards, WR - 3 catches, 52 yards
(ORL): QB Gilbert - 20/27 304 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Johnson - 15 carries, 98 yards, 1 TD, RB Walton - 10 carries, 73 yards, 1 TD, WR Marshall - 5 catches, 66 yards, WR Moncrief - 8 catches, 117 yards, 1 TD, WR Whitehead - 5 catches, 95 yards, 1 TD
-- (11-0)Defenders 23 - 20 Bandits(7-4)
(COL): QB Ta'amu - 8/19 118 yards, 1 INT, 6 carries, 36 yards, 1 TD, RB Smith - 20 carries, 85 yards, 1 TD, WR Jackson - 3 catches, 44 yards
(TB): QB Kaepernick - 16/25 139 yards, 1 TD, RB Gardner - 15 carries, 84 yards, RB Williams - 15 carries, 59 yards, WR Humphrey - 5 catches, 62 yards, 1 TD
-- (7-4)BattleHawks 9 - 16 Mountain Lions(9-2)
(CHA): QB McCarron - 15/22 206 yards, 1 INT, RB Galloway - 17 carries, 57 yards, 1 TD, WR Ateman - 6 catches, 71 yards, WR Butler - 3 catches, 69 yards
(SLC): QB Rosen - 20/26 202 yards, 2 TDs, RB Booker - 22 carries, 101 yards, WR Ross - 6 catches, 94 yards
XFL Week 12: The Rourke-less Era Begins with a Loss
May 8, 2023
Houston, TX - The Houston Roughnecks went from having Nathan Rourke as their starter last week, to QB Cole McDonald this week, to QB Brandon Silvers finishing the game under center. McDonald was pulled from the game in the second quarter, still feeling the effects of being planted in the ground by LB Kentrell Brothers. He was just 6-of-15 in the game, but had hit some big gainers to total 94 yards. “I thought they gave us a chance,” head coach Wade Phillips said. “We had a chance at the end. Cole made some really good throws early on and then Brandon coming in. That’s a tough, tough situation to come in. He knows what he’s doing and he knows the offense but he literally has very, very limited reps practicing and obviously not playing. Good for them for competing and they kept swinging all the way till the end."
Silvers showed off a strong arm and nearly hit WR Dominque Rhymes in the back corner of the end zone for a touchdown, but the receiver couldn’t hang on. Silvers was 9-of-17 for 112 yards and a touchdown in relief. Rhymes made up for it with a 35-yard catch in the fourth quarter that was part of a nine-play, 74-yard drive that made it 23-16 late in the fourth. The Roughnecks came into the game expecting to be in a slugfest instead of a track meet, which meant a steady does of RB Cameron Artis-Payne. He busted four runs over 10 yards and one for 20, against one of the league’s top-rated rushing defense, finishing the game with 129 yards on 15 carries. “Big win, we needed it.” said Stampede coach Craig Dickenson. “It helps us in the standings. We were in trouble there for a little bit, but I feel like this win, doesn’t save us or anything, but we feel like we’re playing better. And hopefully we can build off of it because we’re gonna have to win some games down the stretch against good teams, which is what Houston is.”
-- (5-6)Stampede 23 - 16 Roughnecks(9-2)
(OKC): QB Petty - 19/24 321 yards, 2 TDs, RB Artis-Payne - 15 carries, 129 yards, WR Westbrook - 5 catches, 170 yards, 1 TD, WR Martino - 6 catches, 68 yards, 1 TD
(HOU): QB Silvers - 9/17 112 yards, 1 TD, RB Borghi - 12 carries, 45 yards, WR Rhymes - 5 catches, 83 yards, WR Burnett - 3 catches, 48 yards
-- (2-9)Mammoths 25 - 18 Otters(2-9)
(OMA): QB Wolford - 22/33 252 yards, RB West - 19 carries, 70 yards, WR Callaway - 4 catches, 101 yards, WR Dunbar - 4 catches, 53 yards
(VAN): QB Benkert - 14/37 287 yards, 1 INT, RB Patrick - 16 carries, 88 yards, 2 TDs, WR Turpin - 3 catches, 146 yards, WR Akers - 3 catches, 65 yards
No Longer 'Lost in the Shuffle,' Brigade RB Mark Thompson Dominating XFL
May 9, 2023
Baltimore, MD - XFL commissioner Daryl Johnston mentioned that he thought RB Mark Thompson could be a breakout player for the league. In many respects, Thompson was the kind of player the XFL, as a spring league designed around the NFL's regular season, was created to showcase. As a standout high school player in the Philadelphia area and a junior college All-American, he'd only flashed his athletic brilliance a handful of times at Florida where self-inflicted problems tarnished an otherwise budding talent. He was enough of a talent to warrant signing in 2018 after two years at Florida and had been a part of teams and training camps for the Raiders, Ravens, Lions and Panthers. As he was beginning to find his footing in the NFL, though, the impact of the pandemic halted his football career. Thompson was "a running back who kind of got lost in the shuffle a little bit with COVID," Johnston told me. And with a hamstring pull, when he did have some opportunities to go to a NFL training camp, he was one of the running backs that I looked at that just said, 'OK, why is this guy not in the NFL?'"
There were also some off-field issues. Johnston and the XFL, though, recognize there are those that deserve second chances, chances to show maturity, good citizenship, community engagement, and to showcase their ability as football players. "You know, that's what the hook is here in this league," Johnston said. "Giving these young men another opportunity. Sometimes it's a non-traditional path back to the NFL. Sometimes it's just changing the narrative that's out there about you. Sometimes it's just showcasing your skill set."
Thompson, now 28, was held back by injuries in 2022, though when he is healthy he is the XFL's closest comparison to Derrick Henry. At 6-foot-3, 235 pounds, it's not uncommon to see Thompson running by defenders and over them - as one St. Louis Stallion experienced in the Brigade's 27-20 win. He is. He's playing with fury on the field, remaining focused, humble and team-oriented on it. In that way, he's showing himself to be the man Johnston sought out personally. The XFL isn't just a spring football league. It's the way back, and Thompson is walking it. "I reached out to him and spoke to him directly," Johnston told me. "This is somebody who's learned from his mistakes, knows that he's missed an opportunity and knows that the clock is running on him. I'm excited to see what Mark Thompson does with this opportunity because I think he's one of those guys that knows that there's not a lot of time left for him. And if he's going to have that opportunity to get to the NFL level, he's got to have a breakout season in the XFL. And when you watch him on film, he is fully capable of doing that."
May 4, 2023
Memphis, TN - No, it's not a championship, but the win squarely puts the Showboats in contention for a playoff spot in the Western Division after beginning the season 0-3 and 0-2 at home. But it wasn't Haley's offense that earned the win as much as it was defensive coordinator Carnell Lake's defense and Frank Gansz's special teams. Memphis' defense continued to show good form. The Showboats held the Maulers to just 127 total yards and 2-for-5 on third down. It sacked QB Troy Williams twice, tackled the ball carrier in the backfield three times, forced an interception and held the Maulers to zero points. And then there was the special teams. WR Derrick Dillon showed off his 4.29 40-yard dash speed when he returned the opening kickoff to the Maulers' 13-yard line. The Showboats managed to earn three points from that opening possession. Then, after QB Jarrett Guarantano and WR Vince Papale capped a 91-yard drive with a 37-yard catch-and-run for a 10-0 lead, Dillon had another chance to show his stuff. Late in the half, Pittsburgh coach Duce Staley opted to give kicker Chris Blewitt an opportunity to get Pittsburgh on the board with a 59-yard field attempt. Memphis countered by placing Dillon back in the end zone, just in case the kick fell short, giving Gansz credit for seeing the opportunity for a momentum-changing play. When Blewitt missed the kick wide right, it looked to be going out of bounds. But Dillon caught the ball as it was sailing over his head, lifting his heels to keep them off the end line and set about running it back 109 yards for the longest return in XFL history. And, yes, Dillon was mindful not to step out of bounds and showed athleticism enough to take one hit, spin out of it and then make a path to the end zone. In this game, he accounted for 219 total yards and a touchdown. "Gansz doesn't leave a stone unturned," Haley said. "That's something that we practiced yesterday in our little walkthrough. We do it every week at the end of the week. If the opposing team is in a long field goal situation, we put, hopefully, our fastest guy back there. In this case, it was Derrick."
After a missed extra point from K Alex Kessman, the Showboats led 19-0 at the start of the third quarter and stretched that lead to 22 before the game ended in large part due to their running game. The Showboats rushed for 97 yards in the win against one of the league's best rush defenses. With their steady performance offensively and their outstanding defense over the past five weeks, the Showboats are one of the hottest teams in the league at the start of the second half of the regular season.
-- (6-5)Maulers 0 - 22 Showboats(3-8)
(PIT): QB Williams - 13/19 145 yards, 1 INT, RB London - 11 carries, 29 yards, WR Hennie - 8 catches, 103 yards, TE Seybert - 3 catches, 49 yards
(MEM): QB Guarantano - 14/24 135 yards, 1 TD, RB Washington - 20 carries, 71 yards, WR Dillon - 3 catches, 61 yards
-- (0-11)Greys 27 - 32 Fleet(4-7)
(CAL): QB Dormady - 17/24 192 yards, 1 TD, RB Darrington - 13 carries, 116 yards, 2 TDs, RB Martin - 19 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD, WR Latimer - 6 catches, 67 yards, 1 TD, WR Rambo - 3 catches, 40 yards
(SD): QB Johnson - 13/19 217 yards, 3 TDs, RB Smallwood - 20 carries, 92 yards, 1 TD, RB Thomas - 12 carries, 49 yards, 3 catches, 46 yards, WR Ross - 3 catches, 73 yards, 2 TDs, WR Posey - 5 catches, 73 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 12: With Alex McGough Playing 'At a Really High Level,' Stallions Get Back on Winning Track
May 5, 2023
St. Louis, MO - Week 12 was all about St. Louis Stallions QB Alex McGough, who moved his team down the field single-handedly several times in a 27-13 win over the Oakland Panthers. Taking advantage of the room provided in front of him by the Panthers' defense, which hasn't been able to contain the run all season, McGough rushed for 82 yards, providing the spark to an offense desperately in need of one after St. Louis dropped three of its last five games. It started on St. Louis' first offensive play of the game, when McGough took off for 28 yards. In the second quarter, he got the Stallions into Panthers territory with another 24-yard scamper. At the half, he had 53 yards on the ground. He punctuated the win by running in a 10-yard touchdown with 3:27 left to all but seal the game. "We had a lot of success running the ball," said McGough. "And that just it takes so much pressure off me as a quarterback. Instead of having these third-and-longs to convert, when you know you can get five on first down and five on second down, you never even get to a third down. But the offensive line was just destroying them. And I just think we just rode that all the way down." McGough was undoubtedly the difference in the game for the Stallions. They were also 3-for-4 inside the red zone, converting opportunities into points, again fueled by McGough. "He's been humble because he's playing at a really high level," said St. Louis head coach Mike Martz after the game. "He really is the way he's extending plays right now. The success we've had in the red zone, I make a stupid call, and he makes four people miss and then finds a guy in the corner of the end zone and throws it to him. His ability to extend plays, throw the ball accurately and what he can do with his feet right now. I think he is doing a great job of playing quarterback right now."
McGough also completed 19 of 24 passing attempts for 133 yards and two touchdowns. St. Louis rushed for 190 yards on the afternoon, 100 of which came from RB CJ Marable in his first 100-yard game of the season. Oakland started the game with the ball, and it was QB Josh Love who got the start as the Panthers are still searching for an answer under center between Love and QB Carson Strong. Penalties hurt the Panthers beginning with the first drive of the game. A holding call on OL Sean Pollard stalled their momentum just outside the red zone, and in the beginning of the second quarter the defense was called for too many men on the field, gifting the Stallions an extra 5 yards on second down. A touchdown was called back in the third quarter thanks to a hands-to-the-face penalty on backup OL Josh Dunlap, who also committed a false start in the fourth quarter that forced Oakland to settle for a field goal after what could have been a pivotal turnover. After taking a 6-yard sack on the first drive, Love redeemed himself with a 28-yard bomb to WR Trey Quinn that moved the Panthers into Stallions territory. A holding call got them behind the chains and eventually stalled the drive on the 27, but the Panthers were able to tack on three points as they struck first with a field goal. It was the defense's time to step up on the ensuing drive. LB Noah Dawkins returned to the lineup after missing last week with an injury and immediately made his presence known by forcing a fumble on third-and-7 at the 28. The Stallions were then forced to settle for a field goal themselves, tying the game up 3-3 in the first quarter.
The first touchdown of the game didn't come until 57 seconds left in the first half when McGough hit RB Zaquandre White as he scrambled away from pressure. It was barely more than a shovel pass to White in open space, but White took it the rest of the way, evading multiple tackles on an 18-yard dash into the end zone. It put the Stallions up 13-3 just before halftime. In the rush to spike the ball, there was confusion at the line, and Love instead tried to run a play with the clock winding down and no timeouts, squandering Oakland's chances to cut the 13-3 lead before halftime. The Oakland defense was able to stop the Stallions in their tracks on their first possession of the second half. Faced with third-and-13, St. Louis went empty with trips stacked to McGough's right. The receivers all branched out into their various routes, but McGough was swallowed up before he could even get to his first read. The Stallions then punted from deep in their own territory, but a fantastic punt and good coverage by Birmingham still had the Panthers starting their first drive of the second half at their own 22. The Panthers touchdown came on a play-action pass to TE Cole Hikutini over the middle from 11 yards out. It cut the Stallions' lead to just three halfway through the third quarter. But the Stallions answered with another touchdown of their own, extending their lead to 20-10 in the fourth quarter. Not done yet, the Panthers forced a fumble as LB Frank Ginda punched the ball out and DB Kai Nacua recovered the ball. Oakland took over at the 27 with just over 11 minutes to go in the game down by 10 points. Love wasted no time hitting Quinn yet again for a 16-yard gain, putting the Panthers inside the red zone. But it was yet another red-zone opportunity that Oakland couldn't convert, going one for three on the day.
-- (8-3)Stallions 27 - 13 Panthers(4-7)
(STL): QB McGough - 19/24 133 yards, 2 TDs, 11 carries, 82 yards, 1 TD, RB Marable - 18 carries, 100 yards, WR Hardy - 4 catches, 37 yards
(OAK): QB Love - 20/34 222 yards, 1 TD, RB Scott - 13 carries, 58 yards, WR Quinn - 7 catches, 108 yards
-- (10-1)Brawlers 45 - 28 Monarchs(2-9)
(PHI): QB Walker - 13/21 244 yards, 1 TD, 13 carries, 100 yards, 1 TD, RB Butler - 20 carries, 190 yards, 4 TDs, WR Phillips - 5 catches, 133 yards, WR Coates - 3 catches, 59 yards, WR Fulgham - 3 catches, 42 yards, 1 TD
(MON): QB Mallett - 9/18 152 yards, 2 TDs, RB Richard - 23 carries, 225 yards, 2 TDs, WR Cunningham - 2 catches, 65 yards, 1 TD, WR Roosevelt - 3 catches, 50 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 12: Ghosts' Defense Comes up Big in Low-Scoring Win over Breakers
May 6, 2023
Columbus, OH - The Columbus Ghosts outlasted the Los Angeles Breakers in a back-and-forth game that ended in a 16-10 win. Columbus' defense earned a 'gold star' for the day. It forced two punts to start the game before then taking matters into its own hands when DB Amani Dennis jumped a route to nab an interception off Los Angeles QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson. Dennis then proceeded to run the ball all the way back into the end zone for Columbus' first touchdown of the game. It put the Ghosts up 13-0 in the second quarter. The defense also got a total of two sacks on Bethel-Thompson, including one in the third quarter on third-and-16 that forced the Breakers into a field goal after getting as close as the 11. The offense showed flashes of its potential, as both QB Case Cookus and Matthew Colburn contributed multiple explosive plays throughout the afternoon. Colburn finished as the team's leading rusher with 62 yards on 13 carries, including a 25-yard run that got his team into Los Angeles territory in the fourth quarter.
The Ghosts' biggest blemish came after a largely clean game. Cookus hit an unsuspecting defender with the ball as Cookus was being tackled out of bounds. The shovel pass happened before Cookus stepped out and was therefore an interception by DB Nevelle Clarke, as he stood watching the tackle happen. Things went from bad to worse as WR Terry Wright was ejected for fighting on the sideline immediately following the play. Wright had a huge 30-yard catch earlier in the game and was one of eight receivers to catch a ball from Cookus throughout the afternoon. But because of the defense, the Breakers weren't able to convert the play into points, after the Ghosts' defense stepped up and forced a field goal try. K Matt Coghlin missed the 42-yard attempt and the Ghosts clung to their 13-10 lead with 1:39 left in the third quarter. Los Angeles had first gotten on the board with 2:35 left in the first half on a strike from Bethel-Thompson to WR Johnnie Dixon. After the good point after, the Ghosts led 13-7 just before halftime. Penalties would be a consistent problem for the Ghosts throughout the afternoon. Right before the end of the first half, they failed to convert a third-and-6 after yet another penalty and sent the punt team out with 31 seconds left before halftime. Another promising drive stalled, and instead of answering Los Angeles' first score, they were unable to add to their 13-7 halftime lead. Just as they were gaining some momentum at the start of the fourth quarter, penalties again did the Ghosts in where instead of a completed pass to WR Devin Gray to set Columbus up at the Breakers' 11-yard line, WR Pro Wells was called for offensive pass interference and Cookus threw an interception at the goal line on second-and-17, giving the ball back to the Breakers. Another penalty negated a score in the fourth quarter with the Ghosts clinging to a three-point lead. It made it third-and-goal from the 11 before Cookus ran the ball in for a score. Except that touchdown was negated by a holding call and the Ghosts faced third-and-goal from the 21-yard line. Even after a great catch-and-run by Colburn, Columbus was forced to settle for a field goal, going up 16-10 with 3:15 left.
-- (7-4)Breakers 10 - 16 Ghosts(4-7)
(LA): QB Bethel-Thompson - 22/38 190 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, RB Hills - 18 carries, 74 yards, WR Adams - 3 catches, 33 yards
(COL): QB Cookus - 17/27 238 yards, 2 INTs, RB Colburn - 13 carries, 62 yards, RB Williams - 12 carries, 62 yards, WR Coleman - 6 catches, 76 yards, WR Overton - 3 catches, 67 yards
-- (3-8)Commanders 34 - 16 Steel(2-9)
(SA): QB Fine - 16/22 212 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Ervin - 14 carries, 78 yards, RB Hill - 18 carries, 61 yards, 1 TD, WR Ward - 5 catches, 91 yards, WR Doctson - 3 catches, 58 yards, 1 TD, TE Seals-Jones - 3 catches, 23 yards, 2 TDs
(BIRM): QB Glennon - 12/24 250 yards, 1 TD, RB Yeldon - 19 carries, 81 yards, WR Foster - 3 catches, 101 yards, 1 TD, WR Lodge - 4 catches, 95 yards
XFL Week 12: DiNucci Gucci Against New York
May 6, 2023
Seattle, WA - QB Ben DiNucci staggered the New York Guardians before DB Kareem Orr delivered the knockout blow. DiNucci threw three touchdown passes and Orr returned the interception 67 yards to lead the Seattle Dragons past New York 37-20. Two of the touchdown strikes came in the decisive third quarter as Seattle outscored the Guardians 17-3 with the wind to take a 27-20 advantage. Orr put Seattle ahead 34-20 as the Dragons outscored New York 27-3 in the second half. It was a rough return for starter Cody Kessler. After missing two games with a shoulder ailment, Kessler completed 19-of-30 passes for 244 yards with three interceptions and a lost fumble. Backup Jake Dolegala was 13-of-15 passing for 144 yards and a touchdown.
The Guardians dominated the opening half, holding the ball for 19 minutes 48 seconds and rolling up 236 offensive yards, compared to 104 for Seattle and New York’s offense got going with Dolegala, who replaced Kessler in the second with the score tied 3-3. K Sam Sloman connected on a 30-yard field goal to put New York up 13-3. It came after Dolegala’s 10-yard touchdown strike to WR Keenan Reynolds. Seattle opened the game with the brisk wind but could only manage a 48-yard field goal that tied the score 3-3. New York opened scoring with a 33-yard field goal, taking its opening possession 67 yards on eight plays into the wind. “It was a great team win but we’ve got to go do it again,” said Seattle head coach Dave Ragone. “We’re walking into another brawl next week on the road. They play better at home, it’s a great crowd environment and we’re going to have to beat them in their backyard if we want to be where we want to go. DiNucci battled back in that second half. I felt like he had some added pressure this week. He dug in there and had a great performance.”
-- (5-6)Guardians 20 - 37 Dragons(8-3)
(NY): QB Kessler - 19/30 244 yards, 3 INTs, QB Dolegala - 13/15 144 yards, 1 TD, RB Perkins - 17 carries, 55 yards, WR White - 8 catches, 105 yards, WR Reynolds - 7 catches, 81 yards, WR McKay - 5 catches, 81 yards
(SEA): QB DiNucci - 19/32 258 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Bradwell - 10 carries, 43 yards, WR Gordon - 4 catches, 63 yards, WR Pearson - 3 catches, 67 yards, WR - 4 catches, 55 yards
-- (5-6)Alphas 27 - 19 Renegades(5-6)
(ATL): QB Barrett - 17/26 213 yards, 2 TDs, RB Smith - 14 carries, 82 yards, 1 TD, RB Barber - 14 carries, 74 yards, WR Evans - 5 catches, 78 yards, WR Hardy - 5 catches, 61 yards, 1 TD
(DAL): QB Plitt - 16/26 276 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Smith - 17 carries, 50 yards, WR Bolden - 2 catches, 98 yards, WR Lawler - 3 catches, 81 yards, TE Cannella - 4 catches, 33 yards, 1 TD
-- (6-5)Bolts 31 - 16 Jousters(5-6)
(BER): QB Kaaya - 14/18 163 yards, 1 TD, RB Sankey - 15 carries, 100 yards, 1 TD, RB Hunt - 19 carries, 107 yards, 1 TD, WR Huff - 5 catches, 52 yards, WR Gibson - 2 catches, 46 yards, 1 TD
(TOR): QB Arbuckle - 17/35 217 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Cox - 19 carries, 147 yards, WR Garrett - 5 catches, 85 yards, 1 TD, WR Butler - 4 catches, 70 yards
XFL Week 12: Gritty Brigade Again Ride Running Game and Defense
May 7, 2023
Baltimore, MD - RB Mark Thompson continued to perform as the best touchdown machine in the XFL. Before the first quarter ended against Chicago, Thompson punched into the end zone from 6 yards out. Thompson, who finished the day with 82 yards on 22 carries, has been a force when offensive coordinator Eric Price has been able to define the run-block look for him with man-on-man blocking from the offensive line. His vision has been clear and clean because of it. "It is definitely really clean this year," Thompson said. "Last year we had a lot of things going on, and I was just grateful to be playing the game of football. It was fun being out there, but the result last year wasn't always in our favor. So this year, I'm really excited that I'm getting a chance to utilize my great offensive line."
The Brigade offense also received a boost from the return of Monmouth all-time leading passer Kenji Bahar. Baltimore averaged more than 34 points across Bahar's last three starts. Bahar has elevated his game from one year ago, not only earning the starting job but becoming the kind of player he showed himself to be in college. He finished the game completing 19 of 29 passes for 130 yards and credited Baltimore coach Curtis Johnson for his leap in development as a pro from 2022 to 2023. With Bahar behind center, Houston picked up 12 first downs and put itself in position for Nick Vogel to make two field goals (37 and 38 yards), giving the Brigade a two-score lead in the first half. "I think it's more just Coach Johnson being more of a player's coach," Bahar said. "It's not just him telling us what to do. He asks us what we want to do, what we do well. That goes to show how we play."
The Enforcers offense was erratic at best with QB DeShone Kizer completing just four of his 12 first-half pass attempts for 33 yards and an interception, though he managed an 18-yard scramble to generate some momentum for the offense in the second quarter. All but two of their first-half offensive possessions ended with punts. The two that didn't ended on a turnover on downs and an interception. Baltimore DB Jeremiah Johnson went live-eating on a Kizer pass he intercepted to set up a field goal that extended the lead to 13-0. With their first possession of the second half, the Brigade offense got into position to let Vogel have another go from the 25-yard logo, and he splashed from 34 yards out to put Baltimore up 16-0, a lead they would just make hold up. With about 10 minutes left to play, though, and just their second possession of the second half, the Enforcers mounted a 12-play, 90-yard offensive. Kizer found WR Alonzo Moore on a drag route across the formation to close the gap to 16-10 with 3:04 to play. "I just feel like we got into a rhythm there," Kizer said of the late surge. "I was throwing the ball more accurately down the stretch, getting rid of the ball before the rush could get there and just trying to find open guys." After the touchdown, Enforcers head coach Lovie Smith made the decision to take advantage of the XFL rule that allows a team to attempt a fourth-and-15 play from their own 33-yard line instead of an onside kick. The attempt failed, however, and Baltimore took possession with just over three minutes left in the game.
-- (6-5)Enforcers 10 - 16 Brigade(8-3)
(CHI): QB Kizer - 17/30 177 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Victor - 14 carries, 62 yards, WR Newman - 5 catches, 55 yards, WR Moore - 5 catches, 44 yards
(BAL): QB Bahar - 19/29 130 yards, RB Thompson - 22 carries, 82 yards, WR Hall - 6 catches, 59 yards
-- (2-9)Vipers 20 - 30 Valor(5-6)
(MEX): QB Hundley - 18/32 246 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Guice - 12 carries, 71 yards, 1 TD, RB Smith - 12 carries, 75 yards, WR Bryant - 2 catches, 84 yards, WR Badet - 3 catches, 66 yards, WR Allison - 6 catches, 44 yards, 1 TD
(DC): QB Bortles - 16/26 260 yards, 3 TDs, RB Allen - 19 carries, 125 yards, WR Daniels - 5 catches, 121 yards, 1 TD, WR Richardson - 4 catches, 51 yards, TE Hodges - 3 catches, 50 yards, 2 TDs
XFL Week 12: Apollos Burn Crusaders in Offensive Thriller
May 7, 2023
Orlando, FL - They piled up the yards and first downs faster than you could count them, with enough scoring drives and lead changes to choke a horse. With a crowd of 40,062 behind them, the Orlando Apollos took all the punches the London Crusaders could throw and remained standing, victorious. This came about as easy for Orlando as chewing up a piece of leather, though. London QB Taylor Heinicke gave the Apollos defense fits, helping his team roll up more than 400 yards of offense. But QB Garrett Gilbert matched Heinicke’s 294 passing yards and shook off two end-zone interceptions to extend Orlando's current win streak. “Two great organizations. Two great teams,” Gilbert said. “We showed a lot of resiliency. I put us in a couple of bad spots and the entire team picked me up, picked the offense up. Winning against any team is hard. London, especially, makes it difficult.”
First drive of the second quarter, and the Apollos were on the move again when another strange play interrupted the proceedings. Gilbert, under pressure, had the ball knocked loose from his hand, but did a nice job of moving his arm forward and making it look like an incomplete pass. The Crusaders challenged and won, but because nobody had recovered the ball before the whistle blew, it remained Orlando’s ball, albeit with an eight-yard loss. Two plays later, a field goal and a 17-8 Apollos lead. The Crusaders and Heinicke weren’t fazed. They scored the next 10, marching 79 yards for their second touchdown, Heinicke dissecting the Orlando defense. The first-half clock winding down now, Gilbert engineered one more drive, RB D'Ernest Johnson with a big hand in it, taking the ball to the 17 with 10 seconds left. Trying one more play before settling for three, Gilbert stepped up and made his first mistake of the night, rifling a pass into the arms of DB Kenny Robinson in the end zone. “It’s the third time I’ve done that now,” Gilbert said of taking almost sure points off the board. “I’ve got to do a much better job, not be too aggressive”
London took its 18-17 lead into the locker-room, where we presume the defensive coaches were muttering things under their breath. Heinicke had completed 15 straight passes at that point. His streak ended on London’s first possession of the second half, but Gilbert and the Orlando attack kept rolling when he finished off a six-play, 71-yard drive by hitting WR Lucky Whitehead for a 10-yard touchdown. But Heinicke warmed right up again, getting his team right back on the Apollos' doorstep from where he found WR Malik Henry for his third touchdown of the night from seven yards out to make it 25-24. Orlando’s next drive was promising, Johnson swivelling his way to a 27-yard run before Gilbert made his second mistake, underthrowing WR Jalin Marshall on another corner route and giving Robinson his second interception. By the switch to the fourth quarter, Heinicke had his team on the move again, this time settling for a field goal and 29-24 edge. Gilbert responded, driving his team to the three, where Johnson took over, bashing it in to wrestle the lead right back, 31-29, with some seven minutes to go. With the crowd in full throat, the Orlando defense found a reserve fuel supply, refusing to give up anymore.
“They’re always a team that’s going to bring it,” Apollos LB Jachai Polite said. “They’re going to play fast, they’re going to play physical and they’re a very smart team as well. I love playing games like that. That’s what football is all about. Putting your all into everything until that final whistle blows. Our team needs games like that as well. You’re only going to get better when you face adversity like that throughout the game. We didn’t tackle real well. That comes back to the fundamentals that we’ve been missing out on. We need to get better, but we’ll take the win. That was a hell of a game. We’re very happy to say we won that game.”
-- (8-3)Crusaders 29 - 31 Apollos(8-3)
(LON): QB Heinicke - 23/28 294 yards, 3 TDs, RB Jones - 11 carries, 62 yards, RB Michael - 7 carries, 53 yards, WR Henry - 7 catches, 122 yards, 3 TDs, WR - 6 catches, 68 yards, WR - 3 catches, 52 yards
(ORL): QB Gilbert - 20/27 304 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Johnson - 15 carries, 98 yards, 1 TD, RB Walton - 10 carries, 73 yards, 1 TD, WR Marshall - 5 catches, 66 yards, WR Moncrief - 8 catches, 117 yards, 1 TD, WR Whitehead - 5 catches, 95 yards, 1 TD
-- (11-0)Defenders 23 - 20 Bandits(7-4)
(COL): QB Ta'amu - 8/19 118 yards, 1 INT, 6 carries, 36 yards, 1 TD, RB Smith - 20 carries, 85 yards, 1 TD, WR Jackson - 3 catches, 44 yards
(TB): QB Kaepernick - 16/25 139 yards, 1 TD, RB Gardner - 15 carries, 84 yards, RB Williams - 15 carries, 59 yards, WR Humphrey - 5 catches, 62 yards, 1 TD
-- (7-4)BattleHawks 9 - 16 Mountain Lions(9-2)
(CHA): QB McCarron - 15/22 206 yards, 1 INT, RB Galloway - 17 carries, 57 yards, 1 TD, WR Ateman - 6 catches, 71 yards, WR Butler - 3 catches, 69 yards
(SLC): QB Rosen - 20/26 202 yards, 2 TDs, RB Booker - 22 carries, 101 yards, WR Ross - 6 catches, 94 yards
XFL Week 12: The Rourke-less Era Begins with a Loss
May 8, 2023
Houston, TX - The Houston Roughnecks went from having Nathan Rourke as their starter last week, to QB Cole McDonald this week, to QB Brandon Silvers finishing the game under center. McDonald was pulled from the game in the second quarter, still feeling the effects of being planted in the ground by LB Kentrell Brothers. He was just 6-of-15 in the game, but had hit some big gainers to total 94 yards. “I thought they gave us a chance,” head coach Wade Phillips said. “We had a chance at the end. Cole made some really good throws early on and then Brandon coming in. That’s a tough, tough situation to come in. He knows what he’s doing and he knows the offense but he literally has very, very limited reps practicing and obviously not playing. Good for them for competing and they kept swinging all the way till the end."
Silvers showed off a strong arm and nearly hit WR Dominque Rhymes in the back corner of the end zone for a touchdown, but the receiver couldn’t hang on. Silvers was 9-of-17 for 112 yards and a touchdown in relief. Rhymes made up for it with a 35-yard catch in the fourth quarter that was part of a nine-play, 74-yard drive that made it 23-16 late in the fourth. The Roughnecks came into the game expecting to be in a slugfest instead of a track meet, which meant a steady does of RB Cameron Artis-Payne. He busted four runs over 10 yards and one for 20, against one of the league’s top-rated rushing defense, finishing the game with 129 yards on 15 carries. “Big win, we needed it.” said Stampede coach Craig Dickenson. “It helps us in the standings. We were in trouble there for a little bit, but I feel like this win, doesn’t save us or anything, but we feel like we’re playing better. And hopefully we can build off of it because we’re gonna have to win some games down the stretch against good teams, which is what Houston is.”
-- (5-6)Stampede 23 - 16 Roughnecks(9-2)
(OKC): QB Petty - 19/24 321 yards, 2 TDs, RB Artis-Payne - 15 carries, 129 yards, WR Westbrook - 5 catches, 170 yards, 1 TD, WR Martino - 6 catches, 68 yards, 1 TD
(HOU): QB Silvers - 9/17 112 yards, 1 TD, RB Borghi - 12 carries, 45 yards, WR Rhymes - 5 catches, 83 yards, WR Burnett - 3 catches, 48 yards
-- (2-9)Mammoths 25 - 18 Otters(2-9)
(OMA): QB Wolford - 22/33 252 yards, RB West - 19 carries, 70 yards, WR Callaway - 4 catches, 101 yards, WR Dunbar - 4 catches, 53 yards
(VAN): QB Benkert - 14/37 287 yards, 1 INT, RB Patrick - 16 carries, 88 yards, 2 TDs, WR Turpin - 3 catches, 146 yards, WR Akers - 3 catches, 65 yards
No Longer 'Lost in the Shuffle,' Brigade RB Mark Thompson Dominating XFL
May 9, 2023
Baltimore, MD - XFL commissioner Daryl Johnston mentioned that he thought RB Mark Thompson could be a breakout player for the league. In many respects, Thompson was the kind of player the XFL, as a spring league designed around the NFL's regular season, was created to showcase. As a standout high school player in the Philadelphia area and a junior college All-American, he'd only flashed his athletic brilliance a handful of times at Florida where self-inflicted problems tarnished an otherwise budding talent. He was enough of a talent to warrant signing in 2018 after two years at Florida and had been a part of teams and training camps for the Raiders, Ravens, Lions and Panthers. As he was beginning to find his footing in the NFL, though, the impact of the pandemic halted his football career. Thompson was "a running back who kind of got lost in the shuffle a little bit with COVID," Johnston told me. And with a hamstring pull, when he did have some opportunities to go to a NFL training camp, he was one of the running backs that I looked at that just said, 'OK, why is this guy not in the NFL?'"
There were also some off-field issues. Johnston and the XFL, though, recognize there are those that deserve second chances, chances to show maturity, good citizenship, community engagement, and to showcase their ability as football players. "You know, that's what the hook is here in this league," Johnston said. "Giving these young men another opportunity. Sometimes it's a non-traditional path back to the NFL. Sometimes it's just changing the narrative that's out there about you. Sometimes it's just showcasing your skill set."
Thompson, now 28, was held back by injuries in 2022, though when he is healthy he is the XFL's closest comparison to Derrick Henry. At 6-foot-3, 235 pounds, it's not uncommon to see Thompson running by defenders and over them - as one St. Louis Stallion experienced in the Brigade's 27-20 win. He is. He's playing with fury on the field, remaining focused, humble and team-oriented on it. In that way, he's showing himself to be the man Johnston sought out personally. The XFL isn't just a spring football league. It's the way back, and Thompson is walking it. "I reached out to him and spoke to him directly," Johnston told me. "This is somebody who's learned from his mistakes, knows that he's missed an opportunity and knows that the clock is running on him. I'm excited to see what Mark Thompson does with this opportunity because I think he's one of those guys that knows that there's not a lot of time left for him. And if he's going to have that opportunity to get to the NFL level, he's got to have a breakout season in the XFL. And when you watch him on film, he is fully capable of doing that."
Last edited by BengalErnst on Tue May 23, 2023 3:44 pm, edited 20 times in total.
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Re: XFL 2001
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XFL Week 13: Offense gets Rolling in Second Half as Stamps down Guardians
May 11, 2023
Oklahoma City, OK - If there was little to get excited about in the first half, though, that changed quickly after halftime. Fifteen unanswered points will do that, and the woeful opening two quarters felt almost irrelevant by the time the final whistle blew and the Stampede had secured a badly needed 26-18 win over the New York Guardians. “Nothing was easy, nothing,” said Stamps head coach Dave Dickenson. “Happy with the win. I’m a bit perplexed at some of the decisions and some of the execution that we had, but I also understand it’s hard to put in perfect performances and go out there and just do your job each and every play. That’s what championship teams do though, so I’m happy to get Win 7.”
The Stampede struggled to move the ball in any real way in the first half. RB Cameron Artis-Payne was his usual, dominant self and did most of the work himself to open the scoring with a first-quarter touchdown. But offensively, there wasn’t much else to like in the early going. QB Bryce Petty struggled in the first half, completing only 5-of-11 passes for 80 yards. Fortunately, the defense and the defensive line, in particular, were absolutely on their game. The only points the Guardians put up early were off a spectacular pass from QB Cody Kessler to WR Kevin White. The first half was not exactly a parade of spectacular offensive plays. An 8-7 halftime score really does tell the whole story, in this case. “We went back to focusing on fundamentals, getting my eyes in the right spot, getting the ball out on time, finding completions,” Petty said. “I felt like in the first half I didn’t do a very good job of that and all of our inefficiencies stemmed from quarterback play. I take a lot of pride in that, but luckily football is a game of two halves and you make yourself right.”
After a tough opening drive of the third quarter, Petty picked up his game as he finished the game having completed 18-of-26 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns and one interception. Petty marched the Stampede down field and then connected with TE Donald Parham for an eight-yard touchdown.
When the Guardians went to punt on their next drive, Stampede DB Donatello Brown got his hands on the ball and fellow DL Tyarise Stevenson recovered. That set up another connection between Petty and Parham in the end zone, this one for 12 yards. In a little over three minutes, the Stamps went from being down by a point to being up by 14. There was still lots of football to play, but the negative vibes that were floating around at halftime were long gone. “You get punched in the face, you’ve gotta stand back up and punch back,” Parham said. “They’re professionals, too, they game plan. You just make those adjustments and you’ve got to push through.”
The Guardians and Stampede would exchange field goals before the Guardians made things interesting when Kessler made a highlight-reel play on third down to find WR MeKale McKay in the end zone. It was as close as the Guardians would get, though. A field goal made it 26-18, and that was all she wrote. “Everyone was working hard, but the execution is not where it needs to be,” Dickenson said. “We’ll have another opportunity in five days to be better and we’ll have to be.”
-- (5-7)Guardians 18 - 26 Stampede(6-6)
(NY): QB Kessler - 22/33 257 yards, 2 TDs, RB Perkins - 18 carries, 74 yards, WR White - 6 catches, 79 yards, 1 TD, WR Yancey - 6 catches, 51 yards, WR McKay - 3 catches, 48 yards, 1 TD
(OKC): QB Petty - 18/26 238 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Artis-Payne - 16 carries, 67 yards, 1 TD, TE Parham - 5 catches, 57 yards, 2 TDs, WR Davis - 4 catches, 67 yards, WR Westbrook - 2 catches, 46 yards
-- (8-4)Crusaders 20 - 18 Mammoths(3-9)
(LON): QB Heinicke - 15/24 214 yards, 2 TDs, RB Michael - 19 carries, 72 yards, WR Henry - 5 catches, 79 yards, 1 TD, WR Agudosi - 4 catches, 56 yards
(OMA): QB Wolford - 23/32 292 yards, 1 INT, RB West - 20 carries, 94 yards, WR Callaway - 5 catches, 88 yards, WR Dunbar - 7 catches, 58 yards, WR Robertson - 2 catches, 53 yards
XFL Week 13: Dragons Continue Streak with Impressive Win
May 12, 2023
Dallas, TX - The Seattle Dragons received the opening kickoff where the drive resulted in a 44-yard field goal by K Dominik Eberle to give Seattle an early 3-0 lead. Shortly after, K Taylor Russolino exchanged a 36-yard field goal to even the score at 3-3, capping off a 14-play, 56-yard drive. Transitioning into the second quarter, Eberle continued his hot streak of 11 straight field goals made on the season when he tacked on another 36-yard field goal to give the Dragons a 6-3 lead. On the next offensive possession for the Renegades, QB Drew Plitt threw an interception to DB Qwynnterrio Cole. Soon after, the Dragons capitalized off the turnover after WR Jordan Veasy caught his longest reception of the season to set up a 2-yard touchdown run for RB Darius Bradwell. Bradwell punched in the 1-point conversion attempt on the next play to expand the lead to 13-3. The Renegades answered on their next series when RB De'Veon Smith rushed up the middle for a 1-yard touchdown run, trimming the lead to 13-9 following the failed 1-point conversion attempt. Just before the break, QB Ben DiNucci connected with WR Josh Gordon on a 24-yard touchdown pass, widening the score to 21-9 after the successful 2-point conversion to WR Juwan Green.
Heading into the second half, the Dragons defense forced their second turnover of the game after the Renegades turned the ball over on downs inside Seattle's 11-yard line. The Dragons offense looked to put the game away early, but DB Will Hill from the Renegades defense stepped up and picked off DiNucci in the end zone, forcing their first turnover of the game. In the final quarter, the Dragons offense ate up most of the clock which resulted in Eberle converting his third field goal of the game from 48-yards to cap off the 12 play, 7:00 drive and to increase the lead to 24-9. The Renegades looked to make a late comeback after Smith scored his second rushing touchdown of the game, cutting the lead to 24-15 following the unsuccessful 2-point conversion. On the final offensive series for the Dragons, the offense was able to run the clock out, sealing the victory for Seattle.
-- (9-3)Dragons 24 - 15 Renegades(5-7)
(SEA): QB DiNucci - 21/32 266 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 9 carries, 52 yards, RB Bradwell - 13 carries, 63 yards, 1 TD, WR Veasy - 3 catches, 79 yards, WR Pearson - 9 catches, 99 yards, WR Gordon - 3 catches, 43 yards, 1 TD
(DAL): QB Plitt - 20/30 218 yards, 1 TD, RB Smith - 16 carries, 90 yards, 2 TDs, WR Bolden - 3 catches, 40 yards, TE Cannella - 4 catches, 64 yards
-- (9-3)Stallions 17 - 20 Valor(6-6)
(STL): QB McGough - 14/27 154 yards, 1 TD, RB Marable - 19 carries, 93 yards, 1 TD, RB Scarbrough - 10 carries, 58 yards, WR Davis - 3 catches, 42 yards
(DC): QB Bortles - 14/25 187 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Allen - 20 carries, 89 yards, WR Daniels - 3 catches, 62 yards, 2 TDs
XFL Week 13: BattleHawks Keep Pace, Win Key Matchup at Houston
May 13, 2023
Houston, TX - The BattleHawks took a 17-9 halftime lead into the fourth quarter, but Houston threatened to tie the game when DB William Likely recovered a fumble and took it 35 yards for a touchdown to close Charlotte's advantage to two points with 10 minutes, 44 seconds left in regulation. Houston attempted a two-point conversion to even the score, but DT LaCale London pressured QB Cole McDonald into an incomplete pass to maintain the 17-15 lead. The BattleHawks responded with an 11-play, 74-yard drive that culminated with a 10-yard touchdown pass from QB AJ McCarron to WR Darrius Shepherd. RB Brian Hill than converted a one-point conversion on a 1-yard rush to give the Charlotte a nine-point lead with 3:54 to play. The Charlotte defense limited Houston to no offensive touchdowns and 70 total yards in the second half, including 21 passing yards.
Charlotte never trailed, although Houston had initially tied the game, 6-6, with a touchdown on the third play of the second quarter. The BattleHawks then took the lead for good with 8:22 left in the second quarter when McCarron found WR Hakeem Butler for a 5-yard touchdown pass, which tied Butler for the league lead with five touchdown receptions for the season. McCarron and Butler connected again on a 5-yard pass for a two-point conversion to extend the lead to 14-6.The teams then traded field goals late in the second quarter, including an XFL-record, 59-yard field goal by Charlotte K Donny Hageman as time expired in the first half to give the BattleHawks an eight-point lead into halftime. WR Gary Jennings scored Charlotte's first touchdown for the second straight week on a 14-yard reception from McCarron to put the BattleHawks ahead 6-0 with 4:18 left in the first quarter. The touchdown pass completed a season-high, 96-yard drive that began when DB Brandon Sebastian made his first interception of the season to end Houston's first offensive possession.
-- (7-5)BattleHawks 24 - 15 Roughnecks(9-3)
(CHA): QB McCarron - 26/34 222 yards, 3 TDs, RB Hill - 11 carries, 53 yards, 3 catches, 28 yards, WR - Shepherd - 7 catches, 70 yards, WR Butler - 4 catches, 27 yards, 1 TD
(HOU): QB McDonald - 15/32 106 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Borghi - 11 carries, 57 yards, WR Byrd - 7 catches, 50 yards, WR Burnett - 4 catches, 27 yards, 1 TD
-- (9-3)Apollos 38 - 24 Panthers(4-8)
(ORL): QB Gilbert - 19/24 225 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Johnson - 14 carries, 91 yards, 1 TD, RB Walton - 12 carries, 102 yards, 1 TD, WR Marshall - 4 catches, 86 yards, WR Moncrief - 7 catches, 76 yards, 2 TDs
(OAK): QB Love - 16/23 256 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Corbin - 13 carries, 93 yards, 2 TDs, WR Hamilton - 2 catches, 67 yards, WR Jones - 3 catches, 43 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 13: Two Late Dixon Scores move Breakers past Monarchs
May 13, 2023
Montreal, ONTARIO, CANADA - WR Johnnie Dixon scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to lead the Los Angeles Breakers past the Montreal Monarchs 28-8. Dixon capped a double-reverse to score on a four-yard run, effectively silencing the gathering of 25,266. It came after Los Angeles LB Su'a Cravens stopped QB Ryan Mallett short on a fourth-down gamble at the 27-yard line. Dixon was actually supposed to throw a pass to QB McLeod-Bethel Thompson on the play, the Breakers’ version of the Philly Special. The play began with Bethel-Thompson handing off to RB Wes Hills, who handed off to Dixon. “I saw Mac not open,” Dixon said with a chuckle. “He was supposed to get open so I could have a touchdown completion. But I saw Mac pretty much turn around and block for me so that means run the ball. I found a lane and was able to score.”
It was another stellar performance by Los Angeles’ defense, which forced four turnovers and held Montreal’s offense to 267 yards. But Dinwiddie said Cravens provided the Breakers’ biggest play of the game. Bethel-Thompson finished 22-of-34 passing for 298 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. WR Hergy Mayala had the Breakers’ other touchdown. K Taylor Bertolet booted two field goals. DB Taylor Loffler provided the biggest play of the opening half to pull Montreal into an 8-8 halftime tie. Bethel-Thompson’s high pass to WR Marquis Lee went off the receiver’s hands to Loffler. Los Angeles threatened to take the halftime advantage when Montreal was flagged for interference, giving the Breakers possession at the 26-yard line with 13 seconds remaining. But Montreal successfully challenged the call. Bethel-Thompson found Dixon on a 26-yard touchdown strike to open the scoring, it came a play after Bethel-Thompson hit a wide-open Dixon on a 53-yard completion.
-- (7-5)Breakers 28 - 8 Monarchs(2-10)
(LA): QB Bethel-Thompson - 22/34 298 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Hills - 17 carries, 73 yards, WR Lee - 5 catches, 70 yards, WR Dixon - 2 catches, 80 yards, 1 TD
(MON): QB Mallett - 16/31 184 yards, 2 INTs, RB Richard - 16 carries, 83 yards, WR Roosevelt - 6 catches, 56 yards, WR Guerra - 4 catches, 56 yards
-- (10-2)Mountain Lions 27 - 30 Showboats(4-8)
(SLC): QB Rosen - 12/20 195 yards, 2 TDs, RB Booker - 16 carries, 116 yards, 1 TD, WR Ross - 6 catches, 92 yards, WR Arcega-Whiteside - 3 catches, 78 yards
(MEM): QB Guarantano - 23/32 295 yards, 2 TDs, RB Washington - 18 carries, 114 yards, 1 TD, RB Collins - 14 carries, 75 yards, WR Treadwell - 5 catches, 144 yards, WR Henderson - 6 catches, 70 yards, 2 TDs
-- (6-6)Alphas 21 - 17 Jousters(5-7)
(ATL): QB Barrett - 5/12 58 yards, 5 rushes, 35 yards, RB Barber - 14 carries, 102 yards, 1 TD, RB Smith - 20 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD, WR Evans - 2 catches, 27 yards
(TOR): QB Mitchell - 22/29 270 yards, 2 TDs, RB Dixon - 21 carries, 87 yards, WR Garrett - 7 catches, 104 yards, 1 TD, WR Rogers - 3 catches, 53 yards
XFL Week 13: Vipers Leave Home with 26-12 Victory over Vancouver
May 14, 2023
Mexico City, MEXICO - The Vancouver Otters couldn't have asked for a better start, driving 73-yards down the field on six plays, which was capped off when QB Kurt Benkert threw a back shoulder fade to WR Fred Brown for a one-yard touchdown, putting Vancouver on the board with an early 6-0 lead. Mexico City answered with a hot start of its own when QB Jalan McClendon completed a short pass to TE Sean Price, who then stiff-armed his way past defenders for a 33-yard touchdown. After the score, McClendon connected with TE Cam Sutton for a successful two-point conversion giving Mexico City an 8-6 lead. About four minutes into the second quarter, Vipers K Bailey Giffen knocked in a 39-yard field goal extending their lead to 11-6. On the ensuing kickoff, Vancouver's Brown sliced his way through tacklers en route to a 96-yard kick return touchdown giving the Otters a 12-11 lead. Mexico City answered seven plays later when RB Rod Smith caught a short pass and hurdled over a defender into the end zone for a touchdown. McClendon's two-point conversion pass to Price gave Mexico City a 19-12 lead going into halftime.
Vegas continued to step on the gas to start the second half as McClendon produced a surgical 10-play drive capped off with RB John Lovett punching it in from one yard out before McClendon hit WR Martavis Bryant for a successful one-point conversion elevating the lead to 26-12. The Vipers defense would stand tall for the remainder of the game as Mexico City pitched its first second-half shut out of season. Defensively, LB CJ Avery led the Vipers with 10 tackles. DB Deontay Anderson recorded his first interception of the season and also came up with a timely pass breakup late in the game.
-- (3-9)Otters 12 - 26 Vipers(2-10)
(VAN): QB Benkert - 24/37 211 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Patrick - 14 carries, 27 yards, 4 catches, 45 yards, WR Akers - 6 catches, 75 yards
(MEX): QB McClendon - 21/31 264 yards, 2 TDs, RB Smith - 15 carries, 64 yards, 3 catches, 36 yards, 1 TD, WR Bryant - 4 catches, 72 yards, WR Allison - 3 catches, 49 yards
-- (4-8)Commanders 23 - 28 Enforcers(6-6)
(SA): QB Fine - 12/27 161 yards, RB Hill - 20 carries, 84 yards, 1 TD, RB Ervin - 17 carries, 73 yards, 1 TD, WR Ward - 3 catches, 59 yards
(CHI): QB Kizer - 11/20 158 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Victor - 12 carries, 142 yards, RB Rawls - 11 carries, 63 yards, 2 TDs, WR Echols-Luper - 3 catches, 63 yards, WR Pierson-El - 2 catches, 49 yards, 1 TD
-- (2-10)Steel 3 - 34 Bolts(7-5)
(BIRM): QB Glennon - 10/23 111 yards, RB Yeldon - 15 carries, 50 yards, RB Richardson - 16 carries, 23 yards, WR Benjamin - 5 catches, 49 yards
(BER): QB Kaaya - 19/27 307 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Hunt - 20 carries, 88 yards, RB Whyte - 12 carries, 55 yards, 1 TD, WR Huff - 6 catches, 101 yards, WR Gibson - 3 catches, 62 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 13: Ghosts Commit Four Turnovers in Disheartening Loss to Fleet
May 14, 2023
Columbus, OH - One step forward and two steps back. That summarizes the Ghosts' season as they committed four turnovers and lost 38-24 to the San Diego Fleet before 35,303 spectators. San Diego scored three touchdowns. QB Josh Johnson passed to WR Devier Posey, while LB Sione Teuhema recovered a QB Case Cookus fumble, returning it seven yards. RB DeAnthony Thomas scored late on a short run, while K Giorgio Tavecchio added five field goals.
Things started to unravel for Columbus when Cookus was hit and fumbled following a hit by DL Shawn Oakman. The ball was recovered by Teuhema, who returned it seven yards for the touchdown, tying the score 10-10. On the Ghosts’ next possession, Cookus overthrew WR Corey Coleman. The ball was intercepted by DB Harlan Miller, but the turnover didn’t come back to haunt Columbus. Following a punt, the Fleet produced a six-play, 105-yard drive at the end of the half. The series included a 64-yard pass-and-run play to WR John Ross, who beat DB Cody Brown. And it culminated in the three-yard touchdown pass to Posey. The score came with 63 seconds remaining and provided San Diego with an 18-10 lead at the intermission. Columbus was held to 10 first downs in the opening half along with 183 net yards. Johnson picked the defense apart over the opening 30 minutes, completing 13 of 19 for 187 yards. His favorite target, Ross, caught five passes for 114 yards. The teams traded field goals in the third quarter making the score 24-16 heading into the final quarter. Any hopes of a comeback were scuttled after RB Dexter Williams fumbled in San Diego territory. That turnover eventually resulted in another field goal, increasing the lead to 28-16.
-- (5-7)Fleet 38 - 24 Ghosts(5-7)
(SD): QB Johnson - 20/31 313 yards, 1 TD, RB Smallwood - 15 carries, 72 yards, RB Thomas - 9 carries, 52 yards, 1 TD, 4 catches, 47 yards, WR Ross - 7 catches, 159 yards, WR Posey - 4 catches, 63 yards, 1 TD
(COL): QB Cookus - 22/29 256 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Colburn - 10 carries, 63 yards, RB Williams - 6 carries, 82 yards, WR Carter - 6 catches, 63 yards, 1 TD, WR Coleman - 4 catches, 71 yards, WR Suell - 6 catches, 67 yards
-- (7-5)Bandits 27 - 13 Maulers(6-6)
(TB): QB Kaepernick - 14/18 222 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Gardner - 20 carries, 85 yards, RB Williams - 18 carries, 111 yards, WR Greene - 4 catches, 88 yards, 1 TD, WR Humphrey - 4 catches, 76 yards, WR Peake - 4 catches, 41 yards
(PIT): QB Williams - 9/23 130 yards, RB Groshek - 18 carries, 63 yards, 1 TD, WR Thomas - 2 catches, 50 yards
XFL Week 13: Greys Top Previously Undefeated Cologne, Win 37-36 Shootout
May 15, 2023
Calgary, ALBERTA, CANADA - The Calgary Greys made history. Not only did the Greys pick up their first win in franchise history, but they did it against the previously undefeated Cologne Defenders. The Guardians held on in a 37-36 offensive fireworks display. Calgary took the lead for good with 8:50 remaining in the game. WR Cody Latimer came across the middle and took a QB Quinten Dormady pass 44 yards to give the Greys a 37-36 lead. But it wasn't easy from there. After forcing a punt on the next Cologne possession, the Greys lost a fumble with 6:03 remaining in the game. But as the Defenders were driving for a potential go-ahead score, DL Stansly Maponga forced a fumble at the Calgary 23-yard line. The Greys' offense was able to run all but 30 seconds off the clock. The Defenders had one last shot at victory, advancing to the 45-yard line with four seconds left. But Cologne K Matthew McCrane's 63-yard field goal attempt came up well short, setting off a wild celebration on the field for the Greys. Both teams scored a pair of touchdowns in the first quarter, with Cologne leading 14-12. The Defenders opened the scoring with a 32-yard touchdown pass from QB Jordan Ta'amu to WR Lucky Jackson. A successful two-point pass by the Defenders put the team up 8-0. Calgary's first possession ended with a quarterback sneak for a touchdown for Quinten Dormady. On Calgary's second possession, Dormady hooked up with KD Cannon for a 41-yard scoring strike to go up 12-8. Cologne answered with an 11-play, 69-yard drive concluding with an one-yard rushing touchdown by RB Abram Smith to go up 14-12.
The Defenders opened the second quarter with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Ta'amu to TE Briley Moore. A successful two-point pass to TE Alex Ellis put Cologne ahead by 10. On the final play of the first half, Dormady's second goal-line rushing touchdown pulled Calgary within four, 22-18, heading into the intermission. The Greys opened the half with a 46-yard kick return by WR Deddrick Thomas. The return set up a 15-yard touchdown pass from Dormady to TE Jordan Thomas. A successful one-point conversion rush by RB Jah-Maine Martin put the Greys up 25-22. On the following drive, Cologne quickly pushed ahead after an 86-yard touchdown pass from Ta'amu to WR Chris Blair to go up 28-25. The Greys responded with Dormady's third QB sneak touchdown of the game to go up 31-28 heading into the fourth quarter. Early in the fourth quarter, an Calgary fumble led to a touchdown pass from Ta'amu to Jackson plus a two-point conversion from Ta'amu to Ellis put Cologne up 36-31 and set up Latimer's go-ahead score.
-- (12-0)Defenders 36 - 37 Greys(0-12)
(COL): QB Ta'amu - 22/30 297 yards, 4 TDs, 5 carries, 43 yards, RB Smith - 18 carries, 127 yards, 1 TD, WR Blair - 5 catches, 139 yards, 1 TD, WR Jackson - 4 catches, 60 yards, 2 TDs
(CAL): QB Dormady - 27/34 328 yards, 3 TDs, 8 carries, 22 yards, 3 TDs, RB Martin - 11 carries, 52 yards, WR Latimer - 7 catches, 93 yards, 1 TD, WR Rambo - 3 catches, 63 yards, WR Rogers - 6 catches, 51 yards, 1 TD
-- (11-1)Brawlers 21 - 24 Brigade(9-3)
(PHI): QB Walker - 24/36 330 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Butler - 15 carries, 43 yards, 1 TD, WR Phillips - 6 catches, 79 yards, 1 TD, WR Fulgham - 3 catches, 72 yards, WR Miller - 6 catches, 92 yards
(BAL): QB Bahar - 13/22 173 yards, 2 TDs, RB Thompson - 17 carries, 105 yards, 1 TD, WR Hall - 3 catches, 54 yards, 1 TD
May 11, 2023
Oklahoma City, OK - If there was little to get excited about in the first half, though, that changed quickly after halftime. Fifteen unanswered points will do that, and the woeful opening two quarters felt almost irrelevant by the time the final whistle blew and the Stampede had secured a badly needed 26-18 win over the New York Guardians. “Nothing was easy, nothing,” said Stamps head coach Dave Dickenson. “Happy with the win. I’m a bit perplexed at some of the decisions and some of the execution that we had, but I also understand it’s hard to put in perfect performances and go out there and just do your job each and every play. That’s what championship teams do though, so I’m happy to get Win 7.”
The Stampede struggled to move the ball in any real way in the first half. RB Cameron Artis-Payne was his usual, dominant self and did most of the work himself to open the scoring with a first-quarter touchdown. But offensively, there wasn’t much else to like in the early going. QB Bryce Petty struggled in the first half, completing only 5-of-11 passes for 80 yards. Fortunately, the defense and the defensive line, in particular, were absolutely on their game. The only points the Guardians put up early were off a spectacular pass from QB Cody Kessler to WR Kevin White. The first half was not exactly a parade of spectacular offensive plays. An 8-7 halftime score really does tell the whole story, in this case. “We went back to focusing on fundamentals, getting my eyes in the right spot, getting the ball out on time, finding completions,” Petty said. “I felt like in the first half I didn’t do a very good job of that and all of our inefficiencies stemmed from quarterback play. I take a lot of pride in that, but luckily football is a game of two halves and you make yourself right.”
After a tough opening drive of the third quarter, Petty picked up his game as he finished the game having completed 18-of-26 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns and one interception. Petty marched the Stampede down field and then connected with TE Donald Parham for an eight-yard touchdown.
When the Guardians went to punt on their next drive, Stampede DB Donatello Brown got his hands on the ball and fellow DL Tyarise Stevenson recovered. That set up another connection between Petty and Parham in the end zone, this one for 12 yards. In a little over three minutes, the Stamps went from being down by a point to being up by 14. There was still lots of football to play, but the negative vibes that were floating around at halftime were long gone. “You get punched in the face, you’ve gotta stand back up and punch back,” Parham said. “They’re professionals, too, they game plan. You just make those adjustments and you’ve got to push through.”
The Guardians and Stampede would exchange field goals before the Guardians made things interesting when Kessler made a highlight-reel play on third down to find WR MeKale McKay in the end zone. It was as close as the Guardians would get, though. A field goal made it 26-18, and that was all she wrote. “Everyone was working hard, but the execution is not where it needs to be,” Dickenson said. “We’ll have another opportunity in five days to be better and we’ll have to be.”
-- (5-7)Guardians 18 - 26 Stampede(6-6)
(NY): QB Kessler - 22/33 257 yards, 2 TDs, RB Perkins - 18 carries, 74 yards, WR White - 6 catches, 79 yards, 1 TD, WR Yancey - 6 catches, 51 yards, WR McKay - 3 catches, 48 yards, 1 TD
(OKC): QB Petty - 18/26 238 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Artis-Payne - 16 carries, 67 yards, 1 TD, TE Parham - 5 catches, 57 yards, 2 TDs, WR Davis - 4 catches, 67 yards, WR Westbrook - 2 catches, 46 yards
-- (8-4)Crusaders 20 - 18 Mammoths(3-9)
(LON): QB Heinicke - 15/24 214 yards, 2 TDs, RB Michael - 19 carries, 72 yards, WR Henry - 5 catches, 79 yards, 1 TD, WR Agudosi - 4 catches, 56 yards
(OMA): QB Wolford - 23/32 292 yards, 1 INT, RB West - 20 carries, 94 yards, WR Callaway - 5 catches, 88 yards, WR Dunbar - 7 catches, 58 yards, WR Robertson - 2 catches, 53 yards
XFL Week 13: Dragons Continue Streak with Impressive Win
May 12, 2023
Dallas, TX - The Seattle Dragons received the opening kickoff where the drive resulted in a 44-yard field goal by K Dominik Eberle to give Seattle an early 3-0 lead. Shortly after, K Taylor Russolino exchanged a 36-yard field goal to even the score at 3-3, capping off a 14-play, 56-yard drive. Transitioning into the second quarter, Eberle continued his hot streak of 11 straight field goals made on the season when he tacked on another 36-yard field goal to give the Dragons a 6-3 lead. On the next offensive possession for the Renegades, QB Drew Plitt threw an interception to DB Qwynnterrio Cole. Soon after, the Dragons capitalized off the turnover after WR Jordan Veasy caught his longest reception of the season to set up a 2-yard touchdown run for RB Darius Bradwell. Bradwell punched in the 1-point conversion attempt on the next play to expand the lead to 13-3. The Renegades answered on their next series when RB De'Veon Smith rushed up the middle for a 1-yard touchdown run, trimming the lead to 13-9 following the failed 1-point conversion attempt. Just before the break, QB Ben DiNucci connected with WR Josh Gordon on a 24-yard touchdown pass, widening the score to 21-9 after the successful 2-point conversion to WR Juwan Green.
Heading into the second half, the Dragons defense forced their second turnover of the game after the Renegades turned the ball over on downs inside Seattle's 11-yard line. The Dragons offense looked to put the game away early, but DB Will Hill from the Renegades defense stepped up and picked off DiNucci in the end zone, forcing their first turnover of the game. In the final quarter, the Dragons offense ate up most of the clock which resulted in Eberle converting his third field goal of the game from 48-yards to cap off the 12 play, 7:00 drive and to increase the lead to 24-9. The Renegades looked to make a late comeback after Smith scored his second rushing touchdown of the game, cutting the lead to 24-15 following the unsuccessful 2-point conversion. On the final offensive series for the Dragons, the offense was able to run the clock out, sealing the victory for Seattle.
-- (9-3)Dragons 24 - 15 Renegades(5-7)
(SEA): QB DiNucci - 21/32 266 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 9 carries, 52 yards, RB Bradwell - 13 carries, 63 yards, 1 TD, WR Veasy - 3 catches, 79 yards, WR Pearson - 9 catches, 99 yards, WR Gordon - 3 catches, 43 yards, 1 TD
(DAL): QB Plitt - 20/30 218 yards, 1 TD, RB Smith - 16 carries, 90 yards, 2 TDs, WR Bolden - 3 catches, 40 yards, TE Cannella - 4 catches, 64 yards
-- (9-3)Stallions 17 - 20 Valor(6-6)
(STL): QB McGough - 14/27 154 yards, 1 TD, RB Marable - 19 carries, 93 yards, 1 TD, RB Scarbrough - 10 carries, 58 yards, WR Davis - 3 catches, 42 yards
(DC): QB Bortles - 14/25 187 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Allen - 20 carries, 89 yards, WR Daniels - 3 catches, 62 yards, 2 TDs
XFL Week 13: BattleHawks Keep Pace, Win Key Matchup at Houston
May 13, 2023
Houston, TX - The BattleHawks took a 17-9 halftime lead into the fourth quarter, but Houston threatened to tie the game when DB William Likely recovered a fumble and took it 35 yards for a touchdown to close Charlotte's advantage to two points with 10 minutes, 44 seconds left in regulation. Houston attempted a two-point conversion to even the score, but DT LaCale London pressured QB Cole McDonald into an incomplete pass to maintain the 17-15 lead. The BattleHawks responded with an 11-play, 74-yard drive that culminated with a 10-yard touchdown pass from QB AJ McCarron to WR Darrius Shepherd. RB Brian Hill than converted a one-point conversion on a 1-yard rush to give the Charlotte a nine-point lead with 3:54 to play. The Charlotte defense limited Houston to no offensive touchdowns and 70 total yards in the second half, including 21 passing yards.
Charlotte never trailed, although Houston had initially tied the game, 6-6, with a touchdown on the third play of the second quarter. The BattleHawks then took the lead for good with 8:22 left in the second quarter when McCarron found WR Hakeem Butler for a 5-yard touchdown pass, which tied Butler for the league lead with five touchdown receptions for the season. McCarron and Butler connected again on a 5-yard pass for a two-point conversion to extend the lead to 14-6.The teams then traded field goals late in the second quarter, including an XFL-record, 59-yard field goal by Charlotte K Donny Hageman as time expired in the first half to give the BattleHawks an eight-point lead into halftime. WR Gary Jennings scored Charlotte's first touchdown for the second straight week on a 14-yard reception from McCarron to put the BattleHawks ahead 6-0 with 4:18 left in the first quarter. The touchdown pass completed a season-high, 96-yard drive that began when DB Brandon Sebastian made his first interception of the season to end Houston's first offensive possession.
-- (7-5)BattleHawks 24 - 15 Roughnecks(9-3)
(CHA): QB McCarron - 26/34 222 yards, 3 TDs, RB Hill - 11 carries, 53 yards, 3 catches, 28 yards, WR - Shepherd - 7 catches, 70 yards, WR Butler - 4 catches, 27 yards, 1 TD
(HOU): QB McDonald - 15/32 106 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Borghi - 11 carries, 57 yards, WR Byrd - 7 catches, 50 yards, WR Burnett - 4 catches, 27 yards, 1 TD
-- (9-3)Apollos 38 - 24 Panthers(4-8)
(ORL): QB Gilbert - 19/24 225 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Johnson - 14 carries, 91 yards, 1 TD, RB Walton - 12 carries, 102 yards, 1 TD, WR Marshall - 4 catches, 86 yards, WR Moncrief - 7 catches, 76 yards, 2 TDs
(OAK): QB Love - 16/23 256 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Corbin - 13 carries, 93 yards, 2 TDs, WR Hamilton - 2 catches, 67 yards, WR Jones - 3 catches, 43 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 13: Two Late Dixon Scores move Breakers past Monarchs
May 13, 2023
Montreal, ONTARIO, CANADA - WR Johnnie Dixon scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to lead the Los Angeles Breakers past the Montreal Monarchs 28-8. Dixon capped a double-reverse to score on a four-yard run, effectively silencing the gathering of 25,266. It came after Los Angeles LB Su'a Cravens stopped QB Ryan Mallett short on a fourth-down gamble at the 27-yard line. Dixon was actually supposed to throw a pass to QB McLeod-Bethel Thompson on the play, the Breakers’ version of the Philly Special. The play began with Bethel-Thompson handing off to RB Wes Hills, who handed off to Dixon. “I saw Mac not open,” Dixon said with a chuckle. “He was supposed to get open so I could have a touchdown completion. But I saw Mac pretty much turn around and block for me so that means run the ball. I found a lane and was able to score.”
It was another stellar performance by Los Angeles’ defense, which forced four turnovers and held Montreal’s offense to 267 yards. But Dinwiddie said Cravens provided the Breakers’ biggest play of the game. Bethel-Thompson finished 22-of-34 passing for 298 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. WR Hergy Mayala had the Breakers’ other touchdown. K Taylor Bertolet booted two field goals. DB Taylor Loffler provided the biggest play of the opening half to pull Montreal into an 8-8 halftime tie. Bethel-Thompson’s high pass to WR Marquis Lee went off the receiver’s hands to Loffler. Los Angeles threatened to take the halftime advantage when Montreal was flagged for interference, giving the Breakers possession at the 26-yard line with 13 seconds remaining. But Montreal successfully challenged the call. Bethel-Thompson found Dixon on a 26-yard touchdown strike to open the scoring, it came a play after Bethel-Thompson hit a wide-open Dixon on a 53-yard completion.
-- (7-5)Breakers 28 - 8 Monarchs(2-10)
(LA): QB Bethel-Thompson - 22/34 298 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Hills - 17 carries, 73 yards, WR Lee - 5 catches, 70 yards, WR Dixon - 2 catches, 80 yards, 1 TD
(MON): QB Mallett - 16/31 184 yards, 2 INTs, RB Richard - 16 carries, 83 yards, WR Roosevelt - 6 catches, 56 yards, WR Guerra - 4 catches, 56 yards
-- (10-2)Mountain Lions 27 - 30 Showboats(4-8)
(SLC): QB Rosen - 12/20 195 yards, 2 TDs, RB Booker - 16 carries, 116 yards, 1 TD, WR Ross - 6 catches, 92 yards, WR Arcega-Whiteside - 3 catches, 78 yards
(MEM): QB Guarantano - 23/32 295 yards, 2 TDs, RB Washington - 18 carries, 114 yards, 1 TD, RB Collins - 14 carries, 75 yards, WR Treadwell - 5 catches, 144 yards, WR Henderson - 6 catches, 70 yards, 2 TDs
-- (6-6)Alphas 21 - 17 Jousters(5-7)
(ATL): QB Barrett - 5/12 58 yards, 5 rushes, 35 yards, RB Barber - 14 carries, 102 yards, 1 TD, RB Smith - 20 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD, WR Evans - 2 catches, 27 yards
(TOR): QB Mitchell - 22/29 270 yards, 2 TDs, RB Dixon - 21 carries, 87 yards, WR Garrett - 7 catches, 104 yards, 1 TD, WR Rogers - 3 catches, 53 yards
XFL Week 13: Vipers Leave Home with 26-12 Victory over Vancouver
May 14, 2023
Mexico City, MEXICO - The Vancouver Otters couldn't have asked for a better start, driving 73-yards down the field on six plays, which was capped off when QB Kurt Benkert threw a back shoulder fade to WR Fred Brown for a one-yard touchdown, putting Vancouver on the board with an early 6-0 lead. Mexico City answered with a hot start of its own when QB Jalan McClendon completed a short pass to TE Sean Price, who then stiff-armed his way past defenders for a 33-yard touchdown. After the score, McClendon connected with TE Cam Sutton for a successful two-point conversion giving Mexico City an 8-6 lead. About four minutes into the second quarter, Vipers K Bailey Giffen knocked in a 39-yard field goal extending their lead to 11-6. On the ensuing kickoff, Vancouver's Brown sliced his way through tacklers en route to a 96-yard kick return touchdown giving the Otters a 12-11 lead. Mexico City answered seven plays later when RB Rod Smith caught a short pass and hurdled over a defender into the end zone for a touchdown. McClendon's two-point conversion pass to Price gave Mexico City a 19-12 lead going into halftime.
Vegas continued to step on the gas to start the second half as McClendon produced a surgical 10-play drive capped off with RB John Lovett punching it in from one yard out before McClendon hit WR Martavis Bryant for a successful one-point conversion elevating the lead to 26-12. The Vipers defense would stand tall for the remainder of the game as Mexico City pitched its first second-half shut out of season. Defensively, LB CJ Avery led the Vipers with 10 tackles. DB Deontay Anderson recorded his first interception of the season and also came up with a timely pass breakup late in the game.
-- (3-9)Otters 12 - 26 Vipers(2-10)
(VAN): QB Benkert - 24/37 211 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Patrick - 14 carries, 27 yards, 4 catches, 45 yards, WR Akers - 6 catches, 75 yards
(MEX): QB McClendon - 21/31 264 yards, 2 TDs, RB Smith - 15 carries, 64 yards, 3 catches, 36 yards, 1 TD, WR Bryant - 4 catches, 72 yards, WR Allison - 3 catches, 49 yards
-- (4-8)Commanders 23 - 28 Enforcers(6-6)
(SA): QB Fine - 12/27 161 yards, RB Hill - 20 carries, 84 yards, 1 TD, RB Ervin - 17 carries, 73 yards, 1 TD, WR Ward - 3 catches, 59 yards
(CHI): QB Kizer - 11/20 158 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Victor - 12 carries, 142 yards, RB Rawls - 11 carries, 63 yards, 2 TDs, WR Echols-Luper - 3 catches, 63 yards, WR Pierson-El - 2 catches, 49 yards, 1 TD
-- (2-10)Steel 3 - 34 Bolts(7-5)
(BIRM): QB Glennon - 10/23 111 yards, RB Yeldon - 15 carries, 50 yards, RB Richardson - 16 carries, 23 yards, WR Benjamin - 5 catches, 49 yards
(BER): QB Kaaya - 19/27 307 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Hunt - 20 carries, 88 yards, RB Whyte - 12 carries, 55 yards, 1 TD, WR Huff - 6 catches, 101 yards, WR Gibson - 3 catches, 62 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 13: Ghosts Commit Four Turnovers in Disheartening Loss to Fleet
May 14, 2023
Columbus, OH - One step forward and two steps back. That summarizes the Ghosts' season as they committed four turnovers and lost 38-24 to the San Diego Fleet before 35,303 spectators. San Diego scored three touchdowns. QB Josh Johnson passed to WR Devier Posey, while LB Sione Teuhema recovered a QB Case Cookus fumble, returning it seven yards. RB DeAnthony Thomas scored late on a short run, while K Giorgio Tavecchio added five field goals.
Things started to unravel for Columbus when Cookus was hit and fumbled following a hit by DL Shawn Oakman. The ball was recovered by Teuhema, who returned it seven yards for the touchdown, tying the score 10-10. On the Ghosts’ next possession, Cookus overthrew WR Corey Coleman. The ball was intercepted by DB Harlan Miller, but the turnover didn’t come back to haunt Columbus. Following a punt, the Fleet produced a six-play, 105-yard drive at the end of the half. The series included a 64-yard pass-and-run play to WR John Ross, who beat DB Cody Brown. And it culminated in the three-yard touchdown pass to Posey. The score came with 63 seconds remaining and provided San Diego with an 18-10 lead at the intermission. Columbus was held to 10 first downs in the opening half along with 183 net yards. Johnson picked the defense apart over the opening 30 minutes, completing 13 of 19 for 187 yards. His favorite target, Ross, caught five passes for 114 yards. The teams traded field goals in the third quarter making the score 24-16 heading into the final quarter. Any hopes of a comeback were scuttled after RB Dexter Williams fumbled in San Diego territory. That turnover eventually resulted in another field goal, increasing the lead to 28-16.
-- (5-7)Fleet 38 - 24 Ghosts(5-7)
(SD): QB Johnson - 20/31 313 yards, 1 TD, RB Smallwood - 15 carries, 72 yards, RB Thomas - 9 carries, 52 yards, 1 TD, 4 catches, 47 yards, WR Ross - 7 catches, 159 yards, WR Posey - 4 catches, 63 yards, 1 TD
(COL): QB Cookus - 22/29 256 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Colburn - 10 carries, 63 yards, RB Williams - 6 carries, 82 yards, WR Carter - 6 catches, 63 yards, 1 TD, WR Coleman - 4 catches, 71 yards, WR Suell - 6 catches, 67 yards
-- (7-5)Bandits 27 - 13 Maulers(6-6)
(TB): QB Kaepernick - 14/18 222 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Gardner - 20 carries, 85 yards, RB Williams - 18 carries, 111 yards, WR Greene - 4 catches, 88 yards, 1 TD, WR Humphrey - 4 catches, 76 yards, WR Peake - 4 catches, 41 yards
(PIT): QB Williams - 9/23 130 yards, RB Groshek - 18 carries, 63 yards, 1 TD, WR Thomas - 2 catches, 50 yards
XFL Week 13: Greys Top Previously Undefeated Cologne, Win 37-36 Shootout
May 15, 2023
Calgary, ALBERTA, CANADA - The Calgary Greys made history. Not only did the Greys pick up their first win in franchise history, but they did it against the previously undefeated Cologne Defenders. The Guardians held on in a 37-36 offensive fireworks display. Calgary took the lead for good with 8:50 remaining in the game. WR Cody Latimer came across the middle and took a QB Quinten Dormady pass 44 yards to give the Greys a 37-36 lead. But it wasn't easy from there. After forcing a punt on the next Cologne possession, the Greys lost a fumble with 6:03 remaining in the game. But as the Defenders were driving for a potential go-ahead score, DL Stansly Maponga forced a fumble at the Calgary 23-yard line. The Greys' offense was able to run all but 30 seconds off the clock. The Defenders had one last shot at victory, advancing to the 45-yard line with four seconds left. But Cologne K Matthew McCrane's 63-yard field goal attempt came up well short, setting off a wild celebration on the field for the Greys. Both teams scored a pair of touchdowns in the first quarter, with Cologne leading 14-12. The Defenders opened the scoring with a 32-yard touchdown pass from QB Jordan Ta'amu to WR Lucky Jackson. A successful two-point pass by the Defenders put the team up 8-0. Calgary's first possession ended with a quarterback sneak for a touchdown for Quinten Dormady. On Calgary's second possession, Dormady hooked up with KD Cannon for a 41-yard scoring strike to go up 12-8. Cologne answered with an 11-play, 69-yard drive concluding with an one-yard rushing touchdown by RB Abram Smith to go up 14-12.
The Defenders opened the second quarter with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Ta'amu to TE Briley Moore. A successful two-point pass to TE Alex Ellis put Cologne ahead by 10. On the final play of the first half, Dormady's second goal-line rushing touchdown pulled Calgary within four, 22-18, heading into the intermission. The Greys opened the half with a 46-yard kick return by WR Deddrick Thomas. The return set up a 15-yard touchdown pass from Dormady to TE Jordan Thomas. A successful one-point conversion rush by RB Jah-Maine Martin put the Greys up 25-22. On the following drive, Cologne quickly pushed ahead after an 86-yard touchdown pass from Ta'amu to WR Chris Blair to go up 28-25. The Greys responded with Dormady's third QB sneak touchdown of the game to go up 31-28 heading into the fourth quarter. Early in the fourth quarter, an Calgary fumble led to a touchdown pass from Ta'amu to Jackson plus a two-point conversion from Ta'amu to Ellis put Cologne up 36-31 and set up Latimer's go-ahead score.
-- (12-0)Defenders 36 - 37 Greys(0-12)
(COL): QB Ta'amu - 22/30 297 yards, 4 TDs, 5 carries, 43 yards, RB Smith - 18 carries, 127 yards, 1 TD, WR Blair - 5 catches, 139 yards, 1 TD, WR Jackson - 4 catches, 60 yards, 2 TDs
(CAL): QB Dormady - 27/34 328 yards, 3 TDs, 8 carries, 22 yards, 3 TDs, RB Martin - 11 carries, 52 yards, WR Latimer - 7 catches, 93 yards, 1 TD, WR Rambo - 3 catches, 63 yards, WR Rogers - 6 catches, 51 yards, 1 TD
-- (11-1)Brawlers 21 - 24 Brigade(9-3)
(PHI): QB Walker - 24/36 330 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Butler - 15 carries, 43 yards, 1 TD, WR Phillips - 6 catches, 79 yards, 1 TD, WR Fulgham - 3 catches, 72 yards, WR Miller - 6 catches, 92 yards
(BAL): QB Bahar - 13/22 173 yards, 2 TDs, RB Thompson - 17 carries, 105 yards, 1 TD, WR Hall - 3 catches, 54 yards, 1 TD
Last edited by BengalErnst on Thu May 25, 2023 4:42 pm, edited 14 times in total.
- BengalErnst
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Re: XFL 2001
by BengalErnst » Sat Feb 18, 2023 2:39 pm
XFL Week 14: Stallions Find That Winning Song, Rock Past Breakers
May 18, 2023
Los Angeles, CA - The St. Louis Stallions got it on, banged a gong, and sang that winning song after their 24-20 victory against the Los Angeles Breakers. With the win, St. Louis evened their season series with the Breakers. The Breakers couldn't shake off the Stallions, who put them under pressure with outstanding defense, plus the arm and legs of QB Alex McGough. "I've gotta try to get the 'S' off of Alex's chest," Holtz said. "He tries and wants it so much."
The Stallions quarterback has proven to be the most valuable player in the St. Louis locker room since taking over the job due to a season-ending injury to J'Mar Smith. But he needed, needs help. For the third week in a row, he received that from the run game and the defense. Despite rushing for more than 100 yards and passing for 261, the Breakers fell short. Despite out-gaining the Stallions 186-96 in the first half, not to mention converting seven of 10 third downs and getting off 40 offensive plays, the Breakers walked into halftime down 10-6 due to two costly turnovers. With outstanding field position after a Wes Hills fumble and a mistake by the punt team, St. Louis needed just 21 plays to put double-digits on the field and build quite a bit of momentum. The Breakers knew they left points out on the field in the first two quarters. WR Jonathan Adams accounted for five catches and 82 yards, and TE Sage Surratt had four catches and 45 yards in the half. The duo was responsible for catching eight of the 10 completed passes thrown by QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson for 128 passing yards in the half.
Coming out for the third quarter, it was like Holtz looked down at the stat sheet, saw Marable had just four carries, and decided to let the Chanticleer crow. Marable accounted for just 46 total yards against the Breakers two months ago, but he matched that on the ensuing drive alone. RB Bo Scarbrough finished what Marable started on that drive, punching it in to give the Stallions a 17-6 lead in the third. After a stop by the St. Louis defense on Los Angeles' next possession, the Stallions looked to be putting a stranglehold on the game. That's until Breakers DB Michael Stevens ripped the ball free of WR Adrian Hardy to take over possession on the 19 yard-line. The turnover amounted to three points and put Los Angeles back on the Stallions' scent, and here the Breakers come again now, baby. Or so Breakers fans thought, because on the next drive McGough and the offense made like they heard one guitar just blow them away, saw stars in their eyes and decided to become something like jukebox heroes.
McGough started rocking, up eight in the third, scrambling, dipping, ducking and diving to find TE La'Michael Pettway, and then WR Davion Davis, and then TE Jace Sternberger, twice, to extend the Stallions' lead to 24-9 with less than a minute left to play in the third. Next thing you knew the sound of drums were beating in St. Louis hearts, the thunder of fireworks tearing Los Angeles hearts apart. The Breakers' journey is one where they simply don't stop believing, though, as they quickly marched downfield on the arm and wit of Bethel-Thompson, operating on more than a feeling. He found WR Lee Morris for six and then converted the two-point try with a pass to Surratt to make it a one-score game with 12:10 left to play, giving Los Angeles fans permission to dream on. After a defensive stop, the Breakers took possession of the southern rock on their own 35-yard line looking like making a bigger mess than George Thorogood & the Destroyers at a bachelorette party. The Stallions came up with a stop to force a 55-yard field goal but to close the game to 24-20 with 5:40 left to play. Four inches, fourth down, up four, 1:26 left to play, the Stallions let their defense finish the game. It was a fitting end for a team that had given up 45 points to Los Angeles in Week 8. "That's the sign of a strong league," DeFilippo said. "It's hard every week for sure."
-- (9-4)Stallions 24 - 20 Breakers(8-5)
(STL): QB McGough - 16/23 176 yards, 1 TD, RB Marable - 17 carries, 86 yards, 6 catches, 52 yards, TE Sternberger - 2 catches, 28 yards, 1 TD
(LA): QB Bethel-Thompson - 24/42 279 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Hills - 20 carries, 77 yards, WR Dixon - 6 catches, 97 yards, WR Adams - 6 catches, 88 yards, TE Surratt - 5 catches, 64 yards
-- (2-11)Monarchs 10 - 3 BattleHawks(8-5)
(MON): QB Mallett - 7/9 81 yards, RB Richard - 23 carries, 99 yards, WR Roosevelt - 3 catches, 37 yards
(CHA): QB Tiano - 10/26 167 yards, 1 INT, RB Galloway - 19 carries, 72 yards, WR Ateman - 3 catches, 60 yards, WR Butler - 4 catches, 66 yards
XFL Week 14: Ghosts Lean On Case Cookus-Corey Coleman Connection In Comeback Win Over Maulers
May 19, 2023
Pittsburgh, PA - All WR Corey Coleman wanted was a chance. Late in the third quarter with his team trailing, Columbus Ghosts QB Case Cookus called Coleman's number, and he made a big play that turned the game. After a 54-yard missed field goal by Maulers K Chris Blewitt, Cookus found Coleman wide open for a 56-yard pitch and catch for a score giving the Ghosts the lead for good in a 37-31 victory. Coleman shook loose from Pittsburgh DB Keith Gibson Jr. in press coverage at the line of scrimmage. After Gibson fell, Coleman outran DB Eli Walker to the pylon. "I came to Case and Coach and said, 'Let's go at the left side,'" Coleman said. "That's just the trust they have in me. We called the play. We got it up and strike up the band."
The former NFL first-round draft pick out of Baylor finished with four receptions for 75 yards, while fellow WR Duron Carter also added four receptions for 75 yards. Entering the contest, both teams had struggled to put points on the board, but they combined for 44 points in just the first half. The Maulers scored on four of their first five possessions in the first half but were held to just a touchdown in the second. The Ghosts entered the contest last in the XFL in rushing but relied on the running game to create balance and move the football. Columbus also played fast early on, using tempo to keep one of the Maulers, one of the best defenses in the XFL, off balance. But RB Matthew Colburn II ground out 83 yards on 20 carries and two rushing touchdowns. "At the beginning of the season we kind of started off a little rough in terms of the run game," Colburn said. "But I believe we've gotten better every single week. We've focused on our assignments, and we've focused on our technique - everything you've got to have to have a successful running game. And we're getting into a real good grove right now."
Pittsburgh QB Troy Williams led the Maulers offensively, finishing 18-of-28 for 145 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. Williams also topped the Maulers in rushing with 48 yards. WR Isiah Hennie had a 17-yard touchdown reception and 69-yard punt return late that set up a 1-yard touchdown run by RB Garrett Groshek with 2:01 left in the game, cutting the lead to 34-31. The Maulers went for the fourth-and-12 conversion play, but Williams was sacked by Ghosts DL Adam Rodriguez. Williams was sacked five times. Aguilar added a 38-yard field goal for the final score. Pittsburgh finished with seven accepted penalties for 50 yards and has totaled 17 penalties for 140 yards over the last two games. "I have to get my team to be more disciplined," head coach Byron Leftwich said. "It's not them, it's me. I told the team that I apologize for the number of penalties we had. That's a reflection on me."
Kick returner Joshua Simmons had an impactful evening for Pittsburgh on special teams. Simmons had an impressive, 88-yard kick return for a score in the first quarter that put the Maulers up 14-10 and at the end of the first half, Simmons smartly stepped out of bounds before touching the kickoff down on the 8-yard line that may have stayed in bounds. Instead, K Lirim Hajrullahu's kick was ruled out of bounds, and the Maulers got the ball at midfield. The Maulers moved the ball to Philadelphia's 31-yard line and Blewitt made a 49-yard field goal to put Pittsburgh up 24-20 at halftime. In the second half, Simmons had another big return but was stripped of the ball by LB Samuel Akem with DB Amani Dennis recovering the fumble and returning the ball to the Pittsburgh 48-yard line. But Simmons was bailed out when Cookus threw an interception to Pittsburgh DB Arnold Tarpley III in the end zone.
-- (5-8)Ghosts 37 - 31 Maulers(6-7)
(COL): QB Cookus - 18/30 235 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Colburn - 20 carries, 82 yards, 2 TDs, WR Coleamn - 4 catches, 75 yards, 1 TD, WR Carter - 4 catches, 75 yards
(PIT): QB Williams - 18/28 145 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB London - 7 carries, 40 yards, TE Stokke - 3 catches, 34 yards
-- (2-11)Steel 14 - 31 Defenders(12-1)
(BIRM): QB Glennon - 23/31 210 yards, 2 TDs, RB Yeldon - 15 carries, 132 yards, RB Richardson - 23 carries, 56 yards, WR Benjamin - 6 catches, 39 yards, 1 TD, WR Foster - 6 catches, 56 yards
(DC): QB Ta'amu - 11/14 141 yards, RB Carey - 10 carries, 78 yards, RB Smith - 20 carries, 124 yards, 3 TDs, WR Jackson - 3 catches, 52 yards
XFL Week 14: Showboats' Wild Win over Brigade Sets up Playoff Sprint
May 20, 2023
Memphis, TN - If you needed a play to encapsulate everything the Memphis Showboats have done to turn around their season, WR Derrick Dillon was happy to oblige. Having blown a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter and suddenly trailing with less than two minutes left, Memphis answered the Baltimore Brigade emphatically on the next play, as QB Jarrett Guarantano threw a short pass to Dillon, who turned upfield, took a big hit from a Baltimore defender and kept his feet, sprinting to the end zone for a 64-yard touchdown and the deciding margin as Memphis edged Baltimore 23-20 for its fourth straight win. "I just said 'If you don't wrap up, I'm going to break this tackle, and that's what he did. He tried to hit me with his shoulder, and I just kept my balance and just kept running," said Dillon. "I just can't say enough about this group of guys, and the resiliency to stand up to adversity when things are going right," coach Todd Haley said. "I thought our guys just really kept their cool and kept fighting together. I think they're special and unique."
It was a special and unique win and probably closer than Haley might have liked. His defense controlled the game for three quarters, holding Baltimore to 128 yards and two field goals for a 16-6 lead. But Baltimore, which had won four straight coming in, found its offense, getting a touchdown from RB Mark Thompson to pull within a score at 16-13. Trying to close out the win, Memphis went backward, two holding penalties set up a first-and-30, which turned into a third-and-32 and somehow got worse. Guarantano was sacked and fumbled when DB Manny Bunch came on a blitz, and Baltimore recovered the ball at the Memphis 19-yard line. Three plays later, Thompson had his second touchdown and a 20-16 lead with 1:49 remaining. The first time these two met in Week 6, it was the same seesaw late, with Memphis rallying from 13 points down to lead in the fourth quarter, only to see Baltimore win on a touchdown with 13 seconds left. This time, it was Baltimore that dug the hole and got out of it, only to lose late. "It came right down to the wire, and I thought they played outstanding over there," Brigade coach Curtis Johnson said. "I thought we didn't play one of our better games. We had too many penalties, and we never got on schedule with the run game either."
Even after Dillon's touchdown, Baltimore had a chance to answer with their own comeback, and QB Kenji Bahar got the Brigade to the Memphis 39, close to a game-tying field goal attempt. But the Showboats' fourth sack of the game, this from DL Jordan Ferguson, set them back to the 46, and a fourth-down throw from Bahar with 18 seconds left was intercepted by DB TJ Green to seal the win. "We've come a long way, honestly, and the more time I spend around these guys, the less it surprises me," Guarantano said of Memphis' season turnaround. "I had no doubt we were going to go win that game, and after we scored, I had no doubt our defense would stop them. That's just what we do. We've got each other's back, and it's a very tight group."
-- (10-3)Brigade 20 - 23 Showboats(5-8)
(BAL): QB Bahar - 18/39 216 yards, 2 INTs, RB Thompson - 13 carries, 42 yards, 3 TDs, WR Redding - 5 catches, 57 yards, TE Pederson - 5 catches, 93 yards
(MEM): QB Guarantano - 12/24 146 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Washington - 19 carries, 81 yards, WR Dillon - 2 catches, 72 yards, 1 TD
-- (4-9)Commanders 23 - 41 Otters(3-10)
(SA): QB Fine - 19/30 229 yards, 2 TDs, RB Ervin - 22 carries, 80 yards, 1 TD, WR Doctson - 8 catches, 73 yards, 1 TD, WR Ward - 6 catches, 90 yards, 1 TD
(VAN): QB Benkert - 16/22 252 yards, 5 TDs, RB Patrick - 15 carries, 83 yards, RB Ballage - 14 carries, 72 yards, WR Turpin - 4 catches, 104 yards, 3 TDs, WR Akers - 4 catches, 53 yards, 1 TD
-- (10-3)Apollos 54 - 20 Alphas(7-6)
(ORL): QB Gilbert - 22/27 285 yards, 5 TDs, RB Johnson - 17 carries, 85 yards, 2 TDs, RB Walton - 10 carries, 46 yards, WR Marshall - 5 catches, 83 yards, 1 TD, WR Whitehead - 4 catches, 63 yards, 1 TD, WR Moncrief - 7 catches, 71 yards, 2 TDs
(ATL): QB Barrett - 18/25 147 yards, 1 INT, RB Barber - 17 carries, 104 yards, 1 TD, WR Hardy - 6 catches, 56 yards, WR Evans - 7 catches, 39 yards
XFL Week 14: Dragons Blaze by Valor
May 20, 2023
Seattle, WA - Dragons QB Ben DiNucci finished the afternoon 27-of-39 passing for 365 yards to go with one touchdown and one interception. Washington counterpart QB Blake Bortles completed 26 of 40 passes for 290 yards and one interception. A lackluster first half by the Valor saw them trailing 13-7 at the half. K Dominik Eberle connected on a 47-yard field goal early in the third quarter, but the Valor responded courtesy of a Gabe Brkic 35-yard field goal to make it 16-10. Seattle looked to take full control after WR Josh Gordon got the Dragons down to the 12-yard line. Gordon scored on the next play on a 12-yard reception to make it a 24-10 lead. Washington responded with its first touchdown of the day as Bortles marched the ball downfield and RB Khalid Abdullah capped the drive with a two-yard run to trim the deficit to eight. DB Sherrod Baltimore intercepted a DiNucci pass at midfield and Washington was able to turn it into a 31-yard field goal to get within five with just over seven minutes remaining. Washington then drove down to the 13-yard line and gambled on fourth down, but fell short. The Valor were able to hem the Dragons in deep and recovered the ball at the 35 for one final attempt to score, but failed to take advantage.
Trailing 13-0 with just under two minutes left in the first half, the Valor were able to get on the board as Brkic connected on 48- and 47-yard field goals to make it a one-score game. The Dragons took a 10-0 lead late in the first quarter, due in great part to RB CJ Prosise eluding four Valor defenders to run the ball down to the two-yard line before adding a two-yard rushing touchdown. Eberle added a 17-yard field goal late in the second quarter to make it 13-0.
-- (7-6)Valor 19 - 24 Dragons(10-3)
(DC): QB Bortles - 26/40 290 yards, 1 INT, RB Allen - 14 carries, 80 yards, WR Richardson - 6 catches, 76 yards, WR Daniels - 3 catches, 68 yards, WR Cobbs - 5 catches, 62 yards
(SEA): QB DiNucci - 27/39 365 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Prosise - 14 carries, 43 yards, 1 TD, WR Gordon - 8 catches, 161 yards, 1 TD, WR Pearson - 3 catches, 68 yards, WR Jackson - 6 catches, 49 yards
-- (11-2)Brawlers 41 - 16 Guardians(5-8)
(PHI): QB Walker - 18/22 254 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 9 carries, 62 yards, 2 TDs, RB Butler - 15 carries, 100 yards, 2 TDs, WR Phillips - 4 catches, 51 yards, 1 TD, WR Fulgham - 4 catches, 51 yards, WR Coates - 3 catches, 46 yards, 1 TD
(NY): QB Kessler - 12/24 111 yards, 1 INT, RB Perkins - 15 carries, 136 yards, WR White - 3 catches, 38 yards
XFL Week 14: Vipers Rolled by Fleet
May 21, 2023
Mexico City, MEXICO - A 56-28 win by the San Diego Fleet handed the Vipers their 11th loss. QB Jalan McClendon completed 23 of 30 passes for 292 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, while QB Josh Johnson threw 20 of 26 for 287 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions. Both WR Martavis Bryant and Geronimo Allison hit triple digits in receiving yards for the home side, while WR John Ross had 112 yards in the winning effort. McClendon wasted no time throwing a ball worth six points. Problem was, it went the other way, as former Fleet DB Arrion Springs intercepted a pass on a slant pattern and returned it 45 yards to put the Fleet on the board first. The Fleet returned part of the favor, at least, with RB DeAnthony Thomas fumbling the ball, which set up Mexico City in the red zone. From there, WR Markeith Ambles trucked in a 17-yard catch and run into the end zone for the touchdown to tie the score 7-7 at the midway mark of the first quarter. San Diego was granted the ball on the Vipers' doorstep after defensive pass interference leading to a one-yard touchdown plunge on a keeper by RB Wendell Smallwood for a 14-7 lead.
Then San Diego blocked and recovered a punt to set up the Fleet in the red zone. San Diego turned it into a touchdown on the very next snap, this one with another short run by Smallwood to go ahead 21-7 heading into the second quarter. It opened with McClendon throwing not one, but two blocks for RB Rod Smith on a 34-yard rush on the way to a 24-yard field goal, after San Diego’s defense came up with a red-zone stop. Mexico City’s defense returned the favor after two defensive backs ran into each other to spring WR Devier Posey for a 54-yard reception into the red zone leading to a field goal. Allison brought Mexico City right back to the red zone, legging out a 67-yard reception to set up a 32-yard field goal before San Diego split the uprights once more, from 20 yards out to take a 27-13 lead into halftime.
The Vipers opened the third by taking a safety to put San Diego ahead 29-13, before the Fleet added Smallwood’s third touchdown of the game to pull away 36-13. WR Jeff Badet came up with a three-yard reception in the end zone to cap a six-play, 58-yard touchdown drive to make it a two-score game heading into the final frame. But Smallwood put San Diego right back up, 43-20, with his fourth touchdown of the night, ending an 11-play, 72-yard scoring drive. “Yeah, that was a little similar to the last time they came here,” McClendon said. “It got away from us. After the pick-six, I thought we played well, and then I thought coming out in the second half. I think we just shot ourselves in the foot. And then we got down 20-something points and couldn’t crawl back into it.”
-- (6-7)Fleet 56 - 28 Vipers(3-10)
(SD): QB Johnson - 20/26 287 yards, 1 TD, RB Smallwood - 16 carries, 62 yards, 4 TDs, RB Thomas - 9 carries, 118 yards, 1 TD, 4 catches, 48 yards, WR Posey - 7 catches, 98 yards, 1 TD, WR Ross - 5 catches, 112 yards
(MEX): QB McClendon - 23/32 292 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Guice - 10 carries, 91 yards, WR Bryant - 7 catches, 100 yards, WR Allison - 5 catches, 120 yards
-- (1-12)Greys 35 - 38 Mountain Lions(10-3)
(CAL): QB Dormady - 19/30 197 yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Darrington - 13 carries, 92 yards, 1 TD, WR Rogers - 6 catches, 100 yards, 1 TD, TE Thomas - 5 catches, 40 yards, 2 TDs
(SLC): QB Rosen - 21/32 317 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT, RB Booker - 14 carries, 91 yards, 1 TD, 4 catches, 81 yards, 1 TD, WR Ross - 4 catches, 51 yards, 1 TD, WR Arcega-Whiteside - 5 catches, 73 yards
XFL Week 14: Crusaders' Defense takes Over, Holds Roughnecks to one Touchdown in Impressive Victory
May 21, 2023
Houston, TX - London mounted a 21-3 halftime lead against the Houston Roughnecks before its offense completely bogged down. Nonetheless the Crusaders prevailed, defeating the Roughnecks 31-10 before 35,511 spectators, thanks to an impressive performance by their defense, which produced five turnovers. The Roughnecks took the opening kickoff and marched smartly downfield, starting with QB Cole McDonald’s 16-yard run. He also passed 11 yards to WR Jevon Cottoy, while RB Max Borghi ran for an 11-yard gain. But the drive eventually stalled and the visitors settled for a 36-yard field goal to open the scoring. McDonald was sacked in the end zone by DL Chris Odom for a safety before a 51-yard punt return by WR Bralon Addison, who reversed the field, put the Crusaders in scoring position at the 34. But with the ball at the 13, the Crusaders attempted a trick play. On a reverse from WR L'Damien Washington to WR Malik Henry. Henry, a former quarterback, attempted the option pass to WR Carlton Agudosi, but the pass was badly underthrown and intercepted.
But after the Roughnecks failed to generate a first down and their punt was blocked, London started from the 25 and three plays later, RB Matt Jones scored on a two-yard run making it, 8-3. Lonon produced an impressive drive to start the next quarter, thanks to passes of 22 yards to Cottoy, 18 to Burnett and 10 to seldom-used WR Riley Ridley. But the drive stalled at the four, forcing the Crusaders to settle for another field goal. Following a fumble recovery by Crusaders LB Dexter McCoil, London took over at the Houston 49. QB Taylor Heinicke methodically moved the team downfield, capped by his 12-yard touchdown pass to Kamar Jorden increasing the lead to 18-3. The Roughnecks turned the ball over on downs following a faked punt and that eventually led to another field goal with 12 seconds remaining in the first half.
There was no scoring in the third period although, on a fourth-down gamble from the 8, McDonald was sacked by Odom. Late in the quarter, Heinicke was intercepted. Following a successful fourth-down gamble, Borghi started the potential comeback with a one-yard touchdown run. The Roughnecks appeared on their way to another score until a Burnett fumble was recovered by DB Robert Nelson with slightly less than nine minutes remaining in regulation time. Odom forced the fumble.
-- (9-4)Crusaders 31 - 10 Roughnecks(9-4)
(LON): QB Heinicke - 16/23 163 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Michael - 14 carries, 79 yards, RB Jones - 14 carries, 58 yards, 1 TD, WR Henry - 4 catches, 58 yards, WR Jorden - 3 catches, 42 yards, 1 TD
(HOU): QB McDonald - 13/24 174 yards, 1 INT, RB Borghi - 13 carries, 58 yards, 1 TD, WR Burnett - 3 catches, 72 yards, WR Cottoy - 4 catches, 40 yards
-- (8-5)Bandits 6 - 12 Bolts(8-5)
(TB): QB Kaepernick - 14/30 143 yards, 1 INT, RB Williams - 19 carries, 62 yards, WR Humphrey - 4 catches, 46 yards, WR Peake - 2 catches, 43 yards
(BER): QB Kaaya - 13/27 159 yards, 1 INT, RB Hunt - 12 carries, 71 yards, RB Sankey - 19 carries, 66 yards, WR Huff - 3 catches, 60 yards
-- (7-6)Stampede 23 - 3 Jousters(5-8)
(OKC): QB Petty - 19/22 177 yards, 2 TDs, RB Artis-Payne - 18 carries, 43 yards, RB Brooks - 11 carries, 47 yards, TE Parham - 5 catches, 49 yards, 2 TDs, WR Davis - 5 catches, 40 yards
(TOR): QB Mitchell - 11/25 111 yards, 2 INTs, RB Dixon - 15 carries, 22 yards, WR Wright - 3 catches, 33 yards
XFL Week 14: QB Josh Love Heats Up, Panthers End Skid with Win Over Enforcers
May 22, 2023
Chicago, IL - After a slow start offensively, Oakland Panthers QB Josh Love caught fire in the second half in his team's 25-22 victory over the Chicago Enforcers. Love was 1-of-5 for six yards in the opening quarter. But the rest of the way, he completed 15-of-24 passes for 259 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Love said he stayed the course, remaining confident in offensive coordinator Eric Marty's playcalls. "I just stuck to the game plan," Love said. "Trusting the guys, trusting Coach Marty and just going out there and executing."
Love's favorite target was Joe Walker, who finished with five catches of 121 yards. Walker's effort included a backbreaker, a 68-yard touchdown catch for Oakland's final score of the game with 2:28 left in the contest in which the Delaware product bulled his way through two would-be tacklers and ran away from Chicago's defense to score. Walker's teammate WR Trey Quinn added three catches for 61 yards, including a 22-yard catch for a score. RB Reggie Corbin helped put away the game late, finishing with 81 rushing yards on 20 carries. "I just tried to be relentless and tried to get as much yards after catch as I can," Walker said. "I knew we needed a first down, so I was just fighting."
Not everything went perfectly for the Panthers. They fumbled twice but recovered both times. Loves had five passes knocked down by Chicago's defensive line at the line of scrimmage and Oakland had a 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Kaden Davis called back because of a holding penalty but ended up scoring anyway on Quinn's touchdown catch. "Defensively, we played real well for a long time, but then they got a couple scores on us," Enforcers head coach Lovie Smith said. "And we had to fight back like crazy."
Down 25-16 after Walker's long touchdown, the Enforcers engineered a six-play, 65-yard drive capped by a 5-yard touchdown pass to RB Darius Victor from QB Dakota Prukop, cutting Oakland's advantage to three points. However, the Enforcers went for the tie. And on the three-point conversion play, Prukop's pass to WR Arthur Jackson in the back of the end zone fell incomplete. Chicago then tried the fourth-and-12 conversion play to get the ball back, but Prukop couldn't connect with WR Alonzo Moore. Oakland salted the game away from there. With 8:34 left in the game, Enforcers QB De'Andre Johnson scrambled up the middle of the field, violently hitting his head on the turf after being tackled by Oakland DB Kai Nacua. While Johnson lay motionless, the medical staff from both teams immediately tended to him on the field. Johnson was strapped to a backboard and carted off the field, where an awaiting ambulance transported him to the hospital. The Enforcers received good news, as Johnson reportedly could move all extremities after an initial evaluation and appeared to be doing well. Johnson will remain in the hospital for further tests. "I heard he's doing well, but they are continuing to look at him," Riley said. "That's all I really want to say about it."
-- (4-9)Panthers 25 - 22 Enforcers(7-6)
(OAK): QB Love - 16/29 264 yards, 3 TDs, RB Corbin - 20 carries, 78 yards, WR Walker - 5 catches, 121 yards, 1 TD, WR Quinn - 3 catches, 61 yards, 1 TD
(CHI): QB Prukop - 9/16 112 yards, 2 TDs, RB Victor - 8 carries, 52 yards, WR Moore - 6 catches, 63 yards, WR Echols-Luper - 2 catches, 43 yards
-- (3-10)Mammoths 22 - 28 Renegades(5-8)
(OMA): QB Wolford - 23/36 280 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB West - 20 carries, 105 yards, 2 TDs, WR Callaway - 5 catches, 94 yards, WR Dunbar - 7 catches, 64 yards, WR Robertson - 3 catches, 56 yards
(DAL): QB Perez - 23/30 280 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Smith - 17 carries, 139 yards, RB Farrow - 19 carries, 72 yards, 1 TD, WR Bolden - 3 catches, 63 yards, WR Lawler - 6 catches, 68 yards, TE Cannella - 3 catches, 47 yards, 1 TD
Ghosts QB Case Cookus Avoids Trouble with Wife After Losing Wedding Ring During Game
May 23, 2023
Columbus, OH - When he realized he lost his wedding band during a game, Ghosts QB Case Cookus made an impassioned explanation to his wife on TV. Happy wife, happy life. Cookus almost tested that theory the hard way when he looked down at his hands during the Ghosts' 37-31 comeback win over the Pittsburgh Maulers and realized that his wedding ring was missing. Embarrassed, he quickly turned to the nearest on-field camera and made sure to relay a message to clear things up with his wife, Tyler Carr Cookus, who was presumably back home watching the game on FOX. "Tell my wife I lost my wedding ring, but I've got an extra one!" Cookus said. "I swear I just lost it, I don't know where it went. I swear I had it!"
Case's plea apparently worked with Tyler, who later tweeted that she had already ordered a replacement set of athletic wedding bands from Amazon to be shipped to her husband. Tyler is a manager of business development within the UNLV athletic department, which explains why she and her husband have a bit of a long-distance relationship when the XFL is in season. Good thing FOX Sports' all-access on-field microphones and Amazon shipping are there to bridge the gap.
May 18, 2023
Los Angeles, CA - The St. Louis Stallions got it on, banged a gong, and sang that winning song after their 24-20 victory against the Los Angeles Breakers. With the win, St. Louis evened their season series with the Breakers. The Breakers couldn't shake off the Stallions, who put them under pressure with outstanding defense, plus the arm and legs of QB Alex McGough. "I've gotta try to get the 'S' off of Alex's chest," Holtz said. "He tries and wants it so much."
The Stallions quarterback has proven to be the most valuable player in the St. Louis locker room since taking over the job due to a season-ending injury to J'Mar Smith. But he needed, needs help. For the third week in a row, he received that from the run game and the defense. Despite rushing for more than 100 yards and passing for 261, the Breakers fell short. Despite out-gaining the Stallions 186-96 in the first half, not to mention converting seven of 10 third downs and getting off 40 offensive plays, the Breakers walked into halftime down 10-6 due to two costly turnovers. With outstanding field position after a Wes Hills fumble and a mistake by the punt team, St. Louis needed just 21 plays to put double-digits on the field and build quite a bit of momentum. The Breakers knew they left points out on the field in the first two quarters. WR Jonathan Adams accounted for five catches and 82 yards, and TE Sage Surratt had four catches and 45 yards in the half. The duo was responsible for catching eight of the 10 completed passes thrown by QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson for 128 passing yards in the half.
Coming out for the third quarter, it was like Holtz looked down at the stat sheet, saw Marable had just four carries, and decided to let the Chanticleer crow. Marable accounted for just 46 total yards against the Breakers two months ago, but he matched that on the ensuing drive alone. RB Bo Scarbrough finished what Marable started on that drive, punching it in to give the Stallions a 17-6 lead in the third. After a stop by the St. Louis defense on Los Angeles' next possession, the Stallions looked to be putting a stranglehold on the game. That's until Breakers DB Michael Stevens ripped the ball free of WR Adrian Hardy to take over possession on the 19 yard-line. The turnover amounted to three points and put Los Angeles back on the Stallions' scent, and here the Breakers come again now, baby. Or so Breakers fans thought, because on the next drive McGough and the offense made like they heard one guitar just blow them away, saw stars in their eyes and decided to become something like jukebox heroes.
McGough started rocking, up eight in the third, scrambling, dipping, ducking and diving to find TE La'Michael Pettway, and then WR Davion Davis, and then TE Jace Sternberger, twice, to extend the Stallions' lead to 24-9 with less than a minute left to play in the third. Next thing you knew the sound of drums were beating in St. Louis hearts, the thunder of fireworks tearing Los Angeles hearts apart. The Breakers' journey is one where they simply don't stop believing, though, as they quickly marched downfield on the arm and wit of Bethel-Thompson, operating on more than a feeling. He found WR Lee Morris for six and then converted the two-point try with a pass to Surratt to make it a one-score game with 12:10 left to play, giving Los Angeles fans permission to dream on. After a defensive stop, the Breakers took possession of the southern rock on their own 35-yard line looking like making a bigger mess than George Thorogood & the Destroyers at a bachelorette party. The Stallions came up with a stop to force a 55-yard field goal but to close the game to 24-20 with 5:40 left to play. Four inches, fourth down, up four, 1:26 left to play, the Stallions let their defense finish the game. It was a fitting end for a team that had given up 45 points to Los Angeles in Week 8. "That's the sign of a strong league," DeFilippo said. "It's hard every week for sure."
-- (9-4)Stallions 24 - 20 Breakers(8-5)
(STL): QB McGough - 16/23 176 yards, 1 TD, RB Marable - 17 carries, 86 yards, 6 catches, 52 yards, TE Sternberger - 2 catches, 28 yards, 1 TD
(LA): QB Bethel-Thompson - 24/42 279 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Hills - 20 carries, 77 yards, WR Dixon - 6 catches, 97 yards, WR Adams - 6 catches, 88 yards, TE Surratt - 5 catches, 64 yards
-- (2-11)Monarchs 10 - 3 BattleHawks(8-5)
(MON): QB Mallett - 7/9 81 yards, RB Richard - 23 carries, 99 yards, WR Roosevelt - 3 catches, 37 yards
(CHA): QB Tiano - 10/26 167 yards, 1 INT, RB Galloway - 19 carries, 72 yards, WR Ateman - 3 catches, 60 yards, WR Butler - 4 catches, 66 yards
XFL Week 14: Ghosts Lean On Case Cookus-Corey Coleman Connection In Comeback Win Over Maulers
May 19, 2023
Pittsburgh, PA - All WR Corey Coleman wanted was a chance. Late in the third quarter with his team trailing, Columbus Ghosts QB Case Cookus called Coleman's number, and he made a big play that turned the game. After a 54-yard missed field goal by Maulers K Chris Blewitt, Cookus found Coleman wide open for a 56-yard pitch and catch for a score giving the Ghosts the lead for good in a 37-31 victory. Coleman shook loose from Pittsburgh DB Keith Gibson Jr. in press coverage at the line of scrimmage. After Gibson fell, Coleman outran DB Eli Walker to the pylon. "I came to Case and Coach and said, 'Let's go at the left side,'" Coleman said. "That's just the trust they have in me. We called the play. We got it up and strike up the band."
The former NFL first-round draft pick out of Baylor finished with four receptions for 75 yards, while fellow WR Duron Carter also added four receptions for 75 yards. Entering the contest, both teams had struggled to put points on the board, but they combined for 44 points in just the first half. The Maulers scored on four of their first five possessions in the first half but were held to just a touchdown in the second. The Ghosts entered the contest last in the XFL in rushing but relied on the running game to create balance and move the football. Columbus also played fast early on, using tempo to keep one of the Maulers, one of the best defenses in the XFL, off balance. But RB Matthew Colburn II ground out 83 yards on 20 carries and two rushing touchdowns. "At the beginning of the season we kind of started off a little rough in terms of the run game," Colburn said. "But I believe we've gotten better every single week. We've focused on our assignments, and we've focused on our technique - everything you've got to have to have a successful running game. And we're getting into a real good grove right now."
Pittsburgh QB Troy Williams led the Maulers offensively, finishing 18-of-28 for 145 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. Williams also topped the Maulers in rushing with 48 yards. WR Isiah Hennie had a 17-yard touchdown reception and 69-yard punt return late that set up a 1-yard touchdown run by RB Garrett Groshek with 2:01 left in the game, cutting the lead to 34-31. The Maulers went for the fourth-and-12 conversion play, but Williams was sacked by Ghosts DL Adam Rodriguez. Williams was sacked five times. Aguilar added a 38-yard field goal for the final score. Pittsburgh finished with seven accepted penalties for 50 yards and has totaled 17 penalties for 140 yards over the last two games. "I have to get my team to be more disciplined," head coach Byron Leftwich said. "It's not them, it's me. I told the team that I apologize for the number of penalties we had. That's a reflection on me."
Kick returner Joshua Simmons had an impactful evening for Pittsburgh on special teams. Simmons had an impressive, 88-yard kick return for a score in the first quarter that put the Maulers up 14-10 and at the end of the first half, Simmons smartly stepped out of bounds before touching the kickoff down on the 8-yard line that may have stayed in bounds. Instead, K Lirim Hajrullahu's kick was ruled out of bounds, and the Maulers got the ball at midfield. The Maulers moved the ball to Philadelphia's 31-yard line and Blewitt made a 49-yard field goal to put Pittsburgh up 24-20 at halftime. In the second half, Simmons had another big return but was stripped of the ball by LB Samuel Akem with DB Amani Dennis recovering the fumble and returning the ball to the Pittsburgh 48-yard line. But Simmons was bailed out when Cookus threw an interception to Pittsburgh DB Arnold Tarpley III in the end zone.
-- (5-8)Ghosts 37 - 31 Maulers(6-7)
(COL): QB Cookus - 18/30 235 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Colburn - 20 carries, 82 yards, 2 TDs, WR Coleamn - 4 catches, 75 yards, 1 TD, WR Carter - 4 catches, 75 yards
(PIT): QB Williams - 18/28 145 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB London - 7 carries, 40 yards, TE Stokke - 3 catches, 34 yards
-- (2-11)Steel 14 - 31 Defenders(12-1)
(BIRM): QB Glennon - 23/31 210 yards, 2 TDs, RB Yeldon - 15 carries, 132 yards, RB Richardson - 23 carries, 56 yards, WR Benjamin - 6 catches, 39 yards, 1 TD, WR Foster - 6 catches, 56 yards
(DC): QB Ta'amu - 11/14 141 yards, RB Carey - 10 carries, 78 yards, RB Smith - 20 carries, 124 yards, 3 TDs, WR Jackson - 3 catches, 52 yards
XFL Week 14: Showboats' Wild Win over Brigade Sets up Playoff Sprint
May 20, 2023
Memphis, TN - If you needed a play to encapsulate everything the Memphis Showboats have done to turn around their season, WR Derrick Dillon was happy to oblige. Having blown a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter and suddenly trailing with less than two minutes left, Memphis answered the Baltimore Brigade emphatically on the next play, as QB Jarrett Guarantano threw a short pass to Dillon, who turned upfield, took a big hit from a Baltimore defender and kept his feet, sprinting to the end zone for a 64-yard touchdown and the deciding margin as Memphis edged Baltimore 23-20 for its fourth straight win. "I just said 'If you don't wrap up, I'm going to break this tackle, and that's what he did. He tried to hit me with his shoulder, and I just kept my balance and just kept running," said Dillon. "I just can't say enough about this group of guys, and the resiliency to stand up to adversity when things are going right," coach Todd Haley said. "I thought our guys just really kept their cool and kept fighting together. I think they're special and unique."
It was a special and unique win and probably closer than Haley might have liked. His defense controlled the game for three quarters, holding Baltimore to 128 yards and two field goals for a 16-6 lead. But Baltimore, which had won four straight coming in, found its offense, getting a touchdown from RB Mark Thompson to pull within a score at 16-13. Trying to close out the win, Memphis went backward, two holding penalties set up a first-and-30, which turned into a third-and-32 and somehow got worse. Guarantano was sacked and fumbled when DB Manny Bunch came on a blitz, and Baltimore recovered the ball at the Memphis 19-yard line. Three plays later, Thompson had his second touchdown and a 20-16 lead with 1:49 remaining. The first time these two met in Week 6, it was the same seesaw late, with Memphis rallying from 13 points down to lead in the fourth quarter, only to see Baltimore win on a touchdown with 13 seconds left. This time, it was Baltimore that dug the hole and got out of it, only to lose late. "It came right down to the wire, and I thought they played outstanding over there," Brigade coach Curtis Johnson said. "I thought we didn't play one of our better games. We had too many penalties, and we never got on schedule with the run game either."
Even after Dillon's touchdown, Baltimore had a chance to answer with their own comeback, and QB Kenji Bahar got the Brigade to the Memphis 39, close to a game-tying field goal attempt. But the Showboats' fourth sack of the game, this from DL Jordan Ferguson, set them back to the 46, and a fourth-down throw from Bahar with 18 seconds left was intercepted by DB TJ Green to seal the win. "We've come a long way, honestly, and the more time I spend around these guys, the less it surprises me," Guarantano said of Memphis' season turnaround. "I had no doubt we were going to go win that game, and after we scored, I had no doubt our defense would stop them. That's just what we do. We've got each other's back, and it's a very tight group."
-- (10-3)Brigade 20 - 23 Showboats(5-8)
(BAL): QB Bahar - 18/39 216 yards, 2 INTs, RB Thompson - 13 carries, 42 yards, 3 TDs, WR Redding - 5 catches, 57 yards, TE Pederson - 5 catches, 93 yards
(MEM): QB Guarantano - 12/24 146 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Washington - 19 carries, 81 yards, WR Dillon - 2 catches, 72 yards, 1 TD
-- (4-9)Commanders 23 - 41 Otters(3-10)
(SA): QB Fine - 19/30 229 yards, 2 TDs, RB Ervin - 22 carries, 80 yards, 1 TD, WR Doctson - 8 catches, 73 yards, 1 TD, WR Ward - 6 catches, 90 yards, 1 TD
(VAN): QB Benkert - 16/22 252 yards, 5 TDs, RB Patrick - 15 carries, 83 yards, RB Ballage - 14 carries, 72 yards, WR Turpin - 4 catches, 104 yards, 3 TDs, WR Akers - 4 catches, 53 yards, 1 TD
-- (10-3)Apollos 54 - 20 Alphas(7-6)
(ORL): QB Gilbert - 22/27 285 yards, 5 TDs, RB Johnson - 17 carries, 85 yards, 2 TDs, RB Walton - 10 carries, 46 yards, WR Marshall - 5 catches, 83 yards, 1 TD, WR Whitehead - 4 catches, 63 yards, 1 TD, WR Moncrief - 7 catches, 71 yards, 2 TDs
(ATL): QB Barrett - 18/25 147 yards, 1 INT, RB Barber - 17 carries, 104 yards, 1 TD, WR Hardy - 6 catches, 56 yards, WR Evans - 7 catches, 39 yards
XFL Week 14: Dragons Blaze by Valor
May 20, 2023
Seattle, WA - Dragons QB Ben DiNucci finished the afternoon 27-of-39 passing for 365 yards to go with one touchdown and one interception. Washington counterpart QB Blake Bortles completed 26 of 40 passes for 290 yards and one interception. A lackluster first half by the Valor saw them trailing 13-7 at the half. K Dominik Eberle connected on a 47-yard field goal early in the third quarter, but the Valor responded courtesy of a Gabe Brkic 35-yard field goal to make it 16-10. Seattle looked to take full control after WR Josh Gordon got the Dragons down to the 12-yard line. Gordon scored on the next play on a 12-yard reception to make it a 24-10 lead. Washington responded with its first touchdown of the day as Bortles marched the ball downfield and RB Khalid Abdullah capped the drive with a two-yard run to trim the deficit to eight. DB Sherrod Baltimore intercepted a DiNucci pass at midfield and Washington was able to turn it into a 31-yard field goal to get within five with just over seven minutes remaining. Washington then drove down to the 13-yard line and gambled on fourth down, but fell short. The Valor were able to hem the Dragons in deep and recovered the ball at the 35 for one final attempt to score, but failed to take advantage.
Trailing 13-0 with just under two minutes left in the first half, the Valor were able to get on the board as Brkic connected on 48- and 47-yard field goals to make it a one-score game. The Dragons took a 10-0 lead late in the first quarter, due in great part to RB CJ Prosise eluding four Valor defenders to run the ball down to the two-yard line before adding a two-yard rushing touchdown. Eberle added a 17-yard field goal late in the second quarter to make it 13-0.
-- (7-6)Valor 19 - 24 Dragons(10-3)
(DC): QB Bortles - 26/40 290 yards, 1 INT, RB Allen - 14 carries, 80 yards, WR Richardson - 6 catches, 76 yards, WR Daniels - 3 catches, 68 yards, WR Cobbs - 5 catches, 62 yards
(SEA): QB DiNucci - 27/39 365 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Prosise - 14 carries, 43 yards, 1 TD, WR Gordon - 8 catches, 161 yards, 1 TD, WR Pearson - 3 catches, 68 yards, WR Jackson - 6 catches, 49 yards
-- (11-2)Brawlers 41 - 16 Guardians(5-8)
(PHI): QB Walker - 18/22 254 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 9 carries, 62 yards, 2 TDs, RB Butler - 15 carries, 100 yards, 2 TDs, WR Phillips - 4 catches, 51 yards, 1 TD, WR Fulgham - 4 catches, 51 yards, WR Coates - 3 catches, 46 yards, 1 TD
(NY): QB Kessler - 12/24 111 yards, 1 INT, RB Perkins - 15 carries, 136 yards, WR White - 3 catches, 38 yards
XFL Week 14: Vipers Rolled by Fleet
May 21, 2023
Mexico City, MEXICO - A 56-28 win by the San Diego Fleet handed the Vipers their 11th loss. QB Jalan McClendon completed 23 of 30 passes for 292 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, while QB Josh Johnson threw 20 of 26 for 287 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions. Both WR Martavis Bryant and Geronimo Allison hit triple digits in receiving yards for the home side, while WR John Ross had 112 yards in the winning effort. McClendon wasted no time throwing a ball worth six points. Problem was, it went the other way, as former Fleet DB Arrion Springs intercepted a pass on a slant pattern and returned it 45 yards to put the Fleet on the board first. The Fleet returned part of the favor, at least, with RB DeAnthony Thomas fumbling the ball, which set up Mexico City in the red zone. From there, WR Markeith Ambles trucked in a 17-yard catch and run into the end zone for the touchdown to tie the score 7-7 at the midway mark of the first quarter. San Diego was granted the ball on the Vipers' doorstep after defensive pass interference leading to a one-yard touchdown plunge on a keeper by RB Wendell Smallwood for a 14-7 lead.
Then San Diego blocked and recovered a punt to set up the Fleet in the red zone. San Diego turned it into a touchdown on the very next snap, this one with another short run by Smallwood to go ahead 21-7 heading into the second quarter. It opened with McClendon throwing not one, but two blocks for RB Rod Smith on a 34-yard rush on the way to a 24-yard field goal, after San Diego’s defense came up with a red-zone stop. Mexico City’s defense returned the favor after two defensive backs ran into each other to spring WR Devier Posey for a 54-yard reception into the red zone leading to a field goal. Allison brought Mexico City right back to the red zone, legging out a 67-yard reception to set up a 32-yard field goal before San Diego split the uprights once more, from 20 yards out to take a 27-13 lead into halftime.
The Vipers opened the third by taking a safety to put San Diego ahead 29-13, before the Fleet added Smallwood’s third touchdown of the game to pull away 36-13. WR Jeff Badet came up with a three-yard reception in the end zone to cap a six-play, 58-yard touchdown drive to make it a two-score game heading into the final frame. But Smallwood put San Diego right back up, 43-20, with his fourth touchdown of the night, ending an 11-play, 72-yard scoring drive. “Yeah, that was a little similar to the last time they came here,” McClendon said. “It got away from us. After the pick-six, I thought we played well, and then I thought coming out in the second half. I think we just shot ourselves in the foot. And then we got down 20-something points and couldn’t crawl back into it.”
-- (6-7)Fleet 56 - 28 Vipers(3-10)
(SD): QB Johnson - 20/26 287 yards, 1 TD, RB Smallwood - 16 carries, 62 yards, 4 TDs, RB Thomas - 9 carries, 118 yards, 1 TD, 4 catches, 48 yards, WR Posey - 7 catches, 98 yards, 1 TD, WR Ross - 5 catches, 112 yards
(MEX): QB McClendon - 23/32 292 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Guice - 10 carries, 91 yards, WR Bryant - 7 catches, 100 yards, WR Allison - 5 catches, 120 yards
-- (1-12)Greys 35 - 38 Mountain Lions(10-3)
(CAL): QB Dormady - 19/30 197 yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Darrington - 13 carries, 92 yards, 1 TD, WR Rogers - 6 catches, 100 yards, 1 TD, TE Thomas - 5 catches, 40 yards, 2 TDs
(SLC): QB Rosen - 21/32 317 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT, RB Booker - 14 carries, 91 yards, 1 TD, 4 catches, 81 yards, 1 TD, WR Ross - 4 catches, 51 yards, 1 TD, WR Arcega-Whiteside - 5 catches, 73 yards
XFL Week 14: Crusaders' Defense takes Over, Holds Roughnecks to one Touchdown in Impressive Victory
May 21, 2023
Houston, TX - London mounted a 21-3 halftime lead against the Houston Roughnecks before its offense completely bogged down. Nonetheless the Crusaders prevailed, defeating the Roughnecks 31-10 before 35,511 spectators, thanks to an impressive performance by their defense, which produced five turnovers. The Roughnecks took the opening kickoff and marched smartly downfield, starting with QB Cole McDonald’s 16-yard run. He also passed 11 yards to WR Jevon Cottoy, while RB Max Borghi ran for an 11-yard gain. But the drive eventually stalled and the visitors settled for a 36-yard field goal to open the scoring. McDonald was sacked in the end zone by DL Chris Odom for a safety before a 51-yard punt return by WR Bralon Addison, who reversed the field, put the Crusaders in scoring position at the 34. But with the ball at the 13, the Crusaders attempted a trick play. On a reverse from WR L'Damien Washington to WR Malik Henry. Henry, a former quarterback, attempted the option pass to WR Carlton Agudosi, but the pass was badly underthrown and intercepted.
But after the Roughnecks failed to generate a first down and their punt was blocked, London started from the 25 and three plays later, RB Matt Jones scored on a two-yard run making it, 8-3. Lonon produced an impressive drive to start the next quarter, thanks to passes of 22 yards to Cottoy, 18 to Burnett and 10 to seldom-used WR Riley Ridley. But the drive stalled at the four, forcing the Crusaders to settle for another field goal. Following a fumble recovery by Crusaders LB Dexter McCoil, London took over at the Houston 49. QB Taylor Heinicke methodically moved the team downfield, capped by his 12-yard touchdown pass to Kamar Jorden increasing the lead to 18-3. The Roughnecks turned the ball over on downs following a faked punt and that eventually led to another field goal with 12 seconds remaining in the first half.
There was no scoring in the third period although, on a fourth-down gamble from the 8, McDonald was sacked by Odom. Late in the quarter, Heinicke was intercepted. Following a successful fourth-down gamble, Borghi started the potential comeback with a one-yard touchdown run. The Roughnecks appeared on their way to another score until a Burnett fumble was recovered by DB Robert Nelson with slightly less than nine minutes remaining in regulation time. Odom forced the fumble.
-- (9-4)Crusaders 31 - 10 Roughnecks(9-4)
(LON): QB Heinicke - 16/23 163 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Michael - 14 carries, 79 yards, RB Jones - 14 carries, 58 yards, 1 TD, WR Henry - 4 catches, 58 yards, WR Jorden - 3 catches, 42 yards, 1 TD
(HOU): QB McDonald - 13/24 174 yards, 1 INT, RB Borghi - 13 carries, 58 yards, 1 TD, WR Burnett - 3 catches, 72 yards, WR Cottoy - 4 catches, 40 yards
-- (8-5)Bandits 6 - 12 Bolts(8-5)
(TB): QB Kaepernick - 14/30 143 yards, 1 INT, RB Williams - 19 carries, 62 yards, WR Humphrey - 4 catches, 46 yards, WR Peake - 2 catches, 43 yards
(BER): QB Kaaya - 13/27 159 yards, 1 INT, RB Hunt - 12 carries, 71 yards, RB Sankey - 19 carries, 66 yards, WR Huff - 3 catches, 60 yards
-- (7-6)Stampede 23 - 3 Jousters(5-8)
(OKC): QB Petty - 19/22 177 yards, 2 TDs, RB Artis-Payne - 18 carries, 43 yards, RB Brooks - 11 carries, 47 yards, TE Parham - 5 catches, 49 yards, 2 TDs, WR Davis - 5 catches, 40 yards
(TOR): QB Mitchell - 11/25 111 yards, 2 INTs, RB Dixon - 15 carries, 22 yards, WR Wright - 3 catches, 33 yards
XFL Week 14: QB Josh Love Heats Up, Panthers End Skid with Win Over Enforcers
May 22, 2023
Chicago, IL - After a slow start offensively, Oakland Panthers QB Josh Love caught fire in the second half in his team's 25-22 victory over the Chicago Enforcers. Love was 1-of-5 for six yards in the opening quarter. But the rest of the way, he completed 15-of-24 passes for 259 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Love said he stayed the course, remaining confident in offensive coordinator Eric Marty's playcalls. "I just stuck to the game plan," Love said. "Trusting the guys, trusting Coach Marty and just going out there and executing."
Love's favorite target was Joe Walker, who finished with five catches of 121 yards. Walker's effort included a backbreaker, a 68-yard touchdown catch for Oakland's final score of the game with 2:28 left in the contest in which the Delaware product bulled his way through two would-be tacklers and ran away from Chicago's defense to score. Walker's teammate WR Trey Quinn added three catches for 61 yards, including a 22-yard catch for a score. RB Reggie Corbin helped put away the game late, finishing with 81 rushing yards on 20 carries. "I just tried to be relentless and tried to get as much yards after catch as I can," Walker said. "I knew we needed a first down, so I was just fighting."
Not everything went perfectly for the Panthers. They fumbled twice but recovered both times. Loves had five passes knocked down by Chicago's defensive line at the line of scrimmage and Oakland had a 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Kaden Davis called back because of a holding penalty but ended up scoring anyway on Quinn's touchdown catch. "Defensively, we played real well for a long time, but then they got a couple scores on us," Enforcers head coach Lovie Smith said. "And we had to fight back like crazy."
Down 25-16 after Walker's long touchdown, the Enforcers engineered a six-play, 65-yard drive capped by a 5-yard touchdown pass to RB Darius Victor from QB Dakota Prukop, cutting Oakland's advantage to three points. However, the Enforcers went for the tie. And on the three-point conversion play, Prukop's pass to WR Arthur Jackson in the back of the end zone fell incomplete. Chicago then tried the fourth-and-12 conversion play to get the ball back, but Prukop couldn't connect with WR Alonzo Moore. Oakland salted the game away from there. With 8:34 left in the game, Enforcers QB De'Andre Johnson scrambled up the middle of the field, violently hitting his head on the turf after being tackled by Oakland DB Kai Nacua. While Johnson lay motionless, the medical staff from both teams immediately tended to him on the field. Johnson was strapped to a backboard and carted off the field, where an awaiting ambulance transported him to the hospital. The Enforcers received good news, as Johnson reportedly could move all extremities after an initial evaluation and appeared to be doing well. Johnson will remain in the hospital for further tests. "I heard he's doing well, but they are continuing to look at him," Riley said. "That's all I really want to say about it."
-- (4-9)Panthers 25 - 22 Enforcers(7-6)
(OAK): QB Love - 16/29 264 yards, 3 TDs, RB Corbin - 20 carries, 78 yards, WR Walker - 5 catches, 121 yards, 1 TD, WR Quinn - 3 catches, 61 yards, 1 TD
(CHI): QB Prukop - 9/16 112 yards, 2 TDs, RB Victor - 8 carries, 52 yards, WR Moore - 6 catches, 63 yards, WR Echols-Luper - 2 catches, 43 yards
-- (3-10)Mammoths 22 - 28 Renegades(5-8)
(OMA): QB Wolford - 23/36 280 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB West - 20 carries, 105 yards, 2 TDs, WR Callaway - 5 catches, 94 yards, WR Dunbar - 7 catches, 64 yards, WR Robertson - 3 catches, 56 yards
(DAL): QB Perez - 23/30 280 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Smith - 17 carries, 139 yards, RB Farrow - 19 carries, 72 yards, 1 TD, WR Bolden - 3 catches, 63 yards, WR Lawler - 6 catches, 68 yards, TE Cannella - 3 catches, 47 yards, 1 TD
Ghosts QB Case Cookus Avoids Trouble with Wife After Losing Wedding Ring During Game
May 23, 2023
Columbus, OH - When he realized he lost his wedding band during a game, Ghosts QB Case Cookus made an impassioned explanation to his wife on TV. Happy wife, happy life. Cookus almost tested that theory the hard way when he looked down at his hands during the Ghosts' 37-31 comeback win over the Pittsburgh Maulers and realized that his wedding ring was missing. Embarrassed, he quickly turned to the nearest on-field camera and made sure to relay a message to clear things up with his wife, Tyler Carr Cookus, who was presumably back home watching the game on FOX. "Tell my wife I lost my wedding ring, but I've got an extra one!" Cookus said. "I swear I just lost it, I don't know where it went. I swear I had it!"
Case's plea apparently worked with Tyler, who later tweeted that she had already ordered a replacement set of athletic wedding bands from Amazon to be shipped to her husband. Tyler is a manager of business development within the UNLV athletic department, which explains why she and her husband have a bit of a long-distance relationship when the XFL is in season. Good thing FOX Sports' all-access on-field microphones and Amazon shipping are there to bridge the gap.
Last edited by BengalErnst on Fri Jun 02, 2023 11:26 am, edited 20 times in total.
- BengalErnst
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Re: XFL 2001
by BengalErnst » Sat Feb 18, 2023 2:42 pm
XFL Week 15: BattleHawks Rally past Vipers in Overtime for Key Victory
May 25, 2023
Charlotte, NC - The Charlotte BattleHawks scored on both of their plays during the first overtime in BattleHawks history to beat the Mexico City Vipers, 21-17 in front of 35,167 fans. Charlotte stopped Mexico City first overtime, two-point conversion attempt after regulation ended in a 17-17 tie. The BattleHawks then scored on their first attempt when QB Nick Tiano hit WR Hakeem Butler with a 5-yard connection that put the BattleHawks up, 19-17. The Charlotte defense again kept Mexico City out of the end zone on the Vipers' second attempt. That set up RB Brian Hill for a 5-yard rush on the BattleHawks' second attempt to clinch the victory with a winning four-point margin.
The BattleHawks trailed for nearly the entire game until K Donny Hageman drilled a 34-yard field goal to tie the game, 17-17, with 15 seconds remaining in regulation. Charlotte had trailed by as many as nine points earlier in the fourth quarter before a trick play produced the BattleHawks' longest play from scrimmage of the season. P Sterling Hofrichter started the play with his first pass of the season on a fake punt with 4:55 left in the fourth quarter. His pass landed in the arms of WR Gary Jennings, who streaked to the corner of the end zone for a 64-yard touchdown reception to pull Charlotte within three points of the Vipers' lead, 17-14. The Vipers had initially built an 11-0 lead with a touchdown, two-point conversion and field goal on their first two drives of the game, which covered a combined 23 plays and 135 yards. Charlotte first chipped away at the 11-point deficit when Tiano hit Butler for a 32-yard touchdown pass with 10:57 left in the second quarter. Tiano then rushed for 5 yards to add a two-point conversion and cut the Vipers lead to 11-8. The BattleHawks stayed three points shy of Mexico City until the Vipers opened the lead to 17-8 on a 27-yard pass play with 7:09 left in the fourth quarter.
-- (3-11)Vipers 17 - 21 BattleHawks(8-6)
(MEX): QB McClendon - 13/23 159 yards, 1 TD, 13 carries, 62 yards, RB Smith - 16 carries, 81 yards, RB Burt - 9 carries, 57 yards, WR Allison - 2 catches, 44 yards, 1 TD, WR Bryant - 4 catches, 59 yards
(CHA): QB Tiano - 19/34 194 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, RB Hill - 18 carries, 86 yards, 6 catches, 37 yards, WR Ateman - 4 catches, 67 yards, WR Butler - 3 catches, 36 yards, 1 TD
-- (6-8)Maulers 21 - 10 Valor(7-7)
(PIT): QB Haskins - 18/24 201 yards, 2 TDs, RB Groshek - 13 carries, 87 yards, 1 TD, WR Thomas - 4 catches, 45 yards, WR Gaither - 4 catches, 61 yards, 1 TD
(DC): QB Bortles - 10/18 135 yards, RB Allen - 17 carries, 89 yards, 1 TD, RB Abdullah - 15 carries, 53 yards, WR Daniels - 3 catches, 45 yards, WR Richardson - 3 catches, 42 yards
XFL Week 15: Greys Fall To Dallas
May 26, 2023
Calgary, ALBERTA, CANADA - The Calgary Greys had a chance at the end. But five costly turnovers, including one in the final minute of the game, allowed the Dallas Renegades to hold on for an 18-16 win. A 23-yard field goal by K Taylor Russolino put Dallas up 3-0 after the opening possession. A muffed Dallas punt recovered by Calgary allowed for a 24-yard field goal by K Jose Borregales to tie the game 3-3. Dallas grabbed a 9-3 lead late in the first quarter on the first Greys turnover of the day. QB Quinten Dormady scrambled 12 yards for an apparent first down, but fumbled. The loose ball was returned 48 yards by DB De'Vante Bausby to put Dallas up 9-3. Another Greys turnover early in the second quarter gave Dallas possession at the Calgary 45-yard line. However, the Renegades could only manage a 31-yard field goal by Russolino, pushing the score to 12-3. On its final possession of the first half, Calgary put together an eight-play, 69-yard drive, which culminated in a 2-yard rushing touchdown by Dormady. The touchdown trimmed Calgary's deficit to three, 12-9, at halftime.
Calgary opened the third quarter with a drive that looked like it might tie the game or give the Greys the lead. Calgary drove it to the 23, but came away with no gain on 3rd- and 4th-and-1, turning the ball over on downs. Calgary got into the takeaway game on Dallas' next possession, saving a score on a DB Marcus Murphy fumble recovery at the 18-yard line. Another Greys' drive ended with a turnover, an interception this time, after a tipped pass gave possession back to the Renegades. Dallas found the end zone for the first time on offense on a 1-yard rushing touchdown by RB De'Veon Smith to go up 18-9 late in the third quarter. Neither team managed to move the ball much early in the fourth quarter. But Calgary finally put a drive together late in the game. Dormady was 4-of-4 passing in the drive, including three completions to Eli Rogers. The final Dormady-Rogers hookup of the possession was for a 19-yard TD. A one-point conversion run by RB Jah-Maine Martin left Calgary needing a stop and a field goal for the win. The got the stop with a three-and-out from the defense, getting the ball back with just over two minutes left. Dormady was 4-of-5 passing as the Greys pushed the ball into Dallas territory at the 44-yard line. However, with 35 seconds left in the game, a sack on Dormady led to a fumble that ended Calgary's comeback efforts. It was the fifth turnover for Calgary of the night.
-- (6-8)Renegades 18 - 16 Greys(1-13)
(DAL): QB Perez - 16/25 190 yards, RB Smith - 13 carries, 44 yards, 1 TD, RB Farrow - 9 carries, 47 yards, WR Winningham - 2 catches, 62 yards, WR Vaughns - 4 catches, 52 yards
(CAL): QB Dormady - 28/43 303 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, RB Martin - 8 carries, 28 yards, WR Rogers - 10 catches, 135 yards, 1 TD, WR Latimer - 7 catches, 70 yards, WR Rambo - 6 catches, 43 yards
-- (5-9)Jousters 12 - 10 Bolts(9-5)
(TOR): QB Mitchell - 16/19 193 yards, 1 TD, RB Dixon - 22 carries, 124 yards, WR Garrett - 4 catches, 60 yards, WR Wright - 3 catches, 31 yards, 1 TD
(BER): QB Kaaya - 9/21 181 yards, 1 TD, RB Hunt - 19 carries, 59 yards, 1 catch, 61 yards, 1 TD, WR Huff - 2 catches, 33 yards
XFL Week 15: Roughnecks Edge Out Otters in Second Overtime Game Of Weekend
May 27, 2023
Vancouver, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA - In a nail-biting matchup, the Houston Roughnecks emerged victorious over the Vancouver Otters with a 17-15 overtime win. The crowd of 22,243 witnessed a hard-fought battle as both teams showcased their resilience and determination. The game started with both teams trading field goals in the first quarter with Houston leading 6-3. The Roughnecks maintained their lead throughout the second quarter and by halftime, the scoreboard read 9-6 in favor of Houston. In the third quarter, the Roughnecks extended their lead to 15-6 with a touchdown pass from QB Brandon Silvers. However, the Otters refused to go down without a fight. They held the Roughnecks scoreless in the fourth quarter and scored a field goal and a touchdown to tie the game at 15-15, sending the game into overtime. In the end, Houston managed to clinch the win with a safety, making the final score 17-15.
Silvers had a mixed performance, completing 17 of 36 passes for 146 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Vancouver QB Jack Coan completed 23 of 41 passes for 190 yards but was unable to find the end zone throwing two interceptions. In the rushing department, Vancouver RB Jacques Patrick outperformed Houston’s running backs, carrying the ball 16 times for 96 yards and a touchdown. Houston’s running game struggled with the team amassing a total of only 25 rushing yards. The Roughnecks’ top receiver was RB Max Borghi, who caught three passes for 49 yards, while WR Landen Akers led the Otters with five receptions for 62 yards. Both teams’ defenses put up solid performances, with Houston’s defense registering six sacks and two interceptions, and Vancouver’s defense recording two sacks and two interceptions. Houston K Austin Jones was perfect on the day, converting his only field goal attempt from 41 yards. K John Parker Romo was equally impressive, hitting all three of his field goal attempts, with a long of 49 yards. A QB Cole McDonald two-point conversion in Overtime sealed the game.
-- (9-5)Roughnecks 17 - 15 Otters(4-10)
(HOU): QB Silvers - 17/36 146 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Borghi - 11 carries, 22 yards, 3 catches, 49 yards, WR Burnett - 4 catches, 38 yards, 1 TD
(VAN): QB Coan - 23/41 190 yards, 2 INTs, RB Patrick - 16 carries, 96 yards, 1 TD, 4 catches, 38 yards, WR Akers - 5 catches, 62 yards
-- (11-3)Mountain Lions 36 - 17 Steel(2-12)
(SLC): QB Rosen - 18/33 238 yards, 1 TD, RB Booker - 20 carries, 88 yards, 2 TDs, RB Samuels - 11 carries, 57 yards, WR Ross - 6 catches, 84 yards, WR Arcega-Whiteside - 5 catches, 65 yards, 1 TD
(BIRM): QB Glennon - 13/25 191 yards, 1 INT, RB Yeldon - 13 carries, 56 yards, 1 TD, RB Richardson - 18 carries, 41 yards, 1 TD, WR Foster - 3 catches, 77 yards, WR Benjamin - 4 catches, 53 yards
-- (7-7)Enforcers 29 - 16 Monarchs(3-11)
(CHI): QB Kizer - 15/26 201 yards, 2 TDs, 8 carries, 44 yards, 1 TD, RB Victor - 17 carries, 55 yards, WR Moore - 1 catch, 66 yards, 1 TD, WR Pierson-El - 4 catches, 57 yards
(MON): QB Mallett - 16/24 207 yards, 1 TD, RB Richard - 28 carries, 90 yards, WR Roosevelt - 4 catches, 46 yards
XFL Week 15: Stampede Weren't Great against Guardians, but did just Enough for Crucial Victory
May 27, 2023
Oklahoma City, OK - It still might be a tad premature to suggest the Alouettes are a good team — there always seems to be something lacking but on a night when they didn’t come close to playing a complete game, they found a way to win. And that, after all, is what good teams accomplish. “We were relentless,” head coach Bob Stoops said. “There was a lot of fight in this team throughout the 60 minutes. I told them at halftime, ‘We have to empty our pockets. We have to give everything we can possibly offer and have to leave it on that field. We have to will our way to victory.'”
Trailing 10-3 at halftime, unable to find a solution to QB Cody Kessler, combined with Oklahoma City’s offense seemingly in a quagmire, the Stampede were rejuvenated following the intermission, doing just enough in the second half for the win. They not only outscored New York, 20-6, over the final 30 minutes, they held the Guardians to a field goal when New York had a first down at the two-yard line with four minutes remaining in regulation time. And then, still trailing by a point, QB Bryce Petty directed the team on an eight-play, 60-yard drive, capped by a nine-yard touchdown pass to Eugene Lewis on a contested catch in the corner of the end zone. While Petty completed 26 of 35 passes, many of the routes were short and he produced only 244 yards through the air, along with the two touchdowns. He did, however, spread the ball, utilizing eight different receivers and more importantly, didn’t turn the ball over, nor did the Guardians’ vaunted defensive front record any sacks. “When we just do our job and run to the ball, that allows our talent to actually be extrapolated on the field. That’s what we did in the second half. One thing I’ve learned about this team, we’re starting to have a killer instinct," said Stoops. "You get better when you lose."
-- (5-9)Guardians 16 - 23 Stampede(8-6)
(NY): QB Kessler - 22/29 288 yards, RB Perkins - 16 carries, 89 yards, 1 TD, WR White - 6 catches, 105 yards, WR McKay - 6 catches, 56 yards, WR Reynolds - 4 catches, 55 yards
(OKC): QB Petty - 26/35 244 yards, 2 TDs, RB Artis-Payne - 18 carries, 84 yards, TE Parham - 7 catches, 52 yards, 2 TDs, WR Davis - 5 catches, 46 yards, WR Westbrook - 6 catches, 67 yards
-- (7-7)Fleet 25 - 11 Mammoths(3-11)
(SD): QB Johnson - 27/33 294 yards, RB Smallwood - 12 carries, 84 yards, 1 TD, RB Thomas - 7 carries, 60 yards, 1 TD, 2 catches, 69 yards, WR Ross - 9 catches, 88 yards, WR Posey - 3 catches, 48 yards
(OMA): QB Wolford - 12/24 151 yards, RB West - 11 carries, 61 yards, WR Dunbar - 4 catches, 58 yards, WR Callaway - 3 catches, 50 yards, WR Robertson - 3 catches, 46 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 15: Bandits Hang onto Playoff Hopes with Win over Panthers
May 28, 2023
Oakland, CA - The Tampa Bay Bandits overcame an early 10-0 deficit on the way to a 26-24 win over the Oakland Panthers to gain some much-needed ground in the race for a playoff spot. Oakland took their only lead of the second half on a touchdown reception by WR Trey Quinn on third-and-goal from the seven yard-line to go ahead 24-23 with just 68 seconds remaining. With the season on the line, QB Colin Kaepernick hit WR Lil'Jordan Humphrey for back-to-back-to-back pickups of 20, 10 and eight yards to set up K Ernesto Lacayo for the 47-yard winning boot. “This one, it was huge for us. It was a must-win game to stay in the playoff hunt,” said Kaepernick. “We know it’s going to be a battle from here on out. Every game. And I think this team is starting to believe in what’s going to happen and how we’re building things right here.”
Oakland opened the scoring with a 22-yard field goal off the foot of K Cole Murphy, before QB Josh Love found WR TJ Jones for a 49-yard touchdown reception. Just as nothing really seemed to be working, Kaepernick took it upon himself to sprint across half the field as the Panthers dropped back into coverage, reaching the red zone on a 56-yard pickup. But he couldn’t follow up with a bullet to Humphrey at the goal-line, which was broken up by former Panthers LB Taiwan Jones. But Tampa Bay still got on the board with a 23-yard field goal by Lacayo. RB Ja'Quan Gardner followed up with a 36-yard run of his own to midfield, the first of an eight-play drive that covered 92 yards and culminated with a one-yard plunge into the end zone by Kaepernick. Kaepernick then took advantage of an off-side flag to take a deep shot to Rashad Greene for a 77-yard touchdown reception to take their first lead of the night with their 17th-straight point. After clanging a 36-yard attempt off the right upright, Murphy brought Oakland within four points of the lead with a 39-yard field goal, before Lacayo returned the favorr by bouncing one harmlessly off the left upright from 51 yards away. The second half opened with the Panthers getting stuffed on fourth-and-one from the gun. From there, a 41-yard reception by Humphrey got Tampa into the red zone, where they settled for a 13-yard chip shot by Lacayo to lead 20-13.
-- (8-6)Bandits 26 - 24 Panthers(5-9)
(TB): QB Kaepernick - 13/24 237 yards, 1 TD, 8 carries, 93 yards, 1 TD, RB Gardner - 14 carries, 109 yards, WR Humphrey - 5 catches, 109 yards, WR Greene - 2 catches, 87 yards, 1 TD
(OAK): QB Love - 20/27 230 yards, 2 TDs, RB Scott - 11 carries, 25 yards, WR Hamilton - 4 catches, 48 yards, WR Jones - 3 catches, 54 yards, 1 TD
-- (12-2)Brawlers 31 - 48 Ghosts(6-8)
(PHI): QB Walker - 23/34 342 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Butler - 14 carries, 71 yards, WR Phillips - 6 catches, 158 yards, WR Miller - 6 catches, 72 yards, WR Fulgham - 5 catches, 65 yards, 1 TD
(COL): QB Cookus - 25/32 327 yards, 5 TDs, RB Colburn - 18 carries, 77 yards, WR Carter - 6 catches, 66 yards, 1 TD, WR Coleman - 6 catches, 63 yards, 2 TDs, WR Suell - 3 catches, 66 yards
XFL Week 15: Brigade Edge Crusaders 31-29 in Overtime
May 28, 2023
London, ENGLAND - RB Mark Thompson scored a pair of rushing touchdowns, including one in overtime, for the Baltimore Brigade in a 31-29 win over the host London Crusaders. QB Kenji Bahar completed 25 of 32 passes for 294 yards and scored a rushing touchdown and a two-point convert in overtime. Brigade K Justin Medlock kicked field goals from 38, 30 and 14 yards in front of an announced 32,319. QB Taylor Heinicke threw touchdown passes to WRs Malik Henry and L'Damien Washington and another to TE Levine Toilolo in OT. Thompson scored his second touchdown of the game on Baltimore's first overtime drive with an eight-yard dash before Bahar converted with a two-yard dash. London countered with Heinicke throwing a four-yard touchdown throw to Toilolo in the end zone. The Crusaders challenged Heinicke’s incomplete pass to WR Alonzo Russell for two points, but the officials ruling against it sealed the win for the Brigade. K Brett Lauther kicked field goals from 38, 37 and 13 yards, but was wide left on a 48-yard attempt with 23 seconds remaining in regulation time. London was hampered by 132 penalty yards to Baltimore’s 87 in the game. Medlock’s 14-yard field goal put the Brigade up by a converted touchdown with five minutes remaining in the game. London drew even with two minutes to go when Heinicke found an all-alone Washington in the end zone with an eight-yard throw. The ball in London’s hands in the final minute, Heinicke navigated the offense to the 48-yard line for a Lauther attempt, which he missed.
London couldn’t convert a first down from 22 yards out and settled for a 13-yard chip shot to trail by four points. Bahar’s one-yard plunge late in the third quarter spotted the Brigade a 20-13 lead. Bahar scored on his third attempt after he was twice repelled by London’s defense. Medlock’s 30-yard field goal early in the second half drew the Brigade even at 13-13. With Baltimore threatening from 21-yard line late in the second, London LB Dexter McCoil hunted down a scrambling Bahar, forced the quarterback to fumble and collected his league-leading fifth recovery this season. A 37-yard field goal with 12 seconds left in the half gave the hosts a 13-10 lead heading into the third quarter. Heinicke and Henry combined on a 77-yard touchdown early in the second. Henry outsprinting coverage downfield hauled in an over-the-shoulder catch and headed for the end zone to tie the game 10-10. Baltimore exploited London’s 35 yards in penalties over the game’s first six possessions. The visitors turned advantageous field position into a touchdown on their opening drive with Thompson scoring on a 10-yard run. The two clubs then traded 38-yard field goals for the Brigade to lead 10-3 after one quarter.
-- (10-4)Brigade 31 - 29 Crusaders(10-4)
(BAL): QB Bahar - 25/32 294 yards, RB Thompson - 13 carries, 83 yards, 2 TDs, WR Ratliff-Williams - 7 catches, 100 yards, WR Hall - 5 catches, 91 yards
(LON): QB Heinicke - 26/38 301 yards, 3 TDs, RB Michael - 14 carries, 87 yards, WR Washington - 8 catches, 67 yards, 1 TD, WR Henry - 4 catches, 107 yards, 1 TD, TE Toilolo - 4 catches, 49 yards, 1 TD
-- (11-3)Apollos 23 - 29 Showboats(6-8)
(ORL): QB Gilbert - 28/36 394 yards, 1 TD, RB Johnson - 21 carries, 81 yards, 1 TD, WR Marshall - 6 catches, 134 yards, 1 TD, WR Moncrief - 7 catches, 92 yards, WR Whitehead - 3 catches, 71 yards
(MEM): QB Guarantano - 19/30 241 yards, RB Collins - 14 carries, 102 yards, 2 TDs, RB Washington - 15 carries, 100 yards, 1 TD, WR Treadwell - 4 catches, 62 yards, WR Dillon - 3 catches, 47 yards
-- (4-10)Commanders 23 - 31 Stallions(10-4)
(SA): QB Fine - 22/36 251 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Hill - 22 carries, 49 yards, WR Ward - 6 catches, 88 yards, WR Doctson - 4 catches, 72 yards, WR Mack - 5 catches, 47 yards, 1 TD
(STL): QB McGough - 15/20 143 yards, 2 TDs, RB Marable - 20 carries, 145 yards, 1 TD, TE Sternberger - 3 catches, 36 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 15: Defenders Hold off Seattle Dragons
May 29, 2023
Seattle, WA - Seattle played Cologne in the season opener, but fell short of a victory due to a last second offensive fumble. The Dragons entered this game on a five game win-streak, the longest current win-streak in the XFL. In the first quarter, QB Jordan Ta'amu found WR Chris Blair streaking downfield for a 46-yard grab to set the Defenders up in scoring position. RB Abram Smith cleaned up the drive and punched in a 2-yard touchdown run to give the Defenders an early 8-0 lead following the successful 2-point conversion to Lucky Jackson. Transitioning into the second quarter, the Dragons offense answered with a 2-yard touchdown by RB Phillip Lindsay to cut the score to 8-6 after a failed 3-point conversion attempt. Lindsay joined the Dragons earlier this week and made his XFL debut today. Just before the break, Ta'amu connected with RB Ryquell Armstead for a 11-yard touchdown pass to increase the lead to 16-6 after a successful 2 point conversion run by Jackson.
Heading into the third quarter, Ta'amu continued his marvelous play from the first half and converted his third touchdown pass of the game to WR Alex Ellis, widening the score to 22-6. On the Defenders 2-point conversion attempt, DE Niko Lalos forced Ta'amu to fumble and was recovered by LB Tyrell Adams, leading to a two-point conversion return for the Dragons special teams unit and trimming the lead to 22-8. On the next offensive series for Seattle, QB Ben DiNucci spotted WR Juwan Green downfield for a 46-yard touchdown pass, bringing the lead down to 22-15 after the completed 1-point conversion attempt to WR Blake Jackson. Shortly after, QB D'Eriq King fumbled on a rush attempt and was scooped up by DE Austin Faoliu. The Dragons looked to shift the momentum completely, but fell short after DiNucci's pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage and was intercepted by DT Joe Wallace.
As the game moved to the final quarter, K Dominik Eberle, continued his hot streak from this season and banked in his 13th field goal in a row from 29-yards, shortening the gap to 22-18. The Defenders took some time off the clock on their next series and put together a 13-play, 73-yard drive for a 5-yard touchdown pass to WR Brandon Smith from Ta'amu, expanding the lead to 28-18 after the missed 2-point conversion pass. Soon after, DiNucci found Green for the second time this game for a 56-yard touchdown pass. After an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was called on Seattle, DiNucci converted a 3-point conversion attempt to Jackson from the 25-yard line to bring the lead down to 28-27. The Defenders responded with a long touchdown pass of their own after WR Chris Blair broke off for a 70-yard run from Ta'amu to extend the lead to 34-27 after the missed two-point conversion. On the final drive for Seattle, DiNucci threaded the needle to WR Jahcour Pearson for a 14-yard touchdown pass, shedding the lead to 34-33 after an unsuccessful 2-point conversion try. With one last effort to convert a 4th & 15 and to keep the hopes alive for the Dragons, the Defenders came up with a big defensive stand and forced an incomplete pass, sealing the victory for the Defenders and ending the winning streak for the Dragons.
-- (13-1)Defenders 34 - 33 Dragons(11-3)
(COL): QB Ta'amu - 17/26 247 yards, 4 TDs, RB Smith - 17 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD, WR Blair - 7 catches, 148 yards, 1 TD
(SEA): QB DiNucci - 28/42 301 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Lindsay - 12 carries, 46 yards, 1 TD, WR Green - 10 catches, 142 yards, 2 TDs, WR Pearson - 4 catches, 53 yards, 1 TD
-- (8-6)Breakers 45 - 15 Alphas(7-7)
(LA): QB Bethel-Thompson - 21/29 245 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Hills - 13 carries, 66 yards, WR Lee - 5 catches, 100 yards, WR Adams - 4 catches, 49 yards, 1 TD
(ATL): QB Finley - 23/37 231 yards, 2 INTs, QB Barrett - 10/17 137 yards, 3 INTs, RB Smith - 13 carries, 57 yards, 1 TD, WR Hardy - 10 catches, 87 yards, WR Evans - 9 catches, 119 yards, WR Jones - 5 catches, 56 yards
XFL Suspends Bolts LB Judge for One Game Following Incident with Jousters
May 30, 2023
Berlin, GERMANY - The Berlin Bolts won’t have stalwart linebacker Cameron Judge when they face the London Crusaders this weekend. Judge received a one-game suspension from the XFL for a post-game altercation involving Toronto WR Kendall Wright following the Jousters 12-10 win. Judge said he has no plans to appeal the ban. “It’s very disappointing,” Judge said. “I feel like I let my team down and that’s usually not something that I do, but that’s what happened and I feel bad about it. I hope the guys have my back out there and get the win.”
After the game, Judge approached Wright, who’d removed his helmet, on the field and struck the Jousters player, knocking Wright to the ground. That sparked an on-field melee involving Jousters and Bolts players as Judge was ultimately led off the field. A group of Jousters players then made their way to Berlin’s dressing room, but were met by police and security who were already present. Nothing more transpired, other than some shouting between players from both teams. The Berlin Police Service confirmed there was a verbal altercation following the game between several members from each of the teams and said police members were on the scene. Police aren’t investigating further because there wasn’t a physical altercation and no criminal allegations.
Breakers QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson Looking to Join Elite Level Status in XFL
May 31, 2023
Los Angeles, CA - QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson is among the XFL leaders in stats but among some observers, he hasn’t quite risen to the “elite” level status of league quarterbacks. The Breakers quarterback has an opportunity to change the narrative with the season winding down and the playoffs on the horizon. For Bethel-Thompson, there has been talk around the league that his game has been sufficient enough to get the Breakers to nine wins, but not yet at the elite level occupied by Philadelphia's Phillip Walker or Orlando's Garrett Gilbert. Tommy Maddox, the former Los Angeles QB and XFL Hall of Famer, is among those who don’t believe Bethel-Thompson is at that elite level just yet. “But there’s a lot to love about Bethel-Thompson,” Maddox said. “Does he have the capability? I think so. I think the teams he’s been on in the past, his path, it’s indicative that people see the talent. He just hasn’t been able to bring it home. And this is an excellent opportunity. Los Angeles has extreme talent and it’s a matter of them coming together as a football team, and then they’ll be a tough out.”
But Maddox factors championships into the elite equation and believes that Walker and Gilbert, who has led their teams to championships are in a class all by themselves. Maddox believes Taylor Heinicke in London and Colin Kaepernick are also elite, and rookie QB Nathan Rourke was playing at an elite level for Houston before a foot injury derailed his season. Elite status as a quarterback stems from having a high completion rate, yardage and touchdown passes. And while those are basic essentials, Maddox also looks at a quarterback’s ability to “deliver” wins by involving every receiving weapon available, and engineering key drives to win close games. Offensive coordinator Skip Holtz concurs. “Elite quarterbacks carry their team, they have a high win percentage,” Holtz said. “When things aren’t going the right way, they can carry their team on their back, make all the throws, play off scripts. That’s what Walker does and Rourke does. They can move the chains with their feet and make the bigger plays. At those times, they make dynamic plays.”
Bethel-Thompson is not prepared to place himself among the league’s elite quarterbacks. The 34-year-old is characteristically hard on himself and said he is not “satisfied with one single game I’ve played this season, not even close.” Bethel-Thompson said, in comparing himself to elite quarterbacks, that he is missing “two or three” key throws a game. If anything, he believes he must become more consistent, and that should help elevate the Breakers to a championship level team. “The only way to measure it, and you talk about it in the NFL, the way they measure quarterback is championships and I have zero,” Bethel-Thompson said. “I started at quarterback and rode with Ricky Ray as a backup, you could see his greatness in winning that CFL championship, that’s the only thing I focus on. You see Walker and what he’s done in the last couple of years, he’s the top dog and I don’t think you can say anything else. Anything else is a moot point.”
May 25, 2023
Charlotte, NC - The Charlotte BattleHawks scored on both of their plays during the first overtime in BattleHawks history to beat the Mexico City Vipers, 21-17 in front of 35,167 fans. Charlotte stopped Mexico City first overtime, two-point conversion attempt after regulation ended in a 17-17 tie. The BattleHawks then scored on their first attempt when QB Nick Tiano hit WR Hakeem Butler with a 5-yard connection that put the BattleHawks up, 19-17. The Charlotte defense again kept Mexico City out of the end zone on the Vipers' second attempt. That set up RB Brian Hill for a 5-yard rush on the BattleHawks' second attempt to clinch the victory with a winning four-point margin.
The BattleHawks trailed for nearly the entire game until K Donny Hageman drilled a 34-yard field goal to tie the game, 17-17, with 15 seconds remaining in regulation. Charlotte had trailed by as many as nine points earlier in the fourth quarter before a trick play produced the BattleHawks' longest play from scrimmage of the season. P Sterling Hofrichter started the play with his first pass of the season on a fake punt with 4:55 left in the fourth quarter. His pass landed in the arms of WR Gary Jennings, who streaked to the corner of the end zone for a 64-yard touchdown reception to pull Charlotte within three points of the Vipers' lead, 17-14. The Vipers had initially built an 11-0 lead with a touchdown, two-point conversion and field goal on their first two drives of the game, which covered a combined 23 plays and 135 yards. Charlotte first chipped away at the 11-point deficit when Tiano hit Butler for a 32-yard touchdown pass with 10:57 left in the second quarter. Tiano then rushed for 5 yards to add a two-point conversion and cut the Vipers lead to 11-8. The BattleHawks stayed three points shy of Mexico City until the Vipers opened the lead to 17-8 on a 27-yard pass play with 7:09 left in the fourth quarter.
-- (3-11)Vipers 17 - 21 BattleHawks(8-6)
(MEX): QB McClendon - 13/23 159 yards, 1 TD, 13 carries, 62 yards, RB Smith - 16 carries, 81 yards, RB Burt - 9 carries, 57 yards, WR Allison - 2 catches, 44 yards, 1 TD, WR Bryant - 4 catches, 59 yards
(CHA): QB Tiano - 19/34 194 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, RB Hill - 18 carries, 86 yards, 6 catches, 37 yards, WR Ateman - 4 catches, 67 yards, WR Butler - 3 catches, 36 yards, 1 TD
-- (6-8)Maulers 21 - 10 Valor(7-7)
(PIT): QB Haskins - 18/24 201 yards, 2 TDs, RB Groshek - 13 carries, 87 yards, 1 TD, WR Thomas - 4 catches, 45 yards, WR Gaither - 4 catches, 61 yards, 1 TD
(DC): QB Bortles - 10/18 135 yards, RB Allen - 17 carries, 89 yards, 1 TD, RB Abdullah - 15 carries, 53 yards, WR Daniels - 3 catches, 45 yards, WR Richardson - 3 catches, 42 yards
XFL Week 15: Greys Fall To Dallas
May 26, 2023
Calgary, ALBERTA, CANADA - The Calgary Greys had a chance at the end. But five costly turnovers, including one in the final minute of the game, allowed the Dallas Renegades to hold on for an 18-16 win. A 23-yard field goal by K Taylor Russolino put Dallas up 3-0 after the opening possession. A muffed Dallas punt recovered by Calgary allowed for a 24-yard field goal by K Jose Borregales to tie the game 3-3. Dallas grabbed a 9-3 lead late in the first quarter on the first Greys turnover of the day. QB Quinten Dormady scrambled 12 yards for an apparent first down, but fumbled. The loose ball was returned 48 yards by DB De'Vante Bausby to put Dallas up 9-3. Another Greys turnover early in the second quarter gave Dallas possession at the Calgary 45-yard line. However, the Renegades could only manage a 31-yard field goal by Russolino, pushing the score to 12-3. On its final possession of the first half, Calgary put together an eight-play, 69-yard drive, which culminated in a 2-yard rushing touchdown by Dormady. The touchdown trimmed Calgary's deficit to three, 12-9, at halftime.
Calgary opened the third quarter with a drive that looked like it might tie the game or give the Greys the lead. Calgary drove it to the 23, but came away with no gain on 3rd- and 4th-and-1, turning the ball over on downs. Calgary got into the takeaway game on Dallas' next possession, saving a score on a DB Marcus Murphy fumble recovery at the 18-yard line. Another Greys' drive ended with a turnover, an interception this time, after a tipped pass gave possession back to the Renegades. Dallas found the end zone for the first time on offense on a 1-yard rushing touchdown by RB De'Veon Smith to go up 18-9 late in the third quarter. Neither team managed to move the ball much early in the fourth quarter. But Calgary finally put a drive together late in the game. Dormady was 4-of-4 passing in the drive, including three completions to Eli Rogers. The final Dormady-Rogers hookup of the possession was for a 19-yard TD. A one-point conversion run by RB Jah-Maine Martin left Calgary needing a stop and a field goal for the win. The got the stop with a three-and-out from the defense, getting the ball back with just over two minutes left. Dormady was 4-of-5 passing as the Greys pushed the ball into Dallas territory at the 44-yard line. However, with 35 seconds left in the game, a sack on Dormady led to a fumble that ended Calgary's comeback efforts. It was the fifth turnover for Calgary of the night.
-- (6-8)Renegades 18 - 16 Greys(1-13)
(DAL): QB Perez - 16/25 190 yards, RB Smith - 13 carries, 44 yards, 1 TD, RB Farrow - 9 carries, 47 yards, WR Winningham - 2 catches, 62 yards, WR Vaughns - 4 catches, 52 yards
(CAL): QB Dormady - 28/43 303 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, RB Martin - 8 carries, 28 yards, WR Rogers - 10 catches, 135 yards, 1 TD, WR Latimer - 7 catches, 70 yards, WR Rambo - 6 catches, 43 yards
-- (5-9)Jousters 12 - 10 Bolts(9-5)
(TOR): QB Mitchell - 16/19 193 yards, 1 TD, RB Dixon - 22 carries, 124 yards, WR Garrett - 4 catches, 60 yards, WR Wright - 3 catches, 31 yards, 1 TD
(BER): QB Kaaya - 9/21 181 yards, 1 TD, RB Hunt - 19 carries, 59 yards, 1 catch, 61 yards, 1 TD, WR Huff - 2 catches, 33 yards
XFL Week 15: Roughnecks Edge Out Otters in Second Overtime Game Of Weekend
May 27, 2023
Vancouver, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA - In a nail-biting matchup, the Houston Roughnecks emerged victorious over the Vancouver Otters with a 17-15 overtime win. The crowd of 22,243 witnessed a hard-fought battle as both teams showcased their resilience and determination. The game started with both teams trading field goals in the first quarter with Houston leading 6-3. The Roughnecks maintained their lead throughout the second quarter and by halftime, the scoreboard read 9-6 in favor of Houston. In the third quarter, the Roughnecks extended their lead to 15-6 with a touchdown pass from QB Brandon Silvers. However, the Otters refused to go down without a fight. They held the Roughnecks scoreless in the fourth quarter and scored a field goal and a touchdown to tie the game at 15-15, sending the game into overtime. In the end, Houston managed to clinch the win with a safety, making the final score 17-15.
Silvers had a mixed performance, completing 17 of 36 passes for 146 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Vancouver QB Jack Coan completed 23 of 41 passes for 190 yards but was unable to find the end zone throwing two interceptions. In the rushing department, Vancouver RB Jacques Patrick outperformed Houston’s running backs, carrying the ball 16 times for 96 yards and a touchdown. Houston’s running game struggled with the team amassing a total of only 25 rushing yards. The Roughnecks’ top receiver was RB Max Borghi, who caught three passes for 49 yards, while WR Landen Akers led the Otters with five receptions for 62 yards. Both teams’ defenses put up solid performances, with Houston’s defense registering six sacks and two interceptions, and Vancouver’s defense recording two sacks and two interceptions. Houston K Austin Jones was perfect on the day, converting his only field goal attempt from 41 yards. K John Parker Romo was equally impressive, hitting all three of his field goal attempts, with a long of 49 yards. A QB Cole McDonald two-point conversion in Overtime sealed the game.
-- (9-5)Roughnecks 17 - 15 Otters(4-10)
(HOU): QB Silvers - 17/36 146 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Borghi - 11 carries, 22 yards, 3 catches, 49 yards, WR Burnett - 4 catches, 38 yards, 1 TD
(VAN): QB Coan - 23/41 190 yards, 2 INTs, RB Patrick - 16 carries, 96 yards, 1 TD, 4 catches, 38 yards, WR Akers - 5 catches, 62 yards
-- (11-3)Mountain Lions 36 - 17 Steel(2-12)
(SLC): QB Rosen - 18/33 238 yards, 1 TD, RB Booker - 20 carries, 88 yards, 2 TDs, RB Samuels - 11 carries, 57 yards, WR Ross - 6 catches, 84 yards, WR Arcega-Whiteside - 5 catches, 65 yards, 1 TD
(BIRM): QB Glennon - 13/25 191 yards, 1 INT, RB Yeldon - 13 carries, 56 yards, 1 TD, RB Richardson - 18 carries, 41 yards, 1 TD, WR Foster - 3 catches, 77 yards, WR Benjamin - 4 catches, 53 yards
-- (7-7)Enforcers 29 - 16 Monarchs(3-11)
(CHI): QB Kizer - 15/26 201 yards, 2 TDs, 8 carries, 44 yards, 1 TD, RB Victor - 17 carries, 55 yards, WR Moore - 1 catch, 66 yards, 1 TD, WR Pierson-El - 4 catches, 57 yards
(MON): QB Mallett - 16/24 207 yards, 1 TD, RB Richard - 28 carries, 90 yards, WR Roosevelt - 4 catches, 46 yards
XFL Week 15: Stampede Weren't Great against Guardians, but did just Enough for Crucial Victory
May 27, 2023
Oklahoma City, OK - It still might be a tad premature to suggest the Alouettes are a good team — there always seems to be something lacking but on a night when they didn’t come close to playing a complete game, they found a way to win. And that, after all, is what good teams accomplish. “We were relentless,” head coach Bob Stoops said. “There was a lot of fight in this team throughout the 60 minutes. I told them at halftime, ‘We have to empty our pockets. We have to give everything we can possibly offer and have to leave it on that field. We have to will our way to victory.'”
Trailing 10-3 at halftime, unable to find a solution to QB Cody Kessler, combined with Oklahoma City’s offense seemingly in a quagmire, the Stampede were rejuvenated following the intermission, doing just enough in the second half for the win. They not only outscored New York, 20-6, over the final 30 minutes, they held the Guardians to a field goal when New York had a first down at the two-yard line with four minutes remaining in regulation time. And then, still trailing by a point, QB Bryce Petty directed the team on an eight-play, 60-yard drive, capped by a nine-yard touchdown pass to Eugene Lewis on a contested catch in the corner of the end zone. While Petty completed 26 of 35 passes, many of the routes were short and he produced only 244 yards through the air, along with the two touchdowns. He did, however, spread the ball, utilizing eight different receivers and more importantly, didn’t turn the ball over, nor did the Guardians’ vaunted defensive front record any sacks. “When we just do our job and run to the ball, that allows our talent to actually be extrapolated on the field. That’s what we did in the second half. One thing I’ve learned about this team, we’re starting to have a killer instinct," said Stoops. "You get better when you lose."
-- (5-9)Guardians 16 - 23 Stampede(8-6)
(NY): QB Kessler - 22/29 288 yards, RB Perkins - 16 carries, 89 yards, 1 TD, WR White - 6 catches, 105 yards, WR McKay - 6 catches, 56 yards, WR Reynolds - 4 catches, 55 yards
(OKC): QB Petty - 26/35 244 yards, 2 TDs, RB Artis-Payne - 18 carries, 84 yards, TE Parham - 7 catches, 52 yards, 2 TDs, WR Davis - 5 catches, 46 yards, WR Westbrook - 6 catches, 67 yards
-- (7-7)Fleet 25 - 11 Mammoths(3-11)
(SD): QB Johnson - 27/33 294 yards, RB Smallwood - 12 carries, 84 yards, 1 TD, RB Thomas - 7 carries, 60 yards, 1 TD, 2 catches, 69 yards, WR Ross - 9 catches, 88 yards, WR Posey - 3 catches, 48 yards
(OMA): QB Wolford - 12/24 151 yards, RB West - 11 carries, 61 yards, WR Dunbar - 4 catches, 58 yards, WR Callaway - 3 catches, 50 yards, WR Robertson - 3 catches, 46 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 15: Bandits Hang onto Playoff Hopes with Win over Panthers
May 28, 2023
Oakland, CA - The Tampa Bay Bandits overcame an early 10-0 deficit on the way to a 26-24 win over the Oakland Panthers to gain some much-needed ground in the race for a playoff spot. Oakland took their only lead of the second half on a touchdown reception by WR Trey Quinn on third-and-goal from the seven yard-line to go ahead 24-23 with just 68 seconds remaining. With the season on the line, QB Colin Kaepernick hit WR Lil'Jordan Humphrey for back-to-back-to-back pickups of 20, 10 and eight yards to set up K Ernesto Lacayo for the 47-yard winning boot. “This one, it was huge for us. It was a must-win game to stay in the playoff hunt,” said Kaepernick. “We know it’s going to be a battle from here on out. Every game. And I think this team is starting to believe in what’s going to happen and how we’re building things right here.”
Oakland opened the scoring with a 22-yard field goal off the foot of K Cole Murphy, before QB Josh Love found WR TJ Jones for a 49-yard touchdown reception. Just as nothing really seemed to be working, Kaepernick took it upon himself to sprint across half the field as the Panthers dropped back into coverage, reaching the red zone on a 56-yard pickup. But he couldn’t follow up with a bullet to Humphrey at the goal-line, which was broken up by former Panthers LB Taiwan Jones. But Tampa Bay still got on the board with a 23-yard field goal by Lacayo. RB Ja'Quan Gardner followed up with a 36-yard run of his own to midfield, the first of an eight-play drive that covered 92 yards and culminated with a one-yard plunge into the end zone by Kaepernick. Kaepernick then took advantage of an off-side flag to take a deep shot to Rashad Greene for a 77-yard touchdown reception to take their first lead of the night with their 17th-straight point. After clanging a 36-yard attempt off the right upright, Murphy brought Oakland within four points of the lead with a 39-yard field goal, before Lacayo returned the favorr by bouncing one harmlessly off the left upright from 51 yards away. The second half opened with the Panthers getting stuffed on fourth-and-one from the gun. From there, a 41-yard reception by Humphrey got Tampa into the red zone, where they settled for a 13-yard chip shot by Lacayo to lead 20-13.
-- (8-6)Bandits 26 - 24 Panthers(5-9)
(TB): QB Kaepernick - 13/24 237 yards, 1 TD, 8 carries, 93 yards, 1 TD, RB Gardner - 14 carries, 109 yards, WR Humphrey - 5 catches, 109 yards, WR Greene - 2 catches, 87 yards, 1 TD
(OAK): QB Love - 20/27 230 yards, 2 TDs, RB Scott - 11 carries, 25 yards, WR Hamilton - 4 catches, 48 yards, WR Jones - 3 catches, 54 yards, 1 TD
-- (12-2)Brawlers 31 - 48 Ghosts(6-8)
(PHI): QB Walker - 23/34 342 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Butler - 14 carries, 71 yards, WR Phillips - 6 catches, 158 yards, WR Miller - 6 catches, 72 yards, WR Fulgham - 5 catches, 65 yards, 1 TD
(COL): QB Cookus - 25/32 327 yards, 5 TDs, RB Colburn - 18 carries, 77 yards, WR Carter - 6 catches, 66 yards, 1 TD, WR Coleman - 6 catches, 63 yards, 2 TDs, WR Suell - 3 catches, 66 yards
XFL Week 15: Brigade Edge Crusaders 31-29 in Overtime
May 28, 2023
London, ENGLAND - RB Mark Thompson scored a pair of rushing touchdowns, including one in overtime, for the Baltimore Brigade in a 31-29 win over the host London Crusaders. QB Kenji Bahar completed 25 of 32 passes for 294 yards and scored a rushing touchdown and a two-point convert in overtime. Brigade K Justin Medlock kicked field goals from 38, 30 and 14 yards in front of an announced 32,319. QB Taylor Heinicke threw touchdown passes to WRs Malik Henry and L'Damien Washington and another to TE Levine Toilolo in OT. Thompson scored his second touchdown of the game on Baltimore's first overtime drive with an eight-yard dash before Bahar converted with a two-yard dash. London countered with Heinicke throwing a four-yard touchdown throw to Toilolo in the end zone. The Crusaders challenged Heinicke’s incomplete pass to WR Alonzo Russell for two points, but the officials ruling against it sealed the win for the Brigade. K Brett Lauther kicked field goals from 38, 37 and 13 yards, but was wide left on a 48-yard attempt with 23 seconds remaining in regulation time. London was hampered by 132 penalty yards to Baltimore’s 87 in the game. Medlock’s 14-yard field goal put the Brigade up by a converted touchdown with five minutes remaining in the game. London drew even with two minutes to go when Heinicke found an all-alone Washington in the end zone with an eight-yard throw. The ball in London’s hands in the final minute, Heinicke navigated the offense to the 48-yard line for a Lauther attempt, which he missed.
London couldn’t convert a first down from 22 yards out and settled for a 13-yard chip shot to trail by four points. Bahar’s one-yard plunge late in the third quarter spotted the Brigade a 20-13 lead. Bahar scored on his third attempt after he was twice repelled by London’s defense. Medlock’s 30-yard field goal early in the second half drew the Brigade even at 13-13. With Baltimore threatening from 21-yard line late in the second, London LB Dexter McCoil hunted down a scrambling Bahar, forced the quarterback to fumble and collected his league-leading fifth recovery this season. A 37-yard field goal with 12 seconds left in the half gave the hosts a 13-10 lead heading into the third quarter. Heinicke and Henry combined on a 77-yard touchdown early in the second. Henry outsprinting coverage downfield hauled in an over-the-shoulder catch and headed for the end zone to tie the game 10-10. Baltimore exploited London’s 35 yards in penalties over the game’s first six possessions. The visitors turned advantageous field position into a touchdown on their opening drive with Thompson scoring on a 10-yard run. The two clubs then traded 38-yard field goals for the Brigade to lead 10-3 after one quarter.
-- (10-4)Brigade 31 - 29 Crusaders(10-4)
(BAL): QB Bahar - 25/32 294 yards, RB Thompson - 13 carries, 83 yards, 2 TDs, WR Ratliff-Williams - 7 catches, 100 yards, WR Hall - 5 catches, 91 yards
(LON): QB Heinicke - 26/38 301 yards, 3 TDs, RB Michael - 14 carries, 87 yards, WR Washington - 8 catches, 67 yards, 1 TD, WR Henry - 4 catches, 107 yards, 1 TD, TE Toilolo - 4 catches, 49 yards, 1 TD
-- (11-3)Apollos 23 - 29 Showboats(6-8)
(ORL): QB Gilbert - 28/36 394 yards, 1 TD, RB Johnson - 21 carries, 81 yards, 1 TD, WR Marshall - 6 catches, 134 yards, 1 TD, WR Moncrief - 7 catches, 92 yards, WR Whitehead - 3 catches, 71 yards
(MEM): QB Guarantano - 19/30 241 yards, RB Collins - 14 carries, 102 yards, 2 TDs, RB Washington - 15 carries, 100 yards, 1 TD, WR Treadwell - 4 catches, 62 yards, WR Dillon - 3 catches, 47 yards
-- (4-10)Commanders 23 - 31 Stallions(10-4)
(SA): QB Fine - 22/36 251 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Hill - 22 carries, 49 yards, WR Ward - 6 catches, 88 yards, WR Doctson - 4 catches, 72 yards, WR Mack - 5 catches, 47 yards, 1 TD
(STL): QB McGough - 15/20 143 yards, 2 TDs, RB Marable - 20 carries, 145 yards, 1 TD, TE Sternberger - 3 catches, 36 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 15: Defenders Hold off Seattle Dragons
May 29, 2023
Seattle, WA - Seattle played Cologne in the season opener, but fell short of a victory due to a last second offensive fumble. The Dragons entered this game on a five game win-streak, the longest current win-streak in the XFL. In the first quarter, QB Jordan Ta'amu found WR Chris Blair streaking downfield for a 46-yard grab to set the Defenders up in scoring position. RB Abram Smith cleaned up the drive and punched in a 2-yard touchdown run to give the Defenders an early 8-0 lead following the successful 2-point conversion to Lucky Jackson. Transitioning into the second quarter, the Dragons offense answered with a 2-yard touchdown by RB Phillip Lindsay to cut the score to 8-6 after a failed 3-point conversion attempt. Lindsay joined the Dragons earlier this week and made his XFL debut today. Just before the break, Ta'amu connected with RB Ryquell Armstead for a 11-yard touchdown pass to increase the lead to 16-6 after a successful 2 point conversion run by Jackson.
Heading into the third quarter, Ta'amu continued his marvelous play from the first half and converted his third touchdown pass of the game to WR Alex Ellis, widening the score to 22-6. On the Defenders 2-point conversion attempt, DE Niko Lalos forced Ta'amu to fumble and was recovered by LB Tyrell Adams, leading to a two-point conversion return for the Dragons special teams unit and trimming the lead to 22-8. On the next offensive series for Seattle, QB Ben DiNucci spotted WR Juwan Green downfield for a 46-yard touchdown pass, bringing the lead down to 22-15 after the completed 1-point conversion attempt to WR Blake Jackson. Shortly after, QB D'Eriq King fumbled on a rush attempt and was scooped up by DE Austin Faoliu. The Dragons looked to shift the momentum completely, but fell short after DiNucci's pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage and was intercepted by DT Joe Wallace.
As the game moved to the final quarter, K Dominik Eberle, continued his hot streak from this season and banked in his 13th field goal in a row from 29-yards, shortening the gap to 22-18. The Defenders took some time off the clock on their next series and put together a 13-play, 73-yard drive for a 5-yard touchdown pass to WR Brandon Smith from Ta'amu, expanding the lead to 28-18 after the missed 2-point conversion pass. Soon after, DiNucci found Green for the second time this game for a 56-yard touchdown pass. After an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was called on Seattle, DiNucci converted a 3-point conversion attempt to Jackson from the 25-yard line to bring the lead down to 28-27. The Defenders responded with a long touchdown pass of their own after WR Chris Blair broke off for a 70-yard run from Ta'amu to extend the lead to 34-27 after the missed two-point conversion. On the final drive for Seattle, DiNucci threaded the needle to WR Jahcour Pearson for a 14-yard touchdown pass, shedding the lead to 34-33 after an unsuccessful 2-point conversion try. With one last effort to convert a 4th & 15 and to keep the hopes alive for the Dragons, the Defenders came up with a big defensive stand and forced an incomplete pass, sealing the victory for the Defenders and ending the winning streak for the Dragons.
-- (13-1)Defenders 34 - 33 Dragons(11-3)
(COL): QB Ta'amu - 17/26 247 yards, 4 TDs, RB Smith - 17 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD, WR Blair - 7 catches, 148 yards, 1 TD
(SEA): QB DiNucci - 28/42 301 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Lindsay - 12 carries, 46 yards, 1 TD, WR Green - 10 catches, 142 yards, 2 TDs, WR Pearson - 4 catches, 53 yards, 1 TD
-- (8-6)Breakers 45 - 15 Alphas(7-7)
(LA): QB Bethel-Thompson - 21/29 245 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Hills - 13 carries, 66 yards, WR Lee - 5 catches, 100 yards, WR Adams - 4 catches, 49 yards, 1 TD
(ATL): QB Finley - 23/37 231 yards, 2 INTs, QB Barrett - 10/17 137 yards, 3 INTs, RB Smith - 13 carries, 57 yards, 1 TD, WR Hardy - 10 catches, 87 yards, WR Evans - 9 catches, 119 yards, WR Jones - 5 catches, 56 yards
XFL Suspends Bolts LB Judge for One Game Following Incident with Jousters
May 30, 2023
Berlin, GERMANY - The Berlin Bolts won’t have stalwart linebacker Cameron Judge when they face the London Crusaders this weekend. Judge received a one-game suspension from the XFL for a post-game altercation involving Toronto WR Kendall Wright following the Jousters 12-10 win. Judge said he has no plans to appeal the ban. “It’s very disappointing,” Judge said. “I feel like I let my team down and that’s usually not something that I do, but that’s what happened and I feel bad about it. I hope the guys have my back out there and get the win.”
After the game, Judge approached Wright, who’d removed his helmet, on the field and struck the Jousters player, knocking Wright to the ground. That sparked an on-field melee involving Jousters and Bolts players as Judge was ultimately led off the field. A group of Jousters players then made their way to Berlin’s dressing room, but were met by police and security who were already present. Nothing more transpired, other than some shouting between players from both teams. The Berlin Police Service confirmed there was a verbal altercation following the game between several members from each of the teams and said police members were on the scene. Police aren’t investigating further because there wasn’t a physical altercation and no criminal allegations.
Breakers QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson Looking to Join Elite Level Status in XFL
May 31, 2023
Los Angeles, CA - QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson is among the XFL leaders in stats but among some observers, he hasn’t quite risen to the “elite” level status of league quarterbacks. The Breakers quarterback has an opportunity to change the narrative with the season winding down and the playoffs on the horizon. For Bethel-Thompson, there has been talk around the league that his game has been sufficient enough to get the Breakers to nine wins, but not yet at the elite level occupied by Philadelphia's Phillip Walker or Orlando's Garrett Gilbert. Tommy Maddox, the former Los Angeles QB and XFL Hall of Famer, is among those who don’t believe Bethel-Thompson is at that elite level just yet. “But there’s a lot to love about Bethel-Thompson,” Maddox said. “Does he have the capability? I think so. I think the teams he’s been on in the past, his path, it’s indicative that people see the talent. He just hasn’t been able to bring it home. And this is an excellent opportunity. Los Angeles has extreme talent and it’s a matter of them coming together as a football team, and then they’ll be a tough out.”
But Maddox factors championships into the elite equation and believes that Walker and Gilbert, who has led their teams to championships are in a class all by themselves. Maddox believes Taylor Heinicke in London and Colin Kaepernick are also elite, and rookie QB Nathan Rourke was playing at an elite level for Houston before a foot injury derailed his season. Elite status as a quarterback stems from having a high completion rate, yardage and touchdown passes. And while those are basic essentials, Maddox also looks at a quarterback’s ability to “deliver” wins by involving every receiving weapon available, and engineering key drives to win close games. Offensive coordinator Skip Holtz concurs. “Elite quarterbacks carry their team, they have a high win percentage,” Holtz said. “When things aren’t going the right way, they can carry their team on their back, make all the throws, play off scripts. That’s what Walker does and Rourke does. They can move the chains with their feet and make the bigger plays. At those times, they make dynamic plays.”
Bethel-Thompson is not prepared to place himself among the league’s elite quarterbacks. The 34-year-old is characteristically hard on himself and said he is not “satisfied with one single game I’ve played this season, not even close.” Bethel-Thompson said, in comparing himself to elite quarterbacks, that he is missing “two or three” key throws a game. If anything, he believes he must become more consistent, and that should help elevate the Breakers to a championship level team. “The only way to measure it, and you talk about it in the NFL, the way they measure quarterback is championships and I have zero,” Bethel-Thompson said. “I started at quarterback and rode with Ricky Ray as a backup, you could see his greatness in winning that CFL championship, that’s the only thing I focus on. You see Walker and what he’s done in the last couple of years, he’s the top dog and I don’t think you can say anything else. Anything else is a moot point.”
Last edited by BengalErnst on Sun Jun 18, 2023 11:44 am, edited 19 times in total.
- BengalErnst
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Re: XFL 2001
by BengalErnst » Sat Feb 18, 2023 2:43 pm
XFL Week 16: Brigade Rally Behind Mark Thompson, Boost Chances in Race for Playoffs
June 1, 2023
Pittsburgh, PA - It is a brave choice when someone with a name like Chris Blewitt chooses to be a kicker, knowing how cruel and easy the headlines are when a crucial, game-changing kick doesn't go the right way. The Pittsburgh Maulers kicker hit his first four field goals, including makes from 54 and 53 yards, but with a chance to take the lead with less than two minutes left, Blewitt missed wide right from 41 yards, allowing the Baltimore Brigade to escape with a 20-19 win. "It came down to one kick at the end of the game in a one-point game and we didn't make it, but I would do the same thing again," Pittsburgh coach Byron Leftwich said. "I would have faith in Chris every single time. I never questioned that he was going to make it. Obviously, you love seven points. That's what you want. It puts the game out of reach early, so it was 13-0 instead of 21. So it's huge. It's critical that you score seven."
Baltimore stole the game on two huge carries by RB Mark Thompson. With two minutes left in the first half, Pittsburgh led 13-0 and had outgained the Brigade 199-47, but Baltimore put together a solid drive, and on fourth-and-1 at the 23, Thompson broke through for a touchdown to pull within a score. QB Kenji Bahar's 14-yard touchdown pass to WR Keke Chism got Baltimore to within 16-13 on the first play of the fourth quarter, and the Brigade defense stepped up. Pittsburgh drove to the 24, but then lost yardage on three straight plays, settling again for a Blewitt kick and a 19-13 lead. Baltimore leaned heavily on Thompson late. Facing a third-and-6 at the Maulers' 33 with 4:44 left, Thompson again broke through the line and into the open field, going 33 yards for a go-ahead touchdown. Baltimore coach Curtis Johnson said he's careful not to overwork his top back early in games, not only to give him fresh legs at the end but just to keep him healthy for the rest of the year. Thompson finished with 98 yards on 14 carries, half of those in the fourth quarter. After Blewitt's missed kick, the Maulers still had two timeouts, but Thompson rushed twice for another first down, allowing the Brigade to run out the clock on a tough win. "He's an outstanding player, but I like him healthy," Johnson said. "So we get around to everybody. I don't want it to be smashmouth and 5 yards and a cloud of dust, because that's too many licks on him. But every time he gets the ball, it's electric."
-- (11-4)Brigade 20 - 19 Maulers(7-8)
(BAL): QB Bahar - 11/20 146 yards, 1 TD, RB Thompson - 14 carries, 98 yards, 2 TDs, WR Hall - 3 catches, 40 yards, WR Chism - 2 catches, 36 yards, 1 TD
(PIT): QB Haskins - 20/26 214 yards, 7 carries, 36 yards, 1 TD, RB London - 12 carries, 66 yards, WR Gaither - 6 catches, 70 yards, WR Hennie - 4 catches, 66 yards
-- (6-9)Jousters 16 - 24 BattleHawks(9-6)
(TOR): QB Mitchell - 15/26 147 yards, 1 INT, RB Dixon - 15 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD, RB Cox - 14 carries, 43 yards, WR Garrett - 4 catches, 64 yards, WR Rogers - 7 catches, 52 yards
(CHA): QB McCarron - 15/27 201 yards, 1 TD, RB Galloway - 17 carries, 113 yards, 1 TD, WR Shepherd - 4 catches, 65 yards, WR Ateman - 3 catches, 50 yards, 1 TD, WR Butler - 5 catches, 55 yards
XFL Week 16: Alex McGough Nets Another Win for Stallions
June 2, 2023
St. Louis, MO - The St. Louis Stallions topped the Columbus Ghosts, 27-24. Looking right and then throwing left with fewer than 30 seconds left to play, QB Alex McGough found TE LaMichael Pettway like a purple-glowing Prowler in the corner of the end zone, beating Ghosts DB Amani Dennis for the game-winning touchdown pass. McGough immediately rushed toward coach Skip Holtz and wrapped him in a full-body hug. "The joy and excitement that was on his face when he ran over to me," Holtz said, "that's why I do this. That's wonderful. That's why I hope that kid gets a shot in the NFL, makes it, and plays for a long, long time. So then I can go sit on the sideline and go, 'I remember when that son of a gun nearly ran me over me after making the last play to win the game."
The performance McGough gave was worth the bodily harm his coach might have endured. Not only did he lead his team to a comeback win after being down 24-20 late in the fourth quarter, but he'd played well all afternoon. McGough, a frontrunner to win the XFL MVP award, completed 24 of 35 passes for 333 yards and three touchdowns, superhero web-slinger stuff. Given the opportunity to talk to his teammates, to motivate them with a speech or a phrase, McGough opted for his enthusiasm and effort to relay just what needed to get done and how they were going to do it. Perhaps no player has come to personify the Stallions' attitude, talent and humility more in 2023. "I just always just give out my energy," McGough said. "That is how I lead. I'm not a big talker. I go individually and just tell people I appreciate them. I'm giving you everything I got, and I just appreciate everybody else giving me everything they have. And I think that's the only way you win."
Holtz, who coordinated Notre Dame to a share of the 1993 national championship, told me being mindful of what his quarterback likes in-game is new for him. "I would say new because he's in it," Holtz told me. "I think it's not what I call. It's what he feels that he can execute. At practice a couple of times here in the last couple of weeks, I'll call a play and he'll bend over. When he bends over, I can see he's thinking the play through in his head, because he's got to have the picture of what's going on. If he can't see it, I'm not gonna call it. So my job is to make damn sure that he feels good about whatever we're running. And I think I'm better off calling a play that he's comfortable with than I am just to play to attack the defense."
On fourth-and-8 with 46 seconds left to play, McGough knew his coach was feeling it. Even when Holtz asked him what he'd like to run, McGough doubled down on his faith in Holtz's ability to call a play they could win with. A dropped pass? A sack? An interception? The game is over. McGough didn't flinch. "You call it," McGough said. "We'll make it work." Holtz gave McGough the play and then asked once more, "You're comfortable with it?" "Yeah. Good." "You're sure?" "I'm good." When McGough found TE Jace Sternberger open past the sticks for a 13-yard gain, the game's only fourth-down conversion. Holtz stopped just long enough to smile and then look at his play card, setting up what would be the game-winning drive just two plays later. "I think he trusts me," Holtz said. "I trust him explicitly." Right then, right there, Holtz illustrated how to develop a professional quarterback.
-- (7-8)Ghosts 24 - 27 Stallions(11-4)
(COL): QB Cookus - 20/32 265 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Williams - 15 carries, 52 yards, WR Coleman - 4 catches, 107 yards, 1 TD, WR Gray - 4 catches, 74 yards, WR Overton - 5 catches, 50 yards
(STL): QB McGough - 24/35 333 yards, 3 TDs, RB Marable - 16 carries, 85 yards, WR Davis - 4 catches, 120 yards, 1 TD, WR Cain - 6 catches, 51 yards, TE Sternberger - 3 catches, 62 yards, 1 TD
-- (9-6)Stampede 42 - 35 Otters(4-11)
(OKC): QB Petty - 23/30 335 yards, 4 TDs, RB Artis-Payne - 15 carries, 98 yards, 1 TD, RB Brooks - 11 carries, 78 yards, 1 TD, WR Davis - 8 catches, 100 yards, 2 TDs, WR Martino - 2 catches, 62 yards, 1 TD, TE Parham - 5 catches, 82 yards, 1 TD
(VAN): QB Coan - 29/35 328 yards, 4 TDs, RB Patrick - 16 carries, 61 yards, WR Akers - 6 catches, 82 yards, WR Turpin - 5 catches, 72 yards, 3 TDs, WR Williams - 7 catches, 58 yards
XFL Week 16: Alex Collins Breaks Loose in Memphis Showboats' Win
June 3, 2023
Chicago, IL - As much as the Memphis Showboats controlled Sunday's game, grinding out a 2-to-1 advantage in time of possession, the Chicago Enforcers had stuck around just enough to be dangerous and keep it a one-score game late. Memphis got a little separation with four minutes left, as RB Alex Collins, on his 23rd and final carry of the day, broke loose for a 46-yard gain, getting stopped at the 6 but setting up the last field goal in a hard-fought 25-16 win. "Unfortunately, I did get caught," joked Collins, who finished with a season-high 102 yards. "That's not acceptable. We got points off it, so I'm happy about that."
Memphis came in with the best turnover margin in the league, and turnovers set the tone for the game early. The Showboats lost a fumble on their opening drive, resulting in a 3-0 Enforcers lead, but Memphis forced turnovers on the next two drives. Just before halftime, they had run 39 plays to Chicago's 11, leading 13-3 but wearing their opponent down, play by play. "Every time I saw that time of possession, I'm going up and down the sideline, talking about how they're going to wear down on defense, and eventually they did," Haley said. "When you have the ball that long, it's usually a good thing." Chicago hung around, led by third string QB Dakota Prokup who rushed for a team-high 76 yards and threw for two second-half touchdowns. "In our game, if you go three-and-out and the other team keeps the ball, they could literally finish the quarter," Chicago coach Lovie Smith said. "There are not many possessions, so you need to get points just about every time to feel good." Memphis had 317 yards of offense but rarely found the end zone, withK Alex Kessman going 6-for-6 on field goals, all from 38 yards or shorter. They finished with 71 offensive plays, 27 more than Chicago, and had the ball for nearly 41 minutes out of 60. Prukop's second touchdown got the Enforcers within six points with four minutes left and XFL teams can go for three points after a touchdown with a play from the 10-yard line, but the conversion failed, and Collins' big run set up one more field goal for the final margin.
-- (7-8)Showboats 25 - 16 Enforcers(8-7)
(MEM): QB Guarantano - 15/24 176 yards, 1 INT, RB Collins - 23 carries, 102 yards, 1 TD, RB Washington - 23 carries, 46 yards, TE Wilson - 3 catches, 43 yards
(CHI): QB Prukop - 16/29 144 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, 6 carries, 76 yards, RB Victor - 9 carries, 26 yards, 6 catches, 39 yards, 1 TD, WR Moore - 3 catches, 36 yards
-- (10-5)Roughnecks 23 - 17 Commanders(4-11)
(HOU): QB Silvers - 12/20 153 yards, 1 TD, QB McDonald - 11 carries, 91 yards, 1 TD, RB Borghi - 22 carries, 93 yards, WR Rhymes - 2 catches, 53 yards
(SA): QB Woodside - 30/43 334 yards, 1 TD, RB Hill - 24 carries, 46 yards, 1 TD, WR Ward - 6 catches, 103 yards, TE Seals-Jones - 6 catches, 62 yards, 1 TD, WR Doctson - 4 catches, 59 yards
XFL Week 16: Mountain Lions Force Six Turnovers to Run Away from Bandits
June 3, 2023
Salt Lake City, UT - The Salt Lake defense forced six turnovers to key a 31-13 victory over the Tampa Bay Bandits before a crowd of 33,234 fans. DBs Ciante Evans and Damarious Randall picked off passes from two different quarterbacks while the Mountain Lions stuffed Tampa on two fourth-and-short gambles. The third turnover on downs was due to an incomplete pass. Evans also recovered a QB Colin Kaepernick fumble. “Our efficiency was pretty good,” Bighill said. “I mean, we had Kaepernick running all over the place. We made some big plays on third down, got some takeaways, which we’ve lacked in the last little bit. That’s much more up to par. That’s exactly what we talked about before the game and to come out here and execute, you can see what that does for the game, what it does for our offense, see what it does for field position,” Evans said. “It’s a huge deal. That was much more to our satisfaction.”
Salt Lake QB Josh Rosen completed 14-of-25 passes for 296 yards and four touchdowns. Rosen completed touchdown passes of 25 and 42 yards to WR Justyn Ross, 36 yards to WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside and 64 yards to WR Kaelin Clay. “It’s huge scoring touchdowns,” Rosen said. “It’s kind of the name of the game, especially with a defense like ours that was really rolling tonight. Being able to make it a two-score football game really changes the way you get to call a game. The defense was great all night, as was the special teams.”
Bandits head coach Steve Spurrier was encouraged by giving Salt lake a scare when Tampa closed to within 17-10 after Kaepernick ran for a seven-yard touchdown. “I thought we played a championship-caliber team pretty well tonight,” he said. “Midway through the third, I think everyone thought we had a chance to beat them, including our own guys. We let it get away on a couple of big plays here and there. But that’s a good football team and they know they played a good football team tonight and I think we gained some respect across the room tonight.”
-- (9-6)Bandits 13 - 31 Mountain Lions(12-3)
(TB): QB Kaepernick - 26/38 307 yards, 1 INT, 9 carries, 36 yards, 1 TD, RB Gardner - 7 carries, 27 yards, WR Humphrey - 3 catches, 110 yards, WR Peake - 10 catches, 76 yards, WR Greene - 6 catches, 45 yards
(SLC): QB Rosen - 14/25 296 yards, 4 TDs, RB Booker - 15 carries, 101 yards, WR Ross - 4 catches, 94 yards, 2 TDs, WR Clay - 4 catches, 125 yards, 1 TD, WR Arcega-Whiteside - 3 catches, 41 yards, 1 TD
-- (7-8)Renegades 24 - 16 Alphas(7-8)
(DAL): QB Perez - 19/31 209 yards, 2 TDs, RB Smith - 16 carries, 73 yards, WR Bolden - 7 catches, 108 yards, 2 TDs, TE Cannella - 5 catches, 56 yards
(ATL): QB Finley - 13/24 194 yards, 1 INT, RB Smith - 21 carries, 83 yards, 1 TD, RB Barber - 19 carries, 64 yards, WR Hardy - 2 catches, 56 yards, WR Evans - 6 catches, 85 yards, WR Jones - 4 catches, 46 yards
-- (7-8)Valor 25 - 18 Vipers(3-12)
(DC): QB Bortles - 14/17 180 yards, 1 TD, RB Allen - 12 carries, 67 yards, WR Daniels - 3 catches, 52 yards, 1 TD
(MEX): QB McClendon - 16/28 273 yards, 2 INTs, 5 carries, 23 yards, 1 TD, RB Guice - 14 carries, 75 yards, WR Bryant - 6 catches, 98 yards, WR Allison - 3 catches, 79 yards
XFL Week 16: Crusaders Defense Dominant in Win against Bolts
June 4, 2023
London, ENGLAND - The London Crusaders defense has his its stride and it’s sort of terrifying. Against a Berlin Bolts team that was riding high, the Crusaders' defense put its foot down. No touchdowns allowed. No field goals, either. LB Dexter McCoil had a 71-yard pick-six. LB Terence Garvin had an interception that set up the Crusaders’ first score. From start to finish, it was a legitimately dominant display and saw the Crusaders cruise to a straightforward 29-2 win that keeps them in the mix for a second-place finish in the XFL’s Eastern Conference. “It was a slugfest, it was physical,” Crusaders head coach Dave Dickenson said. “Our guys just kept playing, kept playing and I thought for the most part won the line of scrimmage and then our playmakers stepped up at the end.”
The Crusaders had the two aforementioned two interceptions, while LB Ro'Derrick Hoskins had a sack and DL Chris Odom picked up his 12th sack and fourth forced-fumble of the year. The Crusaders made a decent Berlin offense look completely pedestrian. Maybe that’s being generous. The Crusaders made the Bolts offense look straight-up bad. The Bolts offense managed only 293 yards and two points. “It really is unbelievable,” said Crusaders QB Taylor Heinicke. “That was one of the best defensive performances I’ve ever seen. Just such elite defense, that’s a great quarterback over there and a good receiving corps and all of the above, they’ve scored a lot of points against a lot of teams and to hold them to two points is unbelievable.”
On the other side of the ball, the Crusaders got the job done without necessarily blowing the doors off. Heinicke completed 17-of-24 passes for 175 yards and a touchdown, while also throwing two interceptions. It is worth noting that WR Malik Henry was out for most of the second half and TE Levine Toilolo missed time, too, so it was a tough assignment for the Crusaders QB, and he did make completions to seven different receivers. RB Christine Michael had a big game. He ran the ball 14 times for 92 yards and a touchdown. RB Matt Jones added 49 yards on the ground himself. WR Kamar Jorden had two big catches deep in Bolts territory, one for the Crusaders’ opening touchdown and another that set up a Jones short yardage run into the endzone. “We weren’t satisfied with our performance the last few weeks, we wanted to be more consistent and just get the ball back into our offense’s hands,” Odom said. “Everyone’s just buying in. We know we’ve been playing together for most of the year and last year. Everyone knows where everyone is going to be. Defensive coordinator Brent Monson did a great job with game-planning the last two games, we’re just playing fast and executing the game plan.”
-- (9-6)Bolts 2 - 29 Crusaders(10-5)
(BER): QB Kaaya - 20/43 201 yards, 3 INTs, RB Hunt - 12 carries, 78 yards, WR Gibson - 5 catches, 51 yards
(LON): QB Heinicke - 17/24 175 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, 7 carries, 49 yards, RB Michael - 14 carries, 92 yards, WR Henry - 4 catches, 43 yards, 1 TD
-- (14-1)Defenders 23 - 21 Monarchs(3-12)
(DC): QB Ta'amu - 9/12 98 yards, 12 carries, 65 yards, 1 TD, RB Smith - 17 carries, 132 yards, 1 TD, RB Harris - 13 carries, 71 yards, WR Jackson - 2 catches, 42 yards
(MON): QB Mallett - 22/30 306 yards, 2 TDs, RB Richard - 22 carries, 91 yards, 1 TD, WR Roosevelt - 6 catches, 67 yards, 2 TDs, WR Cunningham - 4 catches, 62 yards, WR Wieneke - 4 catches, 84 yards
-- (8-6)Fleet 24 - 13 Steel(2-13)
(SD): QB Johnson - 24/33 250 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Smallwood - 18 carries, 68 yards, RB Thomas - 11 carries, 59 yards, 8 catches, 61 yards, 1 TD, WR Ross - 5 catches, 81 yards, 1 TD, WR Posey - 6 catches, 68 yards, 1 TD
(BIRM): QB Glennon - 9/18 127 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Yeldon - 18 carries, 139 yards, WR Foster - 2 catches, 35 yards, 1 TD, WR Benjamin - 4 catches, 42 yards
XFL Week 16: Walker shines as Brawlers thump Omaha Mammoths
June 4, 2023
Philadelphia, PA - QB Phillip Walker threw for 305 yards and two touchdowns and completed 17-of-21 attempts despite being sacked five times propelling the host team to a 34-19 victory over the ailing Omaha Mammoths. He also muscled in two more scores for an offense that amassed 455 yards of offense across the game. It was another rough outing for the Mammoths who repeatedly found their way into Brawlers’ territory only to see their final attempts stymied. Philadelphia jumped out to an early lead and steadily accumulated points while holding Omaha out of the end zone. The Mammoths finally broke through with less than two minutes on the game clock. QB John Wolford capped a nine-play scoring drive with a seven-yard toss to WR Damon Sheehy-Guiseppi, who dashed two yards in for the touchdown to cut the deficit to 34-19.
The Brawlers increased their advantage to 34-12 midway through the fourth when Walker ran in a quarterback sneak for his second rushing score of the night. The third quarter ended with Philadelphia up 27-12 after the two sides exchanged field goals. The Brawlers lost a key piece early in the third when WR Braxton Miller was taken down along the goal line and suffered an ankle injury. The speedster lay on the field for several minutes before being slowly helped off by a pair of trainers. After receiving treatment, Miller briefly returned in the fourth before taking off his pads and sitting on the sidelines. There were just seconds left in the first half when Walker sailed a 34-yard pass to WR Travis Fulgham, putting them in field goal position and the Brawlers went into the locker room up 24-6. Walker punched in the Brawlers' third touchdown of the night earlier in the quarter. Walker started things off with a 26-yard bullet to Miller, then added a 35-yard throw to WR Cam Phillips that gave Philadelphia a first-and-goal. The Mammoths stopped the first attempt but on the second down, Walker went for a quick rush and stretched into the end zone for the major. The Brawlers were already up 14-3 at the end of the first quarter.
-- (3-12)Mammoths 19 - 34 Brawlers(12-3)
(OMA): QB Wolford - 27/36 363 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Patrick - 16 carries, 68 yards, WR Callaway - 5 catches, 94 yards, WR Sheehy-Guiseppi - 7 catches, 77 yards, 1 TD, WR Dunbar - 3 catches, 62 yards
(PHI): QB Walker - 17/22 305 yards, 2 TDs, 8 carries, 61 yards, 2 TDs, RB Butler - 16 carries, 89 yards, WR Phillips - 5 catches, 103 yards, WR Miller - 3 catches, 47 yards, 1 TD, WR Fulgham - 3 catches, 87 yards
-- (11-4)Dragons 23 - 26 Apollos(11-4)
(SEA): QB DiNucci - 21/31 201 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Lindsay - 27 carries, 117 yards, WR Gordon - 5 catches, 67 yards, WR Pearson - 6 catches, 59 yards, 1 TD
(ORL): QB Gilbert - 14/25 195 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, RB Johnson - 21 carries, 97 yards, 2 TDs, RB Walton - 14 carries, 83 yards, WR Moncrief - 4 catches, 70 yards, 1 TD, WR Whitehead - 3 catches, 43 yards
XFL Week 16: Breakers Grind out a Win
June 5, 2023
Los Angeles, CA - If you expect to win in the XFL, you better pack a lunch, wear steel toes and be ready to work. Because this weekend proved that in this league, no win is easy, and no win needs to be taken for granted. "It shows the parity in this league and the amount of good players in this league," said Los Angeles coach John DeFilippo. "When I was in the NFL, the phrase we said was 'meaningful games in December.' That is always the phrase. So for us, obviously it's 'meaningful games in June,' and we have those."
At first, this game looked like it might've been an easy win for Los Angeles. Just minutes before halftime, the Breakers led Oakland 21-0, but they surrendered 10 points in the final 70 seconds of the first half. And all this from a game that was still scoreless at the start of the second quarter. Former Ohio State WR Johnnie Dixon caught six passes for 91 yards with two touchdowns in the first half, finishing with nine catches for 136 yards. "Definitely the best game of my life is crazy," Dixon said. "When I was training in Arizona last year, my personal receiver coach told me he'd played his best ball when he was 28." At first, Dixon told his coach he didn't want to believe that. He'd all but given up on his playing career. He's 29 now, and he's playing his best ball. After 14 straight completions during the game, QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson threw a pass that was picked off by Panthers DB Warren Saba in the second quarter. The interception set up the last score before the half ended with the Panthers trailing the Breakers by 11 despite turning the ball over twice to that point. After going down 21-0 to start the game, though, the Panthers scored 17 straight in five minutes of play. Panthers LB Frank Ginda, who had 11 tackles, with two for a loss, came up with an interception. That kind of defense has been a hallmark of Panthers coach Mike Nolan. As a coordinator for eight NFL teams, he's taken heart in how his defense held the Breakers, a prolific offense, to just three points in the second half. Nolan credited Ginda for his on-field leadership on a defense that created three turnovers. "He's a very intelligent football player," Nolan said. "And that's why I think he's good. He's got good ability, but he's extremely smart. He knows what to anticipate. He seems to be around the ball, which, good players, they always are."
-- (5-10)Panthers 20 - 24 Breakers(9-6)
(OAK): QB Love - 22/32 221 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Corbin - 11 carries, 45 yards, WR Walker - 5 catches, 58 yards, TE Baugh - 2 catches, 54 yards, 1 TD
(LA): QB Bethel-Thompson - 25/34 328 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Hills - 23 carries, 36 yards, 1 TD, WR Dixon - 9 catches, 136 yards, 2 TDs, WR Adams - 8 catches, 117 yards
-- (5-10)Guardians 16 - 19 Greys(1-14)
(NY): QB Kessler - 22/31 246 yards, RB Perkins - 24 carries, 133 yards, 1 TD, WR White - 7 catches, 94 yards, WR McKay - 3 catches, 69 yards
(CAL): QB Dormady - 18/24 266 yards, 1 TD, RB Darrington - 19 carries, 104 yards, WR Rogers - 7 catches, 95 yards, 1 TD, WR Latimer - 4 catches, 77 yards
The new World League of American Football kicks off
June 6, 2023
Berlin, GERMANY -
June 1, 2023
Pittsburgh, PA - It is a brave choice when someone with a name like Chris Blewitt chooses to be a kicker, knowing how cruel and easy the headlines are when a crucial, game-changing kick doesn't go the right way. The Pittsburgh Maulers kicker hit his first four field goals, including makes from 54 and 53 yards, but with a chance to take the lead with less than two minutes left, Blewitt missed wide right from 41 yards, allowing the Baltimore Brigade to escape with a 20-19 win. "It came down to one kick at the end of the game in a one-point game and we didn't make it, but I would do the same thing again," Pittsburgh coach Byron Leftwich said. "I would have faith in Chris every single time. I never questioned that he was going to make it. Obviously, you love seven points. That's what you want. It puts the game out of reach early, so it was 13-0 instead of 21. So it's huge. It's critical that you score seven."
Baltimore stole the game on two huge carries by RB Mark Thompson. With two minutes left in the first half, Pittsburgh led 13-0 and had outgained the Brigade 199-47, but Baltimore put together a solid drive, and on fourth-and-1 at the 23, Thompson broke through for a touchdown to pull within a score. QB Kenji Bahar's 14-yard touchdown pass to WR Keke Chism got Baltimore to within 16-13 on the first play of the fourth quarter, and the Brigade defense stepped up. Pittsburgh drove to the 24, but then lost yardage on three straight plays, settling again for a Blewitt kick and a 19-13 lead. Baltimore leaned heavily on Thompson late. Facing a third-and-6 at the Maulers' 33 with 4:44 left, Thompson again broke through the line and into the open field, going 33 yards for a go-ahead touchdown. Baltimore coach Curtis Johnson said he's careful not to overwork his top back early in games, not only to give him fresh legs at the end but just to keep him healthy for the rest of the year. Thompson finished with 98 yards on 14 carries, half of those in the fourth quarter. After Blewitt's missed kick, the Maulers still had two timeouts, but Thompson rushed twice for another first down, allowing the Brigade to run out the clock on a tough win. "He's an outstanding player, but I like him healthy," Johnson said. "So we get around to everybody. I don't want it to be smashmouth and 5 yards and a cloud of dust, because that's too many licks on him. But every time he gets the ball, it's electric."
-- (11-4)Brigade 20 - 19 Maulers(7-8)
(BAL): QB Bahar - 11/20 146 yards, 1 TD, RB Thompson - 14 carries, 98 yards, 2 TDs, WR Hall - 3 catches, 40 yards, WR Chism - 2 catches, 36 yards, 1 TD
(PIT): QB Haskins - 20/26 214 yards, 7 carries, 36 yards, 1 TD, RB London - 12 carries, 66 yards, WR Gaither - 6 catches, 70 yards, WR Hennie - 4 catches, 66 yards
-- (6-9)Jousters 16 - 24 BattleHawks(9-6)
(TOR): QB Mitchell - 15/26 147 yards, 1 INT, RB Dixon - 15 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD, RB Cox - 14 carries, 43 yards, WR Garrett - 4 catches, 64 yards, WR Rogers - 7 catches, 52 yards
(CHA): QB McCarron - 15/27 201 yards, 1 TD, RB Galloway - 17 carries, 113 yards, 1 TD, WR Shepherd - 4 catches, 65 yards, WR Ateman - 3 catches, 50 yards, 1 TD, WR Butler - 5 catches, 55 yards
XFL Week 16: Alex McGough Nets Another Win for Stallions
June 2, 2023
St. Louis, MO - The St. Louis Stallions topped the Columbus Ghosts, 27-24. Looking right and then throwing left with fewer than 30 seconds left to play, QB Alex McGough found TE LaMichael Pettway like a purple-glowing Prowler in the corner of the end zone, beating Ghosts DB Amani Dennis for the game-winning touchdown pass. McGough immediately rushed toward coach Skip Holtz and wrapped him in a full-body hug. "The joy and excitement that was on his face when he ran over to me," Holtz said, "that's why I do this. That's wonderful. That's why I hope that kid gets a shot in the NFL, makes it, and plays for a long, long time. So then I can go sit on the sideline and go, 'I remember when that son of a gun nearly ran me over me after making the last play to win the game."
The performance McGough gave was worth the bodily harm his coach might have endured. Not only did he lead his team to a comeback win after being down 24-20 late in the fourth quarter, but he'd played well all afternoon. McGough, a frontrunner to win the XFL MVP award, completed 24 of 35 passes for 333 yards and three touchdowns, superhero web-slinger stuff. Given the opportunity to talk to his teammates, to motivate them with a speech or a phrase, McGough opted for his enthusiasm and effort to relay just what needed to get done and how they were going to do it. Perhaps no player has come to personify the Stallions' attitude, talent and humility more in 2023. "I just always just give out my energy," McGough said. "That is how I lead. I'm not a big talker. I go individually and just tell people I appreciate them. I'm giving you everything I got, and I just appreciate everybody else giving me everything they have. And I think that's the only way you win."
Holtz, who coordinated Notre Dame to a share of the 1993 national championship, told me being mindful of what his quarterback likes in-game is new for him. "I would say new because he's in it," Holtz told me. "I think it's not what I call. It's what he feels that he can execute. At practice a couple of times here in the last couple of weeks, I'll call a play and he'll bend over. When he bends over, I can see he's thinking the play through in his head, because he's got to have the picture of what's going on. If he can't see it, I'm not gonna call it. So my job is to make damn sure that he feels good about whatever we're running. And I think I'm better off calling a play that he's comfortable with than I am just to play to attack the defense."
On fourth-and-8 with 46 seconds left to play, McGough knew his coach was feeling it. Even when Holtz asked him what he'd like to run, McGough doubled down on his faith in Holtz's ability to call a play they could win with. A dropped pass? A sack? An interception? The game is over. McGough didn't flinch. "You call it," McGough said. "We'll make it work." Holtz gave McGough the play and then asked once more, "You're comfortable with it?" "Yeah. Good." "You're sure?" "I'm good." When McGough found TE Jace Sternberger open past the sticks for a 13-yard gain, the game's only fourth-down conversion. Holtz stopped just long enough to smile and then look at his play card, setting up what would be the game-winning drive just two plays later. "I think he trusts me," Holtz said. "I trust him explicitly." Right then, right there, Holtz illustrated how to develop a professional quarterback.
-- (7-8)Ghosts 24 - 27 Stallions(11-4)
(COL): QB Cookus - 20/32 265 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Williams - 15 carries, 52 yards, WR Coleman - 4 catches, 107 yards, 1 TD, WR Gray - 4 catches, 74 yards, WR Overton - 5 catches, 50 yards
(STL): QB McGough - 24/35 333 yards, 3 TDs, RB Marable - 16 carries, 85 yards, WR Davis - 4 catches, 120 yards, 1 TD, WR Cain - 6 catches, 51 yards, TE Sternberger - 3 catches, 62 yards, 1 TD
-- (9-6)Stampede 42 - 35 Otters(4-11)
(OKC): QB Petty - 23/30 335 yards, 4 TDs, RB Artis-Payne - 15 carries, 98 yards, 1 TD, RB Brooks - 11 carries, 78 yards, 1 TD, WR Davis - 8 catches, 100 yards, 2 TDs, WR Martino - 2 catches, 62 yards, 1 TD, TE Parham - 5 catches, 82 yards, 1 TD
(VAN): QB Coan - 29/35 328 yards, 4 TDs, RB Patrick - 16 carries, 61 yards, WR Akers - 6 catches, 82 yards, WR Turpin - 5 catches, 72 yards, 3 TDs, WR Williams - 7 catches, 58 yards
XFL Week 16: Alex Collins Breaks Loose in Memphis Showboats' Win
June 3, 2023
Chicago, IL - As much as the Memphis Showboats controlled Sunday's game, grinding out a 2-to-1 advantage in time of possession, the Chicago Enforcers had stuck around just enough to be dangerous and keep it a one-score game late. Memphis got a little separation with four minutes left, as RB Alex Collins, on his 23rd and final carry of the day, broke loose for a 46-yard gain, getting stopped at the 6 but setting up the last field goal in a hard-fought 25-16 win. "Unfortunately, I did get caught," joked Collins, who finished with a season-high 102 yards. "That's not acceptable. We got points off it, so I'm happy about that."
Memphis came in with the best turnover margin in the league, and turnovers set the tone for the game early. The Showboats lost a fumble on their opening drive, resulting in a 3-0 Enforcers lead, but Memphis forced turnovers on the next two drives. Just before halftime, they had run 39 plays to Chicago's 11, leading 13-3 but wearing their opponent down, play by play. "Every time I saw that time of possession, I'm going up and down the sideline, talking about how they're going to wear down on defense, and eventually they did," Haley said. "When you have the ball that long, it's usually a good thing." Chicago hung around, led by third string QB Dakota Prokup who rushed for a team-high 76 yards and threw for two second-half touchdowns. "In our game, if you go three-and-out and the other team keeps the ball, they could literally finish the quarter," Chicago coach Lovie Smith said. "There are not many possessions, so you need to get points just about every time to feel good." Memphis had 317 yards of offense but rarely found the end zone, withK Alex Kessman going 6-for-6 on field goals, all from 38 yards or shorter. They finished with 71 offensive plays, 27 more than Chicago, and had the ball for nearly 41 minutes out of 60. Prukop's second touchdown got the Enforcers within six points with four minutes left and XFL teams can go for three points after a touchdown with a play from the 10-yard line, but the conversion failed, and Collins' big run set up one more field goal for the final margin.
-- (7-8)Showboats 25 - 16 Enforcers(8-7)
(MEM): QB Guarantano - 15/24 176 yards, 1 INT, RB Collins - 23 carries, 102 yards, 1 TD, RB Washington - 23 carries, 46 yards, TE Wilson - 3 catches, 43 yards
(CHI): QB Prukop - 16/29 144 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, 6 carries, 76 yards, RB Victor - 9 carries, 26 yards, 6 catches, 39 yards, 1 TD, WR Moore - 3 catches, 36 yards
-- (10-5)Roughnecks 23 - 17 Commanders(4-11)
(HOU): QB Silvers - 12/20 153 yards, 1 TD, QB McDonald - 11 carries, 91 yards, 1 TD, RB Borghi - 22 carries, 93 yards, WR Rhymes - 2 catches, 53 yards
(SA): QB Woodside - 30/43 334 yards, 1 TD, RB Hill - 24 carries, 46 yards, 1 TD, WR Ward - 6 catches, 103 yards, TE Seals-Jones - 6 catches, 62 yards, 1 TD, WR Doctson - 4 catches, 59 yards
XFL Week 16: Mountain Lions Force Six Turnovers to Run Away from Bandits
June 3, 2023
Salt Lake City, UT - The Salt Lake defense forced six turnovers to key a 31-13 victory over the Tampa Bay Bandits before a crowd of 33,234 fans. DBs Ciante Evans and Damarious Randall picked off passes from two different quarterbacks while the Mountain Lions stuffed Tampa on two fourth-and-short gambles. The third turnover on downs was due to an incomplete pass. Evans also recovered a QB Colin Kaepernick fumble. “Our efficiency was pretty good,” Bighill said. “I mean, we had Kaepernick running all over the place. We made some big plays on third down, got some takeaways, which we’ve lacked in the last little bit. That’s much more up to par. That’s exactly what we talked about before the game and to come out here and execute, you can see what that does for the game, what it does for our offense, see what it does for field position,” Evans said. “It’s a huge deal. That was much more to our satisfaction.”
Salt Lake QB Josh Rosen completed 14-of-25 passes for 296 yards and four touchdowns. Rosen completed touchdown passes of 25 and 42 yards to WR Justyn Ross, 36 yards to WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside and 64 yards to WR Kaelin Clay. “It’s huge scoring touchdowns,” Rosen said. “It’s kind of the name of the game, especially with a defense like ours that was really rolling tonight. Being able to make it a two-score football game really changes the way you get to call a game. The defense was great all night, as was the special teams.”
Bandits head coach Steve Spurrier was encouraged by giving Salt lake a scare when Tampa closed to within 17-10 after Kaepernick ran for a seven-yard touchdown. “I thought we played a championship-caliber team pretty well tonight,” he said. “Midway through the third, I think everyone thought we had a chance to beat them, including our own guys. We let it get away on a couple of big plays here and there. But that’s a good football team and they know they played a good football team tonight and I think we gained some respect across the room tonight.”
-- (9-6)Bandits 13 - 31 Mountain Lions(12-3)
(TB): QB Kaepernick - 26/38 307 yards, 1 INT, 9 carries, 36 yards, 1 TD, RB Gardner - 7 carries, 27 yards, WR Humphrey - 3 catches, 110 yards, WR Peake - 10 catches, 76 yards, WR Greene - 6 catches, 45 yards
(SLC): QB Rosen - 14/25 296 yards, 4 TDs, RB Booker - 15 carries, 101 yards, WR Ross - 4 catches, 94 yards, 2 TDs, WR Clay - 4 catches, 125 yards, 1 TD, WR Arcega-Whiteside - 3 catches, 41 yards, 1 TD
-- (7-8)Renegades 24 - 16 Alphas(7-8)
(DAL): QB Perez - 19/31 209 yards, 2 TDs, RB Smith - 16 carries, 73 yards, WR Bolden - 7 catches, 108 yards, 2 TDs, TE Cannella - 5 catches, 56 yards
(ATL): QB Finley - 13/24 194 yards, 1 INT, RB Smith - 21 carries, 83 yards, 1 TD, RB Barber - 19 carries, 64 yards, WR Hardy - 2 catches, 56 yards, WR Evans - 6 catches, 85 yards, WR Jones - 4 catches, 46 yards
-- (7-8)Valor 25 - 18 Vipers(3-12)
(DC): QB Bortles - 14/17 180 yards, 1 TD, RB Allen - 12 carries, 67 yards, WR Daniels - 3 catches, 52 yards, 1 TD
(MEX): QB McClendon - 16/28 273 yards, 2 INTs, 5 carries, 23 yards, 1 TD, RB Guice - 14 carries, 75 yards, WR Bryant - 6 catches, 98 yards, WR Allison - 3 catches, 79 yards
XFL Week 16: Crusaders Defense Dominant in Win against Bolts
June 4, 2023
London, ENGLAND - The London Crusaders defense has his its stride and it’s sort of terrifying. Against a Berlin Bolts team that was riding high, the Crusaders' defense put its foot down. No touchdowns allowed. No field goals, either. LB Dexter McCoil had a 71-yard pick-six. LB Terence Garvin had an interception that set up the Crusaders’ first score. From start to finish, it was a legitimately dominant display and saw the Crusaders cruise to a straightforward 29-2 win that keeps them in the mix for a second-place finish in the XFL’s Eastern Conference. “It was a slugfest, it was physical,” Crusaders head coach Dave Dickenson said. “Our guys just kept playing, kept playing and I thought for the most part won the line of scrimmage and then our playmakers stepped up at the end.”
The Crusaders had the two aforementioned two interceptions, while LB Ro'Derrick Hoskins had a sack and DL Chris Odom picked up his 12th sack and fourth forced-fumble of the year. The Crusaders made a decent Berlin offense look completely pedestrian. Maybe that’s being generous. The Crusaders made the Bolts offense look straight-up bad. The Bolts offense managed only 293 yards and two points. “It really is unbelievable,” said Crusaders QB Taylor Heinicke. “That was one of the best defensive performances I’ve ever seen. Just such elite defense, that’s a great quarterback over there and a good receiving corps and all of the above, they’ve scored a lot of points against a lot of teams and to hold them to two points is unbelievable.”
On the other side of the ball, the Crusaders got the job done without necessarily blowing the doors off. Heinicke completed 17-of-24 passes for 175 yards and a touchdown, while also throwing two interceptions. It is worth noting that WR Malik Henry was out for most of the second half and TE Levine Toilolo missed time, too, so it was a tough assignment for the Crusaders QB, and he did make completions to seven different receivers. RB Christine Michael had a big game. He ran the ball 14 times for 92 yards and a touchdown. RB Matt Jones added 49 yards on the ground himself. WR Kamar Jorden had two big catches deep in Bolts territory, one for the Crusaders’ opening touchdown and another that set up a Jones short yardage run into the endzone. “We weren’t satisfied with our performance the last few weeks, we wanted to be more consistent and just get the ball back into our offense’s hands,” Odom said. “Everyone’s just buying in. We know we’ve been playing together for most of the year and last year. Everyone knows where everyone is going to be. Defensive coordinator Brent Monson did a great job with game-planning the last two games, we’re just playing fast and executing the game plan.”
-- (9-6)Bolts 2 - 29 Crusaders(10-5)
(BER): QB Kaaya - 20/43 201 yards, 3 INTs, RB Hunt - 12 carries, 78 yards, WR Gibson - 5 catches, 51 yards
(LON): QB Heinicke - 17/24 175 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, 7 carries, 49 yards, RB Michael - 14 carries, 92 yards, WR Henry - 4 catches, 43 yards, 1 TD
-- (14-1)Defenders 23 - 21 Monarchs(3-12)
(DC): QB Ta'amu - 9/12 98 yards, 12 carries, 65 yards, 1 TD, RB Smith - 17 carries, 132 yards, 1 TD, RB Harris - 13 carries, 71 yards, WR Jackson - 2 catches, 42 yards
(MON): QB Mallett - 22/30 306 yards, 2 TDs, RB Richard - 22 carries, 91 yards, 1 TD, WR Roosevelt - 6 catches, 67 yards, 2 TDs, WR Cunningham - 4 catches, 62 yards, WR Wieneke - 4 catches, 84 yards
-- (8-6)Fleet 24 - 13 Steel(2-13)
(SD): QB Johnson - 24/33 250 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Smallwood - 18 carries, 68 yards, RB Thomas - 11 carries, 59 yards, 8 catches, 61 yards, 1 TD, WR Ross - 5 catches, 81 yards, 1 TD, WR Posey - 6 catches, 68 yards, 1 TD
(BIRM): QB Glennon - 9/18 127 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Yeldon - 18 carries, 139 yards, WR Foster - 2 catches, 35 yards, 1 TD, WR Benjamin - 4 catches, 42 yards
XFL Week 16: Walker shines as Brawlers thump Omaha Mammoths
June 4, 2023
Philadelphia, PA - QB Phillip Walker threw for 305 yards and two touchdowns and completed 17-of-21 attempts despite being sacked five times propelling the host team to a 34-19 victory over the ailing Omaha Mammoths. He also muscled in two more scores for an offense that amassed 455 yards of offense across the game. It was another rough outing for the Mammoths who repeatedly found their way into Brawlers’ territory only to see their final attempts stymied. Philadelphia jumped out to an early lead and steadily accumulated points while holding Omaha out of the end zone. The Mammoths finally broke through with less than two minutes on the game clock. QB John Wolford capped a nine-play scoring drive with a seven-yard toss to WR Damon Sheehy-Guiseppi, who dashed two yards in for the touchdown to cut the deficit to 34-19.
The Brawlers increased their advantage to 34-12 midway through the fourth when Walker ran in a quarterback sneak for his second rushing score of the night. The third quarter ended with Philadelphia up 27-12 after the two sides exchanged field goals. The Brawlers lost a key piece early in the third when WR Braxton Miller was taken down along the goal line and suffered an ankle injury. The speedster lay on the field for several minutes before being slowly helped off by a pair of trainers. After receiving treatment, Miller briefly returned in the fourth before taking off his pads and sitting on the sidelines. There were just seconds left in the first half when Walker sailed a 34-yard pass to WR Travis Fulgham, putting them in field goal position and the Brawlers went into the locker room up 24-6. Walker punched in the Brawlers' third touchdown of the night earlier in the quarter. Walker started things off with a 26-yard bullet to Miller, then added a 35-yard throw to WR Cam Phillips that gave Philadelphia a first-and-goal. The Mammoths stopped the first attempt but on the second down, Walker went for a quick rush and stretched into the end zone for the major. The Brawlers were already up 14-3 at the end of the first quarter.
-- (3-12)Mammoths 19 - 34 Brawlers(12-3)
(OMA): QB Wolford - 27/36 363 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Patrick - 16 carries, 68 yards, WR Callaway - 5 catches, 94 yards, WR Sheehy-Guiseppi - 7 catches, 77 yards, 1 TD, WR Dunbar - 3 catches, 62 yards
(PHI): QB Walker - 17/22 305 yards, 2 TDs, 8 carries, 61 yards, 2 TDs, RB Butler - 16 carries, 89 yards, WR Phillips - 5 catches, 103 yards, WR Miller - 3 catches, 47 yards, 1 TD, WR Fulgham - 3 catches, 87 yards
-- (11-4)Dragons 23 - 26 Apollos(11-4)
(SEA): QB DiNucci - 21/31 201 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Lindsay - 27 carries, 117 yards, WR Gordon - 5 catches, 67 yards, WR Pearson - 6 catches, 59 yards, 1 TD
(ORL): QB Gilbert - 14/25 195 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, RB Johnson - 21 carries, 97 yards, 2 TDs, RB Walton - 14 carries, 83 yards, WR Moncrief - 4 catches, 70 yards, 1 TD, WR Whitehead - 3 catches, 43 yards
XFL Week 16: Breakers Grind out a Win
June 5, 2023
Los Angeles, CA - If you expect to win in the XFL, you better pack a lunch, wear steel toes and be ready to work. Because this weekend proved that in this league, no win is easy, and no win needs to be taken for granted. "It shows the parity in this league and the amount of good players in this league," said Los Angeles coach John DeFilippo. "When I was in the NFL, the phrase we said was 'meaningful games in December.' That is always the phrase. So for us, obviously it's 'meaningful games in June,' and we have those."
At first, this game looked like it might've been an easy win for Los Angeles. Just minutes before halftime, the Breakers led Oakland 21-0, but they surrendered 10 points in the final 70 seconds of the first half. And all this from a game that was still scoreless at the start of the second quarter. Former Ohio State WR Johnnie Dixon caught six passes for 91 yards with two touchdowns in the first half, finishing with nine catches for 136 yards. "Definitely the best game of my life is crazy," Dixon said. "When I was training in Arizona last year, my personal receiver coach told me he'd played his best ball when he was 28." At first, Dixon told his coach he didn't want to believe that. He'd all but given up on his playing career. He's 29 now, and he's playing his best ball. After 14 straight completions during the game, QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson threw a pass that was picked off by Panthers DB Warren Saba in the second quarter. The interception set up the last score before the half ended with the Panthers trailing the Breakers by 11 despite turning the ball over twice to that point. After going down 21-0 to start the game, though, the Panthers scored 17 straight in five minutes of play. Panthers LB Frank Ginda, who had 11 tackles, with two for a loss, came up with an interception. That kind of defense has been a hallmark of Panthers coach Mike Nolan. As a coordinator for eight NFL teams, he's taken heart in how his defense held the Breakers, a prolific offense, to just three points in the second half. Nolan credited Ginda for his on-field leadership on a defense that created three turnovers. "He's a very intelligent football player," Nolan said. "And that's why I think he's good. He's got good ability, but he's extremely smart. He knows what to anticipate. He seems to be around the ball, which, good players, they always are."
-- (5-10)Panthers 20 - 24 Breakers(9-6)
(OAK): QB Love - 22/32 221 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Corbin - 11 carries, 45 yards, WR Walker - 5 catches, 58 yards, TE Baugh - 2 catches, 54 yards, 1 TD
(LA): QB Bethel-Thompson - 25/34 328 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Hills - 23 carries, 36 yards, 1 TD, WR Dixon - 9 catches, 136 yards, 2 TDs, WR Adams - 8 catches, 117 yards
-- (5-10)Guardians 16 - 19 Greys(1-14)
(NY): QB Kessler - 22/31 246 yards, RB Perkins - 24 carries, 133 yards, 1 TD, WR White - 7 catches, 94 yards, WR McKay - 3 catches, 69 yards
(CAL): QB Dormady - 18/24 266 yards, 1 TD, RB Darrington - 19 carries, 104 yards, WR Rogers - 7 catches, 95 yards, 1 TD, WR Latimer - 4 catches, 77 yards
The new World League of American Football kicks off
June 6, 2023
Berlin, GERMANY -
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Re: XFL 2001
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Former Wide Receiver Cody Latimer Finds New Home as Star Tight End
June 7, 2023
Calgay, ONTARIO, CANADA - For his entire career, Cody Latimer had been a wide receiver. A three-star wide receiver prospect at Jefferson High School in Dayton, Ohio. A two-year starting wide receiver for Indiana University. And six seasons in the NFL with the Denver Broncos and New York Giants as, yes, a wide receiver. But when he set out to make his return to professional football as an XFL player, Latimer didn't come back as a wide receiver. He returned as a tight end. The reason behind the change was simple. "I was out of the NFL so I had like sat on the couch for three years," Latimer said. "I picked up a bunch of weight. I was always good at blocking but instead of having to chop off 30 pounds, I was like why not play tight end?"
Latimer's position change helped him revive the football career he once thought was over. The Calgary Greys TE has emerged as one of the XFL's top offensive skill position players. Latimer enters Week 17 leading the position in receiving yards and ranking second in receptions. He is one of the league's top tight ends and playing himself back into an NFL camp. Those in the Calgary organization are not surprised. "People who've been around since camp have known that he shouldn't be here," Greys TE/LS Ryan Becker said. "He's one of those guys who just as soon as he got here, you kind of watched him run around a little bit and just like, oh man, this guy is definitely one who shouldn't be here. I'm not saying that in a bad way. He shouldn't be here in a good way."
The pass catching and route running skills have carried over from his time as a wide receiver. But it has been in his blocking where Latimer has made the biggest improvements in his game. He was a good blocking wide receiver. But blocking at the tight end position is very different. There has also been an off-the-field transformation that has turned the 30-year-old Latimer into a better version of himself. Latimer said he is a changed man from his past thanks to his sobriety. He said he has been sober for about a year and four months. "It made me a better man. I'm more focused and more in tune with my family. I used to be angry all the time," Latimer said. "Now, I can communicate better. I talk to people, everything I do and say is real." His teammates support that sentiment with Becker saying he was surprised to hear about Latimer's struggles in the past because it does not align with his current demeanor. Latimer left the NFL after Washington released him in August 2020. He had been on the Commissioner's Exempt List following an arrest earlier that year. It seemed like his NFL days were going to be past him. Latimer admitted he thought his career was done. The XFL has given him a chance to play football again. He isn't looking past that for the time being. "I haven't looked that far into it," Latimer said. "I don't know what's gonna happen after this season. I know at the end of the day, if nothing happens, I can hang my hat. I did everything I could and I'm just happy to be able to play ball again."
XFL Week 17: Roughnecks Use Big Plays to Rally past Mexico City
June 8, 2023
Houston, TX - The Houston Roughnecks got their third straight win as they took down the Mexico City Vipers by a score of 28-21 at TDECU Stadium. The game had an attendance of 30,967. The Roughnecks got off to a slow start in this one, in part due to a first quarter interception thrown by QB Brandon Silvers. The Vipers would score on a 3-yard touchdown rush the following drive to put them up 6-0. Houston's offensive struggles continued into the second quarter as WR Cedric Byrd lost a fumble that was recovered by the Mexico City defense. The Vipers once again cashed in on the takeaway, as they scored a 2-yard touchdown through the air on their next drive, making the score 12-0. With under four minutes to go in the half, Roughnecks' LB Deandre Johnson came up with a strip sack on QB Jalan McClendon, resulting in a 39-yard scoop and score touchdown by LB Tavante Beckett. At halftime, Houston trailed 12-6.
Silvers threw his second interception of the game to start the second half. On Mexico City's next drive, DB Ajene Harris stripped WR Martavis Bryant, returning it for a 12-yard touchdown. On the one-point attempt, Silvers connected with WR Tavonn Salter, giving Houston their first lead of the game at 13-12. Later in the quarter, RB Max Borghi punched in a 2-yard touchdown, Houston's first offensive score of the game. After three quarters of play, the Roughnecks led 19-12. Mexico City cut the lead to just four points after a 53-yard field goal made early in the fourth quarter. Houston's offense responded with a 14-yard touchdown rush by RB Brycen Alleyne, making the score 25-15. On the Vipers' following drive, a 25-yard touchdown rush put Mexico City down just four points yet again. Houston would add onto their lead with a 28-yard field goal made by K Austin Jones. The Roughnecks defeated the Vipers, 28-21.
-- (3-13)Vipers 21 - 28 Roughnecks(11-5)
(MEX): QB McClendon - 27/37 249 yards, 2 TDs, RB Guice - 14 carries, 87 yards, 4 catches, 63 yards, WR Allison - 6 catches, 60 yard, WR Badet - 4 catches, 43 yards
(HOU): QB Silvers - 16/27 105 yards, 2 INTs, RB Borghi - 12 carries, 83 yards, WR Putman - 2 catches, 26 yards
-- (5-11)Panthers 14 - 27 Guardians(5-11)
(OAK): QB Love - 9/29 125 yards, RB Scott - 15 carries, 55 yards, 1 TD, WR Hamilton - 3 catches, 56 yards
(NY): QB Kessler - 12/19 157 yards, 3 TDs, RB Perkins - 19 carries, 108 yards, WR White - 3 catches, 68 yards, 1 TD, WR McKay - 3 catches, 40 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 17: Greys Drop Nailbiter
June 9, 2023
Vancouver, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA - The Vancouver Otters defeated the Calgary Greys by a score of 25-23. QB Jack Coan erupts for a franchise-best 302 passing yards and WR KaVontae Turpin breaks the Otters' record with 105 receiving yards to help Vancouver sneak past Calgary 25-23. The Otters improved their record with their second win of the season over Calgary, and both of their highest offensive outputs have come against the Greys with 30 points in Week Three and 25 points today. After recording his first catch of the game, Turpin scampered across the middle of the field for a 34-yard catch near the end of the second quarter. But wait, Turpin was far from done. In the third quarter, Turpin went deep for a 44-yard reception. On the evening, Turpin finished with 105 receiving yards. Otters LB Jordan Williams recorded a team-high 11 tackles in the game. Calgary scored on its opening drive. QB Deondre Francois connected with TE Jordan Thomas for a four-yard touchdown pass. The duo hooked up again for a two-point conversion to put the Greys up 8-0 with 11:34 remaining in the first quarter. Thomas has now caught a touchdown pass in three of the previous five weeks after no receptions through the first twelve games of the season. Less than a minute into the second quarter, Otters K Parker Romo made his league-best 28th field goal from 38 yards out to bring the Otters within five points at 8-3. On 4th and 5, Greys P Mac Brown stunned the stadium by dropping back to pass on a fake punt. He rocketed a 69-yard pass to WR KD Cannon that set up another Calgary touchdown. RB Devin Darrington punched in a one yard-rush to finish the drive in the end-zone making the score 14-3 in favor of the Greys with 10:36 left in the first half. Vancouver RB Jacques Patrick capped a speedy six-play, 78-yard drive with a six-yard rushing touchdown. Patrick then ran the rock for a one-point conversion to cut Calgary's lead to 14-10 with 27 ticks still on the first half clock. That remained the score headed into halftime.
With 8:10 left in the third quarter, Romo nailed a 29-yard field goal to narrow the deficit to 14-13. Romo has not missed since Week One vs Charlotte. Coan found WR Landen Akers for a go-ahead 28-yard touchdown completion with just over two minutes left in the third quarter. While the two-point conversion failed, Vancouver hopped on top of Calgary for the first time all game, 19-14. Immediately after Vancouver stopped Calgary and looked to build momentum off their previous score, Greys LB Terrance Smith knocked the ball out of Patrick's hands and DL Stansly Maponga recovered the fumble to give the ball right back to the Greys. Calgary capitalized as K Jose Borregales nailed a 52-yard field goal to make the tally 19-17 still in favor of the Otters with 10:36 remaining in the game. Otters DL Drew Beesley intercepted Francois and ran it to the house for a 20-yard score that stood even after Calgary challenged for defensive holding. Two false starts made the two-point conversion even more challenging and Vancouver could not convert, but they still claimed a 25-17 lead with 7:07 left in the game. Francois threw a three-yard touchdown pass to WR Andrew Jamiel, but miscommunication with his TE Thomas prevented the Greys from tying the game. With only 3:55 left to play, Vancouver remained on top 25-23. After Calgary crept within two points, the Otters earned two first downs to ice the game and enter the win column with a 25-23 victory.
-- (2-14)Greys 23 - 25 Otters(4-12)
(CAL): QB Francois - 13/23 136 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Darrington - 16 carries, 133 yards, 1 TD, WR Cannon - 1 catch, 69 yards, WR Rambo - 6 catches, 42 yards
(VAN): QB Coan - 25/31 302 yards, 1 TD, RB Patrick - 20 carries, 80 yards, 1 TD, 5 catches, 50 yards, WR Turpin - 4 catches, 105 yards
-- (9-7)Bolts 35 - 39 Mountain Lions(13-3)
(BER): QB Kaaya - 11/21 237 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT, RB Hunt - 16 carries, 68 yards, 1 TD, RB Sankey - 8 carries, 68 yards, 3 catches, 38 yards, 1 TD, WR Huff - 3 catches, 127 yards, 1 TD, WR Gibson - 3 catches, 57 yards, 2 TDs
(SLC): QB Rosen - 19/31 229 yards, 3 TDs, RB Booker - 21 carries, 147 yards, 1 TD, RB Samuels - 16 carries, 52 yards, WR Ross - 4 catches, 54 yards, WR Clay - 5 catches, 50 yards, WR Arcega-Whiteside - 4 catches, 53 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 17: Renegades Rally from 17 Down to Force OT before Falling
June 10, 2023
Cologne, GERMANY - The Dallas Renegades overcame a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit before suffering a 28-26 overtime loss to the XFL-best Cologne Defenders. The Renegades had a chance to take a step towards securing a postseason spot with a win today, but their postseason hopes dampened. Dallas battled back and cut the deficit to 3 points with 1:20 left in the contest when RB De'Veon Smith rumbled into the end zone for his second touchdown of the game. That drive was continued on a timely challenge which resulted in a Defenders penalty and allowed the drive to continue. The Renegades then converted a miraculous 4th-and-15 attempt to keep the ball with QB Luis Perez fighting through multiple Defenders to complete a pass to TE Sal Cannella. In overtime, the Renegades went 0-for-2 on their conversion attempts, with Perez missing Cannella on both attempts. The Renegades trailed 20-9 at halftime and 26-9 after 3 quarters, with the team's only touchdown to that point coming on a 25-yard connection from Perez to WR Caleb Vander Esch in the second quarter.
Dallas' defense earned a pair of takeaways on interceptions to extend their XFL lead in that category. The team has at least one takeaway in all 17 games this season. The Defenders' first score of the second half came off a 36-yard pick-six from DB DJ Swearinger. The Dallas defense managed to hold Cologne scoreless for the remainder of the game, allowing the offense to even the score. The Renegades offense in turn scored 17 unanswered points in the fourth to force overtime.
-- (8-8)Renegades 26 - 28 Defenders(15-1)
(DAL): QB Perez - 31/41 335 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Smith - 15 carries, 58 yards, 2 TDs, RB Brown - 8 carries, 31 yards, 6 catches, 69 yards, WR Vaughns - 6 catches, 63 yards, TE Cannella - 7 catches, 92 yards
(COL): QB Ta'amu - 20/29 264 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Smith - 15 carries, 50 yards, WR Hammond - 5 catches, 74 yards, 1 TD, WR Blair - 2 catches, 57 yards
-- (9-6)Fleet 34 - 26 Brigade(12-4)
(SD): QB Johnson - 25/34 363 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT, RB Smallwood - 19 carries, 32 yards, 1 TD, WR Posey - 7 catches, 107 yards, 1 TD, WR Ross - 6 catches, 101 yards, 1 TD, WR Spruce - 3 catches, 54 yards, 1 TD
(BAL): QB Bahar - 13/21 173 yards, RB Thompson - 19 carries, 120 yards, WR Chism - 3 catches, 51 yards, WR Hall - 3 catches, 46 yards
-- (12-4)Stallions 33 - 31 Steel(2-14)
(STL): QB McGough - 12/16 221 yards, 1 TD, RB Marable - 20 carries, 68 yards, 1 TD, RB Scarbrough - 18 carries, 85 yards, 1 TD, WR Cain - 1 catch, 69 yards, 1 TD, TE Moss - 2 catches, 41 yards
(BIRM): QB Glennon - 12/21 150 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, RB Yeldon - 18 carries, 130 yards, 1 TD, RB Richardson - 21 carries, 73 yards, 1 TD, WR Bray - 4 catches, 65 yards, 1 TD, WR Lodge - 3 catches, 41 yards
XFL Week 17: Ghosts Desperate for Positives after Costly Loss
June 10, 2023
Washington, DC - The Columbus Ghosts are down, but not out of the XFL playoff picture despite the 18-14 loss to the Washington Valor. The Ghosts opened up a 14-6 lead on the Valor on touchdown receptions by WRs Corey Coleman and Jordan Suell. That was it for the Ghosts, who were held scoreless for the final 39:30 over which time the Valor clawed back with four field goals. If that wasn’t bad enough, the Valor sacked QB Case Cookus seven times. It wasn’t all sacks allowed that did in the Ghosts. Washington RB Javorius Allen had 25 carries for 132 yards, essentially running the ball down the Ghosts’ throats. “We expected that and we couldn’t stop it and that’s a credit to them,” said Ghosts head coach Craig Dickenson. “We’ll look at the film and see how we can line up differently. I saw a playoff mentality in the effort, not necessarily in the execution. I think the effort was outstanding. We just didn’t play well enough. Give Washington credit because they did what they needed to do to win the game.
The Ghosts came out strong while racing into a 14-6 lead. They couldn’t expand on that lead, allowing the Valor to hang around long enough to eventually win. There is equal blame to go around. Columbus’ offense generated only two touchdowns. The defense wasn’t able to make a stop when it was needed. In the fourth quarter, the Valor chewed up 7:38 during a 14-play, 76-yard drive that was capped by a 29-yard field goal staked them to an 18-14 lead. The Ghosts were unable to rally. Championship-caliber teams are capable of putting together game-winning drives or building on early leads. The Valor aren’t a championship squad, but the Ghosts sure made them look like contenders when it counted.
-- (7-9)Ghosts 14 - 18 Valor(8-8)
(COL): QB Cookus - 24/31 259 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Colburn - 10 carries, 29 yards, WR Coleman - 6 catches, 93 yards, 1 TD, WR Carter - 8 catches, 42 yards
(DC): QB Bortles - 11/24 214 yards, 2 INTs, RB Allen - 25 carries, 132 yards, WR Daniels - 3 catches, 91 yards, WR Richardson - 3 catches, 63 yards
-- (4-12)Commanders 11 - 48 Crusaders(11-5)
(SA): QB Fine - 11/24 137 yards, 1 TD, RB Ervin - 13 carries, 72 yards, RB Hill - 12 carries, 58 yards, WR Ward - 6 catches, 107 yards
(LON): QB Heinicke - 15/19 241 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Michael - 13 carries, 75 yards, RB Jones - 14 carries, 61 yards, 1 TD, WR Henry - 7 catches, 162 yards, 3 TDs, WR Jorden - 5 catches, 92 yards, 1 TD, TE Toilolo - 2 catches, 46 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 17: Bethel-Thompson’s late TD pass lifts Breakers to win over Brawlers
June 11, 2023
Los Angeles, CA - QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson’s fourth-quarter touchdown pass to WR Jonathan Adams rallied the Los Angeles Breakers to a wild 23-20 home win over the Philadelphia Brawlers. Bethel-Thompson hit Adams on a 37-yard scoring strike and Brawlers K Sergio Castillo appeared poised to tie the contest but his 41-yard field goal attempt hit the left upright. Philadelphia QB Phillip Walker began the fourth-quarter fireworks with a 31-yard touchdown pass to WR Travis Fulgham just 50 seconds into the quarter to put Philadelphia ahead 17-16. It was set up by DL Kony Ealy's 38-yard return of a Bethel-Thompson fumble. Castillo then connected from 30 yards out at 10:44 to give the Brawlers a 20-16 advantage.
After winning the toss and deferring, Los Angeles took the ball and wind to open the third. Walker threaded the needle to WR Jalen Saunders on a 33-yard touchdown strike of the second to cut Los Angeles’ halftime lead to 13-7. Saunders made the catch between Breakers’ defenders to cap a smart five-play, 78-yard march. K Taylor Bertolet’s 21-yard field goal gave Los Angeles a 13-0 lead. RB Wes Hills’ one-yard touchdown run 15 seconds into the second put Los Angeles ahead 10-0. Twice the Breakers lined up on fourth-and-short inside the Brawlers’ 10-yard line and each time the visitors jumped offside, giving the Double Blue a fresh set of downs.
-- (13-3)Brawlers 20 - 23 Breakers(10-6)
(PHI): QB Walker - 21/32 258 yards, 2 TDs, RB Butler - 12 carries, 82 yards, WR Phillips - 5 catches, 76 yards, WR Fulgham - 3 catches, 47 yards, 1 TD
(LA): QB Bethel-Thompson - 27/40 352 yards, 1 TD, RB Hills - 19 carries, 72 yards, 1 TD, WR Lee - 8 catches, 121 yards, WR Dixon - 6 catches, 84 yards, WR Adams - 2 catches, 92 yards, 1 TD
-- (7-9)Maulers 36 - 33 Bandits(9-7)
(PIT): QB Haskins - 17/31 290 yards, 3 TDs, RB London - 11 carries, 75 yards, 1 TD, WR Thomas - 4 catches, 91 yards, 1 TD, WR Gaither - 3 catches, 76 yards, 1 TD
(TB): QB Kaepernick - 13/18 171 yards, 2 TDs, RB Gardner - 16 carries, 103 yards, RB Williams - 18 carries, 80 yards, WR Humphrey - 4 catches, 60 yards, WR Greene - 4 catches, 53 yards, 1 TD, WR Peake - 3 catches, 47 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 17: Atlanta Alphas Overcome Injuries to Win in Omaha
June 11, 2023
Omaha, NE - Before a crowd of 41,824, the Mammoths would have been thankful for a few more trips into the Alphas’ end zone. But all they could muster was one touchdown, late in the second quarter, when QB John Wolford connected with WR Damon Sheehy-Guiseppi for a 15-yard score. Omaha had repeated trips into the red zone, but was forced to settle for four field goals. But Wolford frequently was under pressure, despite not getting sacked, behind an offensive line that was hobbled following the departure of their starting center and right tackle. Wolford, at times, also appeared to have happy feet, reluctant to get hit. Wolford fumbled in the third quarter while attempting to produce a first down with his feet, the turnover eventually resulting in an Atlanta touchdown and he was unable to deliver when required. The Mammoths drove to the 19 in the final minute, but with third down and 11.4 seconds remaining, his pass to WR Antonio Callaway was too high and would have required a one-handed catch. “The last play of the game’s going to bug me,” Wolford said. “I lifted the ball a little bit. Small little things like that. Penalties. Not converting second downs. Field position. A couple of small things that are turning the tide. We just have to execute. We’ve got to be better. We can’t kick the short field goals. We have to score touchdowns. It makes a big difference.”
The Mammoths were nursing a tenuous 15-7 lead at halftime, but also controlled the ball for slightly more than 20 minutes. But following the intermission, as is so often the case, they couldn’t generate any offense in the third quarter, limited to four plays. Omaha’s only points in the second half weren’t produced until nine minutes into the final period. The Mammoths were outscored 17-3 in the second half, their time of possession approximately nine minutes. A lack of discipline, again, came back to haunt the Mammoths, penalized nine times for 122 yards, although the Alphas took 119 yards themselves. “When frustration sets in, we sort of revert back to our old ways,” Wolford admitted. “That’s obviously unacceptable. We just can’t go back to being that team.”
-- (7-9)Alphas 24 - 18 Mammoths(3-13)
(ATL): QB Barrett - 28/32 229 yards, RB Barber - 9 carries, 41 yards, RB Smith - 12 carries, 23 yards, 2 TDs, WR Hardy - 11 catches, 79 yards, WR Evans - 4 catches, 54 yards, WR Jones - 5 catches, 44 yards
(OMA): QB Wolford - 30/38 338 yards, 1 TD, RB West - 15 carries, 43 yards, WR Sheehy-Guiseppi - 9 catches, 108 yards, 1 TD, WR Dunbar - 5 catches, 60 yards, WR Callaway - 4 catches, 55 yards
-- (10-6)Stampede 25 - 32 Showboats(8-8)
(OKC): QB Petty - 23/37 328 yards, 2 TDs, RB Artis-Payne - 19 carries, 75 yards, WR Davis - 5 catches, 82 yards, 1 TD, WR Westbrook - 3 catches, 59 yards, WR Martino - 2 catches, 57 yards
(MEM): QB Guarantano - 12/21 171 yards, 1 TD, RB Emmons - 12 carries, 86 yards, 3 TDs, RB Collins - 21 carries, 107 yards, WR Treadwell - 4 catches, 51 yards, WR Henderson - 2 catches, 51 yards, 1 TD
-- (8-8)Enforcers 14 - 24 Apollos(12-4)
(CHI): QB Prukop - 11/20 100 yards, RB Victor - 20 carries, 112 yards, 2 TDs, RB Rawls - 19 carries, 71 yards, WR Pierson-El - 4 catches, 42 yards
(ORL): QB Gilbert - 15/17 232 yards, 2 TDs, RB Johnson - 20 carries, 93 yards, RB Walton - 12 carries, 64 yards, 1 TD, WR Marshall - 5 catches, 118 yards, WR Moncrief - 3 catches, 50 yards
XFL Week 17: Dragons Stay Alive in Charlotte
June 12, 2023
Charlotte, NC - The Seattle Dragons traveled to Charlotte to take on the BattleHawks in a pivotal playoff matchup. The BattleHawks came to Seattle in Week 3 where they stole a victory from the Dragons after K Donny Hageman knocked in the game-winning 44-yard field goal as time expired. With the playoffs quickly approaching, this matchup today was a must win scenario for the Dragons. The Dragons received the opening kickoff and immediately took the lead after RB TJ Hammonds scored his first touchdown of the season on a 9-yard rushing touchdown to cap off a 12-play, 74-yard drive and to take an early 8-0 lead following the successful 2-point conversion rushing attempt by RB Phillip Lindsay. On the BattleHawks first offensive series, Hageman tacked on the first points of the game for Charlotte on a 45-yard field goal, cutting the lead to 8-3. Heading into the second quarter, the BattleHawks came out firing after QB AJ McCarron connected with WR Darrius Shepherd downfield for a 42-yard touchdown pass, giving the BattleHawks their first 9-8 lead of the game after the missed 2-point conversion try. Late in the second quarter, QB Ben DiNucci aired out a 42-yard pass on 4th down to WR Josh Gordon to get the Dragons offense inside the red zone. On the next play, DiNucci found WR Jordan Veasy inside the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown pass to retake a 14-9 lead after the failed 2-point conversion attempt. The BattleHawks looked to answer before the break, but fell short after DB Qwynnterrio Cole intercepted McCarron, giving the ball right back to the Dragons going into halftime.
Transitioning into the second half, the Dragons regrouped and scored on their first offensive series after WR Jahcour Pearson broke off for a 68-yard touchdown pass from DiNucci to extend the score to 20-9 following the missed 3-point conversion try. A couple series later, Hageman converted a 54-yard field goal, trimming the score to 20-12. After a missed 52-yard field goal by K Dominik Eberle, the Dragons defense retaliated and forced the BattleHawks offense to turn the ball over on downs. The Dragons offense looked to seal the game on their next series, but the BattleHawks defense came up big after DB Lukas Denis intercepted DiNucci in the end zone. Soon after, the Dragons defense answered with an interception of their own after DB Bryce Thompson snagged a muffed catch from Shepherd. Following the turnover, the Dragons offense capitalized with an 8-yard run by DiNucci to take a commanding 27-12 lead after Lindsay punched in a 1-point conversion attempt. After forcing the BattleHawks to punt on their next drive, Eberle put the game away for good with a 36-yard field goal to extend the score to 30-12 and to seal the sixth victory of the season for the Dragons.
-- (11-5)Dragons 30 - 12 BattleHawks(10-6)
(SEA): QB DiNucci - 21/31 260 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Lindsay - 17 carries, 76 yards, RB Hammonds - 7 carries, 59 yards, 1 TD, WR Pearson - 7 catches, 115 yards, 1 TD, WR Gordon - 3 catches, 63 yards
(CHA): QB McCarron - 18/32 186 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, RB Hill - 9 carries, 46 yards, WR Ateman - 7 catches, 99 yards, WR Shepherd - 6 catches, 60 yards, 1 TD
-- (6-10)Jousters 20 - 28 Monarchs(3-13)
(TOR): QB Mitchell - 21/27 229 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Dixon - 17 carries, 67 yards, RB Cox - 15 carries, 74 yards, WR Butler - 4 catches, 80 yards, WR Wright - 3 catches, 38 yards, 1 TD
(MON): QB Mallett - 16/21 195 yards, 1 TD, RB Richard - 23 carries, 128 yards, 1 TD, WR Roosevelt - 4 catches, 58 yards, 1 TD
June 7, 2023
Calgay, ONTARIO, CANADA - For his entire career, Cody Latimer had been a wide receiver. A three-star wide receiver prospect at Jefferson High School in Dayton, Ohio. A two-year starting wide receiver for Indiana University. And six seasons in the NFL with the Denver Broncos and New York Giants as, yes, a wide receiver. But when he set out to make his return to professional football as an XFL player, Latimer didn't come back as a wide receiver. He returned as a tight end. The reason behind the change was simple. "I was out of the NFL so I had like sat on the couch for three years," Latimer said. "I picked up a bunch of weight. I was always good at blocking but instead of having to chop off 30 pounds, I was like why not play tight end?"
Latimer's position change helped him revive the football career he once thought was over. The Calgary Greys TE has emerged as one of the XFL's top offensive skill position players. Latimer enters Week 17 leading the position in receiving yards and ranking second in receptions. He is one of the league's top tight ends and playing himself back into an NFL camp. Those in the Calgary organization are not surprised. "People who've been around since camp have known that he shouldn't be here," Greys TE/LS Ryan Becker said. "He's one of those guys who just as soon as he got here, you kind of watched him run around a little bit and just like, oh man, this guy is definitely one who shouldn't be here. I'm not saying that in a bad way. He shouldn't be here in a good way."
The pass catching and route running skills have carried over from his time as a wide receiver. But it has been in his blocking where Latimer has made the biggest improvements in his game. He was a good blocking wide receiver. But blocking at the tight end position is very different. There has also been an off-the-field transformation that has turned the 30-year-old Latimer into a better version of himself. Latimer said he is a changed man from his past thanks to his sobriety. He said he has been sober for about a year and four months. "It made me a better man. I'm more focused and more in tune with my family. I used to be angry all the time," Latimer said. "Now, I can communicate better. I talk to people, everything I do and say is real." His teammates support that sentiment with Becker saying he was surprised to hear about Latimer's struggles in the past because it does not align with his current demeanor. Latimer left the NFL after Washington released him in August 2020. He had been on the Commissioner's Exempt List following an arrest earlier that year. It seemed like his NFL days were going to be past him. Latimer admitted he thought his career was done. The XFL has given him a chance to play football again. He isn't looking past that for the time being. "I haven't looked that far into it," Latimer said. "I don't know what's gonna happen after this season. I know at the end of the day, if nothing happens, I can hang my hat. I did everything I could and I'm just happy to be able to play ball again."
XFL Week 17: Roughnecks Use Big Plays to Rally past Mexico City
June 8, 2023
Houston, TX - The Houston Roughnecks got their third straight win as they took down the Mexico City Vipers by a score of 28-21 at TDECU Stadium. The game had an attendance of 30,967. The Roughnecks got off to a slow start in this one, in part due to a first quarter interception thrown by QB Brandon Silvers. The Vipers would score on a 3-yard touchdown rush the following drive to put them up 6-0. Houston's offensive struggles continued into the second quarter as WR Cedric Byrd lost a fumble that was recovered by the Mexico City defense. The Vipers once again cashed in on the takeaway, as they scored a 2-yard touchdown through the air on their next drive, making the score 12-0. With under four minutes to go in the half, Roughnecks' LB Deandre Johnson came up with a strip sack on QB Jalan McClendon, resulting in a 39-yard scoop and score touchdown by LB Tavante Beckett. At halftime, Houston trailed 12-6.
Silvers threw his second interception of the game to start the second half. On Mexico City's next drive, DB Ajene Harris stripped WR Martavis Bryant, returning it for a 12-yard touchdown. On the one-point attempt, Silvers connected with WR Tavonn Salter, giving Houston their first lead of the game at 13-12. Later in the quarter, RB Max Borghi punched in a 2-yard touchdown, Houston's first offensive score of the game. After three quarters of play, the Roughnecks led 19-12. Mexico City cut the lead to just four points after a 53-yard field goal made early in the fourth quarter. Houston's offense responded with a 14-yard touchdown rush by RB Brycen Alleyne, making the score 25-15. On the Vipers' following drive, a 25-yard touchdown rush put Mexico City down just four points yet again. Houston would add onto their lead with a 28-yard field goal made by K Austin Jones. The Roughnecks defeated the Vipers, 28-21.
-- (3-13)Vipers 21 - 28 Roughnecks(11-5)
(MEX): QB McClendon - 27/37 249 yards, 2 TDs, RB Guice - 14 carries, 87 yards, 4 catches, 63 yards, WR Allison - 6 catches, 60 yard, WR Badet - 4 catches, 43 yards
(HOU): QB Silvers - 16/27 105 yards, 2 INTs, RB Borghi - 12 carries, 83 yards, WR Putman - 2 catches, 26 yards
-- (5-11)Panthers 14 - 27 Guardians(5-11)
(OAK): QB Love - 9/29 125 yards, RB Scott - 15 carries, 55 yards, 1 TD, WR Hamilton - 3 catches, 56 yards
(NY): QB Kessler - 12/19 157 yards, 3 TDs, RB Perkins - 19 carries, 108 yards, WR White - 3 catches, 68 yards, 1 TD, WR McKay - 3 catches, 40 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 17: Greys Drop Nailbiter
June 9, 2023
Vancouver, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA - The Vancouver Otters defeated the Calgary Greys by a score of 25-23. QB Jack Coan erupts for a franchise-best 302 passing yards and WR KaVontae Turpin breaks the Otters' record with 105 receiving yards to help Vancouver sneak past Calgary 25-23. The Otters improved their record with their second win of the season over Calgary, and both of their highest offensive outputs have come against the Greys with 30 points in Week Three and 25 points today. After recording his first catch of the game, Turpin scampered across the middle of the field for a 34-yard catch near the end of the second quarter. But wait, Turpin was far from done. In the third quarter, Turpin went deep for a 44-yard reception. On the evening, Turpin finished with 105 receiving yards. Otters LB Jordan Williams recorded a team-high 11 tackles in the game. Calgary scored on its opening drive. QB Deondre Francois connected with TE Jordan Thomas for a four-yard touchdown pass. The duo hooked up again for a two-point conversion to put the Greys up 8-0 with 11:34 remaining in the first quarter. Thomas has now caught a touchdown pass in three of the previous five weeks after no receptions through the first twelve games of the season. Less than a minute into the second quarter, Otters K Parker Romo made his league-best 28th field goal from 38 yards out to bring the Otters within five points at 8-3. On 4th and 5, Greys P Mac Brown stunned the stadium by dropping back to pass on a fake punt. He rocketed a 69-yard pass to WR KD Cannon that set up another Calgary touchdown. RB Devin Darrington punched in a one yard-rush to finish the drive in the end-zone making the score 14-3 in favor of the Greys with 10:36 left in the first half. Vancouver RB Jacques Patrick capped a speedy six-play, 78-yard drive with a six-yard rushing touchdown. Patrick then ran the rock for a one-point conversion to cut Calgary's lead to 14-10 with 27 ticks still on the first half clock. That remained the score headed into halftime.
With 8:10 left in the third quarter, Romo nailed a 29-yard field goal to narrow the deficit to 14-13. Romo has not missed since Week One vs Charlotte. Coan found WR Landen Akers for a go-ahead 28-yard touchdown completion with just over two minutes left in the third quarter. While the two-point conversion failed, Vancouver hopped on top of Calgary for the first time all game, 19-14. Immediately after Vancouver stopped Calgary and looked to build momentum off their previous score, Greys LB Terrance Smith knocked the ball out of Patrick's hands and DL Stansly Maponga recovered the fumble to give the ball right back to the Greys. Calgary capitalized as K Jose Borregales nailed a 52-yard field goal to make the tally 19-17 still in favor of the Otters with 10:36 remaining in the game. Otters DL Drew Beesley intercepted Francois and ran it to the house for a 20-yard score that stood even after Calgary challenged for defensive holding. Two false starts made the two-point conversion even more challenging and Vancouver could not convert, but they still claimed a 25-17 lead with 7:07 left in the game. Francois threw a three-yard touchdown pass to WR Andrew Jamiel, but miscommunication with his TE Thomas prevented the Greys from tying the game. With only 3:55 left to play, Vancouver remained on top 25-23. After Calgary crept within two points, the Otters earned two first downs to ice the game and enter the win column with a 25-23 victory.
-- (2-14)Greys 23 - 25 Otters(4-12)
(CAL): QB Francois - 13/23 136 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Darrington - 16 carries, 133 yards, 1 TD, WR Cannon - 1 catch, 69 yards, WR Rambo - 6 catches, 42 yards
(VAN): QB Coan - 25/31 302 yards, 1 TD, RB Patrick - 20 carries, 80 yards, 1 TD, 5 catches, 50 yards, WR Turpin - 4 catches, 105 yards
-- (9-7)Bolts 35 - 39 Mountain Lions(13-3)
(BER): QB Kaaya - 11/21 237 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT, RB Hunt - 16 carries, 68 yards, 1 TD, RB Sankey - 8 carries, 68 yards, 3 catches, 38 yards, 1 TD, WR Huff - 3 catches, 127 yards, 1 TD, WR Gibson - 3 catches, 57 yards, 2 TDs
(SLC): QB Rosen - 19/31 229 yards, 3 TDs, RB Booker - 21 carries, 147 yards, 1 TD, RB Samuels - 16 carries, 52 yards, WR Ross - 4 catches, 54 yards, WR Clay - 5 catches, 50 yards, WR Arcega-Whiteside - 4 catches, 53 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 17: Renegades Rally from 17 Down to Force OT before Falling
June 10, 2023
Cologne, GERMANY - The Dallas Renegades overcame a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit before suffering a 28-26 overtime loss to the XFL-best Cologne Defenders. The Renegades had a chance to take a step towards securing a postseason spot with a win today, but their postseason hopes dampened. Dallas battled back and cut the deficit to 3 points with 1:20 left in the contest when RB De'Veon Smith rumbled into the end zone for his second touchdown of the game. That drive was continued on a timely challenge which resulted in a Defenders penalty and allowed the drive to continue. The Renegades then converted a miraculous 4th-and-15 attempt to keep the ball with QB Luis Perez fighting through multiple Defenders to complete a pass to TE Sal Cannella. In overtime, the Renegades went 0-for-2 on their conversion attempts, with Perez missing Cannella on both attempts. The Renegades trailed 20-9 at halftime and 26-9 after 3 quarters, with the team's only touchdown to that point coming on a 25-yard connection from Perez to WR Caleb Vander Esch in the second quarter.
Dallas' defense earned a pair of takeaways on interceptions to extend their XFL lead in that category. The team has at least one takeaway in all 17 games this season. The Defenders' first score of the second half came off a 36-yard pick-six from DB DJ Swearinger. The Dallas defense managed to hold Cologne scoreless for the remainder of the game, allowing the offense to even the score. The Renegades offense in turn scored 17 unanswered points in the fourth to force overtime.
-- (8-8)Renegades 26 - 28 Defenders(15-1)
(DAL): QB Perez - 31/41 335 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Smith - 15 carries, 58 yards, 2 TDs, RB Brown - 8 carries, 31 yards, 6 catches, 69 yards, WR Vaughns - 6 catches, 63 yards, TE Cannella - 7 catches, 92 yards
(COL): QB Ta'amu - 20/29 264 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Smith - 15 carries, 50 yards, WR Hammond - 5 catches, 74 yards, 1 TD, WR Blair - 2 catches, 57 yards
-- (9-6)Fleet 34 - 26 Brigade(12-4)
(SD): QB Johnson - 25/34 363 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT, RB Smallwood - 19 carries, 32 yards, 1 TD, WR Posey - 7 catches, 107 yards, 1 TD, WR Ross - 6 catches, 101 yards, 1 TD, WR Spruce - 3 catches, 54 yards, 1 TD
(BAL): QB Bahar - 13/21 173 yards, RB Thompson - 19 carries, 120 yards, WR Chism - 3 catches, 51 yards, WR Hall - 3 catches, 46 yards
-- (12-4)Stallions 33 - 31 Steel(2-14)
(STL): QB McGough - 12/16 221 yards, 1 TD, RB Marable - 20 carries, 68 yards, 1 TD, RB Scarbrough - 18 carries, 85 yards, 1 TD, WR Cain - 1 catch, 69 yards, 1 TD, TE Moss - 2 catches, 41 yards
(BIRM): QB Glennon - 12/21 150 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, RB Yeldon - 18 carries, 130 yards, 1 TD, RB Richardson - 21 carries, 73 yards, 1 TD, WR Bray - 4 catches, 65 yards, 1 TD, WR Lodge - 3 catches, 41 yards
XFL Week 17: Ghosts Desperate for Positives after Costly Loss
June 10, 2023
Washington, DC - The Columbus Ghosts are down, but not out of the XFL playoff picture despite the 18-14 loss to the Washington Valor. The Ghosts opened up a 14-6 lead on the Valor on touchdown receptions by WRs Corey Coleman and Jordan Suell. That was it for the Ghosts, who were held scoreless for the final 39:30 over which time the Valor clawed back with four field goals. If that wasn’t bad enough, the Valor sacked QB Case Cookus seven times. It wasn’t all sacks allowed that did in the Ghosts. Washington RB Javorius Allen had 25 carries for 132 yards, essentially running the ball down the Ghosts’ throats. “We expected that and we couldn’t stop it and that’s a credit to them,” said Ghosts head coach Craig Dickenson. “We’ll look at the film and see how we can line up differently. I saw a playoff mentality in the effort, not necessarily in the execution. I think the effort was outstanding. We just didn’t play well enough. Give Washington credit because they did what they needed to do to win the game.
The Ghosts came out strong while racing into a 14-6 lead. They couldn’t expand on that lead, allowing the Valor to hang around long enough to eventually win. There is equal blame to go around. Columbus’ offense generated only two touchdowns. The defense wasn’t able to make a stop when it was needed. In the fourth quarter, the Valor chewed up 7:38 during a 14-play, 76-yard drive that was capped by a 29-yard field goal staked them to an 18-14 lead. The Ghosts were unable to rally. Championship-caliber teams are capable of putting together game-winning drives or building on early leads. The Valor aren’t a championship squad, but the Ghosts sure made them look like contenders when it counted.
-- (7-9)Ghosts 14 - 18 Valor(8-8)
(COL): QB Cookus - 24/31 259 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Colburn - 10 carries, 29 yards, WR Coleman - 6 catches, 93 yards, 1 TD, WR Carter - 8 catches, 42 yards
(DC): QB Bortles - 11/24 214 yards, 2 INTs, RB Allen - 25 carries, 132 yards, WR Daniels - 3 catches, 91 yards, WR Richardson - 3 catches, 63 yards
-- (4-12)Commanders 11 - 48 Crusaders(11-5)
(SA): QB Fine - 11/24 137 yards, 1 TD, RB Ervin - 13 carries, 72 yards, RB Hill - 12 carries, 58 yards, WR Ward - 6 catches, 107 yards
(LON): QB Heinicke - 15/19 241 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Michael - 13 carries, 75 yards, RB Jones - 14 carries, 61 yards, 1 TD, WR Henry - 7 catches, 162 yards, 3 TDs, WR Jorden - 5 catches, 92 yards, 1 TD, TE Toilolo - 2 catches, 46 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 17: Bethel-Thompson’s late TD pass lifts Breakers to win over Brawlers
June 11, 2023
Los Angeles, CA - QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson’s fourth-quarter touchdown pass to WR Jonathan Adams rallied the Los Angeles Breakers to a wild 23-20 home win over the Philadelphia Brawlers. Bethel-Thompson hit Adams on a 37-yard scoring strike and Brawlers K Sergio Castillo appeared poised to tie the contest but his 41-yard field goal attempt hit the left upright. Philadelphia QB Phillip Walker began the fourth-quarter fireworks with a 31-yard touchdown pass to WR Travis Fulgham just 50 seconds into the quarter to put Philadelphia ahead 17-16. It was set up by DL Kony Ealy's 38-yard return of a Bethel-Thompson fumble. Castillo then connected from 30 yards out at 10:44 to give the Brawlers a 20-16 advantage.
After winning the toss and deferring, Los Angeles took the ball and wind to open the third. Walker threaded the needle to WR Jalen Saunders on a 33-yard touchdown strike of the second to cut Los Angeles’ halftime lead to 13-7. Saunders made the catch between Breakers’ defenders to cap a smart five-play, 78-yard march. K Taylor Bertolet’s 21-yard field goal gave Los Angeles a 13-0 lead. RB Wes Hills’ one-yard touchdown run 15 seconds into the second put Los Angeles ahead 10-0. Twice the Breakers lined up on fourth-and-short inside the Brawlers’ 10-yard line and each time the visitors jumped offside, giving the Double Blue a fresh set of downs.
-- (13-3)Brawlers 20 - 23 Breakers(10-6)
(PHI): QB Walker - 21/32 258 yards, 2 TDs, RB Butler - 12 carries, 82 yards, WR Phillips - 5 catches, 76 yards, WR Fulgham - 3 catches, 47 yards, 1 TD
(LA): QB Bethel-Thompson - 27/40 352 yards, 1 TD, RB Hills - 19 carries, 72 yards, 1 TD, WR Lee - 8 catches, 121 yards, WR Dixon - 6 catches, 84 yards, WR Adams - 2 catches, 92 yards, 1 TD
-- (7-9)Maulers 36 - 33 Bandits(9-7)
(PIT): QB Haskins - 17/31 290 yards, 3 TDs, RB London - 11 carries, 75 yards, 1 TD, WR Thomas - 4 catches, 91 yards, 1 TD, WR Gaither - 3 catches, 76 yards, 1 TD
(TB): QB Kaepernick - 13/18 171 yards, 2 TDs, RB Gardner - 16 carries, 103 yards, RB Williams - 18 carries, 80 yards, WR Humphrey - 4 catches, 60 yards, WR Greene - 4 catches, 53 yards, 1 TD, WR Peake - 3 catches, 47 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 17: Atlanta Alphas Overcome Injuries to Win in Omaha
June 11, 2023
Omaha, NE - Before a crowd of 41,824, the Mammoths would have been thankful for a few more trips into the Alphas’ end zone. But all they could muster was one touchdown, late in the second quarter, when QB John Wolford connected with WR Damon Sheehy-Guiseppi for a 15-yard score. Omaha had repeated trips into the red zone, but was forced to settle for four field goals. But Wolford frequently was under pressure, despite not getting sacked, behind an offensive line that was hobbled following the departure of their starting center and right tackle. Wolford, at times, also appeared to have happy feet, reluctant to get hit. Wolford fumbled in the third quarter while attempting to produce a first down with his feet, the turnover eventually resulting in an Atlanta touchdown and he was unable to deliver when required. The Mammoths drove to the 19 in the final minute, but with third down and 11.4 seconds remaining, his pass to WR Antonio Callaway was too high and would have required a one-handed catch. “The last play of the game’s going to bug me,” Wolford said. “I lifted the ball a little bit. Small little things like that. Penalties. Not converting second downs. Field position. A couple of small things that are turning the tide. We just have to execute. We’ve got to be better. We can’t kick the short field goals. We have to score touchdowns. It makes a big difference.”
The Mammoths were nursing a tenuous 15-7 lead at halftime, but also controlled the ball for slightly more than 20 minutes. But following the intermission, as is so often the case, they couldn’t generate any offense in the third quarter, limited to four plays. Omaha’s only points in the second half weren’t produced until nine minutes into the final period. The Mammoths were outscored 17-3 in the second half, their time of possession approximately nine minutes. A lack of discipline, again, came back to haunt the Mammoths, penalized nine times for 122 yards, although the Alphas took 119 yards themselves. “When frustration sets in, we sort of revert back to our old ways,” Wolford admitted. “That’s obviously unacceptable. We just can’t go back to being that team.”
-- (7-9)Alphas 24 - 18 Mammoths(3-13)
(ATL): QB Barrett - 28/32 229 yards, RB Barber - 9 carries, 41 yards, RB Smith - 12 carries, 23 yards, 2 TDs, WR Hardy - 11 catches, 79 yards, WR Evans - 4 catches, 54 yards, WR Jones - 5 catches, 44 yards
(OMA): QB Wolford - 30/38 338 yards, 1 TD, RB West - 15 carries, 43 yards, WR Sheehy-Guiseppi - 9 catches, 108 yards, 1 TD, WR Dunbar - 5 catches, 60 yards, WR Callaway - 4 catches, 55 yards
-- (10-6)Stampede 25 - 32 Showboats(8-8)
(OKC): QB Petty - 23/37 328 yards, 2 TDs, RB Artis-Payne - 19 carries, 75 yards, WR Davis - 5 catches, 82 yards, 1 TD, WR Westbrook - 3 catches, 59 yards, WR Martino - 2 catches, 57 yards
(MEM): QB Guarantano - 12/21 171 yards, 1 TD, RB Emmons - 12 carries, 86 yards, 3 TDs, RB Collins - 21 carries, 107 yards, WR Treadwell - 4 catches, 51 yards, WR Henderson - 2 catches, 51 yards, 1 TD
-- (8-8)Enforcers 14 - 24 Apollos(12-4)
(CHI): QB Prukop - 11/20 100 yards, RB Victor - 20 carries, 112 yards, 2 TDs, RB Rawls - 19 carries, 71 yards, WR Pierson-El - 4 catches, 42 yards
(ORL): QB Gilbert - 15/17 232 yards, 2 TDs, RB Johnson - 20 carries, 93 yards, RB Walton - 12 carries, 64 yards, 1 TD, WR Marshall - 5 catches, 118 yards, WR Moncrief - 3 catches, 50 yards
XFL Week 17: Dragons Stay Alive in Charlotte
June 12, 2023
Charlotte, NC - The Seattle Dragons traveled to Charlotte to take on the BattleHawks in a pivotal playoff matchup. The BattleHawks came to Seattle in Week 3 where they stole a victory from the Dragons after K Donny Hageman knocked in the game-winning 44-yard field goal as time expired. With the playoffs quickly approaching, this matchup today was a must win scenario for the Dragons. The Dragons received the opening kickoff and immediately took the lead after RB TJ Hammonds scored his first touchdown of the season on a 9-yard rushing touchdown to cap off a 12-play, 74-yard drive and to take an early 8-0 lead following the successful 2-point conversion rushing attempt by RB Phillip Lindsay. On the BattleHawks first offensive series, Hageman tacked on the first points of the game for Charlotte on a 45-yard field goal, cutting the lead to 8-3. Heading into the second quarter, the BattleHawks came out firing after QB AJ McCarron connected with WR Darrius Shepherd downfield for a 42-yard touchdown pass, giving the BattleHawks their first 9-8 lead of the game after the missed 2-point conversion try. Late in the second quarter, QB Ben DiNucci aired out a 42-yard pass on 4th down to WR Josh Gordon to get the Dragons offense inside the red zone. On the next play, DiNucci found WR Jordan Veasy inside the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown pass to retake a 14-9 lead after the failed 2-point conversion attempt. The BattleHawks looked to answer before the break, but fell short after DB Qwynnterrio Cole intercepted McCarron, giving the ball right back to the Dragons going into halftime.
Transitioning into the second half, the Dragons regrouped and scored on their first offensive series after WR Jahcour Pearson broke off for a 68-yard touchdown pass from DiNucci to extend the score to 20-9 following the missed 3-point conversion try. A couple series later, Hageman converted a 54-yard field goal, trimming the score to 20-12. After a missed 52-yard field goal by K Dominik Eberle, the Dragons defense retaliated and forced the BattleHawks offense to turn the ball over on downs. The Dragons offense looked to seal the game on their next series, but the BattleHawks defense came up big after DB Lukas Denis intercepted DiNucci in the end zone. Soon after, the Dragons defense answered with an interception of their own after DB Bryce Thompson snagged a muffed catch from Shepherd. Following the turnover, the Dragons offense capitalized with an 8-yard run by DiNucci to take a commanding 27-12 lead after Lindsay punched in a 1-point conversion attempt. After forcing the BattleHawks to punt on their next drive, Eberle put the game away for good with a 36-yard field goal to extend the score to 30-12 and to seal the sixth victory of the season for the Dragons.
-- (11-5)Dragons 30 - 12 BattleHawks(10-6)
(SEA): QB DiNucci - 21/31 260 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Lindsay - 17 carries, 76 yards, RB Hammonds - 7 carries, 59 yards, 1 TD, WR Pearson - 7 catches, 115 yards, 1 TD, WR Gordon - 3 catches, 63 yards
(CHA): QB McCarron - 18/32 186 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, RB Hill - 9 carries, 46 yards, WR Ateman - 7 catches, 99 yards, WR Shepherd - 6 catches, 60 yards, 1 TD
-- (6-10)Jousters 20 - 28 Monarchs(3-13)
(TOR): QB Mitchell - 21/27 229 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Dixon - 17 carries, 67 yards, RB Cox - 15 carries, 74 yards, WR Butler - 4 catches, 80 yards, WR Wright - 3 catches, 38 yards, 1 TD
(MON): QB Mallett - 16/21 195 yards, 1 TD, RB Richard - 23 carries, 128 yards, 1 TD, WR Roosevelt - 4 catches, 58 yards, 1 TD
Last edited by BengalErnst on Sun Jun 18, 2023 11:32 am, edited 22 times in total.
- BengalErnst
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Re: XFL 2001
by BengalErnst » Sat Feb 18, 2023 2:49 pm
XFL Week 18: Maulers Win Thanks to Defense, Special Teams
June 15, 2023
Pittsburgh, PA - After watching his Pittsburgh Maulers defense dominate all afternoon, defensive coordinator Ray Horton was left almost speechless. They did everything he could have hoped they'd do in the biggest moment of their season. And when it was over, and his defense had saved the Maulers' season by powering the way to a 19-7 win over the Oakland Panthers. "Obviously to the eye test, the defense was, Wow!" Horton said. "I really want to give all these guys up here credit. I did nothing but watch. I had the best seat in the house to watch this performance. I have nothing to say, so I'm going to leave. I don't think the XFL is going to fine me." There was no need for a fine because Horton was right to drop the mic like that: The play of the Maulers defense was statement enough. In a game they absolutely needed to win to keep their playoff hopes alive, the Maulers overwhelmed Panthers QB Josh Love. They sacked Love four times and intercepted four of his passes. If it wasn't for a desperate, 55-yard drive in the final minute, the Panthers wouldn't have even topped 200 total yards. And they really needed every bit of their defensive performance to get in that position. The Maulers offense struggled, totaling just 226 yards. QB Dwayne Haskins was sacked six times. They scored a touchdown on their opening drive, thanks mostly to a 64-yard return of the opening kickoff by WR Josh Simmons that set up a 17-yard touchdown pass from Haskins to Simmons three plays later. Other than that, though, their whole game was about defense and special teams. They got a remarkable, 83-yard punt from P Matt Mengel. They got a blocked punt from RB Madre London. And they got those four interceptions. The offense struggled so much, they only got four field goals from K Chris Blewitt the rest of the way.
But the defense made sure that was enough. "Lately we haven't been creating turnovers," said Maulers LB Kyohva Tezino, who had two of the four Pittsburgh interceptions. "This week at practice were just preaching 'We've got to get turnovers. We have to put our offense in better position. We've just got to make plays. We did that, and you see the results." The Maulers offense had so many problems that those four interceptions actually only directly resulted in one field goal. But it still kept tilting the field in Pittsburgh's favor and frustrating the Oakland offense. It also spoiled a pretty good day by the Oakland defense, which had six sacks of their own. But Love could only get one sustained drive going, a five-play, 73-yard drive to open the second half that ended when TE Cole Hikutini got wide open for a 12-yard touchdown catch that pulled the Panthers within 13-7. Every other time he seemed to get something going, he ended up throwing the ball away. "I thought the defense did a very good job," said Oakland coach Jeff Fisher. "A lot of guys made plays in the ball game. They kept us in the game until the very end. We just weren't able to convert and get enough points to make that happen." As for Love's performance, Fisher was careful not to completely blame him. "The giveaways hurt us," Fisher said. "That's really all I have on it."
-- (5-12)Panthers 7 - 19 Maulers(8-9)
(OAK): QB Love - 19/33 233 yards, 1 TD, 4 INTs, RB Scott - 12 carries, 41 yards, WR Richardson - 5 catches, 99 yards, TE Hikutini - 6 catches, 80 yards, 1 TD
(PIT): QB Haskins - 14/24 166 yards, 1 TD, RB London - 12 carries, 51 yards, RB Groshek - 14 carries, 40 yards, WR Hennie - 5 catches, 67 yards, WR Walker - 3 catches, 66 yards
-- (4-13)Commanders 16 - 17 Otters(5-12)
(SA): QB Fine - 10/15 131 yards, RB Ervin - 13 carries, 53 yards, 1 TD, WR Ward - 4 catches, 57 yards
(VAN): QB Coan - 14/29 167 yards, 2 INTs, RB Patrick - 14 carries, 82 yards, 1 TD, RB Hilliman - 11 carries, 79 yards, 1 TD, WR Turpin - 6 catches, 80 yards
XFL Week 18: Breakers Weather Storm, Swarm Showboats with Defense in Runaway Win
June 16, 2023
Memphis, TN - Lightning, wind-swept rain and a long weather delay could not deter Los Angeles Breakers LB Vontae Diggs and his teammates' quest for redemption. Diggs and the Breakers wanted a little bit of get-back after losing to the Memphis Showboats earlier this season. They got it in the form of a dominant, 31-3 victory over host Memphis at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. "We had a saying all week," Diggs said. "I'm going to keep the French out of it, but that get-back is an MF, meaning we owe them, and we're not going home without getting our get-back on them. It is what it is. We don't think they should have beat us the first time, and we had to go back and stand on that business the second time. And we did."
The game was stopped with 1:04 left in the first quarter for three hours and 12 minutes because of a severe weather delay as a thunderstorm passed through the heart of Memphis. Slanting rain doused the stadium. Thunder and lightning could be seen from the press box. However, the inclement weather didn't stop a steady onslaught unleashed by motivated Breakers. Memphis turned the ball over a season-high five times. Entering the contest, the Showboats were No. 1 in the XFL with a plus-5 turnover differential. The Showboats were also 0-for-5 offensively on fourth downs. The Breakers also relentlessly pressured Memphis QB Jarrett Guarantano, finishing with five sacks. Guarantano completed 23 of 41 passes for 224 yards, with no touchdowns and three interceptions. The Breakers recorded just 177 total yards on offense. QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson completed just 9 of 16 passes for 88 yards and a score. But Los Angeles didn't turn the ball over. "I could care less how many yards we have when we score 31 points and our defense has five turnovers," Los Angeles coach John DeFilippo said. "That's called football. It's really good football. As a wise coach once said, stats are for losers, the scoreboard is for winners."
The Breakers put this one away early by jumping out to a 17-point lead in the opening quarter. Los Angeles got on the scoreboard first with a 43-yard field goal by K Matt Coghlin. The points were set up by Memphis TE Jay Jay Wilson's fumble after a 15-yard completion along the sideline, the ball jarred loose by DB James Wiggins and recovered by DB Adonis Alexander. Los Angeles pushed its lead to 10-0 on a RB Wes Hills 2-yard plunge over the goal line. The score was set up by a 45-yard punt return by DB Jarey Elder. Hills finished with 50 rushing yards on 18 carries. The Breakers grabbed a 17-0 advantage on a 29-yard interception for a return by Diggs. The touchdown was a result of a bad decision by Guarantano, who failed to control an unexpected, low snap by OL Jordan McCray, and then compounded the error by trying to make a play down the field instead of falling on the ball or throwing it away. After the long weather delay, the Showboats finally got on the scoreboard with a 50-yard field goal by K Alex Kessman, his 38th straight made field goal this season. But the defining play of the game came early in the third quarter. Memphis appeared to cut the Breakers' lead to seven points on RB Juwan Washington's score from two yards out. However, the touchdown was reversed by replay. Washington fumbled on the next play on first-and-goal from just beyond the goal line after a personal foul penalty on the Breakers. DL Anree Saint Amour recovered for Los Angeles. "You want to just stick it in the end zone," said Memphis coach Todd Haley, who considered calling a quarterback sneak. "And you just can't fumble the football down there. That was just a killer because we were gaining some momentum." The Breakers upped the lead to 24-3 on a 3-yard touchdown from Bethel-Thompson to WR Jonathan Adams on a slant route. WR Eli Stove finished out the scoring with a 29-yard touchdown run on a jet sweep.
-- (11-6)Breakers 31 - 3 Showboats(9-8)
(LA): QB Bethel-Thompson - 9/16 88 yards, 1 TD, RB Hills - 18 carries, 46 yards, 1 TD, WR Lee - 3 catches, 44 yards
(MEM): QB Guarantano - 23/41 224 yards, 3 INTs, RB Washington - 11 carries, 40 yards, WR Dillon - 5 catches, 51 yards, WR Mitchell - 4 catches, 75 yards
-- (9-8)Bolts 12 - 20 Greys(2-15)
(BER): QB Kaaya - 19/27 241 yards, RB Hunt - 14 carries, 64 yards, WR Huff - 6 catches, 75 yards
(CAL): QB Dormady - 19/30 234 yards, 2 TDs, RB Darrington - 8 carries, 59 yards, RB Martin - 17 carries, 45 yards, WR Latimer - 6 catches, 82 yards, WR Rambo - 3 catches, 48 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 18: Stallions Clinch Playoff Berth with Easy Win vs Brigade
June 17, 2023
Baltimore, MD - St. Louis Stallions offensive coordinator Skip Holtz had an epiphany at halftime with his offense scuffling, hanging on to a one-point lead over the pesky Baltimore Brigade. How about putting the ball in the hands of QB Alex McGough, his best player and the XFL's leading MVP candidate? "I looked at the stats and said you know what, Skip Holtz you're an idiot," joked Holtz. "One of the best players on your football team has touched the ball 10 times. And that's when I said, I need to put the ball in his hands. I need to drop back, let him see the field and take advantage of what they were giving us." It worked. McGough finished 13-of-21 for 208 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 42 yards on the way to a 38-15 victory, a win that also clinched a playoff spot for the defending champs. The Stallions outscored the Brigade 28-6 in the second half. But none of that mattered because the Stallions showed they are on a mission to repeat as XFL champs.
The Brigade turned the ball over three times, including a fluky fumble midway through the fourth quarter. On that play, scrambling QB Kenji Bahar lost control of the football while going to the ground. The ball popped loose and St. Louis DB Matt Hankins, who just joined the team, caught it in midair and ran 32 yards for a score. The Brigade had a 38:21-21:39 advantage in time of possession. However, Baltimore finished 0-for-5 in the red zone and had to settle for five field goals from K Nick Vogel. The Brigade trailed 10-9 at halftime but could have built a decent lead if they had capitalized on three turnovers by St. Louis, a McGough interception by DB Dayan Lake on an out route intended for St. Louis WR Davion Davis, a fumble by RB CJ Marable on a bad option pitch by McGough, and a fumble by WR Deon Cain on a kick return. Baltimore turned those miscues into nine points but should have put more on the scoreboard, according to Brigade coach Curtis Johnson. "That's a great football team," Johnson said. "They were champs last year. You know if you don't score touchdowns and put them away pretty early, it's going to come back to haunt you. And today it really reared its ugly head."
St. Louis' defense held bruising Brigade RB Mark Thompson to 59 yards on 17 carries. LB Quentin Poling led the Stallions defensively with 11 combined tackles, a sack and an interception. Bahar started the game 5-of-5 but finished 20-of-27 for 149 yards and no touchdown passes. Bahar was responsible for two turnovers and gave way to back up QB Montel Cozart at the end of the game. Trailing 9-3 late in the second quarter, the Stallions got the ball back with 57 seconds before the half. That felt like an eternity for TE Jace Sternberger, who finished with three receptions for 58 yards, including a 4-yard catch for a score that forced him toe-tap his feet at the edge of the end zone with 13 seconds left in the half. "I love doing two-minute with this offense," Sternberger said. "It's something we take pride in. I don't know the statistics, but I know as many attempts we've had in 2-minute, we're very successful. We look forward to it as an offense, and as soon as we saw there were 56 seconds left, I was like that's too much time for Alex, and we're about to go set the tone for the second half." On that drive, the Stallions marched 68 yards on five plays, capped by McGough's touchdown throw. Holtz said his team practices going 30 yards in thirty seconds from the team's own 40-yard line each week to get into scoring position. "When they look up and see 57 seconds on the clock, there's not even a rush," Holtz said. "And we've got two or three timeouts? We're good, so nobody hits the panic button, and they just play."
-- (13-4)Stallions 38 - 15 Brigade(11-6)
(STL): QB McGough - 13/21 208 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Marable - 21 carries, 66 yards, 2 TDs, WR Cain - 4 catches, 73 yards, 1 TD, TE Sternberger - 3 catches, 58 yards, 1 TD
(BAL): QB Bahar - 20/27 149 yards, 1 INT, 6 carries, 43 yards, RB Thompson - 17 carries, 56 yards, WR Zuber - 4 catches, 48 yards, WR Hall - 6 catches, 45 yards
-- (6-11)Guardians 23 - 37 Vipers(3-14)
(NY): QB Kessler - 23/34 217 yards, 1 INT, RB Perkins - 19 carries, 100 yards, RB Gallman - 12 carries, 82 yards, 2 TDs, WR White - 8 catches, 63 yards, WR McKay - 2 catches, 49 yards
(MEX): QB McClendon - 9/22 191 yards, 3 TDs, RB Guice - 16 carries, 131 yards, WR Bryant - 4 catches, 82 yards, 1 TD, WR Allison - 2 catches, 52 yards, 2 TDs
-- (10-7)Fleet 16 - 10 Alphas(8-9)
(SD): QB Johnson - 19/28 266 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Smallwood - 14 carries, 81 yards, RB Thomas - 12 carries, 50 yards, 1 TD, 4 catches, 51 yards, 1 TD, WR Posey - 5 catches, 92 yards, WR Ross - 3 catches, 60 yards
(ATL): QB Finley - 11/18 117 yards, RB Smith - 18 carries, 105 yards, RB Barber - 16 carries, 56 yards, 1 TD, WR Evans - 3 catches, 42 yards
XFL Week 18: Dynamic Defense Powers Defenders to Victory over Brawlers
June 17, 2023
Cologne, GERMANY - A pair of pick sixes helped the Cologne Defenders creep closer to a home playoff spot with a 40-32 win over the Philadelphia Brawlers. DBs DJ Swearinger and Isaiah Johnson each collected interceptions and QB Jordan Ta'amu and RB Abram Smith made massive runs for touchdowns in the victory. It was a mixed night for Ta'amu, who threw for 138 yards and completed 13-of-22 attempts with one touchdown. QB PJ Walker threw 325 passing yards for the Brawlers, connecting on 28-of-39 attempts with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Philadelphia K Sergio Castillo struggled, missing three long field-goal attempts. He was successful on a 38-yard kick. K Matt McCrane made all four of his attempts for Cologne, including a 41-yard strike. “We talked all week about coming in here to battle,” Brawlers WR Cam Phillips said. “Like our coach said, we came here to win. We don’t play to lose. We fought to the end. Unfortunately we missed a couple plays and we didn’t come out with a W. All the guys were ready, suited, and booted and we just didn’t make it happen.”
Down 13 points to start the final frame, Philadelphia refused to relent. Walker found Phillips early in the quarter with a 15-yard catch for a touchdown to cap a seven-play, 85-yard scoring drive. The Defenders responded with a 25-yard field goal. Swearinger sealed the victory with just over two minutes left on the game clock, picking off Walker’s pass and sprinting 102 yards for a touchdown for a 40-24 cushion. The Brawlers continued to push and added one more touchdown to the scoreboard before the game was done. Walker delivered a crisp 11-yard pass to Phillips in the end zone with less than 70 seconds to go that cut the lead to 40-32. Still, Walker looked visibly upset after the loss and he said it was weighing on him. “I just think that I needed to settle in,” said Walker. “There’s no excuse for it. In the first half it just seemed I couldn’t get into a rhythm. Just get in a damn rhythm, whatever it takes. There’s just no excuse for some of the things that were going on, with me specifically. I’ve got to be better. It’s really frustrating and I’m pretty upset with myself. I’m trying to laugh it off but I’ll remember this one for a while.”
-- (13-4)Brawlers 32 - 40 Defenders(16-1)
(PHI): QB Walker - 28/39 325 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Butler - 13 carries, 64 yards, WR Phillips - 11 catches, 121 yards, 2 TDs, WR Fulgham - 7 catches, 67 yards, WR Miller - 4 catches, 82 yards, 1 TD
(COL): QB Ta'amu - 13/22 138 yards, 1 TD, RB Smith - 14 carries, 104 yards, 1 TD, WR Jackson - 3 catches, 43 yards, WR Blair - 3 catches, 43 yards, 1 TD
-- (12-5)Roughnecks 10 - 27 Valor(9-8)
(HOU): QB McDonald - 11/19 107 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Borghi - 18 carries, 79 yards, WR Rhymes - 3 catches, 43 yards
(DC): QB Bortles - 15/21 200 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Allen - 21 carries, 140 yards, RB Pumphrey - 11 carries, 49 yards, 2 TDs, WR Daniels - 2 catches, 58 yards, WR Richardson - 4 catches, 53 yards
XFL Week 18: Stampede fall to Renegades in Wild Finish
June 18, 2023
Oklahoma City, OK - It could be argued that the Oklahoma City Stampede dominated the Dallas Renegades but it didn’t matter. The scoreboard told a different story and that’s what counts. Costly turnovers and penalties meant the Stamps made life harder for themselves than anyone would have liked and wound up on the losing end of a 35-32 decision at the hands of the Renegades. “We made probably more plays, but we made the big mistakes,” said Stamps head coach Dave Dickenson. “That’s a tough one to feel like we were really locked in, because I don’t think we were. I’ve got to look at me first, I’ve got to make sure the guys understand what it’s about. We’ve been doing some good things, but we honestly just forgot what it takes for 60 minutes to win a football game.”
A heroic last drive led by QB Luis Perez helped the Renegades snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. While the Stampede moved the ball exceptionally well on the ground and managed 237 net yards in the first half while limiting the Renegades to only 60, Stamps QB Bryce Petty threw three interceptions. One of those was a pick-six by Renegades DB Cre'Von LeBlanc, though, and somehow that resulted in the Renegades leading 14-10 at halftime. Prior to halftime, the defense had been great, RBs Cameron Artis-Payne and Kennedy Brooks had run all over the defense and there couldn’t be any complaints about special teams, either. But those three interceptions and a series of regrettable penalties stifled the Stamps. The only true bright spots were a field goal and a touchdown pass from Petty to TE Donald Parham. “I can come up with all the explanations and excuses in the world, but the bottom line is I turned the ball over way too much tonight,” Petty said. “Part of playing winning football is winning the turnover battle and I didn’t do a good job of that at all in the first half.”
In the second half, though, things did improve. While the Renegades started things off with a touchdown that extend their lead, the Stamps started to claw their way back in. There was another field goal and then Petty found WR Damion Ratley, who did well to get the ball across the line and into the end zone. On the very next play, DB Marwin Evans recovered an onside kick that set up another field goal. The Renegades held a one-point lead in the final minutes, but a bizarre play-call on fourth-and-short deep in their own territory put the ball back in the Stamps’ hands, where they methodically moved it to the goal-line and then put it in Artis-Payne hands for their go-ahead touchdown. There was lots of time on the clock, though. Yes, the Stamps were up by five and the Renegades needed a touchdown to get anything from the game, but they had a minute on the clock. They did it and that was that. The Renegades won. The Stampede lost. “We didn’t play good in all three phases of the game,” said Stampede DL Frank Alexander, who picked up his 13th sack of the season and also recovered a fumble. “Things like that, you’ve got to learn from that, though, and I feel like we’ve been responding to adversity all year. One thing that’s guaranteed in life is adversity, and as bad as we played, we didn’t deserve to win today.”
-- (8-9)Renegades 35 - 32 Stampede(10-7)
(DAL): QB Perez - 17/25 244 yards, 1 TD, RB Smith - 14 carries, 56 yards, 1 TD, WR Lawler - 6 catches, 106 yards, 1 TD, WR Bolden - 3 catches, 54 yards
(OKC): QB Petty - 26/35 251 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INTs, RB Artis-Payne - 20 carries, 82 yards, 1 TD, RB Brooks - 11 carries, 101 yards, WR Davis - 7 catches, 62 yards, WR Westbrook - 5 catches, 56 yards
-- (12-5)Dragons 45 - 10 Jousters(6-11)
(SEA): QB DiNucci - 20/29 255 yards, 4 TDs, RB Prosise - 11 carries, 70 yards, RB Lindsay - 22 carries, 214 yards, 2 TDs, WR Pearson - 5 catches, 94 yards, 1 TD, WR Gordon - 2 catches, 51 yards, 2 TDs
(TOR): QB Mitchell - 18/43 217 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, RB Dixon - 19 carries, 136 yards, WR Garrett - 5 catches, 87 yards, 1 TD, WR Butler - 3 catches, 42 yards
-- (12-5)Crusaders 31 - 25 Mountain Lions(14-3)
(LON): QB Heinicke - 20/30 313 yards, 4 TDs, RB Michael - 19 carries, 90 yards, RB Jones - 19 carries, 52 yards, WR Henry - 6 catches, 143 yards, 1 TD, WR Jorden - 4 catches, 47 yards, TE Toilolo - 4 catches, 72 yards, 2 TDs
(SLC): QB Rosen - 13/27 195 yards, 3 TDs, RB Booker - 22 carries, 89 yards, WR Ross - 5 catches, 97 yards, 2 TDs, WR Arcega-Whiteside - 5 catches, 61 yards
XFL Week 18: Monarchs Drop another Home game in Apollos' Comeback Win
June 18, 2023
Montreal, ALBERTA, CANADA - QB Garrett Gilbert completed 19 of 28 passes for 273 yards and a touchdown for the Apollos in the victory, while QB Ryan Mallett was 18 of 30 in the air for 185 yards, a touchdown and an interception. RB Jalen Richard had 121 rushing yards on 19 carries to lead the way on the ground. WR Naaman Roosevelt caught all seven balls thrown his way for a game-high 114 yards. But Orlando ended up with 393 yards of offense to eclipse Montreal’s 364 yards to win by a five-point margin.
The Monarchs were first on the board with a 50-yard field goal off the foot of K Austin Jones before his Apollos counterpart K Elliott Fry, tied it up from 30 yards out. Then a seven-play, 55-yard drive ended with WR BJ Cunningham scoring a seven-yard touchdown reception to reclaim the lead, 10-3. Montreal got the ball right back after Apollos WR Jalin Marshall attempted a long lateral pass on the ensuing kickoff, which was questionable at best, not to mention flagged for being illegally forward. But it ended up going as a fumble that found its way into the hands of Monarchs LB Jatavis Brown. The Monarchs extended their lead to 16-6 with field goals from 37 and 47 yards, before Fry struck from 49 yards away to close out the first half.
Orlando claimed the only third-quarter points with field goals from 45 and 42 yards, before opening the final frame with a 32-yarder to make it a one-point game. Mallett was intercepted by Apollos DB Deji Olatoye. But with the help of a punt return into Orlando territory by WR Janarion Grant, Mallett marched the offense right back down field to the four yard-line. Mallett then handed the ball off to Richard for a 23-15 lead with six minutes remaining. Things looked to be going Montreal’s way when Marshall fumbled away the ensuing kickoff, which was scooped up by Montreal. But the Apollos got it back just as quickly, as Mallett's pass was tipped at the line and wind up in the hands of DB LaDarius Gunter for an interception that pushed the momentum Orlando’s way. Gilbert then found WR Lucky Whitehead for a 35-yard touchdown, before going incomplete on the two-point conversion that would have tied the game. But after forcing the Monarchs to three-and-out, the Apollos scored the winning touchdown on a 25-yard run up the gut by RB D'Ernest Johnson to cap a surgical six-play drive that covered 66 yards. Montreal made a game of it with one last gasp when Roosevelt caught a 45-yard pass on Orlando’s 28 yard-line with nine seconds left. But two shots to the end zone fell harmlessly to the turf.
-- (13-4)Apollos 28 - 23 Monarchs(4-13)
(ORL): QB Gilbert - 19/28 273 yards, 1 TD, RB Johnson - 12 carries, 104 yards, 1 TD, WR Marshall - 5 catches, 61 yards, WR Moncrief - 4 catches, 64 yards, WR Whitehead - 3 catches, 80 yards, 1 TD
(MON): QB Mallett - 18/30 185 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, RB Richard - 19 carries, 121 yards, 1 TD, WR Roosevelt - 7 catches, 114 yards
-- (10-7)BattleHawks 34 - 30 Mammoths(3-14)
(CHA): QB McCarron - 19/27 241 yards, 1 TD, RB Galloway - 11 carries, 51 yards, 1 TD, WR Ateman - 7 catches, 76 yards, WR Shepherd - 4 catches, 60 yards, 1 TD, WR Butler - 3 catches, 65 yards
(OMA): QB Wolford - 28/36 271 yards, 2 TDs, RB West - 13 carries, 65 yards, 1 TD, WR Dunbar - 8 catches, 93 yards, WR Sheehy-Guiseppi - 6 catches, 68 yards, 1 TD, WR Robertson - 3 catches, 53 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 18: Enforcers Edge Ghosts
June 19, 2023
Chicago, IL - The Chicago Enforcers hadn't won in awhile and for a while, it looked like they had forgotten how to do it. They even came dangerously close to throwing away a 21-point lead in the final 12 minutes of what would've been their final meaningful game of the season. Instead, they barely held on to beat the Columbus Ghosts, 37-33 but it was enough to keep their season alive. The Enforcers didn't figure to be in that position after the way their season had fallen apart with a string of heart-breaking losses. They headed into this game knowing they were desperate and with a confidence that had been beaten down. Even head coach Mike Riley wasn't sure how his team would respond. "That's not easy to do, after a lot of disappointing losses. It's kind of sometimes hard to rally," Riley said. "But I thought our guys took it to them right from the start."
They certainly did, starting with a bolt of lightning on the opening kickoff, which WR Cam Echols-Luper took 85 yards, untouched, right up the middle of the field for a touchdown and a quick, 7-0 lead. That gave them the "little special bounce in our step" that Riley knew his team would need. They also got a boost by the return of Johnson, their running QB who missed last two weekend's game with a concussion. And Riley helped them by getting creative on offense, keeping the Enforcers energized and the Ghosts' defense off-balance. Like midway through the second quarter, when his team lined up at the 1 in a formation that looked like they were about to run a quarterback sneak. Instead, Johnson took the snap and pitched the ball to RB Darius Victor, who then threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to TE Braedon Bowman just as he took a hit. That put the Enforcers up 17-10, but it wasn't their last bit of razzle-dazzle. Late in the third quarter, they pulled another trick play out of their sleeve when Victor took a handoff and flipped the ball to Echols-Luper on an apparent reverse. But Echols-Luper pulled up and threw the ball back to his quarterback, Johnson, for a 14-yard gain to the 7. One play later, Victor scored his second rushing touchdown of the game (to go with his one passing touchdown) for a 30-16 Enforcers lead. They then made it 37-16 on a 22-yard touchdown run by RB Trey Williams with 13:25 remaining and it looked at that moment that Chicago had the game in hand. But that's not how the Ghosts saw it at all. "These guys are competitive. They're going to play," said Columbus head coach Jim Tressel. "If there's time on the clock they're going to play and play hard. It's just a matter of one guy making a play. Then it kind of catches fire. That's what happened in the fourth quarter."
The guy making those plays was Ghosts QB Case Cookus, who completed 25 of 39 passes for 263 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing seven times for 59 yards. He powered the comeback in the final 12 minutes, hitting WR Terry Wright for a 26-yard touchdown with 11:50 remaining and WR Diondre Overton for a 6-yard touchdown to pull within a touchdown, 37-30, with 4:19 left in the game. "We don't like playing that way," Tressel said. "We would hope we have things in hand before we have to scramble." The scrambling almost worked, though. They even got inside the 20 inside the final two minutes. That's when Tressel opted to let K Luis Aguilar kick a 42-yard field goal to make it 37-33 with 1:39 left so he could take advantage of a XFL rule, instead of an onside kick try, teams can choose to take the ball for a fourth-and-15 play from their own 35-yard line to see if they can convert and get a drive going. And they did, when Cookus threw a dart over the middle in the direction of Wright, and Enforcers DB Shalom Luani knocked him down, drawing a pass interference penalty on the play. "We had a shot with Terry," Cookus said. "If I put a little bit more are on the ball we possibly would've scored."
It was still good enough to give them a shot, though, with the ball at their own 45 with about a minute and a half to go. But the Enforcers got a Herculean performance on the final series by DL Hercules Mata'Afa, who had two sacks in the final four plays to save the game. "I have never seen two better individual pass rushes," Tressel said. "It was an incredible effort by Hercules." Tressel didn't seem bothered that his team was pushed to the brink and needed those two sacks to get their first home win of the season. "We had to hang on at the end and fight," he said, "which is probably good and fitting." It was certainly needed. The Enforcers leaned on their league-leading rushing attack, gaining 147 yards on the ground. They didn't turn the ball over once. And most importantly, they didn't fold under the pressure at the end. When the game was on the line, they found a way to get it done. The Ghosts, meanwhile, aren't exactly headed in the wrong direction. They got a little bit of momentum from their wild comeback attempt. "We are in control of our own destiny," Cookus said. We can look back on this and we're going to learn from it, but we have an opportunity to still make the playoffs. We've still got an opportunity."
-- (7-10)Ghosts 33 - 37 Enforcers(8-9)
(COL): QB Cookus - 25/39 263 yards, 3 TDs, 7 carries, 59 yards, RB Williams - 9 carries, 30 yards, 3 catches, 45 yards, WR Coleman - 9 catches, 98 yards, 1 TD, WR Overton - 6 catches, 42 yards, 1 TD
(CHI): QB Kizer - 15/20 213 yards, RB Victor - 11 carries, 51 yards, 2 TDs, WR Stewart - 3 catches, 109 yards
-- (2-15)Steel 3 - 41 Bandits(9-8)
(BIRM): QB Fromm - 6/21 48 yards, 2 INTs, RB Yeldon - 16 carries, 62 yards, WR Bray - 2 catches, 21 yards
(TB): QB Kaepernick - 20/29 263 yards, 2 TDs, RB Gardner - 22 carries, 128 yards, 2 TDs, RB Williams - 18 carries, 96 yards, 1 TD, WR Humphrey - 6 catches, 85 yards, WR Greene - 5 catches, 73 yards, 1 TD, WR Peake - 5 catches, 65 yards, 1 TD
June 15, 2023
Pittsburgh, PA - After watching his Pittsburgh Maulers defense dominate all afternoon, defensive coordinator Ray Horton was left almost speechless. They did everything he could have hoped they'd do in the biggest moment of their season. And when it was over, and his defense had saved the Maulers' season by powering the way to a 19-7 win over the Oakland Panthers. "Obviously to the eye test, the defense was, Wow!" Horton said. "I really want to give all these guys up here credit. I did nothing but watch. I had the best seat in the house to watch this performance. I have nothing to say, so I'm going to leave. I don't think the XFL is going to fine me." There was no need for a fine because Horton was right to drop the mic like that: The play of the Maulers defense was statement enough. In a game they absolutely needed to win to keep their playoff hopes alive, the Maulers overwhelmed Panthers QB Josh Love. They sacked Love four times and intercepted four of his passes. If it wasn't for a desperate, 55-yard drive in the final minute, the Panthers wouldn't have even topped 200 total yards. And they really needed every bit of their defensive performance to get in that position. The Maulers offense struggled, totaling just 226 yards. QB Dwayne Haskins was sacked six times. They scored a touchdown on their opening drive, thanks mostly to a 64-yard return of the opening kickoff by WR Josh Simmons that set up a 17-yard touchdown pass from Haskins to Simmons three plays later. Other than that, though, their whole game was about defense and special teams. They got a remarkable, 83-yard punt from P Matt Mengel. They got a blocked punt from RB Madre London. And they got those four interceptions. The offense struggled so much, they only got four field goals from K Chris Blewitt the rest of the way.
But the defense made sure that was enough. "Lately we haven't been creating turnovers," said Maulers LB Kyohva Tezino, who had two of the four Pittsburgh interceptions. "This week at practice were just preaching 'We've got to get turnovers. We have to put our offense in better position. We've just got to make plays. We did that, and you see the results." The Maulers offense had so many problems that those four interceptions actually only directly resulted in one field goal. But it still kept tilting the field in Pittsburgh's favor and frustrating the Oakland offense. It also spoiled a pretty good day by the Oakland defense, which had six sacks of their own. But Love could only get one sustained drive going, a five-play, 73-yard drive to open the second half that ended when TE Cole Hikutini got wide open for a 12-yard touchdown catch that pulled the Panthers within 13-7. Every other time he seemed to get something going, he ended up throwing the ball away. "I thought the defense did a very good job," said Oakland coach Jeff Fisher. "A lot of guys made plays in the ball game. They kept us in the game until the very end. We just weren't able to convert and get enough points to make that happen." As for Love's performance, Fisher was careful not to completely blame him. "The giveaways hurt us," Fisher said. "That's really all I have on it."
-- (5-12)Panthers 7 - 19 Maulers(8-9)
(OAK): QB Love - 19/33 233 yards, 1 TD, 4 INTs, RB Scott - 12 carries, 41 yards, WR Richardson - 5 catches, 99 yards, TE Hikutini - 6 catches, 80 yards, 1 TD
(PIT): QB Haskins - 14/24 166 yards, 1 TD, RB London - 12 carries, 51 yards, RB Groshek - 14 carries, 40 yards, WR Hennie - 5 catches, 67 yards, WR Walker - 3 catches, 66 yards
-- (4-13)Commanders 16 - 17 Otters(5-12)
(SA): QB Fine - 10/15 131 yards, RB Ervin - 13 carries, 53 yards, 1 TD, WR Ward - 4 catches, 57 yards
(VAN): QB Coan - 14/29 167 yards, 2 INTs, RB Patrick - 14 carries, 82 yards, 1 TD, RB Hilliman - 11 carries, 79 yards, 1 TD, WR Turpin - 6 catches, 80 yards
XFL Week 18: Breakers Weather Storm, Swarm Showboats with Defense in Runaway Win
June 16, 2023
Memphis, TN - Lightning, wind-swept rain and a long weather delay could not deter Los Angeles Breakers LB Vontae Diggs and his teammates' quest for redemption. Diggs and the Breakers wanted a little bit of get-back after losing to the Memphis Showboats earlier this season. They got it in the form of a dominant, 31-3 victory over host Memphis at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. "We had a saying all week," Diggs said. "I'm going to keep the French out of it, but that get-back is an MF, meaning we owe them, and we're not going home without getting our get-back on them. It is what it is. We don't think they should have beat us the first time, and we had to go back and stand on that business the second time. And we did."
The game was stopped with 1:04 left in the first quarter for three hours and 12 minutes because of a severe weather delay as a thunderstorm passed through the heart of Memphis. Slanting rain doused the stadium. Thunder and lightning could be seen from the press box. However, the inclement weather didn't stop a steady onslaught unleashed by motivated Breakers. Memphis turned the ball over a season-high five times. Entering the contest, the Showboats were No. 1 in the XFL with a plus-5 turnover differential. The Showboats were also 0-for-5 offensively on fourth downs. The Breakers also relentlessly pressured Memphis QB Jarrett Guarantano, finishing with five sacks. Guarantano completed 23 of 41 passes for 224 yards, with no touchdowns and three interceptions. The Breakers recorded just 177 total yards on offense. QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson completed just 9 of 16 passes for 88 yards and a score. But Los Angeles didn't turn the ball over. "I could care less how many yards we have when we score 31 points and our defense has five turnovers," Los Angeles coach John DeFilippo said. "That's called football. It's really good football. As a wise coach once said, stats are for losers, the scoreboard is for winners."
The Breakers put this one away early by jumping out to a 17-point lead in the opening quarter. Los Angeles got on the scoreboard first with a 43-yard field goal by K Matt Coghlin. The points were set up by Memphis TE Jay Jay Wilson's fumble after a 15-yard completion along the sideline, the ball jarred loose by DB James Wiggins and recovered by DB Adonis Alexander. Los Angeles pushed its lead to 10-0 on a RB Wes Hills 2-yard plunge over the goal line. The score was set up by a 45-yard punt return by DB Jarey Elder. Hills finished with 50 rushing yards on 18 carries. The Breakers grabbed a 17-0 advantage on a 29-yard interception for a return by Diggs. The touchdown was a result of a bad decision by Guarantano, who failed to control an unexpected, low snap by OL Jordan McCray, and then compounded the error by trying to make a play down the field instead of falling on the ball or throwing it away. After the long weather delay, the Showboats finally got on the scoreboard with a 50-yard field goal by K Alex Kessman, his 38th straight made field goal this season. But the defining play of the game came early in the third quarter. Memphis appeared to cut the Breakers' lead to seven points on RB Juwan Washington's score from two yards out. However, the touchdown was reversed by replay. Washington fumbled on the next play on first-and-goal from just beyond the goal line after a personal foul penalty on the Breakers. DL Anree Saint Amour recovered for Los Angeles. "You want to just stick it in the end zone," said Memphis coach Todd Haley, who considered calling a quarterback sneak. "And you just can't fumble the football down there. That was just a killer because we were gaining some momentum." The Breakers upped the lead to 24-3 on a 3-yard touchdown from Bethel-Thompson to WR Jonathan Adams on a slant route. WR Eli Stove finished out the scoring with a 29-yard touchdown run on a jet sweep.
-- (11-6)Breakers 31 - 3 Showboats(9-8)
(LA): QB Bethel-Thompson - 9/16 88 yards, 1 TD, RB Hills - 18 carries, 46 yards, 1 TD, WR Lee - 3 catches, 44 yards
(MEM): QB Guarantano - 23/41 224 yards, 3 INTs, RB Washington - 11 carries, 40 yards, WR Dillon - 5 catches, 51 yards, WR Mitchell - 4 catches, 75 yards
-- (9-8)Bolts 12 - 20 Greys(2-15)
(BER): QB Kaaya - 19/27 241 yards, RB Hunt - 14 carries, 64 yards, WR Huff - 6 catches, 75 yards
(CAL): QB Dormady - 19/30 234 yards, 2 TDs, RB Darrington - 8 carries, 59 yards, RB Martin - 17 carries, 45 yards, WR Latimer - 6 catches, 82 yards, WR Rambo - 3 catches, 48 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 18: Stallions Clinch Playoff Berth with Easy Win vs Brigade
June 17, 2023
Baltimore, MD - St. Louis Stallions offensive coordinator Skip Holtz had an epiphany at halftime with his offense scuffling, hanging on to a one-point lead over the pesky Baltimore Brigade. How about putting the ball in the hands of QB Alex McGough, his best player and the XFL's leading MVP candidate? "I looked at the stats and said you know what, Skip Holtz you're an idiot," joked Holtz. "One of the best players on your football team has touched the ball 10 times. And that's when I said, I need to put the ball in his hands. I need to drop back, let him see the field and take advantage of what they were giving us." It worked. McGough finished 13-of-21 for 208 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 42 yards on the way to a 38-15 victory, a win that also clinched a playoff spot for the defending champs. The Stallions outscored the Brigade 28-6 in the second half. But none of that mattered because the Stallions showed they are on a mission to repeat as XFL champs.
The Brigade turned the ball over three times, including a fluky fumble midway through the fourth quarter. On that play, scrambling QB Kenji Bahar lost control of the football while going to the ground. The ball popped loose and St. Louis DB Matt Hankins, who just joined the team, caught it in midair and ran 32 yards for a score. The Brigade had a 38:21-21:39 advantage in time of possession. However, Baltimore finished 0-for-5 in the red zone and had to settle for five field goals from K Nick Vogel. The Brigade trailed 10-9 at halftime but could have built a decent lead if they had capitalized on three turnovers by St. Louis, a McGough interception by DB Dayan Lake on an out route intended for St. Louis WR Davion Davis, a fumble by RB CJ Marable on a bad option pitch by McGough, and a fumble by WR Deon Cain on a kick return. Baltimore turned those miscues into nine points but should have put more on the scoreboard, according to Brigade coach Curtis Johnson. "That's a great football team," Johnson said. "They were champs last year. You know if you don't score touchdowns and put them away pretty early, it's going to come back to haunt you. And today it really reared its ugly head."
St. Louis' defense held bruising Brigade RB Mark Thompson to 59 yards on 17 carries. LB Quentin Poling led the Stallions defensively with 11 combined tackles, a sack and an interception. Bahar started the game 5-of-5 but finished 20-of-27 for 149 yards and no touchdown passes. Bahar was responsible for two turnovers and gave way to back up QB Montel Cozart at the end of the game. Trailing 9-3 late in the second quarter, the Stallions got the ball back with 57 seconds before the half. That felt like an eternity for TE Jace Sternberger, who finished with three receptions for 58 yards, including a 4-yard catch for a score that forced him toe-tap his feet at the edge of the end zone with 13 seconds left in the half. "I love doing two-minute with this offense," Sternberger said. "It's something we take pride in. I don't know the statistics, but I know as many attempts we've had in 2-minute, we're very successful. We look forward to it as an offense, and as soon as we saw there were 56 seconds left, I was like that's too much time for Alex, and we're about to go set the tone for the second half." On that drive, the Stallions marched 68 yards on five plays, capped by McGough's touchdown throw. Holtz said his team practices going 30 yards in thirty seconds from the team's own 40-yard line each week to get into scoring position. "When they look up and see 57 seconds on the clock, there's not even a rush," Holtz said. "And we've got two or three timeouts? We're good, so nobody hits the panic button, and they just play."
-- (13-4)Stallions 38 - 15 Brigade(11-6)
(STL): QB McGough - 13/21 208 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Marable - 21 carries, 66 yards, 2 TDs, WR Cain - 4 catches, 73 yards, 1 TD, TE Sternberger - 3 catches, 58 yards, 1 TD
(BAL): QB Bahar - 20/27 149 yards, 1 INT, 6 carries, 43 yards, RB Thompson - 17 carries, 56 yards, WR Zuber - 4 catches, 48 yards, WR Hall - 6 catches, 45 yards
-- (6-11)Guardians 23 - 37 Vipers(3-14)
(NY): QB Kessler - 23/34 217 yards, 1 INT, RB Perkins - 19 carries, 100 yards, RB Gallman - 12 carries, 82 yards, 2 TDs, WR White - 8 catches, 63 yards, WR McKay - 2 catches, 49 yards
(MEX): QB McClendon - 9/22 191 yards, 3 TDs, RB Guice - 16 carries, 131 yards, WR Bryant - 4 catches, 82 yards, 1 TD, WR Allison - 2 catches, 52 yards, 2 TDs
-- (10-7)Fleet 16 - 10 Alphas(8-9)
(SD): QB Johnson - 19/28 266 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Smallwood - 14 carries, 81 yards, RB Thomas - 12 carries, 50 yards, 1 TD, 4 catches, 51 yards, 1 TD, WR Posey - 5 catches, 92 yards, WR Ross - 3 catches, 60 yards
(ATL): QB Finley - 11/18 117 yards, RB Smith - 18 carries, 105 yards, RB Barber - 16 carries, 56 yards, 1 TD, WR Evans - 3 catches, 42 yards
XFL Week 18: Dynamic Defense Powers Defenders to Victory over Brawlers
June 17, 2023
Cologne, GERMANY - A pair of pick sixes helped the Cologne Defenders creep closer to a home playoff spot with a 40-32 win over the Philadelphia Brawlers. DBs DJ Swearinger and Isaiah Johnson each collected interceptions and QB Jordan Ta'amu and RB Abram Smith made massive runs for touchdowns in the victory. It was a mixed night for Ta'amu, who threw for 138 yards and completed 13-of-22 attempts with one touchdown. QB PJ Walker threw 325 passing yards for the Brawlers, connecting on 28-of-39 attempts with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Philadelphia K Sergio Castillo struggled, missing three long field-goal attempts. He was successful on a 38-yard kick. K Matt McCrane made all four of his attempts for Cologne, including a 41-yard strike. “We talked all week about coming in here to battle,” Brawlers WR Cam Phillips said. “Like our coach said, we came here to win. We don’t play to lose. We fought to the end. Unfortunately we missed a couple plays and we didn’t come out with a W. All the guys were ready, suited, and booted and we just didn’t make it happen.”
Down 13 points to start the final frame, Philadelphia refused to relent. Walker found Phillips early in the quarter with a 15-yard catch for a touchdown to cap a seven-play, 85-yard scoring drive. The Defenders responded with a 25-yard field goal. Swearinger sealed the victory with just over two minutes left on the game clock, picking off Walker’s pass and sprinting 102 yards for a touchdown for a 40-24 cushion. The Brawlers continued to push and added one more touchdown to the scoreboard before the game was done. Walker delivered a crisp 11-yard pass to Phillips in the end zone with less than 70 seconds to go that cut the lead to 40-32. Still, Walker looked visibly upset after the loss and he said it was weighing on him. “I just think that I needed to settle in,” said Walker. “There’s no excuse for it. In the first half it just seemed I couldn’t get into a rhythm. Just get in a damn rhythm, whatever it takes. There’s just no excuse for some of the things that were going on, with me specifically. I’ve got to be better. It’s really frustrating and I’m pretty upset with myself. I’m trying to laugh it off but I’ll remember this one for a while.”
-- (13-4)Brawlers 32 - 40 Defenders(16-1)
(PHI): QB Walker - 28/39 325 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Butler - 13 carries, 64 yards, WR Phillips - 11 catches, 121 yards, 2 TDs, WR Fulgham - 7 catches, 67 yards, WR Miller - 4 catches, 82 yards, 1 TD
(COL): QB Ta'amu - 13/22 138 yards, 1 TD, RB Smith - 14 carries, 104 yards, 1 TD, WR Jackson - 3 catches, 43 yards, WR Blair - 3 catches, 43 yards, 1 TD
-- (12-5)Roughnecks 10 - 27 Valor(9-8)
(HOU): QB McDonald - 11/19 107 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Borghi - 18 carries, 79 yards, WR Rhymes - 3 catches, 43 yards
(DC): QB Bortles - 15/21 200 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Allen - 21 carries, 140 yards, RB Pumphrey - 11 carries, 49 yards, 2 TDs, WR Daniels - 2 catches, 58 yards, WR Richardson - 4 catches, 53 yards
XFL Week 18: Stampede fall to Renegades in Wild Finish
June 18, 2023
Oklahoma City, OK - It could be argued that the Oklahoma City Stampede dominated the Dallas Renegades but it didn’t matter. The scoreboard told a different story and that’s what counts. Costly turnovers and penalties meant the Stamps made life harder for themselves than anyone would have liked and wound up on the losing end of a 35-32 decision at the hands of the Renegades. “We made probably more plays, but we made the big mistakes,” said Stamps head coach Dave Dickenson. “That’s a tough one to feel like we were really locked in, because I don’t think we were. I’ve got to look at me first, I’ve got to make sure the guys understand what it’s about. We’ve been doing some good things, but we honestly just forgot what it takes for 60 minutes to win a football game.”
A heroic last drive led by QB Luis Perez helped the Renegades snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. While the Stampede moved the ball exceptionally well on the ground and managed 237 net yards in the first half while limiting the Renegades to only 60, Stamps QB Bryce Petty threw three interceptions. One of those was a pick-six by Renegades DB Cre'Von LeBlanc, though, and somehow that resulted in the Renegades leading 14-10 at halftime. Prior to halftime, the defense had been great, RBs Cameron Artis-Payne and Kennedy Brooks had run all over the defense and there couldn’t be any complaints about special teams, either. But those three interceptions and a series of regrettable penalties stifled the Stamps. The only true bright spots were a field goal and a touchdown pass from Petty to TE Donald Parham. “I can come up with all the explanations and excuses in the world, but the bottom line is I turned the ball over way too much tonight,” Petty said. “Part of playing winning football is winning the turnover battle and I didn’t do a good job of that at all in the first half.”
In the second half, though, things did improve. While the Renegades started things off with a touchdown that extend their lead, the Stamps started to claw their way back in. There was another field goal and then Petty found WR Damion Ratley, who did well to get the ball across the line and into the end zone. On the very next play, DB Marwin Evans recovered an onside kick that set up another field goal. The Renegades held a one-point lead in the final minutes, but a bizarre play-call on fourth-and-short deep in their own territory put the ball back in the Stamps’ hands, where they methodically moved it to the goal-line and then put it in Artis-Payne hands for their go-ahead touchdown. There was lots of time on the clock, though. Yes, the Stamps were up by five and the Renegades needed a touchdown to get anything from the game, but they had a minute on the clock. They did it and that was that. The Renegades won. The Stampede lost. “We didn’t play good in all three phases of the game,” said Stampede DL Frank Alexander, who picked up his 13th sack of the season and also recovered a fumble. “Things like that, you’ve got to learn from that, though, and I feel like we’ve been responding to adversity all year. One thing that’s guaranteed in life is adversity, and as bad as we played, we didn’t deserve to win today.”
-- (8-9)Renegades 35 - 32 Stampede(10-7)
(DAL): QB Perez - 17/25 244 yards, 1 TD, RB Smith - 14 carries, 56 yards, 1 TD, WR Lawler - 6 catches, 106 yards, 1 TD, WR Bolden - 3 catches, 54 yards
(OKC): QB Petty - 26/35 251 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INTs, RB Artis-Payne - 20 carries, 82 yards, 1 TD, RB Brooks - 11 carries, 101 yards, WR Davis - 7 catches, 62 yards, WR Westbrook - 5 catches, 56 yards
-- (12-5)Dragons 45 - 10 Jousters(6-11)
(SEA): QB DiNucci - 20/29 255 yards, 4 TDs, RB Prosise - 11 carries, 70 yards, RB Lindsay - 22 carries, 214 yards, 2 TDs, WR Pearson - 5 catches, 94 yards, 1 TD, WR Gordon - 2 catches, 51 yards, 2 TDs
(TOR): QB Mitchell - 18/43 217 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, RB Dixon - 19 carries, 136 yards, WR Garrett - 5 catches, 87 yards, 1 TD, WR Butler - 3 catches, 42 yards
-- (12-5)Crusaders 31 - 25 Mountain Lions(14-3)
(LON): QB Heinicke - 20/30 313 yards, 4 TDs, RB Michael - 19 carries, 90 yards, RB Jones - 19 carries, 52 yards, WR Henry - 6 catches, 143 yards, 1 TD, WR Jorden - 4 catches, 47 yards, TE Toilolo - 4 catches, 72 yards, 2 TDs
(SLC): QB Rosen - 13/27 195 yards, 3 TDs, RB Booker - 22 carries, 89 yards, WR Ross - 5 catches, 97 yards, 2 TDs, WR Arcega-Whiteside - 5 catches, 61 yards
XFL Week 18: Monarchs Drop another Home game in Apollos' Comeback Win
June 18, 2023
Montreal, ALBERTA, CANADA - QB Garrett Gilbert completed 19 of 28 passes for 273 yards and a touchdown for the Apollos in the victory, while QB Ryan Mallett was 18 of 30 in the air for 185 yards, a touchdown and an interception. RB Jalen Richard had 121 rushing yards on 19 carries to lead the way on the ground. WR Naaman Roosevelt caught all seven balls thrown his way for a game-high 114 yards. But Orlando ended up with 393 yards of offense to eclipse Montreal’s 364 yards to win by a five-point margin.
The Monarchs were first on the board with a 50-yard field goal off the foot of K Austin Jones before his Apollos counterpart K Elliott Fry, tied it up from 30 yards out. Then a seven-play, 55-yard drive ended with WR BJ Cunningham scoring a seven-yard touchdown reception to reclaim the lead, 10-3. Montreal got the ball right back after Apollos WR Jalin Marshall attempted a long lateral pass on the ensuing kickoff, which was questionable at best, not to mention flagged for being illegally forward. But it ended up going as a fumble that found its way into the hands of Monarchs LB Jatavis Brown. The Monarchs extended their lead to 16-6 with field goals from 37 and 47 yards, before Fry struck from 49 yards away to close out the first half.
Orlando claimed the only third-quarter points with field goals from 45 and 42 yards, before opening the final frame with a 32-yarder to make it a one-point game. Mallett was intercepted by Apollos DB Deji Olatoye. But with the help of a punt return into Orlando territory by WR Janarion Grant, Mallett marched the offense right back down field to the four yard-line. Mallett then handed the ball off to Richard for a 23-15 lead with six minutes remaining. Things looked to be going Montreal’s way when Marshall fumbled away the ensuing kickoff, which was scooped up by Montreal. But the Apollos got it back just as quickly, as Mallett's pass was tipped at the line and wind up in the hands of DB LaDarius Gunter for an interception that pushed the momentum Orlando’s way. Gilbert then found WR Lucky Whitehead for a 35-yard touchdown, before going incomplete on the two-point conversion that would have tied the game. But after forcing the Monarchs to three-and-out, the Apollos scored the winning touchdown on a 25-yard run up the gut by RB D'Ernest Johnson to cap a surgical six-play drive that covered 66 yards. Montreal made a game of it with one last gasp when Roosevelt caught a 45-yard pass on Orlando’s 28 yard-line with nine seconds left. But two shots to the end zone fell harmlessly to the turf.
-- (13-4)Apollos 28 - 23 Monarchs(4-13)
(ORL): QB Gilbert - 19/28 273 yards, 1 TD, RB Johnson - 12 carries, 104 yards, 1 TD, WR Marshall - 5 catches, 61 yards, WR Moncrief - 4 catches, 64 yards, WR Whitehead - 3 catches, 80 yards, 1 TD
(MON): QB Mallett - 18/30 185 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, RB Richard - 19 carries, 121 yards, 1 TD, WR Roosevelt - 7 catches, 114 yards
-- (10-7)BattleHawks 34 - 30 Mammoths(3-14)
(CHA): QB McCarron - 19/27 241 yards, 1 TD, RB Galloway - 11 carries, 51 yards, 1 TD, WR Ateman - 7 catches, 76 yards, WR Shepherd - 4 catches, 60 yards, 1 TD, WR Butler - 3 catches, 65 yards
(OMA): QB Wolford - 28/36 271 yards, 2 TDs, RB West - 13 carries, 65 yards, 1 TD, WR Dunbar - 8 catches, 93 yards, WR Sheehy-Guiseppi - 6 catches, 68 yards, 1 TD, WR Robertson - 3 catches, 53 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 18: Enforcers Edge Ghosts
June 19, 2023
Chicago, IL - The Chicago Enforcers hadn't won in awhile and for a while, it looked like they had forgotten how to do it. They even came dangerously close to throwing away a 21-point lead in the final 12 minutes of what would've been their final meaningful game of the season. Instead, they barely held on to beat the Columbus Ghosts, 37-33 but it was enough to keep their season alive. The Enforcers didn't figure to be in that position after the way their season had fallen apart with a string of heart-breaking losses. They headed into this game knowing they were desperate and with a confidence that had been beaten down. Even head coach Mike Riley wasn't sure how his team would respond. "That's not easy to do, after a lot of disappointing losses. It's kind of sometimes hard to rally," Riley said. "But I thought our guys took it to them right from the start."
They certainly did, starting with a bolt of lightning on the opening kickoff, which WR Cam Echols-Luper took 85 yards, untouched, right up the middle of the field for a touchdown and a quick, 7-0 lead. That gave them the "little special bounce in our step" that Riley knew his team would need. They also got a boost by the return of Johnson, their running QB who missed last two weekend's game with a concussion. And Riley helped them by getting creative on offense, keeping the Enforcers energized and the Ghosts' defense off-balance. Like midway through the second quarter, when his team lined up at the 1 in a formation that looked like they were about to run a quarterback sneak. Instead, Johnson took the snap and pitched the ball to RB Darius Victor, who then threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to TE Braedon Bowman just as he took a hit. That put the Enforcers up 17-10, but it wasn't their last bit of razzle-dazzle. Late in the third quarter, they pulled another trick play out of their sleeve when Victor took a handoff and flipped the ball to Echols-Luper on an apparent reverse. But Echols-Luper pulled up and threw the ball back to his quarterback, Johnson, for a 14-yard gain to the 7. One play later, Victor scored his second rushing touchdown of the game (to go with his one passing touchdown) for a 30-16 Enforcers lead. They then made it 37-16 on a 22-yard touchdown run by RB Trey Williams with 13:25 remaining and it looked at that moment that Chicago had the game in hand. But that's not how the Ghosts saw it at all. "These guys are competitive. They're going to play," said Columbus head coach Jim Tressel. "If there's time on the clock they're going to play and play hard. It's just a matter of one guy making a play. Then it kind of catches fire. That's what happened in the fourth quarter."
The guy making those plays was Ghosts QB Case Cookus, who completed 25 of 39 passes for 263 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing seven times for 59 yards. He powered the comeback in the final 12 minutes, hitting WR Terry Wright for a 26-yard touchdown with 11:50 remaining and WR Diondre Overton for a 6-yard touchdown to pull within a touchdown, 37-30, with 4:19 left in the game. "We don't like playing that way," Tressel said. "We would hope we have things in hand before we have to scramble." The scrambling almost worked, though. They even got inside the 20 inside the final two minutes. That's when Tressel opted to let K Luis Aguilar kick a 42-yard field goal to make it 37-33 with 1:39 left so he could take advantage of a XFL rule, instead of an onside kick try, teams can choose to take the ball for a fourth-and-15 play from their own 35-yard line to see if they can convert and get a drive going. And they did, when Cookus threw a dart over the middle in the direction of Wright, and Enforcers DB Shalom Luani knocked him down, drawing a pass interference penalty on the play. "We had a shot with Terry," Cookus said. "If I put a little bit more are on the ball we possibly would've scored."
It was still good enough to give them a shot, though, with the ball at their own 45 with about a minute and a half to go. But the Enforcers got a Herculean performance on the final series by DL Hercules Mata'Afa, who had two sacks in the final four plays to save the game. "I have never seen two better individual pass rushes," Tressel said. "It was an incredible effort by Hercules." Tressel didn't seem bothered that his team was pushed to the brink and needed those two sacks to get their first home win of the season. "We had to hang on at the end and fight," he said, "which is probably good and fitting." It was certainly needed. The Enforcers leaned on their league-leading rushing attack, gaining 147 yards on the ground. They didn't turn the ball over once. And most importantly, they didn't fold under the pressure at the end. When the game was on the line, they found a way to get it done. The Ghosts, meanwhile, aren't exactly headed in the wrong direction. They got a little bit of momentum from their wild comeback attempt. "We are in control of our own destiny," Cookus said. We can look back on this and we're going to learn from it, but we have an opportunity to still make the playoffs. We've still got an opportunity."
-- (7-10)Ghosts 33 - 37 Enforcers(8-9)
(COL): QB Cookus - 25/39 263 yards, 3 TDs, 7 carries, 59 yards, RB Williams - 9 carries, 30 yards, 3 catches, 45 yards, WR Coleman - 9 catches, 98 yards, 1 TD, WR Overton - 6 catches, 42 yards, 1 TD
(CHI): QB Kizer - 15/20 213 yards, RB Victor - 11 carries, 51 yards, 2 TDs, WR Stewart - 3 catches, 109 yards
-- (2-15)Steel 3 - 41 Bandits(9-8)
(BIRM): QB Fromm - 6/21 48 yards, 2 INTs, RB Yeldon - 16 carries, 62 yards, WR Bray - 2 catches, 21 yards
(TB): QB Kaepernick - 20/29 263 yards, 2 TDs, RB Gardner - 22 carries, 128 yards, 2 TDs, RB Williams - 18 carries, 96 yards, 1 TD, WR Humphrey - 6 catches, 85 yards, WR Greene - 5 catches, 73 yards, 1 TD, WR Peake - 5 catches, 65 yards, 1 TD
Last edited by BengalErnst on Sun Jun 18, 2023 11:33 am, edited 21 times in total.
- BengalErnst
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Re: XFL 2001
by BengalErnst » Sat Feb 18, 2023 2:51 pm
XFL Week 19: BattleHawks, Keep Playoff Hopes Alive
June 22, 2023
Charlotte, NC - The Calgary Greys, fell to the Charlotte BattleHawks 53-28. A back-and-forth first-half gave way to a dominant performance from Charlotte in the second half. The Greys and BattleHawks saw the lead change hands five times in the first half before Charlotte entered the intermission with a 25-20 advantage. Charlotte added 14 points in the third quarter. QB AJ McCarron fired a 13-yard touchdown pass and a two-point conversion to WR Steven Mitchell to put the BattleHawks on top 33-20 before finding WR Hakeem Butler for a 66-yard touchdown that extended the lead to 39-20. The Battlehawks opened up the fourth quarter with a McCarron 4-yard touchdown pass to WR Darrius Shepherd that increased the lead to 45-20. With 5:10 remaining in the contest, the Greys finally got back on the scoreboard. QB Quinten Dormady connected with WR Charleston Rambo for a six-yard touchdown and WR KD Cannon for a two-point conversion that cut the deficit to 45-28. Charlotte went on to score one more touchdown and add a two-point conversion to eventually seal the 53-28 victory.
It was a shootout early in the game. The Greys didn't waste time getting on the board, scoring on their opening possession, the sixth game this season they've crossed the goal line on their first series. The 11-play, 79-yard drive saw three runs and eight passing attempts with QB Deondre Francois connecting with WR Andrew Jamiel for a 27-yard touchdown pass that put Calgary on top 6-0. The BattleHawks responded less than three minutes later with a K Donald Hageman 35-yard field goal, cutting Charlotte's deficit to 6-3 at the end of the first quarter. Charlotte took its first lead of the contest less than four minutes into the second quarter on a seven-play, 42-yard drive. RB Kareem Walker capped it with a one-yard rushing touchdown that gave the BattleHawks a 9-3 advantage. The Greys answered less than five minutes later with one of the most spectacular plays of the season. Calgary P Mac Brown tossed a pass to TE Jordan Thomas on a fake punt. Thomas caught Brown's wobbly pass at the 43-yard line, broke one tackle, spun out of another attempt to take him down and ended up going for an 81-yard touchdown, putting Calgary back in front 12-9. Charlotte and Orlando continued to trade blows midway through the second quarter, with McCarron finding Butler for a 7-yard touchdown pass and WR Marcell Ateman for a two-point conversion that allowed the BattleHawks to regain a 17-12 advantage. Calgary responded 17 seconds later. After WR Deddrick Thomas put the Guardians in great field position with a 47-yard kickoff return, Dormady connected with Cannon for a 45-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the possession. Jamiel hauled in a two-point conversion that gave Calgary a 20-17 lead. The BattleHawks closed out the first half with a 66-yard drive on 10 plays, capped by a McCarron 5-yard touchdown pass to TE Jake Sutherland and a two-point conversion pass to Butler put Charlotte on top 25-20 at halftime.
-- (3-15)Greys 28 - 53 BattleHawks(11-7)
(CAL): QB Dormady 18/24 187 yards, 2 TDs, RB Martin - 12 carries, 11 yards, WR Rambo - 5 catches, 57 yards, 1 TD, WR Cannon - 2 catches, 51 yards, 1 TD, TE Thomas - 4 catches, 109 yards, 1 TD
(CHA): QB McCarron - 28/35 420 yards, 6 TDs, RB Durant - 15 carries, 69 yards, WR Butler - 9 catches, 164 yards, 2 TDs, WR Shepherd - 6 catches, 96 yards, 1 TD, WR Mitchell - 4 catches, 72 yards, 2 TDs
-- (9-9)Maulers 28 - 7 Bolts(9-9)
(PIT): QB Haskins - 25/32 280 yards, 3 TDs, RB London - 19 carries, 76 yards, 5 catches, 40 yards, 1 TD, RB Groshek - 12 carries, 51 yards, 1 TD, WR Thomas - 7 catches, 100 yards, 1 TD, WR Gaither - 7 catches, 83 yards, WR Hennie - 4 catches, 53 yards
(BER): QB Kaaya - 12/18 139 yards, 1 TD, RB Sankey - 11 carries, 68 yards, RB Hunt - 16 carries, 49 yards, WR Huff - 3 catches, 58 yards
XFL Week 19: Otters Push League-Leading Cologne to Limit
June 23, 2023
Vancouver, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA - The Vancouver Otters' inaugural season ended with a 28-29 loss to the Cologne Defenders. QB Jack Coan completed 34 of 48 passes for 312 yards while RB Jacques Patrick had a multi-TD game with two rushing touchdowns. The Defenders wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, as QB Jordan Ta'amu was a perfect 3-for-3 for 60 yards passing on a 68-yard opening drive capped with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Ta'amu to TE Alex Ellis. Cologne completed the 2-point conversion with a pass from Ta'amu to WR Josh Hammond. Much of the possession's progress came on a 52-yard reception by WR Lucky Jackson, who was brought down at Vancouver's 5-yard line. Unlike the Defenders' drive, the Otters ate up clock on their first possession, marching 64 yards down the field in 16 plays. After eight minutes and 35 seconds, K Parker Romo nailed his XFL-leading 32nd field goal of the season, this one from 26 yards out. Cologne wasn't on the field for long on its next drive either, thanks to a 79-yard kickoff return by do-it-all Pooka Williams. The University of Kansas product took the kickoff to the 7-yard line for the third-longest return in the XFL this season. The Otters defense stood tall to force a field goal and Cologne K Matt McCrane finished the quick possession with a 21-yard chip shot field goal to put the Defenders up 11-3. After Ta'amu completed passes for 25 and 28 yards, LB Jordan Williams thwarted a promising Cologne drive with an interception, returning it 34 yards to the Defenders' 44-yard line with 26 seconds remaining in the first half. Two plays later, WR Landen Akers reeled in a 37-yard pass from QB Jack Coan with 11 seconds left. With three seconds remaining, Patrick barreled into the end zone from a yard out for a Vancouver score. Coan then hit WR TJ Vasher for the 2-point conversion to make it 19-11 at the break.
The Otters carried their offensive momentum into the second half, as a 28-yard field goal by Romo brought Vancouver within 19-14. Coan completed six of seven passes on the drive for 50 yards on the 11 play, 60 yard possession. However, Cologne responded with a field goal of its own. After opening their drive with three-straight plays of over 10 yards, the Defenders settled for a 49-yard kick by McCrane to up their lead to 22-14. The Otters' offense continued to heat up, picking up 75 yards on nine plays on its next drive. RB Jonathan Hilliman reached paydirt on a 1-yard touchdown run, but the 2-point conversion was no good, bringing Vancouver within a couple points at 22-20. Coan connected on five of six passes for 53 yards on the scoring drive. The Otters' defense got in on the fun by stifling another Cologne drive with a turnover. At the 44-yard line, DB Luq Barcoo ripped the ball out of the grasp of Jackson for their second turnover. Vancouver stayed hot with a 10-play, 63-yard touchdown drive to grab its first lead of the game. Coan completed six of eight passes for 56 yards before Patrick capped the possession with a 2-yard score on third down. With 5:15 left, Coan made it a 28-22 game with a complete 2-point conversion pass to Hilliman. Cologne was efficient in its response, leading a 5-play, 69-yard drive to retake the lead at 29-28 with 2:32 remaining. A 20-yard pass, Vancouver penalty, 13-yard Ta'amu rush and 27-yard pass put the Defenders within four yards of the end zone. Ta'amu then marched in for the tying touchdown before taking in the 1-point conversion himself for the edge.
-- (17-1)Defenders 29 - 28 Otters(6-12)
(COL): QB Ta'amu - 15/22 271 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Smith - 18 carries, 89 yards, WR Jackson - 3 catches, 84 yards, WR Blair - 1 catch, 70 yards, WR Hammond - 4 catches, 59 yards
(VAN): QB Coan - 34/48 312 yards, RB Patrick - 16 carries, 41 yards, 2 TDs, WR Akers - 8 catches, 90 yards, WR Vasher - 5 catches, 57 yards
-- (2-16)Steel 17 - 19 Showboats(9-9)
(BIRM): QB Fromm - 12/20 150 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Yeldon - 22 carries, 117 yards, RB Richardson - 25 carries, 113 yards, 1 TD, WR Lodge - 3 catches, 37 yards, 1 TD
(MEM): QB Guarantano - 10/21 192 yards, 2 TDs, RB Collins - 17 carries, 52 yards, RB Washington - 12 carries, 50 yards, WR Treadwell - 3 catches, 78 yards, 1 TD, WR Henderson - 2 catches, 43 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 19: Enforcers Dispel Jousters with Dominating Win
June 24, 2023
Toronto, ONTARIO, CANADA - Midway through the fourth quarter, a steady stream of Toronto Jousters fans headed towards the exits. After a slow first half, the Chicago Enforcers beat the brakes off the Jousters after halftime, with a pair of scintillating rushing performances and defensive dominance leading the charge. There was no need to wait until the final whistle for the fans in green and white. The Jousters were in the mud, and the Enforcers weren’t giving them any soap to clean up. The Enforcers destroyed the Jousters and the final 32-21 score line somehow didn’t really reflect just how bad a beatdown this really was. “Our guys, we’re trying to get better and increase our win total but also feel like we’re executing and doing the right things,” said Chicago head coach Lovie Smith. “There’s tons to coach on this game, that’s what makes me happy, we were able to win and hopefully we’re able to clean those things up.”
Had the Enforcers’ offense been a little more efficient when they got into the red zone, they might easily have been up by double digits before the second quarter was halfway through. Instead, the Chicago crew had to settle for four field goals in the first half. Chicago QB DeShone Kizer had specifically pointed to his team needing to get more touchdowns as being an area they needed to improve. Settling for field goals won’t be good enough come playoff time. “We were getting first downs, guys were feeling it, they were confident, you could see It in their eyes that we were going to break through at some point,” Kizer said. “It’s tough as a defense when you give up drive after drive after drive and hold us. We knew it was coming.” After halftime, everything changed. RB Trey Williams fumbled the opening kickoff of the second half and that led to the Jousters’ only touchdown of the night. It was not a preview of things to come. It was just a brief reprieve for the Jousters before the ugliness that was on its way. That was largely led by the running back combo of Thomas Rawls and Darius Victor. The Jousters simply had no answer for the speed and power the Enforcers were able to throw at them on every single offensive snap. Combined with a nice 14-yard touchdown pass from Kizer to TE Braedon Bowman and the Enforcers put the game out of reach with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter. “It’s been our identity all year, we’ve been great at running the football,” Kizer said. “We’ve been relying on our running backs and they were the ones who got the touchdowns going and then Braedon makes a hell of a catch in the corner and all of a sudden we’re over 30 points, which is always a goal for us.”
-- (9-9)Enforcers 32 - 21 Jousters(6-12)
(CHI): QB Kizer - 15/24 205 yards, 1 TD, RB Rawls - 17 carries, 103 yards, 1 TD, RB Victor - 20 carries, 109 yards, 1 TD, WR Stewart - 3 catches, 36 yards, WR Darboh - 2 catches, 64 yards
(TOR): QB Mitchell - 18/28 196 yards, 1 TD, RB Dixon - 14 carries, 59 yards, WR Garrett - 3 catches, 61 yards, WR Rogers - 5 catches, 34 yards, 1 TD
-- (5-13)Panthers 16 - 20 Bandits(10-8)
(OAK): QB Love - 5/22 83 yards, 1 INT, 9 carries, 40 yards, 1 TD, RB Corbin - 15 carries, 83 yards, RB Scott - 8 carries, 59 yards, WR Jones - 2 catches, 35 yards
(TB): QB Kaepernick - 13/20 214 yards, 2 TDs, RB Williams - 16 carries, 51 yards, RB Gardner - 17 carries, 53 yards, WR Humphrey - 5 catches, 128 yards, 1 TD
-- (10-8)Valor 33 - 30 Stallions(14-4)
(DC): QB Bortles - 14/22 256 yards, 1 TD, RB Allen - 18 carries, 110 yards, 3 TDs, RB Pumphrey - 14 carries, 68 yards, WR Daniels - 3 catches, 99 yards, 1 TD, WR Richardson - 4 catches, 73 yards
(STL): QB McGough - 13/18 191 yards, 1 TD, RB Scarbrough - 23 carries, 97 yards, RB Marable - 16 carries, 85 yards, 1 TD, WR Cain - 3 catches, 72 yards, WR Davis - 6 catches, 62 yards, TE Sternberger - 2 catches, 32 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 19: Five Field Goals Earn Brigade Important Win over Alphas
June 24, 2023
Baltimore, MD - K Justin Medlock's 30-yard field goal in a brisk wind on the final play earned Baltimore an exciting 30-27 XFL victory over the Atlanta Alphas. Medlock’s fifth boot of the game capped a 45-yard, six-play drive into a brisk wind. QB Kenji Bahar had a key 25-yard run on the final march. Atlanta did all of its scoring with the wind, 21 points in the second, six in the fourth. Baltimore managed more points going into the breeze, 14 in the fourth than it did with it. Bahar put Baltimore ahead 24-21 just 22 seconds into the fourth. Baltimore RB Mark Thompson ran for a game-high 104 yards on 13 carries. “I can’t say enough,” Steinauer said of Thompson. “That guy just shows up when called upon, he’s steady. He took some shots and fell forward and was able to allow us to keep the run going.”
Atlanta led 21-13 at halftime, scoring all of its points in the second quarter with the wind. Baltimore put up 10 points in the first. RB Peyton Barber’s one-yard run in the second gave Atlanta a 21-10 advantage. Bahar’ touchdown was set up by LB Jelani Jenkins’s sack-strip of Atlanta QB Ryan Finley that gave Baltimore possession at the Atlanta 29-yard line late in the third which led to a 36-yard field goal that tied the score 24-24. Finley finished 19-of-27 passing for 166 yards as Atlanta lost the contest despite winning the turnover battle 4-1. “It’s not often you’re going to win a bunch of games when you lose the takeaway battle, but it just shows it can be done,” said Steinauer. “We had the wind to start the half but we didn’t do much with it until the very end, and that was the key thing. We’ve done a decent job throughout the season of actually moving the ball into the wind and coming away with some sort of points.”
-- (8-10)Alphas 27 - 30 Brigade(11-7)
(ATL): QB Finley - 19/27 166 yards, RB Barber - 15 carries, 74 yards, 2 TDs, WR Hardy - 7 catches, 62 yards
(BAL): QB Bahar - 19/33 263 yards, 1 INT, 6 carries, 46 yards, 2 TDs, RB Thompson - 13 carries, 104 yards, RB Crowell - 12 carries, 73 yards, WR Hall - 7 catches, 113 yards, WR Ratliff-Williams - 4 catches, 75 yards
-- (14-4)Apollos 34 - 17 Commanders(4-14)
(ORL): QB Gilbert - 15/21 214 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Johnson - 15 carries, 99 yards, RB Walton - 12 carries, 94 yards, 1 TD, WR Marshall - 4 catches, 68 yards, WR Whitehead - 3 catches, 56 yards, 1 TD, WR Moncrief - 4 catches, 55 yards, 1 TD
(SA): QB Fine - 13/29 140 yards, 1 TD, RB Ervin - 12 carries, 119 yards, 1 TD, RB Hill - 20 carries, 50 yards, WR Doctson - 4 catches, 41 yards, 1 TD, WR Ward - 4 catches, 50 yards
XFL Week 19: Roughnecks Grind to Victory in Dallas
June 25, 2023
Dallas, TX - The Houston Roughnecks took down the Dallas Renegades by a score of 25-9. The game had an attendance of 32,821. Houston's offense marched down the field on their opening drive of the game as QB Cole McDonald scored a 10-yard touchdown on the ground, putting the Roughnecks up 6-0. On the Renegades opening drive, they made a 56-yard field goal, making the score 6-3. The Roughnecks followed up with another touchdown score via the ground, as RB Jeremy Cox ran it in from 5 yards out. After one quarter, the Roughnecks led the Renegades 12-3. The Renegades made a 36-yard field goal early in the second quarter, cutting the lead to 12-6. After Houston's offense turned the ball over on downs, Dallas made another field goal, this time from 19 yards out. At the half, Houston led 12-9.
A 35-yard field goal by K Austin Jones put the Roughnecks up 15-9 early in the third quarter. On the ensuing Dallas drive, a pass break up by DB Ajene Harris resulted in an interception for LB Tavante Beckett. Beckett returned the interception for a 45-yard touchdown. A successful 1-point attempt by QB Cole McDonald on the ground extended Houston's lead to 22-9. An early 4th quarter interception thrown by McDonald was Houston's first and only turnover of the game. With under two minutes remaining, Jones made a 38-yard field goal, making the final score 25-9, in favor of the visiting Roughnecks.
-- (12-6)Roughnecks 25 - 9 Renegades(9-9)
(HOU): QB McDonald - 14/18 148 yards, 1 INT, 9 carries, 72 yards, 1 TD, RB Cox - 21 carries, 120 yards, 1 TD, WR Smith - 3 catches, 51 yards, WR Salter - 4 catches, 47 yards
(DAL): QB Perez - 22/36 205 yards, 1 INT, RB Herrien - 17 carries, 59 yards, 5 catches, 47 yards, TE Cannella - 3 catches, 41 yards
-- (3-15)Mammoths 17 - 16 Guardians(6-12)
(OMA): QB Cornelius - 6/12 116 yards, 1 TD, 15 carries, 61 yards, RB West - 16 carries, 98 yards, 1 TD, WR Callaway - 3 catches, 75 yards, 1 TD
(NY): QB Dolegala - 13/25 171 yards, RB Perkins - 16 carries, 77 yards, 1 TD, RB Gallman - 13 carries, 66 yards, WR White - 5 catches, 75 yards, WR Reynolds - 3 catches, 45 yards
-- (4-14)Monarchs 10 - 26 Crusaders(13-5)
(MON): QB Kelley - 12/24 187 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Richard - 22 carries, 90 yards, RB Wilder - 13 carries, 51 yards, WR Roosevelt - 4 catches, 67 yards, 1 TD
(LON): QB Heinicke - 13/18 212 yards, 2 TDs, RB Michael - 14 carries, 66 yards, RB Jones - 13 carries, 60 yards, 1 TD, WR Henry - 4 catches, 70 yards, WR Washington - 4 catches, 67 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 19: Fleet Squander Early Opportunities in Two-point Loss to Breakers
June 25, 2023
San Diego, CA - K Giorgio Tavecchio missed a 47-yard field goal on the final play of regulation time as the Los Angeles Breakers edged the San Diego Fleet 24-22 before 39,226 spectators. RB Wendall Smallwood stepped in the end zone on the final play, but San Diego was penalized for too many men on the play so Tavecchio would receive the opportunity. Backup QB Aqeel Glass staked the visitors to a 24-16 lead with a one-yard touchdown run in the final period. WR Marquis Lee and Johnnie Dixon scored touchdowns for Los Angeles, while QB Josh Johnson passed 12 yards to WR John Ross for the Fleet’s opening touchdown, but it didn’t occur until midway through the fourth quarter. San Diego started quickly on offense after taking the opening kickoff. Johnson passed 13 yards to WR Devier Posey, then found Ross on a slant pattern for a 33-yard gain to the 21. On fourth and four, rather than settling for a short field goal, the Fleet decided to gamble. But Johnson's pass for offensive weapon DeAnthony Thomas was intercepted by DB Saquan Hampton, who returned it 40 yards. The Breakers, however, failed to generate a first down. Following a 34-yard punt return, Johnson found WR Nelson Spruce for a 59-yard completion to the 6. Following two runs of two yards by Smallwood and a one-yard gain by backup QB Khalil Tate, San Diego elected to gamble again from the one. Smallwood tried running up the middle, only to be stopped short of the end zone. Two turnovers and 10 points squandered.
The visitors then opened the scoring, producing a seven-play, 109-yard drive that included an 18-yard pass to RB Anthony Jones. Two plays later, he gained 34 yards along the ground. Following an 18-yard shovel pass to WR Jonathan Adams, QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson passed 20 yards to Lee. Two plays later, Bethel-Thompson passed three yards to Dixon for the touchdown. A 49-yard pass to Posey eventually set up a 42-yard field goal, the Fleet’s only points in the opening half. San Diego moved the ball over the first 30 minutes, producing 10 first downs and 263 yards’ net offense. They just failed to generate enough points. The second half began with RB Jordan Ellis’s 50-yard kickoff return to the 39. Two plays later, Lee beat DB Bradley Sylve for a 39-yard touchdown after only 54 seconds, giving the Breakers a 14-3 lead. San Diego cut into that with a 26-yard field goal. The Breakers took a 10-point lead after scoring a safety but the Fleet got back into the game with a seven-play, 65-yard drive for their first touchdown, a 12-yard pass-and-run play to Posey.
-- (12-6)Breakers 24 - 22 Fleet(11-7)
(LA): QB Bethel-Thompson - 20/29 240 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Hills - 14 carries, 92 yards, WR Lee - 7 catches, 117 yards, 1 TD, WR Adams - 3 catches, 51 yards
(SD): QB Johnson - 25/33 413 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Smallwood - 18 carries, 82 yards, WR Ross - 6 catches, 72 yards, 1 TD, WR Posey - 5 catches, 121 yards, 1 TD, WR Spruce - 4 catches, 99 yards
-- (13-5)Brawlers 31 - 14 Ghosts(7-11)
(PHI): QB Walker - 18/24 211 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Butler - 24 carries, 141 yards, WR Phillips - 3 catches, 62 yards, WR Fulgham - 3 catches, 49 yards, 1 TD
(COL): QB Cookus - 22/36 242 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, RB Colburn - 17 carries, 95 yards, 1 TD, WR Carter - 8 catches, 65 yards, WR Coleman - 5 catches, 60 yards, 1 TD, WR Overton - 3 catches, 56 yards
XFL Week 19: Dragons Top Mexico City
June 26, 2023
Seattle, WA - On the initial drive in the first quarter for the Seattle Dragons, K Dominik Eberle missed an early 39-yard field goal. Overall for both teams, it was a very quiet first quarter where both teams were held scoreless. Midway through the second quarter, LB Tuzar Skipper, recorded his twelfth sack of the season, giving the ball back to the Dragons and momentum for their next offensive series. Soon after, QB Ben Dinucci orchestrated his offense down the field and cleaned up the drive after scoring a 14-yard rushing touchdown to put the Dragons up 6-0 following the missed 3-point conversion.
Going into the third quarter, the Dragons regrouped at halftime and came out firing after DiNucci found WR Jahcour Pearson streaking downfield for a 33-yard touchdown pass to extend the score to 14-0 after the successful 2-point conversion to WR Josh Gordon. The Vipers responded on their next series with a 53-yard field goal by K Sam Sloman, cutting the lead to 14-3. Shortly after, the Dragons came out on their next series aggressive when DiNucci spotted WR Juwan Green for a 37-yard touchdown pass, widening the gap to 20-3 after the failed 2-point conversion try. In the final quarter, DiNucci connected with WR Jordan Veasy in the corner of the end zone for a 3-yard diving touchdown, increasing the score to 28-3 following the successful 2-point conversion attempt to WR Blake Jackson. The Dragons defense carried the strong offensive momentum onto their side of the field when DB Qwynnterrio Cole intercepted QB Jalan McClendon, giving the ball right back to the Dragons. The Dragons looked to officially clinch a playoff berth on their next drive but was shortly interrupted after DB Marwin Evans picked off DiNucci in the end zone. Seattle regained possession of the ball after forcing the Vipers to punt, but failed to score again after DiNucci threw his second interception of the game to DB Jamar Summers. On the ensuing series for the Vipers, McClendon linked up with WR Mathew Sexton for an 81-yard pass. On the same play, DB Mykael Wright forced Sexton to fumble at the 1-yard line before entering the end zone, but the Vipers regained the ball back after the ball went out of bounds in the back of the end zone. After the dispute on the possession, RB Rod Smith finished the series with a 1-yard rushing touchdown to trim the lead to 28-9. The Dragons ran the clock off on their next series.
-- (4-14)Vipers 9 - 28 Dragons(13-5)
(MEX): QB McClendon - 6/21 201 yards, 1 INT, RB Smith - 17 carries, 50 yards, 1 TD, WR Sexton - 2 catches, 119 yards, WR Allison - 2 catches, 72 yards
(SEA): QB DiNucci - 26/41 339 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs, 4 carries, 41 yards, 1 TD, RB Lindsay - 14 carries, 115 yards, WR Gordon - 9 catches, 115 yards, WR Green - 4 catches, 88 yards, 1 TD, WR Pearson - 5 catches, 67 yards, 1 TD
-- (14-4)Mountain Lions 27 - 30 Stampede(10-8)
(SLC): QB Rosen - 13/26 208 yards, 3 TDs, RB Booker - 13 carries, 77 yards, RB Samuels - 13 carries, 68 yards, WR Ross - 5 catches, 94 yards, 1 TD, WR Arcega-Whiteside - 3 catches, 48 yards, WR Clay - 4 catches, 42 yards, 2 TDs
(OKC): QB Petty - 12/17 158 yards, 1 TD, RB Brooks - 15 carries, 72 yards, 1 TD, RB Artis-Payne - 24 carries, 71 yards, 1 TD, WR Davis - 4 catches, 65 yards, 1 TD, TE Parham - 3 catches, 44 yards
Nine XFL Game Officials Selected for NFL
June 27, 2023
New York, NY - The XFL received some welcome news from the NFL. Nine XFL Game Day Officials were selected to officiate games for the upcoming NFL 2023 season. With nearly all 48 XFL Officials participating in the NFL Officiating Development Program, the close relationship between the two leagues continues to benefit fans by improving football officiating. "Nine of 12 new NFL Officials coming from the XFL shows that our leagues share the same exacting standards of officiating," said Mike Pereira, XFL Head of Officiating. "We're proud that in just two years, the NFL has selected 17 of its 22 new officials from the XFL. It demonstrates that our close relationship benefits everyone, especially for football fans."
Head Coach Rod Woodson and Vipers Mutually Agree to Part Ways
June 28, 2023
Mexico City, MEXICO - The Mexico City Vipers announced that the team and head coach Rod Woodson have mutually agreed to part ways. "We want to thank Rod for his hard work and commitment to the Vipers and the League last season," said XFL President Russ Brandon. "During Rod's time with the team, the players had an incredible opportunity to learn and benefit from his experience. He left an indelible mark on all the coaches, staff, and players. We wish Rod and his family all the best in their future pursuits."
"After speaking with my family and members of the football operations team, we decided it was in our mutual interest for me to step away from the team," said Woodson. "I would like to thank everyone at the League and wish them continued success." The Vipers will begin the search process immediately and provide information at the appropriate time.
June 22, 2023
Charlotte, NC - The Calgary Greys, fell to the Charlotte BattleHawks 53-28. A back-and-forth first-half gave way to a dominant performance from Charlotte in the second half. The Greys and BattleHawks saw the lead change hands five times in the first half before Charlotte entered the intermission with a 25-20 advantage. Charlotte added 14 points in the third quarter. QB AJ McCarron fired a 13-yard touchdown pass and a two-point conversion to WR Steven Mitchell to put the BattleHawks on top 33-20 before finding WR Hakeem Butler for a 66-yard touchdown that extended the lead to 39-20. The Battlehawks opened up the fourth quarter with a McCarron 4-yard touchdown pass to WR Darrius Shepherd that increased the lead to 45-20. With 5:10 remaining in the contest, the Greys finally got back on the scoreboard. QB Quinten Dormady connected with WR Charleston Rambo for a six-yard touchdown and WR KD Cannon for a two-point conversion that cut the deficit to 45-28. Charlotte went on to score one more touchdown and add a two-point conversion to eventually seal the 53-28 victory.
It was a shootout early in the game. The Greys didn't waste time getting on the board, scoring on their opening possession, the sixth game this season they've crossed the goal line on their first series. The 11-play, 79-yard drive saw three runs and eight passing attempts with QB Deondre Francois connecting with WR Andrew Jamiel for a 27-yard touchdown pass that put Calgary on top 6-0. The BattleHawks responded less than three minutes later with a K Donald Hageman 35-yard field goal, cutting Charlotte's deficit to 6-3 at the end of the first quarter. Charlotte took its first lead of the contest less than four minutes into the second quarter on a seven-play, 42-yard drive. RB Kareem Walker capped it with a one-yard rushing touchdown that gave the BattleHawks a 9-3 advantage. The Greys answered less than five minutes later with one of the most spectacular plays of the season. Calgary P Mac Brown tossed a pass to TE Jordan Thomas on a fake punt. Thomas caught Brown's wobbly pass at the 43-yard line, broke one tackle, spun out of another attempt to take him down and ended up going for an 81-yard touchdown, putting Calgary back in front 12-9. Charlotte and Orlando continued to trade blows midway through the second quarter, with McCarron finding Butler for a 7-yard touchdown pass and WR Marcell Ateman for a two-point conversion that allowed the BattleHawks to regain a 17-12 advantage. Calgary responded 17 seconds later. After WR Deddrick Thomas put the Guardians in great field position with a 47-yard kickoff return, Dormady connected with Cannon for a 45-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the possession. Jamiel hauled in a two-point conversion that gave Calgary a 20-17 lead. The BattleHawks closed out the first half with a 66-yard drive on 10 plays, capped by a McCarron 5-yard touchdown pass to TE Jake Sutherland and a two-point conversion pass to Butler put Charlotte on top 25-20 at halftime.
-- (3-15)Greys 28 - 53 BattleHawks(11-7)
(CAL): QB Dormady 18/24 187 yards, 2 TDs, RB Martin - 12 carries, 11 yards, WR Rambo - 5 catches, 57 yards, 1 TD, WR Cannon - 2 catches, 51 yards, 1 TD, TE Thomas - 4 catches, 109 yards, 1 TD
(CHA): QB McCarron - 28/35 420 yards, 6 TDs, RB Durant - 15 carries, 69 yards, WR Butler - 9 catches, 164 yards, 2 TDs, WR Shepherd - 6 catches, 96 yards, 1 TD, WR Mitchell - 4 catches, 72 yards, 2 TDs
-- (9-9)Maulers 28 - 7 Bolts(9-9)
(PIT): QB Haskins - 25/32 280 yards, 3 TDs, RB London - 19 carries, 76 yards, 5 catches, 40 yards, 1 TD, RB Groshek - 12 carries, 51 yards, 1 TD, WR Thomas - 7 catches, 100 yards, 1 TD, WR Gaither - 7 catches, 83 yards, WR Hennie - 4 catches, 53 yards
(BER): QB Kaaya - 12/18 139 yards, 1 TD, RB Sankey - 11 carries, 68 yards, RB Hunt - 16 carries, 49 yards, WR Huff - 3 catches, 58 yards
XFL Week 19: Otters Push League-Leading Cologne to Limit
June 23, 2023
Vancouver, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA - The Vancouver Otters' inaugural season ended with a 28-29 loss to the Cologne Defenders. QB Jack Coan completed 34 of 48 passes for 312 yards while RB Jacques Patrick had a multi-TD game with two rushing touchdowns. The Defenders wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, as QB Jordan Ta'amu was a perfect 3-for-3 for 60 yards passing on a 68-yard opening drive capped with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Ta'amu to TE Alex Ellis. Cologne completed the 2-point conversion with a pass from Ta'amu to WR Josh Hammond. Much of the possession's progress came on a 52-yard reception by WR Lucky Jackson, who was brought down at Vancouver's 5-yard line. Unlike the Defenders' drive, the Otters ate up clock on their first possession, marching 64 yards down the field in 16 plays. After eight minutes and 35 seconds, K Parker Romo nailed his XFL-leading 32nd field goal of the season, this one from 26 yards out. Cologne wasn't on the field for long on its next drive either, thanks to a 79-yard kickoff return by do-it-all Pooka Williams. The University of Kansas product took the kickoff to the 7-yard line for the third-longest return in the XFL this season. The Otters defense stood tall to force a field goal and Cologne K Matt McCrane finished the quick possession with a 21-yard chip shot field goal to put the Defenders up 11-3. After Ta'amu completed passes for 25 and 28 yards, LB Jordan Williams thwarted a promising Cologne drive with an interception, returning it 34 yards to the Defenders' 44-yard line with 26 seconds remaining in the first half. Two plays later, WR Landen Akers reeled in a 37-yard pass from QB Jack Coan with 11 seconds left. With three seconds remaining, Patrick barreled into the end zone from a yard out for a Vancouver score. Coan then hit WR TJ Vasher for the 2-point conversion to make it 19-11 at the break.
The Otters carried their offensive momentum into the second half, as a 28-yard field goal by Romo brought Vancouver within 19-14. Coan completed six of seven passes on the drive for 50 yards on the 11 play, 60 yard possession. However, Cologne responded with a field goal of its own. After opening their drive with three-straight plays of over 10 yards, the Defenders settled for a 49-yard kick by McCrane to up their lead to 22-14. The Otters' offense continued to heat up, picking up 75 yards on nine plays on its next drive. RB Jonathan Hilliman reached paydirt on a 1-yard touchdown run, but the 2-point conversion was no good, bringing Vancouver within a couple points at 22-20. Coan connected on five of six passes for 53 yards on the scoring drive. The Otters' defense got in on the fun by stifling another Cologne drive with a turnover. At the 44-yard line, DB Luq Barcoo ripped the ball out of the grasp of Jackson for their second turnover. Vancouver stayed hot with a 10-play, 63-yard touchdown drive to grab its first lead of the game. Coan completed six of eight passes for 56 yards before Patrick capped the possession with a 2-yard score on third down. With 5:15 left, Coan made it a 28-22 game with a complete 2-point conversion pass to Hilliman. Cologne was efficient in its response, leading a 5-play, 69-yard drive to retake the lead at 29-28 with 2:32 remaining. A 20-yard pass, Vancouver penalty, 13-yard Ta'amu rush and 27-yard pass put the Defenders within four yards of the end zone. Ta'amu then marched in for the tying touchdown before taking in the 1-point conversion himself for the edge.
-- (17-1)Defenders 29 - 28 Otters(6-12)
(COL): QB Ta'amu - 15/22 271 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Smith - 18 carries, 89 yards, WR Jackson - 3 catches, 84 yards, WR Blair - 1 catch, 70 yards, WR Hammond - 4 catches, 59 yards
(VAN): QB Coan - 34/48 312 yards, RB Patrick - 16 carries, 41 yards, 2 TDs, WR Akers - 8 catches, 90 yards, WR Vasher - 5 catches, 57 yards
-- (2-16)Steel 17 - 19 Showboats(9-9)
(BIRM): QB Fromm - 12/20 150 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Yeldon - 22 carries, 117 yards, RB Richardson - 25 carries, 113 yards, 1 TD, WR Lodge - 3 catches, 37 yards, 1 TD
(MEM): QB Guarantano - 10/21 192 yards, 2 TDs, RB Collins - 17 carries, 52 yards, RB Washington - 12 carries, 50 yards, WR Treadwell - 3 catches, 78 yards, 1 TD, WR Henderson - 2 catches, 43 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 19: Enforcers Dispel Jousters with Dominating Win
June 24, 2023
Toronto, ONTARIO, CANADA - Midway through the fourth quarter, a steady stream of Toronto Jousters fans headed towards the exits. After a slow first half, the Chicago Enforcers beat the brakes off the Jousters after halftime, with a pair of scintillating rushing performances and defensive dominance leading the charge. There was no need to wait until the final whistle for the fans in green and white. The Jousters were in the mud, and the Enforcers weren’t giving them any soap to clean up. The Enforcers destroyed the Jousters and the final 32-21 score line somehow didn’t really reflect just how bad a beatdown this really was. “Our guys, we’re trying to get better and increase our win total but also feel like we’re executing and doing the right things,” said Chicago head coach Lovie Smith. “There’s tons to coach on this game, that’s what makes me happy, we were able to win and hopefully we’re able to clean those things up.”
Had the Enforcers’ offense been a little more efficient when they got into the red zone, they might easily have been up by double digits before the second quarter was halfway through. Instead, the Chicago crew had to settle for four field goals in the first half. Chicago QB DeShone Kizer had specifically pointed to his team needing to get more touchdowns as being an area they needed to improve. Settling for field goals won’t be good enough come playoff time. “We were getting first downs, guys were feeling it, they were confident, you could see It in their eyes that we were going to break through at some point,” Kizer said. “It’s tough as a defense when you give up drive after drive after drive and hold us. We knew it was coming.” After halftime, everything changed. RB Trey Williams fumbled the opening kickoff of the second half and that led to the Jousters’ only touchdown of the night. It was not a preview of things to come. It was just a brief reprieve for the Jousters before the ugliness that was on its way. That was largely led by the running back combo of Thomas Rawls and Darius Victor. The Jousters simply had no answer for the speed and power the Enforcers were able to throw at them on every single offensive snap. Combined with a nice 14-yard touchdown pass from Kizer to TE Braedon Bowman and the Enforcers put the game out of reach with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter. “It’s been our identity all year, we’ve been great at running the football,” Kizer said. “We’ve been relying on our running backs and they were the ones who got the touchdowns going and then Braedon makes a hell of a catch in the corner and all of a sudden we’re over 30 points, which is always a goal for us.”
-- (9-9)Enforcers 32 - 21 Jousters(6-12)
(CHI): QB Kizer - 15/24 205 yards, 1 TD, RB Rawls - 17 carries, 103 yards, 1 TD, RB Victor - 20 carries, 109 yards, 1 TD, WR Stewart - 3 catches, 36 yards, WR Darboh - 2 catches, 64 yards
(TOR): QB Mitchell - 18/28 196 yards, 1 TD, RB Dixon - 14 carries, 59 yards, WR Garrett - 3 catches, 61 yards, WR Rogers - 5 catches, 34 yards, 1 TD
-- (5-13)Panthers 16 - 20 Bandits(10-8)
(OAK): QB Love - 5/22 83 yards, 1 INT, 9 carries, 40 yards, 1 TD, RB Corbin - 15 carries, 83 yards, RB Scott - 8 carries, 59 yards, WR Jones - 2 catches, 35 yards
(TB): QB Kaepernick - 13/20 214 yards, 2 TDs, RB Williams - 16 carries, 51 yards, RB Gardner - 17 carries, 53 yards, WR Humphrey - 5 catches, 128 yards, 1 TD
-- (10-8)Valor 33 - 30 Stallions(14-4)
(DC): QB Bortles - 14/22 256 yards, 1 TD, RB Allen - 18 carries, 110 yards, 3 TDs, RB Pumphrey - 14 carries, 68 yards, WR Daniels - 3 catches, 99 yards, 1 TD, WR Richardson - 4 catches, 73 yards
(STL): QB McGough - 13/18 191 yards, 1 TD, RB Scarbrough - 23 carries, 97 yards, RB Marable - 16 carries, 85 yards, 1 TD, WR Cain - 3 catches, 72 yards, WR Davis - 6 catches, 62 yards, TE Sternberger - 2 catches, 32 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 19: Five Field Goals Earn Brigade Important Win over Alphas
June 24, 2023
Baltimore, MD - K Justin Medlock's 30-yard field goal in a brisk wind on the final play earned Baltimore an exciting 30-27 XFL victory over the Atlanta Alphas. Medlock’s fifth boot of the game capped a 45-yard, six-play drive into a brisk wind. QB Kenji Bahar had a key 25-yard run on the final march. Atlanta did all of its scoring with the wind, 21 points in the second, six in the fourth. Baltimore managed more points going into the breeze, 14 in the fourth than it did with it. Bahar put Baltimore ahead 24-21 just 22 seconds into the fourth. Baltimore RB Mark Thompson ran for a game-high 104 yards on 13 carries. “I can’t say enough,” Steinauer said of Thompson. “That guy just shows up when called upon, he’s steady. He took some shots and fell forward and was able to allow us to keep the run going.”
Atlanta led 21-13 at halftime, scoring all of its points in the second quarter with the wind. Baltimore put up 10 points in the first. RB Peyton Barber’s one-yard run in the second gave Atlanta a 21-10 advantage. Bahar’ touchdown was set up by LB Jelani Jenkins’s sack-strip of Atlanta QB Ryan Finley that gave Baltimore possession at the Atlanta 29-yard line late in the third which led to a 36-yard field goal that tied the score 24-24. Finley finished 19-of-27 passing for 166 yards as Atlanta lost the contest despite winning the turnover battle 4-1. “It’s not often you’re going to win a bunch of games when you lose the takeaway battle, but it just shows it can be done,” said Steinauer. “We had the wind to start the half but we didn’t do much with it until the very end, and that was the key thing. We’ve done a decent job throughout the season of actually moving the ball into the wind and coming away with some sort of points.”
-- (8-10)Alphas 27 - 30 Brigade(11-7)
(ATL): QB Finley - 19/27 166 yards, RB Barber - 15 carries, 74 yards, 2 TDs, WR Hardy - 7 catches, 62 yards
(BAL): QB Bahar - 19/33 263 yards, 1 INT, 6 carries, 46 yards, 2 TDs, RB Thompson - 13 carries, 104 yards, RB Crowell - 12 carries, 73 yards, WR Hall - 7 catches, 113 yards, WR Ratliff-Williams - 4 catches, 75 yards
-- (14-4)Apollos 34 - 17 Commanders(4-14)
(ORL): QB Gilbert - 15/21 214 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Johnson - 15 carries, 99 yards, RB Walton - 12 carries, 94 yards, 1 TD, WR Marshall - 4 catches, 68 yards, WR Whitehead - 3 catches, 56 yards, 1 TD, WR Moncrief - 4 catches, 55 yards, 1 TD
(SA): QB Fine - 13/29 140 yards, 1 TD, RB Ervin - 12 carries, 119 yards, 1 TD, RB Hill - 20 carries, 50 yards, WR Doctson - 4 catches, 41 yards, 1 TD, WR Ward - 4 catches, 50 yards
XFL Week 19: Roughnecks Grind to Victory in Dallas
June 25, 2023
Dallas, TX - The Houston Roughnecks took down the Dallas Renegades by a score of 25-9. The game had an attendance of 32,821. Houston's offense marched down the field on their opening drive of the game as QB Cole McDonald scored a 10-yard touchdown on the ground, putting the Roughnecks up 6-0. On the Renegades opening drive, they made a 56-yard field goal, making the score 6-3. The Roughnecks followed up with another touchdown score via the ground, as RB Jeremy Cox ran it in from 5 yards out. After one quarter, the Roughnecks led the Renegades 12-3. The Renegades made a 36-yard field goal early in the second quarter, cutting the lead to 12-6. After Houston's offense turned the ball over on downs, Dallas made another field goal, this time from 19 yards out. At the half, Houston led 12-9.
A 35-yard field goal by K Austin Jones put the Roughnecks up 15-9 early in the third quarter. On the ensuing Dallas drive, a pass break up by DB Ajene Harris resulted in an interception for LB Tavante Beckett. Beckett returned the interception for a 45-yard touchdown. A successful 1-point attempt by QB Cole McDonald on the ground extended Houston's lead to 22-9. An early 4th quarter interception thrown by McDonald was Houston's first and only turnover of the game. With under two minutes remaining, Jones made a 38-yard field goal, making the final score 25-9, in favor of the visiting Roughnecks.
-- (12-6)Roughnecks 25 - 9 Renegades(9-9)
(HOU): QB McDonald - 14/18 148 yards, 1 INT, 9 carries, 72 yards, 1 TD, RB Cox - 21 carries, 120 yards, 1 TD, WR Smith - 3 catches, 51 yards, WR Salter - 4 catches, 47 yards
(DAL): QB Perez - 22/36 205 yards, 1 INT, RB Herrien - 17 carries, 59 yards, 5 catches, 47 yards, TE Cannella - 3 catches, 41 yards
-- (3-15)Mammoths 17 - 16 Guardians(6-12)
(OMA): QB Cornelius - 6/12 116 yards, 1 TD, 15 carries, 61 yards, RB West - 16 carries, 98 yards, 1 TD, WR Callaway - 3 catches, 75 yards, 1 TD
(NY): QB Dolegala - 13/25 171 yards, RB Perkins - 16 carries, 77 yards, 1 TD, RB Gallman - 13 carries, 66 yards, WR White - 5 catches, 75 yards, WR Reynolds - 3 catches, 45 yards
-- (4-14)Monarchs 10 - 26 Crusaders(13-5)
(MON): QB Kelley - 12/24 187 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Richard - 22 carries, 90 yards, RB Wilder - 13 carries, 51 yards, WR Roosevelt - 4 catches, 67 yards, 1 TD
(LON): QB Heinicke - 13/18 212 yards, 2 TDs, RB Michael - 14 carries, 66 yards, RB Jones - 13 carries, 60 yards, 1 TD, WR Henry - 4 catches, 70 yards, WR Washington - 4 catches, 67 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 19: Fleet Squander Early Opportunities in Two-point Loss to Breakers
June 25, 2023
San Diego, CA - K Giorgio Tavecchio missed a 47-yard field goal on the final play of regulation time as the Los Angeles Breakers edged the San Diego Fleet 24-22 before 39,226 spectators. RB Wendall Smallwood stepped in the end zone on the final play, but San Diego was penalized for too many men on the play so Tavecchio would receive the opportunity. Backup QB Aqeel Glass staked the visitors to a 24-16 lead with a one-yard touchdown run in the final period. WR Marquis Lee and Johnnie Dixon scored touchdowns for Los Angeles, while QB Josh Johnson passed 12 yards to WR John Ross for the Fleet’s opening touchdown, but it didn’t occur until midway through the fourth quarter. San Diego started quickly on offense after taking the opening kickoff. Johnson passed 13 yards to WR Devier Posey, then found Ross on a slant pattern for a 33-yard gain to the 21. On fourth and four, rather than settling for a short field goal, the Fleet decided to gamble. But Johnson's pass for offensive weapon DeAnthony Thomas was intercepted by DB Saquan Hampton, who returned it 40 yards. The Breakers, however, failed to generate a first down. Following a 34-yard punt return, Johnson found WR Nelson Spruce for a 59-yard completion to the 6. Following two runs of two yards by Smallwood and a one-yard gain by backup QB Khalil Tate, San Diego elected to gamble again from the one. Smallwood tried running up the middle, only to be stopped short of the end zone. Two turnovers and 10 points squandered.
The visitors then opened the scoring, producing a seven-play, 109-yard drive that included an 18-yard pass to RB Anthony Jones. Two plays later, he gained 34 yards along the ground. Following an 18-yard shovel pass to WR Jonathan Adams, QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson passed 20 yards to Lee. Two plays later, Bethel-Thompson passed three yards to Dixon for the touchdown. A 49-yard pass to Posey eventually set up a 42-yard field goal, the Fleet’s only points in the opening half. San Diego moved the ball over the first 30 minutes, producing 10 first downs and 263 yards’ net offense. They just failed to generate enough points. The second half began with RB Jordan Ellis’s 50-yard kickoff return to the 39. Two plays later, Lee beat DB Bradley Sylve for a 39-yard touchdown after only 54 seconds, giving the Breakers a 14-3 lead. San Diego cut into that with a 26-yard field goal. The Breakers took a 10-point lead after scoring a safety but the Fleet got back into the game with a seven-play, 65-yard drive for their first touchdown, a 12-yard pass-and-run play to Posey.
-- (12-6)Breakers 24 - 22 Fleet(11-7)
(LA): QB Bethel-Thompson - 20/29 240 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Hills - 14 carries, 92 yards, WR Lee - 7 catches, 117 yards, 1 TD, WR Adams - 3 catches, 51 yards
(SD): QB Johnson - 25/33 413 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Smallwood - 18 carries, 82 yards, WR Ross - 6 catches, 72 yards, 1 TD, WR Posey - 5 catches, 121 yards, 1 TD, WR Spruce - 4 catches, 99 yards
-- (13-5)Brawlers 31 - 14 Ghosts(7-11)
(PHI): QB Walker - 18/24 211 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Butler - 24 carries, 141 yards, WR Phillips - 3 catches, 62 yards, WR Fulgham - 3 catches, 49 yards, 1 TD
(COL): QB Cookus - 22/36 242 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, RB Colburn - 17 carries, 95 yards, 1 TD, WR Carter - 8 catches, 65 yards, WR Coleman - 5 catches, 60 yards, 1 TD, WR Overton - 3 catches, 56 yards
XFL Week 19: Dragons Top Mexico City
June 26, 2023
Seattle, WA - On the initial drive in the first quarter for the Seattle Dragons, K Dominik Eberle missed an early 39-yard field goal. Overall for both teams, it was a very quiet first quarter where both teams were held scoreless. Midway through the second quarter, LB Tuzar Skipper, recorded his twelfth sack of the season, giving the ball back to the Dragons and momentum for their next offensive series. Soon after, QB Ben Dinucci orchestrated his offense down the field and cleaned up the drive after scoring a 14-yard rushing touchdown to put the Dragons up 6-0 following the missed 3-point conversion.
Going into the third quarter, the Dragons regrouped at halftime and came out firing after DiNucci found WR Jahcour Pearson streaking downfield for a 33-yard touchdown pass to extend the score to 14-0 after the successful 2-point conversion to WR Josh Gordon. The Vipers responded on their next series with a 53-yard field goal by K Sam Sloman, cutting the lead to 14-3. Shortly after, the Dragons came out on their next series aggressive when DiNucci spotted WR Juwan Green for a 37-yard touchdown pass, widening the gap to 20-3 after the failed 2-point conversion try. In the final quarter, DiNucci connected with WR Jordan Veasy in the corner of the end zone for a 3-yard diving touchdown, increasing the score to 28-3 following the successful 2-point conversion attempt to WR Blake Jackson. The Dragons defense carried the strong offensive momentum onto their side of the field when DB Qwynnterrio Cole intercepted QB Jalan McClendon, giving the ball right back to the Dragons. The Dragons looked to officially clinch a playoff berth on their next drive but was shortly interrupted after DB Marwin Evans picked off DiNucci in the end zone. Seattle regained possession of the ball after forcing the Vipers to punt, but failed to score again after DiNucci threw his second interception of the game to DB Jamar Summers. On the ensuing series for the Vipers, McClendon linked up with WR Mathew Sexton for an 81-yard pass. On the same play, DB Mykael Wright forced Sexton to fumble at the 1-yard line before entering the end zone, but the Vipers regained the ball back after the ball went out of bounds in the back of the end zone. After the dispute on the possession, RB Rod Smith finished the series with a 1-yard rushing touchdown to trim the lead to 28-9. The Dragons ran the clock off on their next series.
-- (4-14)Vipers 9 - 28 Dragons(13-5)
(MEX): QB McClendon - 6/21 201 yards, 1 INT, RB Smith - 17 carries, 50 yards, 1 TD, WR Sexton - 2 catches, 119 yards, WR Allison - 2 catches, 72 yards
(SEA): QB DiNucci - 26/41 339 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs, 4 carries, 41 yards, 1 TD, RB Lindsay - 14 carries, 115 yards, WR Gordon - 9 catches, 115 yards, WR Green - 4 catches, 88 yards, 1 TD, WR Pearson - 5 catches, 67 yards, 1 TD
-- (14-4)Mountain Lions 27 - 30 Stampede(10-8)
(SLC): QB Rosen - 13/26 208 yards, 3 TDs, RB Booker - 13 carries, 77 yards, RB Samuels - 13 carries, 68 yards, WR Ross - 5 catches, 94 yards, 1 TD, WR Arcega-Whiteside - 3 catches, 48 yards, WR Clay - 4 catches, 42 yards, 2 TDs
(OKC): QB Petty - 12/17 158 yards, 1 TD, RB Brooks - 15 carries, 72 yards, 1 TD, RB Artis-Payne - 24 carries, 71 yards, 1 TD, WR Davis - 4 catches, 65 yards, 1 TD, TE Parham - 3 catches, 44 yards
Nine XFL Game Officials Selected for NFL
June 27, 2023
New York, NY - The XFL received some welcome news from the NFL. Nine XFL Game Day Officials were selected to officiate games for the upcoming NFL 2023 season. With nearly all 48 XFL Officials participating in the NFL Officiating Development Program, the close relationship between the two leagues continues to benefit fans by improving football officiating. "Nine of 12 new NFL Officials coming from the XFL shows that our leagues share the same exacting standards of officiating," said Mike Pereira, XFL Head of Officiating. "We're proud that in just two years, the NFL has selected 17 of its 22 new officials from the XFL. It demonstrates that our close relationship benefits everyone, especially for football fans."
Head Coach Rod Woodson and Vipers Mutually Agree to Part Ways
June 28, 2023
Mexico City, MEXICO - The Mexico City Vipers announced that the team and head coach Rod Woodson have mutually agreed to part ways. "We want to thank Rod for his hard work and commitment to the Vipers and the League last season," said XFL President Russ Brandon. "During Rod's time with the team, the players had an incredible opportunity to learn and benefit from his experience. He left an indelible mark on all the coaches, staff, and players. We wish Rod and his family all the best in their future pursuits."
"After speaking with my family and members of the football operations team, we decided it was in our mutual interest for me to step away from the team," said Woodson. "I would like to thank everyone at the League and wish them continued success." The Vipers will begin the search process immediately and provide information at the appropriate time.
Last edited by BengalErnst on Sat Jun 24, 2023 11:06 am, edited 17 times in total.
- BengalErnst
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Re: XFL 2001
by BengalErnst » Sat Feb 18, 2023 2:56 pm
XFL Week 20: Stallions Go All out in Finale, Hope Momentum Carries into Playoffs
June 29, 2023
Memphis, TN - They had nothing to play for but pride in the final game of the regular season. Stallions head coach Skip Holtz said he gave his players the option to sit out the regular-season finale against the Memphis Showboats. Everyone, including starting QB Alex McGough, chose to play, a good omen for the Stallions. The dynamic duo of McGough and TE Jace Sternberger connected on a 46-yard touchdown with a little under five minutes left to lift the Stallions over the host the Showboats, 27-20 at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Even though McGough left himself vulnerable to injury in a meaningless game by running the football a few times, including getting flipped over on a run up the middle of the field in the first half. Holtz said the risk was worth the reward of keeping his team's momentum and rhythm going into the postseason. "Hopefully, it was a learning lesson for him," Holtz said about McGough. "He's a competitor, but he's just not invincible. And I don't want to find out the hard way that's actually a fact. I'm glad they didn't all have the option because I wouldn't have had the option to sit everybody. But he wants to win. He wants to compete."
Memphis jumped on the Stallions early when speedy return man Derrick Dillon zig-zagged his way across the field for a 90-yard kick return for a score on the opening kickoff. Dillon finished with 236 return yards on six kick returns. "He's not a one-trick pony," said Memphis coach Todd Haley, who believes Dillon should get an NFL audition next month. "He's got a lot of tricks. He can run routes, he can catch. He can do a lot of things." The Showboats held that lead for most of the game, as the Stallions turned the ball over three times in Memphis territory. However, the Stallions took their first lead with 33 seconds left in the third quarter on an 18-yard bolt through the middle of the Memphis defense by Rb CJ Marable, putting the Stallions up 20-17 heading into the final quarter. On the ensuing possession, Memphis K Alex Kessman striped a 45-yard field goal to tie the score at 20-all, his 42nd straight field goal this season. But with a chance to take the lead, Kessman missed what would have been the go-ahead score, hooking a 40-yard field goal wide left with 7:16 remaining to play. The Stallions took the ball and quickly drove 70 yards on five plays, with the big play being a long pass from McGough to Sternberger on a corner route. Sternberger finished with four catches for 84 yards, the touchdown making up for a costly fumble earlier in the fourth quarter.
-- (14-5)Stallions 27 - 20 Showboats(10-9)
(STL): QB McGough - 22/33 282 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Marable - 10 carries, 56 yards, 1 TD, RB Scarbrough - 14 carries, 66 yards, WR Davis - 9 catches, 114 yards, TE Sternberger - 4 catches, 84 yards, 1 TD, WR Cain - 5 catches, 42 yards
(MEM): QB Guarantano - 20/30 154 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Collins - 16 carries, 82 yards, WR Treadwell - 7 catches, 69 yards, WR Dillon - 5 catches, 38 yards
-- (6-13)Jousters 21 - 51 Crusaders(14-5)
(TOR): QB Arbuckle - 15/25 200 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Dixon - 15 carries, 82 yards, RB Cox - 11 carries, 101 yards, 1 TD, WR Garrett - 4 catches, 73 yards, 1 TD, WR Rogers - 3 catches, 60 yards
(LON): QB Heinicke - 28/39 318 yards, 3 TDs, RB Michael - 10 carries, 73 yards, 1 TD, RB Jones - 18 carries, 64 yards, 1 TD, WR Henry - 7 catches, 75 yards, 1 TD, WR Washington - 5 catches, 59 yards, 1 TD, TE Toilolo - 4 catches, 57 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 20: Are Maulers Peaking? Week 20 Dominance
June 30, 2023
Chicago, IL - Behind their gutsy defense, which allowed seven or fewer points for the third consecutive week, Pittsburgh avenged a 20-3 loss to Chicago in Week 4 by eliminating the Enforcers from postseason contention with a 26-6 blowout victory. Pittsburgh's defense stole the show in a second consecutive must-win game. After making QB Josh Love's life a nightmare two weeks ago, they harassed QB DeShone Kizer into throwing two interceptions, sacking him twice and allowing him to complete only 12 of his 27 pass attempts. Pittsburgh's stout linebacker corps had another tremendous performance, with XFL tackling leader Kyahva Tezino notching seven tackles to boost his season total to 188, while LB Reuben Foster matched him with seven of his own. In total, the Maulers tallied five tackles for loss, with DL Vaughn Taylor collecting a pair. "We're Maulers. We're going to maul," DL Nasir Player said. "That's what we're going to do every play."
While the Maulers were dictating the game, halfway through the third quarter, the Enforcers had the ball and drove into Pittsburgh territory at the 46-yard line. After a holding penalty wiped out a conversion and created a third-and-12, the game shifted. Kizer looking in the opposite direction, Player came around the horn to force a fumble as he threw. Pittsburgh DB Eli Walker picked up the fluttering football and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown, creating the separation that the Maulers needed and pushing their lead to 16-6. After a six-play drive stalled due to a fumble that went behind Kizer, QB Dwayne Haskins continued a highly efficient day running the Pittsburgh offense, completing three straight passes for 31 yards, highlighted by a 17-yard catch and run by WR Isiah Hennie. While the drive stalled, a K Chris Blewitt field goal pushed the lead to 13. After an ensuing three-and-out by the relentless Maulers defense, that ended any hope one would have had on the Enforcers' side, causing a taxed defense to head back out to the field trailing by 13. Following just a 21-yard punt by P Brock Miller, Pittsburgh set up shop at the 37-yard line. A 12-yard run by RB Garrett Groshek on a third-and-5 pushed the Maulers into the red zone, with a 15-yard pass interference penalty committed in the end zone resulting in Pittsburgh getting inside the 5-yard line. RB Madre London took care of things from there, running four yards into the end zone, all but putting the game away with eight minutes on the clock. "It's all about being me and playing within myself," Haskins said after the win. "When you have guys on defense who have been lights out all year, it helps us. It's building confidence on our side right now. We know the defense is going to do their job. That just tells us if we do what we're supposed to, we're going to come out with the win."
With just 2:10 left in the first half and the Maulers up 6-3, Horton elected to have Blewitt try a 58-yard field goal from the 41. LS Riley Lovingood sent the snap high, sending the ball back 34 yards before Blewitt eventually hopped on it. The short drive was gift-wrapped for Chicago to capitalize and take the lead heading into the locker room. But a four-yard loss by RB Darius Victor set the tone for a drive that did nothing. The Enforcers got three points, but Horton said it: "That felt like a total victory for us." The Maulers capitalized on great field position off a squib kick, taking over the ensuing drive at their own 48 with 1:35 left in the half and getting that field goal right back to take the three-point lead into the break. "They have an outstanding defensive front," Enforcers head coach Lovie Smith said. "The pressure they were getting and the coverage they played, it's really smart what they do. They gave us nothing easy."
-- (10-9)Maulers 26 - 6 Enforcers(10-9)
(PIT): QB Haskins - 17/25 154 yards, 1 TD, 6 carries, 40 yards, RB Groshek - 12 carries, 53 yards, WR Hennie - 6 catches, 48 yards, 1 TD
(CHI): QB Kizer - 12/27 137 yards, 2 INTs, RB Rawls - 12 carries, 68 yards, RB Victor - 11 carries, 55 yards, WR Echols-Luper - 3 catches, 42 yards
-- (14-5)Brawlers 34 - 21 Greys(3-16)
(PHI): QB Walker - 25/33 350 yards, 3 TDs, RB Butler - 20 carries, 137 yards, 1 TD, WR Phillips - 8 catches, 112 yards, WR Fulgham - 4 catches, 107 yards, WR Miller - 5 catches, 57 yards
(CAL): QB Dormady - 14/20 209 yards, 2 TDs, RB Darrington - 18 carries, 51 yards, 1 TD, WR Latimer - 4 catches, 87 yards, 1 TD, TE Thomas - 2 catches, 43 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 20: Breakers Punch Postseason Ticket Behind McLeod Bethel-Thompson, Stingy Defense
July 1, 2023
Baltimore, MD - After throwing for a season-low 88 yards last week, Los Angeles Breakers QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson got back to slinging it around the yard. Bethel-Thompson completed 23-of-31 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns against a tough Baltimore Brigade defense. Behind Bethel-Thompson's efficient day and a strong performance by his team's defense, the Breakers overwhelmed the Brigade for a 17-10 victory. "Offensively, we didn't start how we wanted to," Bethel-Thompson said. "A lot of that is just doing the simple things right. If we can play clean football on offense, we're pretty dangerous. We've just got to do it for four quarters. So, it's going to happen at the right time. I have absolutely no doubt there's better football out there." Defensively, the Breakers held Baltimore to 194 total yards, sacked Brigade QB Kenji Bahar four times and forced six punts. LB Jerod Fernandez led Los Angeles with 10 combined tackles, including a tackle for loss. A priority for the Breakers was containing physical RB Mark Thompson, who did not play Baltimore's 38-31 loss to Los Angeles in Week 4. Thompson got his yards, finishing with 84 rushing yards on 19 carries and a score. But he did not take over the game. "Just like every other week, it's hard for a team to run their offense if you make them one-dimensional," Fernandez said. "He's a great player, runs hard, so we just had to hit him fast, hit him early. He's going to run the ball, so you just got to limit what he does. And I feel like we did a good job of that today."
It was a low-scoring game to start, as the two teams were scoreless after the first quarter and combined for 12 punts for the game. The Breakers got on the scoreboard first when Bethel-Thompson found WR Johnnie Dixon on a double move for a 30-yard touchdown, giving Los Angeles a 7-0 lead with 11:14 left in the second quarter. The Brigade had two prime opportunities to score points in the first half but squandered each of them. Inside the 20-yard line and driving to score with 4:44 left in the first half, backup QB Montel Cozart rolled to his right but was intercepted by LB Vontae Diggs along the sideline for his third interception of the year. Baltimore forced Los Angeles to punt on the ensuing possession and got the ball back. The Brigade quickly returned to the red zone on a Bahar pass to WR Justin Hall on a chair route with two minutes left in the half, Hall's first target of the game. The Brigade stalled and K Nick Vogel lined up to kick a short field goal. However, Baltimore had a miscommunication with LS Ross Reiter snapping the ball early, which led to holder Hunter Niswander mishandling the snap and throwing the ball to no one in the end zone, earning an intentional grounding penalty. Breakers head coach John DeFilippo took a timeout just before the botched snap. "Gut feeling, make him kick it twice," DeFilippo. "It was just a feeling I had in my gut. Sometimes you get those gut feelings." The Breakers went into halftime up 7-0, then took a 14-0 lead on a 4-yard slant pass from Bethel-Thompson to WR Dee Anderson for a touchdown with 5:12 left in the third quarter. The Brigade cut the score to 14-7 when Thompson bulled his way to a score on a 6-yard run, his 14th touchdown of the season. Bahar finished 5-of-5 for 65 yards on the drive. The Breakers got a 33-yard field goal by K Matt Coghlin to push the lead to 17-7, but a Vogel 49-yard field goal cut that advantage to 17-10 with 8:32 left. That score held. Baltimore had one chance to tie the game late, but Bahar was sacked by Los Angeles DL Jordan Brailford at the Breakers' 36-yard line as time ran out.
-- (13-6)Breakers 17 - 10 Brigade(12-7)
(LA): QB Bethel-Thompson - 23/31 227 yards, 2 TDs, RB Hills - 13 carries, 24 yards, 5 catches, 40 yards, WR Dixon - 3 catches, 60 yards, 1 TD
(BAL): QB Bahar - 21/30 231 yards, RB Thompson - 19 carries, 84 yards, 1 TD, WR Hall - 5 catches, 54 yards, WR Chism - 4 catches, 53 yards
-- (18-1)Defenders 21 - 38 Fleet(11-8)
(COL): QB King - 6/10 64 yards, 1 TD, 7 carries, 59 yards, 1 TD, RB Harris - 14 carries, 85 yards, 2 TDs, WR Jackson - 3 catches, 40 yards
(SD): QB Johnson - 23/25 322 yards, 4 TDs, RB Smallwood - 17 carries, 69 yards, RB Thomas - 13 carries, 27 yards, 1 TD, 4 catches, 66 yards, 1 TD, WR Ross - 5 catches, 143 yards, 1 TD, WR Posey - 9 catches, 61 yards, 2 TDs
XFL Week 20: Apollos Refuse to let Rourke Roll in 24-9 victory over Roughnecks
July 1, 2023
Orlando, FL - It was supposed to be about knocking the rust off. Instead, the Orlando Apollos knocked the stuffing out of the Houston Roughnecks. There was some indifferent defensive play by the Roughnecks in the game, with most of the focus resting on the return of QB Nathan Rourke to the lineup. He played the first four series, going 10-16 for 109 yards in just over a quarters’ work before heading to the bench for the rest of the night. He was effective, albeit his timing a bit off, but didn’t look hindered by the fractured foot that kept him out of action for two months. QB Cole McDonald played the most of the game’s remainder, going 11-of-21 for 130 yards. "I feel like I'm seeing things well," he said. "I thought that I didn't have any mental errors. I think that all the misthrows were all physical things that we can clean up. You've just got to get more comfortable trusting that the foot is strong enough to be able to take the brunt of what I'm asking it to do," Rourke said.
-- (13-6)Roughnecks 9 - 24 Apollos(15-4)
(HOU): QB McDonald - 11/21 130 yards, QB Rourke - 10/16 109 yards, RB - 16 carries, 58 yards, WR - 5 catches, 59 yards, WR - 3 catches, 55 yards, WR - 5 catches, 45 yards
(ORL): QB Gilbert - 8/19 178 yards, 2 TDs, RB Walton - 12 carries, 80 yards, 1 TD, RB Johnson - 15 carries, 84 yards, WR Whitehead - 2 catches, 84 yards, 1 TD
-- (4-15)Commanders 10 - 36 Vipers(4-15)
(SA): QB Fine - 21/32 168 yards, RB Ervin - 10 carries, 80 yards, 1 TD, WR Ward - 6 catches, 76 yards, WR Doctson - 9 catches, 52 yards
(MEX): QB McClendon - 17/21 137 yards, 2 TDs, 4 carries, 163 yards, 1 TD, RB Guice - 14 carries, 125 yards, 1 TD, WR Bryant - 6 catches, 60 yards, 1 TD
-- (14-5)Dragons 12 - 38 Valor(11-8)
(SEA): QB DiNucci - 22/32 232 yards, 1 TD, RB Lindsay - 21 carries, 68 yards, 4 catches, 26 yards, 1 TD, WR Gordon - 6 catches, 68 yards, WR Pearson - 9 catches, 108 yards
(DC): QB Bortles - 12/14 156 yards, 1 TD, RB Allen - 24 carries, 225 yards, 2 TDs, RB Pumphrey - 11 carries, 140 yards, 2 TDs
XFL Week 20: Renegades Outlast Bandits in Regular-season Finale
July 2, 2023
Tampa, FL - In a game that had a bit of everything, Dallas outlasted the Tampa Bay Bandits 38-33 in their regular-season finale. QB Luis Perez and the Renegades scored on their opening three possessions as the visitors took a 21-7 lead in the first quarter. Dallas required only four plays to go 75 yards on its first series, capped by WR Kenny Lawler’s 53-yard touchdown reception. The ball was underthrown, but Lawler adjusted nicely and came back for it. Following an Bandits turnover on downs at their 49, RB Deveon Smith eventually scored on a one-yard run. Tampa Bay scored on its next possession with QB Colin Kaepernick’s 27-yard touchdown pass to WR Charone Peake. Following a 36-yard kickoff return by WR Victor Bolden, Perez completed a 31-yard touchdown pass to WR Jordan Smallwood, providing Dallas with its 14-point lead. Early in the second period, a pass for WR Rashad Greene was deflected and intercepted by LB Darnell Sankey, but the Renegades failed to capitalize on the turnover. Four plays later, Perez’ pass for Lawler was intercepted by DB Vernon Hargreaves. That was Perez’ first incompletion after connecting on his opening 10 passes. The turnover eventually led to the Bandits’ second touchdown on Kaepernick’s 19-yard touchdown pass to Greene. Smith scored on a one-yard run at 12:39, capping an 11-play drive that lasted nearly six minutes. The score provided the visitors with a 28-13 lead, but the Bandits promptly marched 62 yards on nine plays, culminating in Kaepernick’s one-yard touchdown run.
The second half began with WR KeeSean Johnson’s 87-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, tying the score 28-28, but then DB De'Vante Bausby blocked and recovered a punt in the end zone, restoring the Renegades’ lead. K Ernesto Lacayo cut into that lead with an 18-yard field goal midway through the third quarter before K Taylor Russolino restored the Dallas five-point lead with a 41-yard field goal.
-- (9-10)Renegades 38 - 33 Bandits(11-8)
(DAL): QB Perez - 21/27 255 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Herrien - 11 carries, 59 yards, RB Smith - 14 carries, 69 yards, 2 TDs, WR Lawler - 6 catches, 105 yards, 1 TD, WR Bolden - 4 catches, 55 yards, 1 TD, TE Cannella - 5 catches, 47 yards
(TB): QB Kaepernick - 23/35 264 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 6 carries, 35 yards, 1 TD, RB Williams - 10 carries, 47 yards, WR Peake - 6 catches, 69 yards, 1 TD, WR Greene - 5 catches, 48 yards, 1 TD
-- (14-5)Mountain Lions 41 - 30 BattleHawks(12-7)
(SLC): QB Rosen - 15/23 230 yards, 3 TDs, RB Booker - 14 carries, 159 yards, RB Samuels - 16 carries, 69 yards, 2 TDs, WR Ross - 5 catches, 69 yards, 1 TD, WR Clay - 3 catches, 43 yards, 1 TD
(CHA): QB McCarron - 21/46 318 yards, 4 TDs, RB Galloway - 10 carries, 39 yards, WR Ateman - 6 catches, 114 yards, 1 TD, WR Butler - 3 catches, 69 yards, 2 TDs, WR Shepherd - 5 catches, 73 yards, 1 TD
-- (9-10)Bolts 29 - 41 Otters(6-13)
(BER): QB Pipkin - 20/29 161 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Hunt - 11 carries, 71 yards, 2 TDs, RB Sankey - 11 carries, 64 yards, WR Huff - 6 catches, 45 yards
(VAN): QB Benkert - 26/32 422 yards, 3 TDs, RB Patrick - 19 carries, 64 yards, 2 TDs, WR Turpin - 8 catches, 177 yards, 1 TD, WR Akers - 6 catches, 77 yards, WR Vasher - 3 catches, 88 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 20: Guardians roll past Alphas 23-16
July 2, 2023
Atlanta, GA - On paper, the final game of the XFL regular season was meaningless, but for the New York Guardians it was an opportunity to set the tone as they look ahead to the offseason. There will undoubtedly be changes for both teams, and possibly numerous. QB Jake Dolegala got the start for the Guardians, his third of the season, and finished 7-for-9 for 117 yards, but New York was also able to give QB Cody Kessler some time in the second half allowing him to test his throwing thumb. QB Jamie Newman was given an opportunity to show what he can do coming into the game at the 10-minute mark of the fourth quarter. On his first drive, Newman took the Alphas to the two-yard line and two plays later RB Ito Smith punched in Atlanta's first and only touchdown of the game to make it 23-16 New York. This season was Newman's first in the XFL and the rookie plans on working hard in the off-season as he would love nothing more than a long, successful career in the XFL. “I’m thankful for all the ups and downs that have come with this season,” he said. “I’m just glad I got the opportunity to learn.”
New York led 13-9 at the half, with six of its nine points coming off K Sam Sloman’s leg. Sloman added a 40-yard field goal five minutes into the third quarter adding to his two from the second quarter. New York added to its lead with RB Paul Perkins punching in his second touchdown of the game from the one-yard line to take a 23-9 lead. Things did not start well for the Alphas as the Guardians scored a touchdown on the opening drive to take a 7-0 lead. Atlanta K Younghoe Koo had three field goals in the second quarter, a pair from 51 yards and one from 29.
-- (6-13)Guardians 23 - 16 Alphas(8-11)
(NY): QB Kessler - 12/18 144 yards, QB Dolegala - 7/9 117 yards, RB Perkins - 19 carries, 109 yards, 2 TDs, WR White - 5 catches, 91 yards
(ATL): QB Barrett - 9/13 121 yards, QB Finley - 14/25 110 yards, RB Smith - 15 carries, 73 yards, 1 TD, WR Hardy - 8 catches, 95 yards, WR Evans - 6 catches, 45 yards
-- (11-8)Stampede 21 - 24 Mammoths(4-15)
(OKC): QB Petty - 19/22 290 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Brooks - 14 carries, 60 yards, WR Westbrook - 6 catches, 136 yards, WR Davis - 6 catches, 71 yards, 1 TD, TE Parham - 2 catches, 36 yards, 2 TDs
(OMA): QB Cornelius - 17/25 196 yards, 1 TD, RB West - 18 carries, 81 yards, 1 TD, WR Callaway - 6 catches, 76 yards, WR Dunbar - 6 catches, 54 yards
XFL Week 20: Panthers Snag Win Behind New QB, Special Teams Dominance
July 3, 2023
Oakland, CA - It was a battle between offensive ingenuity and defensive prowess and in this case, the age-old adage proved true yet again: defense wins. The difference-maker proved to be a special teams play, which had been the Panthers' most productive unit all night. WR Marcus Simms, in particular, single-handedly contributed multiple massive kick returns and then his pièce de résistance: a blocked punt that was scooped up by AJ Richardson and carried in for the Panthers' first touchdown of the night. A good two-point conversion and Oakland had new life. It was the Panthers' first lead of the game and didn't come until the end of the third quarter, but the Panthers' defense took it from there and wouldn't relinquish it, lining up in victory formation to ultimately end the game. A spark also came from QB EJ Perry, making his first start for the Panthers upon an announcement made just this past Friday. Perry, a product of Brown University, holds a vastly different skill set than quarterback Josh Love. Where Love is a pocket-passer, Perry is much more mobile and makes his living using his legs. Together with his coaches, they were able to simplify the playbook and put in plays that Perry already had experience with. The result was a more creative offense, the likes of which we hadn't seen from the Panthers so far this season. "Coach condensed it and did a good job of putting in some stuff that I've run in the past and that I've liked and done well with, and incorporating that with the offense they already had," said Perry. "I thought you know at times we are able to execute really well, and there's obviously some things that we need to work on this week and get better at. A lot of it is on me but yeah, I felt comfortable walking out there. The biggest part of me feeling comfortable was I had a bunch of guys around me who are terrific football players."
There was no more evidence of that than the fact Oakland, offensively, recorded far fewer offensive stats than their opponents. They had just 13 first downs to Columbus' 20. They had just 205 total yards to Ghosts' 330. The Panthers converted just three of 11 third-down attempts, whereas the Ghosts converted nine of 17. But all three phases matter, and special teams is where the Ghosts let them back into the game. QB Case Cookus and the offense began the night with a play-action pass to the league leader in receiving yards, WR Corey Coleman. From there, Cookus engineered an eight-play, 58-yard drive that ended in a 23-yard touchdown to WR Terry Wright. It was a continuation of the momentum Cookus created last week, when he threw for more than 300 yards and three touchdowns. It gave Columbus a 7-0 lead with 10:35 left in the first quarter. In their last chance for a home win on the season, the Panthers' first possession stalled out behind Perry in his first start for Oakland. A 53-yard field goal try went wide and the Panthers came away with no points to answer Columbus' opening score. Oakland wouldn't get much out of its offense on the night in general, but its special teams unit did its best to make up for it. Not only did Oakland get two huge returns on kickoffs to set up field goals, but their first touchdown of the night also came on the aforementioned blocked punt in the third quarter. It pulled the Panthers within five points. The Panthers' defense did its best to contain the Ghosts' surging offense. A long drive for the Ghosts at the beginning of the second quarter yielded minimal results after a touchdown was negated by an offensive pass interference penalty. Instead, Columbus settled for a field goal from K Luis Aguilar to make the score 10-0 with 11:17 left in the first half. Oakland got its first special teams boost from a 55-yard kickoff return in the second quarter by Simms, which set up a 51-yard field goal by K Cole Murphy to get Oakland on the board. On the Panthers' next possession, Simms returned the kick 67 yards, setting Oakland up at the 21. Perry and the offense would again not be able to get six, but Murphy hit another field goal to give Oakland six points right before the two-minute warning, pulling the Panthers within a score. Right before halftime, the Ghosts had a stalled drive receive new life when a roughing the passer penalty moved the Ghosts to the 29 with 30 seconds left on the clock. Cookus then took a shot over the middle into a tight window, where the ball was caught by WR Diondre Overton, giving the Ghosts a 20-6 lead at the break. Perry opened up the second half with a bang as he hit WR Trey Quinn for a 31-yard gain to get Oakland inside the red zone in a hurry. The Panthers' red zone woes continued, though, as Oakland settled for another field goal, making the score 20-9 with 12:47 left in the third quarter. The Panthers were able to gain some ground, cutting the Ghosts' lead to 20-15 thanks to the aforementioned blocked punt return for a touchdown. Oakland's special teams unit then came through yet again, getting a piece of Aguilar's 50-yard attempt at the end of the third quarter, preventing the Ghosts from tacking onto their five-point lead. The Panthers' then got creative offensively, first utilizing Perry's legs on a designed run that got him 25 yards. Then, on a trick play to OL James Walker, as Perry pitched the ball to the big man and Oakland got five more yards. Oakland then took the lead on an aborted play, as Perry fumbled the snap, but picked it up and ran it in from six yards out to give the Panthers a 21-20 lead. Not done yet, Oakland went for the two-point conversion to go up 23-20 with just over 13 minutes left in the game.
-- (7-12)Ghosts 20 - 23 Panthers(5-14)
(COL): QB Cookus - 24/44 247 yards, 2 TDs, RB Williams - 17 carries, 61 yards, WR Gray - 9 catches, 62 yards, WR Wright - 6 catches, 57 yards, 1 TD, WR Coleman - 4 catches, 55 yards
(OAK): QB Perry - 12/23 121 yards, 10 carries, 48 yards, 1 TD, RB Corbin - 15 carries, 36 yards, WR Quinn - 3 catches, 44 yards
-- (4-15)Monarchs 20 - 13 Steel(2-17)
(MON): QB Kelley - 12/17 149 yards, 2 TDs, RB Richard - 22 carries, 107 yards, RB Wilder - 15 carries, 57 yards, WR Roosevelt - 5 catches, 63 yards, WR Cunningham - 2 catches, 50 yards, 1 TD
(BIRM): QB Fromm - 13/19 178 yards, RB Richardson - 19 carries, 35 yards, 1 TD, RB Yeldon - 16 carries, 57 yards, WR Lodge - 3 catches, 79 yards, WR Benjamin - 5 catches, 48 yards
Stallions QB Alex McGough Looking to Shine Bright on XFL's Biggest Stage
July 4, 2023
St. Louis, MO - Heading into last weekend's regular-season finale against the Memphis Showboats, St. Louis Stallions head coach Skip Holtz presented a proposition to his team. With St. Louis having already locked up a spot in the XFL playoffs, as well as home-field advantage, Holtz left it up to his players whether they wanted to suit up for the game or sit out and take the opportunity to get some rest. Stallions QB Alex McGough was quick to speak up, saying there was no way he was going to miss an opportunity to take the field. "To some people, that game didn't matter, but it mattered to us," said McGough. "We didn't want to back into the playoffs. We didn't wanna go in there limping."
Trailing 14-3 early on in that game, things looked bleak for the Stallions, but according to McGough, his teammates were confident they could come back and close out the season with a victory. "There's never a doubt, never a panic with this team, McGough said. "We play for each other because we know that's what it takes to win." McGough and the Stallions did just that as the team marched down the field and scored on the next drive, then went on to outscore the Showboats 14-3 in the second half to pull away with a 27-20 win. McGough credits Stallions head coach Skip Holtz for much of his success this season. "He plays to the players," McGough said. "That instills confidence in us and makes us want to go out there and play harder." While Holtz has learned to trust McGough's ability to check out of plays and freelance on his own when things break down, McGough has learned to trust his teammates out on the field, which includes those blocking in front of him. "My line has done a great, great job," McGough said. "They bust their tail, and I can't say enough good words about them. Most of the sacks I've had this year are on me because I'm trying to extend a play."
June 29, 2023
Memphis, TN - They had nothing to play for but pride in the final game of the regular season. Stallions head coach Skip Holtz said he gave his players the option to sit out the regular-season finale against the Memphis Showboats. Everyone, including starting QB Alex McGough, chose to play, a good omen for the Stallions. The dynamic duo of McGough and TE Jace Sternberger connected on a 46-yard touchdown with a little under five minutes left to lift the Stallions over the host the Showboats, 27-20 at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Even though McGough left himself vulnerable to injury in a meaningless game by running the football a few times, including getting flipped over on a run up the middle of the field in the first half. Holtz said the risk was worth the reward of keeping his team's momentum and rhythm going into the postseason. "Hopefully, it was a learning lesson for him," Holtz said about McGough. "He's a competitor, but he's just not invincible. And I don't want to find out the hard way that's actually a fact. I'm glad they didn't all have the option because I wouldn't have had the option to sit everybody. But he wants to win. He wants to compete."
Memphis jumped on the Stallions early when speedy return man Derrick Dillon zig-zagged his way across the field for a 90-yard kick return for a score on the opening kickoff. Dillon finished with 236 return yards on six kick returns. "He's not a one-trick pony," said Memphis coach Todd Haley, who believes Dillon should get an NFL audition next month. "He's got a lot of tricks. He can run routes, he can catch. He can do a lot of things." The Showboats held that lead for most of the game, as the Stallions turned the ball over three times in Memphis territory. However, the Stallions took their first lead with 33 seconds left in the third quarter on an 18-yard bolt through the middle of the Memphis defense by Rb CJ Marable, putting the Stallions up 20-17 heading into the final quarter. On the ensuing possession, Memphis K Alex Kessman striped a 45-yard field goal to tie the score at 20-all, his 42nd straight field goal this season. But with a chance to take the lead, Kessman missed what would have been the go-ahead score, hooking a 40-yard field goal wide left with 7:16 remaining to play. The Stallions took the ball and quickly drove 70 yards on five plays, with the big play being a long pass from McGough to Sternberger on a corner route. Sternberger finished with four catches for 84 yards, the touchdown making up for a costly fumble earlier in the fourth quarter.
-- (14-5)Stallions 27 - 20 Showboats(10-9)
(STL): QB McGough - 22/33 282 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Marable - 10 carries, 56 yards, 1 TD, RB Scarbrough - 14 carries, 66 yards, WR Davis - 9 catches, 114 yards, TE Sternberger - 4 catches, 84 yards, 1 TD, WR Cain - 5 catches, 42 yards
(MEM): QB Guarantano - 20/30 154 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Collins - 16 carries, 82 yards, WR Treadwell - 7 catches, 69 yards, WR Dillon - 5 catches, 38 yards
-- (6-13)Jousters 21 - 51 Crusaders(14-5)
(TOR): QB Arbuckle - 15/25 200 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Dixon - 15 carries, 82 yards, RB Cox - 11 carries, 101 yards, 1 TD, WR Garrett - 4 catches, 73 yards, 1 TD, WR Rogers - 3 catches, 60 yards
(LON): QB Heinicke - 28/39 318 yards, 3 TDs, RB Michael - 10 carries, 73 yards, 1 TD, RB Jones - 18 carries, 64 yards, 1 TD, WR Henry - 7 catches, 75 yards, 1 TD, WR Washington - 5 catches, 59 yards, 1 TD, TE Toilolo - 4 catches, 57 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 20: Are Maulers Peaking? Week 20 Dominance
June 30, 2023
Chicago, IL - Behind their gutsy defense, which allowed seven or fewer points for the third consecutive week, Pittsburgh avenged a 20-3 loss to Chicago in Week 4 by eliminating the Enforcers from postseason contention with a 26-6 blowout victory. Pittsburgh's defense stole the show in a second consecutive must-win game. After making QB Josh Love's life a nightmare two weeks ago, they harassed QB DeShone Kizer into throwing two interceptions, sacking him twice and allowing him to complete only 12 of his 27 pass attempts. Pittsburgh's stout linebacker corps had another tremendous performance, with XFL tackling leader Kyahva Tezino notching seven tackles to boost his season total to 188, while LB Reuben Foster matched him with seven of his own. In total, the Maulers tallied five tackles for loss, with DL Vaughn Taylor collecting a pair. "We're Maulers. We're going to maul," DL Nasir Player said. "That's what we're going to do every play."
While the Maulers were dictating the game, halfway through the third quarter, the Enforcers had the ball and drove into Pittsburgh territory at the 46-yard line. After a holding penalty wiped out a conversion and created a third-and-12, the game shifted. Kizer looking in the opposite direction, Player came around the horn to force a fumble as he threw. Pittsburgh DB Eli Walker picked up the fluttering football and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown, creating the separation that the Maulers needed and pushing their lead to 16-6. After a six-play drive stalled due to a fumble that went behind Kizer, QB Dwayne Haskins continued a highly efficient day running the Pittsburgh offense, completing three straight passes for 31 yards, highlighted by a 17-yard catch and run by WR Isiah Hennie. While the drive stalled, a K Chris Blewitt field goal pushed the lead to 13. After an ensuing three-and-out by the relentless Maulers defense, that ended any hope one would have had on the Enforcers' side, causing a taxed defense to head back out to the field trailing by 13. Following just a 21-yard punt by P Brock Miller, Pittsburgh set up shop at the 37-yard line. A 12-yard run by RB Garrett Groshek on a third-and-5 pushed the Maulers into the red zone, with a 15-yard pass interference penalty committed in the end zone resulting in Pittsburgh getting inside the 5-yard line. RB Madre London took care of things from there, running four yards into the end zone, all but putting the game away with eight minutes on the clock. "It's all about being me and playing within myself," Haskins said after the win. "When you have guys on defense who have been lights out all year, it helps us. It's building confidence on our side right now. We know the defense is going to do their job. That just tells us if we do what we're supposed to, we're going to come out with the win."
With just 2:10 left in the first half and the Maulers up 6-3, Horton elected to have Blewitt try a 58-yard field goal from the 41. LS Riley Lovingood sent the snap high, sending the ball back 34 yards before Blewitt eventually hopped on it. The short drive was gift-wrapped for Chicago to capitalize and take the lead heading into the locker room. But a four-yard loss by RB Darius Victor set the tone for a drive that did nothing. The Enforcers got three points, but Horton said it: "That felt like a total victory for us." The Maulers capitalized on great field position off a squib kick, taking over the ensuing drive at their own 48 with 1:35 left in the half and getting that field goal right back to take the three-point lead into the break. "They have an outstanding defensive front," Enforcers head coach Lovie Smith said. "The pressure they were getting and the coverage they played, it's really smart what they do. They gave us nothing easy."
-- (10-9)Maulers 26 - 6 Enforcers(10-9)
(PIT): QB Haskins - 17/25 154 yards, 1 TD, 6 carries, 40 yards, RB Groshek - 12 carries, 53 yards, WR Hennie - 6 catches, 48 yards, 1 TD
(CHI): QB Kizer - 12/27 137 yards, 2 INTs, RB Rawls - 12 carries, 68 yards, RB Victor - 11 carries, 55 yards, WR Echols-Luper - 3 catches, 42 yards
-- (14-5)Brawlers 34 - 21 Greys(3-16)
(PHI): QB Walker - 25/33 350 yards, 3 TDs, RB Butler - 20 carries, 137 yards, 1 TD, WR Phillips - 8 catches, 112 yards, WR Fulgham - 4 catches, 107 yards, WR Miller - 5 catches, 57 yards
(CAL): QB Dormady - 14/20 209 yards, 2 TDs, RB Darrington - 18 carries, 51 yards, 1 TD, WR Latimer - 4 catches, 87 yards, 1 TD, TE Thomas - 2 catches, 43 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 20: Breakers Punch Postseason Ticket Behind McLeod Bethel-Thompson, Stingy Defense
July 1, 2023
Baltimore, MD - After throwing for a season-low 88 yards last week, Los Angeles Breakers QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson got back to slinging it around the yard. Bethel-Thompson completed 23-of-31 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns against a tough Baltimore Brigade defense. Behind Bethel-Thompson's efficient day and a strong performance by his team's defense, the Breakers overwhelmed the Brigade for a 17-10 victory. "Offensively, we didn't start how we wanted to," Bethel-Thompson said. "A lot of that is just doing the simple things right. If we can play clean football on offense, we're pretty dangerous. We've just got to do it for four quarters. So, it's going to happen at the right time. I have absolutely no doubt there's better football out there." Defensively, the Breakers held Baltimore to 194 total yards, sacked Brigade QB Kenji Bahar four times and forced six punts. LB Jerod Fernandez led Los Angeles with 10 combined tackles, including a tackle for loss. A priority for the Breakers was containing physical RB Mark Thompson, who did not play Baltimore's 38-31 loss to Los Angeles in Week 4. Thompson got his yards, finishing with 84 rushing yards on 19 carries and a score. But he did not take over the game. "Just like every other week, it's hard for a team to run their offense if you make them one-dimensional," Fernandez said. "He's a great player, runs hard, so we just had to hit him fast, hit him early. He's going to run the ball, so you just got to limit what he does. And I feel like we did a good job of that today."
It was a low-scoring game to start, as the two teams were scoreless after the first quarter and combined for 12 punts for the game. The Breakers got on the scoreboard first when Bethel-Thompson found WR Johnnie Dixon on a double move for a 30-yard touchdown, giving Los Angeles a 7-0 lead with 11:14 left in the second quarter. The Brigade had two prime opportunities to score points in the first half but squandered each of them. Inside the 20-yard line and driving to score with 4:44 left in the first half, backup QB Montel Cozart rolled to his right but was intercepted by LB Vontae Diggs along the sideline for his third interception of the year. Baltimore forced Los Angeles to punt on the ensuing possession and got the ball back. The Brigade quickly returned to the red zone on a Bahar pass to WR Justin Hall on a chair route with two minutes left in the half, Hall's first target of the game. The Brigade stalled and K Nick Vogel lined up to kick a short field goal. However, Baltimore had a miscommunication with LS Ross Reiter snapping the ball early, which led to holder Hunter Niswander mishandling the snap and throwing the ball to no one in the end zone, earning an intentional grounding penalty. Breakers head coach John DeFilippo took a timeout just before the botched snap. "Gut feeling, make him kick it twice," DeFilippo. "It was just a feeling I had in my gut. Sometimes you get those gut feelings." The Breakers went into halftime up 7-0, then took a 14-0 lead on a 4-yard slant pass from Bethel-Thompson to WR Dee Anderson for a touchdown with 5:12 left in the third quarter. The Brigade cut the score to 14-7 when Thompson bulled his way to a score on a 6-yard run, his 14th touchdown of the season. Bahar finished 5-of-5 for 65 yards on the drive. The Breakers got a 33-yard field goal by K Matt Coghlin to push the lead to 17-7, but a Vogel 49-yard field goal cut that advantage to 17-10 with 8:32 left. That score held. Baltimore had one chance to tie the game late, but Bahar was sacked by Los Angeles DL Jordan Brailford at the Breakers' 36-yard line as time ran out.
-- (13-6)Breakers 17 - 10 Brigade(12-7)
(LA): QB Bethel-Thompson - 23/31 227 yards, 2 TDs, RB Hills - 13 carries, 24 yards, 5 catches, 40 yards, WR Dixon - 3 catches, 60 yards, 1 TD
(BAL): QB Bahar - 21/30 231 yards, RB Thompson - 19 carries, 84 yards, 1 TD, WR Hall - 5 catches, 54 yards, WR Chism - 4 catches, 53 yards
-- (18-1)Defenders 21 - 38 Fleet(11-8)
(COL): QB King - 6/10 64 yards, 1 TD, 7 carries, 59 yards, 1 TD, RB Harris - 14 carries, 85 yards, 2 TDs, WR Jackson - 3 catches, 40 yards
(SD): QB Johnson - 23/25 322 yards, 4 TDs, RB Smallwood - 17 carries, 69 yards, RB Thomas - 13 carries, 27 yards, 1 TD, 4 catches, 66 yards, 1 TD, WR Ross - 5 catches, 143 yards, 1 TD, WR Posey - 9 catches, 61 yards, 2 TDs
XFL Week 20: Apollos Refuse to let Rourke Roll in 24-9 victory over Roughnecks
July 1, 2023
Orlando, FL - It was supposed to be about knocking the rust off. Instead, the Orlando Apollos knocked the stuffing out of the Houston Roughnecks. There was some indifferent defensive play by the Roughnecks in the game, with most of the focus resting on the return of QB Nathan Rourke to the lineup. He played the first four series, going 10-16 for 109 yards in just over a quarters’ work before heading to the bench for the rest of the night. He was effective, albeit his timing a bit off, but didn’t look hindered by the fractured foot that kept him out of action for two months. QB Cole McDonald played the most of the game’s remainder, going 11-of-21 for 130 yards. "I feel like I'm seeing things well," he said. "I thought that I didn't have any mental errors. I think that all the misthrows were all physical things that we can clean up. You've just got to get more comfortable trusting that the foot is strong enough to be able to take the brunt of what I'm asking it to do," Rourke said.
-- (13-6)Roughnecks 9 - 24 Apollos(15-4)
(HOU): QB McDonald - 11/21 130 yards, QB Rourke - 10/16 109 yards, RB - 16 carries, 58 yards, WR - 5 catches, 59 yards, WR - 3 catches, 55 yards, WR - 5 catches, 45 yards
(ORL): QB Gilbert - 8/19 178 yards, 2 TDs, RB Walton - 12 carries, 80 yards, 1 TD, RB Johnson - 15 carries, 84 yards, WR Whitehead - 2 catches, 84 yards, 1 TD
-- (4-15)Commanders 10 - 36 Vipers(4-15)
(SA): QB Fine - 21/32 168 yards, RB Ervin - 10 carries, 80 yards, 1 TD, WR Ward - 6 catches, 76 yards, WR Doctson - 9 catches, 52 yards
(MEX): QB McClendon - 17/21 137 yards, 2 TDs, 4 carries, 163 yards, 1 TD, RB Guice - 14 carries, 125 yards, 1 TD, WR Bryant - 6 catches, 60 yards, 1 TD
-- (14-5)Dragons 12 - 38 Valor(11-8)
(SEA): QB DiNucci - 22/32 232 yards, 1 TD, RB Lindsay - 21 carries, 68 yards, 4 catches, 26 yards, 1 TD, WR Gordon - 6 catches, 68 yards, WR Pearson - 9 catches, 108 yards
(DC): QB Bortles - 12/14 156 yards, 1 TD, RB Allen - 24 carries, 225 yards, 2 TDs, RB Pumphrey - 11 carries, 140 yards, 2 TDs
XFL Week 20: Renegades Outlast Bandits in Regular-season Finale
July 2, 2023
Tampa, FL - In a game that had a bit of everything, Dallas outlasted the Tampa Bay Bandits 38-33 in their regular-season finale. QB Luis Perez and the Renegades scored on their opening three possessions as the visitors took a 21-7 lead in the first quarter. Dallas required only four plays to go 75 yards on its first series, capped by WR Kenny Lawler’s 53-yard touchdown reception. The ball was underthrown, but Lawler adjusted nicely and came back for it. Following an Bandits turnover on downs at their 49, RB Deveon Smith eventually scored on a one-yard run. Tampa Bay scored on its next possession with QB Colin Kaepernick’s 27-yard touchdown pass to WR Charone Peake. Following a 36-yard kickoff return by WR Victor Bolden, Perez completed a 31-yard touchdown pass to WR Jordan Smallwood, providing Dallas with its 14-point lead. Early in the second period, a pass for WR Rashad Greene was deflected and intercepted by LB Darnell Sankey, but the Renegades failed to capitalize on the turnover. Four plays later, Perez’ pass for Lawler was intercepted by DB Vernon Hargreaves. That was Perez’ first incompletion after connecting on his opening 10 passes. The turnover eventually led to the Bandits’ second touchdown on Kaepernick’s 19-yard touchdown pass to Greene. Smith scored on a one-yard run at 12:39, capping an 11-play drive that lasted nearly six minutes. The score provided the visitors with a 28-13 lead, but the Bandits promptly marched 62 yards on nine plays, culminating in Kaepernick’s one-yard touchdown run.
The second half began with WR KeeSean Johnson’s 87-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, tying the score 28-28, but then DB De'Vante Bausby blocked and recovered a punt in the end zone, restoring the Renegades’ lead. K Ernesto Lacayo cut into that lead with an 18-yard field goal midway through the third quarter before K Taylor Russolino restored the Dallas five-point lead with a 41-yard field goal.
-- (9-10)Renegades 38 - 33 Bandits(11-8)
(DAL): QB Perez - 21/27 255 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Herrien - 11 carries, 59 yards, RB Smith - 14 carries, 69 yards, 2 TDs, WR Lawler - 6 catches, 105 yards, 1 TD, WR Bolden - 4 catches, 55 yards, 1 TD, TE Cannella - 5 catches, 47 yards
(TB): QB Kaepernick - 23/35 264 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 6 carries, 35 yards, 1 TD, RB Williams - 10 carries, 47 yards, WR Peake - 6 catches, 69 yards, 1 TD, WR Greene - 5 catches, 48 yards, 1 TD
-- (14-5)Mountain Lions 41 - 30 BattleHawks(12-7)
(SLC): QB Rosen - 15/23 230 yards, 3 TDs, RB Booker - 14 carries, 159 yards, RB Samuels - 16 carries, 69 yards, 2 TDs, WR Ross - 5 catches, 69 yards, 1 TD, WR Clay - 3 catches, 43 yards, 1 TD
(CHA): QB McCarron - 21/46 318 yards, 4 TDs, RB Galloway - 10 carries, 39 yards, WR Ateman - 6 catches, 114 yards, 1 TD, WR Butler - 3 catches, 69 yards, 2 TDs, WR Shepherd - 5 catches, 73 yards, 1 TD
-- (9-10)Bolts 29 - 41 Otters(6-13)
(BER): QB Pipkin - 20/29 161 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Hunt - 11 carries, 71 yards, 2 TDs, RB Sankey - 11 carries, 64 yards, WR Huff - 6 catches, 45 yards
(VAN): QB Benkert - 26/32 422 yards, 3 TDs, RB Patrick - 19 carries, 64 yards, 2 TDs, WR Turpin - 8 catches, 177 yards, 1 TD, WR Akers - 6 catches, 77 yards, WR Vasher - 3 catches, 88 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 20: Guardians roll past Alphas 23-16
July 2, 2023
Atlanta, GA - On paper, the final game of the XFL regular season was meaningless, but for the New York Guardians it was an opportunity to set the tone as they look ahead to the offseason. There will undoubtedly be changes for both teams, and possibly numerous. QB Jake Dolegala got the start for the Guardians, his third of the season, and finished 7-for-9 for 117 yards, but New York was also able to give QB Cody Kessler some time in the second half allowing him to test his throwing thumb. QB Jamie Newman was given an opportunity to show what he can do coming into the game at the 10-minute mark of the fourth quarter. On his first drive, Newman took the Alphas to the two-yard line and two plays later RB Ito Smith punched in Atlanta's first and only touchdown of the game to make it 23-16 New York. This season was Newman's first in the XFL and the rookie plans on working hard in the off-season as he would love nothing more than a long, successful career in the XFL. “I’m thankful for all the ups and downs that have come with this season,” he said. “I’m just glad I got the opportunity to learn.”
New York led 13-9 at the half, with six of its nine points coming off K Sam Sloman’s leg. Sloman added a 40-yard field goal five minutes into the third quarter adding to his two from the second quarter. New York added to its lead with RB Paul Perkins punching in his second touchdown of the game from the one-yard line to take a 23-9 lead. Things did not start well for the Alphas as the Guardians scored a touchdown on the opening drive to take a 7-0 lead. Atlanta K Younghoe Koo had three field goals in the second quarter, a pair from 51 yards and one from 29.
-- (6-13)Guardians 23 - 16 Alphas(8-11)
(NY): QB Kessler - 12/18 144 yards, QB Dolegala - 7/9 117 yards, RB Perkins - 19 carries, 109 yards, 2 TDs, WR White - 5 catches, 91 yards
(ATL): QB Barrett - 9/13 121 yards, QB Finley - 14/25 110 yards, RB Smith - 15 carries, 73 yards, 1 TD, WR Hardy - 8 catches, 95 yards, WR Evans - 6 catches, 45 yards
-- (11-8)Stampede 21 - 24 Mammoths(4-15)
(OKC): QB Petty - 19/22 290 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Brooks - 14 carries, 60 yards, WR Westbrook - 6 catches, 136 yards, WR Davis - 6 catches, 71 yards, 1 TD, TE Parham - 2 catches, 36 yards, 2 TDs
(OMA): QB Cornelius - 17/25 196 yards, 1 TD, RB West - 18 carries, 81 yards, 1 TD, WR Callaway - 6 catches, 76 yards, WR Dunbar - 6 catches, 54 yards
XFL Week 20: Panthers Snag Win Behind New QB, Special Teams Dominance
July 3, 2023
Oakland, CA - It was a battle between offensive ingenuity and defensive prowess and in this case, the age-old adage proved true yet again: defense wins. The difference-maker proved to be a special teams play, which had been the Panthers' most productive unit all night. WR Marcus Simms, in particular, single-handedly contributed multiple massive kick returns and then his pièce de résistance: a blocked punt that was scooped up by AJ Richardson and carried in for the Panthers' first touchdown of the night. A good two-point conversion and Oakland had new life. It was the Panthers' first lead of the game and didn't come until the end of the third quarter, but the Panthers' defense took it from there and wouldn't relinquish it, lining up in victory formation to ultimately end the game. A spark also came from QB EJ Perry, making his first start for the Panthers upon an announcement made just this past Friday. Perry, a product of Brown University, holds a vastly different skill set than quarterback Josh Love. Where Love is a pocket-passer, Perry is much more mobile and makes his living using his legs. Together with his coaches, they were able to simplify the playbook and put in plays that Perry already had experience with. The result was a more creative offense, the likes of which we hadn't seen from the Panthers so far this season. "Coach condensed it and did a good job of putting in some stuff that I've run in the past and that I've liked and done well with, and incorporating that with the offense they already had," said Perry. "I thought you know at times we are able to execute really well, and there's obviously some things that we need to work on this week and get better at. A lot of it is on me but yeah, I felt comfortable walking out there. The biggest part of me feeling comfortable was I had a bunch of guys around me who are terrific football players."
There was no more evidence of that than the fact Oakland, offensively, recorded far fewer offensive stats than their opponents. They had just 13 first downs to Columbus' 20. They had just 205 total yards to Ghosts' 330. The Panthers converted just three of 11 third-down attempts, whereas the Ghosts converted nine of 17. But all three phases matter, and special teams is where the Ghosts let them back into the game. QB Case Cookus and the offense began the night with a play-action pass to the league leader in receiving yards, WR Corey Coleman. From there, Cookus engineered an eight-play, 58-yard drive that ended in a 23-yard touchdown to WR Terry Wright. It was a continuation of the momentum Cookus created last week, when he threw for more than 300 yards and three touchdowns. It gave Columbus a 7-0 lead with 10:35 left in the first quarter. In their last chance for a home win on the season, the Panthers' first possession stalled out behind Perry in his first start for Oakland. A 53-yard field goal try went wide and the Panthers came away with no points to answer Columbus' opening score. Oakland wouldn't get much out of its offense on the night in general, but its special teams unit did its best to make up for it. Not only did Oakland get two huge returns on kickoffs to set up field goals, but their first touchdown of the night also came on the aforementioned blocked punt in the third quarter. It pulled the Panthers within five points. The Panthers' defense did its best to contain the Ghosts' surging offense. A long drive for the Ghosts at the beginning of the second quarter yielded minimal results after a touchdown was negated by an offensive pass interference penalty. Instead, Columbus settled for a field goal from K Luis Aguilar to make the score 10-0 with 11:17 left in the first half. Oakland got its first special teams boost from a 55-yard kickoff return in the second quarter by Simms, which set up a 51-yard field goal by K Cole Murphy to get Oakland on the board. On the Panthers' next possession, Simms returned the kick 67 yards, setting Oakland up at the 21. Perry and the offense would again not be able to get six, but Murphy hit another field goal to give Oakland six points right before the two-minute warning, pulling the Panthers within a score. Right before halftime, the Ghosts had a stalled drive receive new life when a roughing the passer penalty moved the Ghosts to the 29 with 30 seconds left on the clock. Cookus then took a shot over the middle into a tight window, where the ball was caught by WR Diondre Overton, giving the Ghosts a 20-6 lead at the break. Perry opened up the second half with a bang as he hit WR Trey Quinn for a 31-yard gain to get Oakland inside the red zone in a hurry. The Panthers' red zone woes continued, though, as Oakland settled for another field goal, making the score 20-9 with 12:47 left in the third quarter. The Panthers were able to gain some ground, cutting the Ghosts' lead to 20-15 thanks to the aforementioned blocked punt return for a touchdown. Oakland's special teams unit then came through yet again, getting a piece of Aguilar's 50-yard attempt at the end of the third quarter, preventing the Ghosts from tacking onto their five-point lead. The Panthers' then got creative offensively, first utilizing Perry's legs on a designed run that got him 25 yards. Then, on a trick play to OL James Walker, as Perry pitched the ball to the big man and Oakland got five more yards. Oakland then took the lead on an aborted play, as Perry fumbled the snap, but picked it up and ran it in from six yards out to give the Panthers a 21-20 lead. Not done yet, Oakland went for the two-point conversion to go up 23-20 with just over 13 minutes left in the game.
-- (7-12)Ghosts 20 - 23 Panthers(5-14)
(COL): QB Cookus - 24/44 247 yards, 2 TDs, RB Williams - 17 carries, 61 yards, WR Gray - 9 catches, 62 yards, WR Wright - 6 catches, 57 yards, 1 TD, WR Coleman - 4 catches, 55 yards
(OAK): QB Perry - 12/23 121 yards, 10 carries, 48 yards, 1 TD, RB Corbin - 15 carries, 36 yards, WR Quinn - 3 catches, 44 yards
-- (4-15)Monarchs 20 - 13 Steel(2-17)
(MON): QB Kelley - 12/17 149 yards, 2 TDs, RB Richard - 22 carries, 107 yards, RB Wilder - 15 carries, 57 yards, WR Roosevelt - 5 catches, 63 yards, WR Cunningham - 2 catches, 50 yards, 1 TD
(BIRM): QB Fromm - 13/19 178 yards, RB Richardson - 19 carries, 35 yards, 1 TD, RB Yeldon - 16 carries, 57 yards, WR Lodge - 3 catches, 79 yards, WR Benjamin - 5 catches, 48 yards
Stallions QB Alex McGough Looking to Shine Bright on XFL's Biggest Stage
July 4, 2023
St. Louis, MO - Heading into last weekend's regular-season finale against the Memphis Showboats, St. Louis Stallions head coach Skip Holtz presented a proposition to his team. With St. Louis having already locked up a spot in the XFL playoffs, as well as home-field advantage, Holtz left it up to his players whether they wanted to suit up for the game or sit out and take the opportunity to get some rest. Stallions QB Alex McGough was quick to speak up, saying there was no way he was going to miss an opportunity to take the field. "To some people, that game didn't matter, but it mattered to us," said McGough. "We didn't want to back into the playoffs. We didn't wanna go in there limping."
Trailing 14-3 early on in that game, things looked bleak for the Stallions, but according to McGough, his teammates were confident they could come back and close out the season with a victory. "There's never a doubt, never a panic with this team, McGough said. "We play for each other because we know that's what it takes to win." McGough and the Stallions did just that as the team marched down the field and scored on the next drive, then went on to outscore the Showboats 14-3 in the second half to pull away with a 27-20 win. McGough credits Stallions head coach Skip Holtz for much of his success this season. "He plays to the players," McGough said. "That instills confidence in us and makes us want to go out there and play harder." While Holtz has learned to trust McGough's ability to check out of plays and freelance on his own when things break down, McGough has learned to trust his teammates out on the field, which includes those blocking in front of him. "My line has done a great, great job," McGough said. "They bust their tail, and I can't say enough good words about them. Most of the sacks I've had this year are on me because I'm trying to extend a play."
Last edited by BengalErnst on Wed Jun 28, 2023 12:56 pm, edited 14 times in total.
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