XFL Week 2: McGloin Struggles Against Kaepernick and Breakers
February 13, 2020
Pittsburgh, PA - The Los Angeles Breakers absolutely dominated the Pittsburgh Maulers in all facets in the game. The Breakers rode a solid offensive performance and a dominant defensive/special teams effort to a 27-0 win. QB Colin Kaepernick was 23/37 for 264 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception. The offense was boosted by an unreal defensive performance by the Breakers. They got to the QB Matt McGloin all game, making him extremely uncomfortable in the pocket. LB Su'a Cravens was absolutely dominant on passing downs, recording 1.5 sacks with literally zero practice time with his new team. DL Da'Quan Bowers was a dominant force in the Fleet 3-4 scheme, recording three tackles, a sack, and a tackle for loss. The secondary, certainly held up to the pressure. DB Marqueston Huff made impactful plays all game. This all rounded out to a great day for K Blair Walsh, who was 3/3 on attempted field goals for the day.
On the Maulers side, it was a pretty terrible performance on offense. With the team missing two starting offensive linemen, they struggled to protect McGloin. To be completely fair to the team, McGloin himself was completely off on routine throws all game. The defensive effort wasn’t too bad, but the last of offensive possession time gave them virtually no chance to take a breather. The Breakers kept the intensity up all game and it ultimately proved to be too much for the Maulers.
-- (0-0)Breakers 27 - 0 Maulers(0-0)
(LA): QB Kaepernick - 23/37 264 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Bibbs - 24 carries, 96 yards, WR Bryant - 4 catches, 95 yards, 1 TD, WR Lee - 6 catches, 67 yards
(PIT): QB McGloin - 12/27 95 yards, 2 INTs, RB Lasco - 15 carries, 71 yards, WR Wheaton - 4 catches, 42 yards, WR Hamilton - 3 catches, 31 yards
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McGloin rips Coaches during and after Maulers loss
February 14, 2020
Pittsburgh, PA - The XFL has been hoping increased in-game access to players would give fans a more unvarnished look at what goes on during a football game and Maulers QB Matt McGloin didn’t disappoint during a halftime interview. “We need to change the whole entire game plan at halftime,” McGloin said of the Maulers, who were blanked in their 27-0 loss. “There’s a lot going on right now. It’s embarrassing for us for an offense. There’s a lot of things for us to fix and correct.”
Maulers head coach Tony Dungy said he wasn’t pleased with McGloin’s play in the first half. “I need to go talk to him and figure out what the problem is because he needs to play better.” But McGloin wasn’t done, ripping the play calling after the game, too. “There’s a lot of stuff going on behind closed doors,” said in his final on-field interview. “We need to clean that up. Communication especially is one, and it showed today. At no point in time did I think we were comfortable out there. At no point in time did I think we were in a position to try to be successful. I think it was pretty easy to see.”
XFL Week 2: Guardians Fall, Losing to Rival Valor
February 14, 2020
Washington, DC - Washington QB Cardale Jones led the Valor to the 24-point victory with 276 yards passing, two touchdowns and a QB rating of 91.7. WRs Paul Richardson and DeAndre Thompkins combined for 187 yards on 10 receptions. QB Luis Perez, who replaced Josh Freeman in the fourth quarter, led the Guardians to their only points of the game and WR Mekale McKay led the team in receiving for the 2nd straight week with 30 yards. RB Donald Brown handled the ball 10 times for 39 yards in the loss.
After the game, head coach Kevin Gilbride spoke to the media and expressed his displeasure, "I'm disappointed with how we played, and that's on me. When you play as poorly as we did today, one of two things is going to happen. You will either recognize that this wasn't good enough and you're going to dig down deeper and you're going to rally each other and inspire each other. Or you splinter apart." Gilbride continued, "I thought our defense played inspired football, it's not wasted. The effort that was put forth, it was quite an example of how to go about your business. Knowing the character that was demonstrated today, I would be very very surprised if we don't rally around each other and come back ready to play next week."
-- (1-0)Guardians 3 - 27 Valor(1-0)
(NY): QB Freeman - 8/19 44 yards, 2 INTs, QB Perez - 4/8 51 yards, RB Brown - 10 carries, 39 yards, RB Victor - 5 carries, 32 yards, WR McKay - 3 catches, 30 yards
(DC): QB Jones - 20/34 276 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB West - 12 carries, 52 yards, RB Pumphrey - 16 carries, 56 yards, WR Richardson - 4 catches, 95 yards, WR Rogers - 5 catches, 49 yards, WR Thompkins - 6 catches, 67 yards, 1 TD
XFL Week 2: Queiro Seals Bandits Win with Interception
February 15, 2020
Tampa, FL - Tampa Bay Bandits LB Kyle Queiro iced the game with an interception of QB Taylor Cornelius in the final seconds to seal a 17-9 victory over the Omaha Mammoths. A huge celebration ensued as Queiro was mobbed by his teammates. "What a moment, having some of my best friends with me as well, it's definitely a good feeling," he said. Queiro's play was part of a huge day for the entire Bandits defense, with DB Jeremy Clark and DL Marcell Frazier each adding interceptions of their own and LB Steven Johnson leading the team in total tackles for the second straight week, with 10. Not to mention the four sacks the Bandits tallied as a team. It couldn't have been an easy task for the Bandits to prepare for the Mammoths not knowing whether they would see Aaron Murray or Quinton Flowers or Taylor Cornelius at quarterback. However, defensive coordinator Clayton Lopez was adamant that was not a concern. "We prepare the same every week, week in and week out," Lopez said. "Whoever they put back there at quarterback, on the offensive line, at wide receiver, at running back, it makes no difference to us, we're still going to play."
The Tampa fans did not disappoint either. A raucous crowd showed up to support the Bandits in their home opener, and the players felt their support. WR Keenan Reynolds took note, saying "this is amazing, they are the best fans in the world."
-- (0-1)Bandits 17 - 9 Mammoths(0-1)
(TB): QB Silvers - 7/18 91 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Farrow - 10 carries, 45 yards, RB Gardner - 21 carries, 72 yards, WR Reynolds - 3 catches, 87 yards, 1 TD
(OMA): QB Cornelius - 16/27 154 yards, 2 INTs, RB Patrick - 14 carries, 73 yards, RB Smith - 16 carries, 61 yards, WR Horn - 5 catches, 51 yards, TE Truesdell - 6 catches, 52 yards
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XFL Week 2: Artis-Payne, Jones Lift Roughnecks to Week 2 Win
February 16, 2020
Oklahoma City, OK - The Oklahoma City Roughnecks relied on their run game in the second half of a turnover-heavy game to beat the San Diego Fleet, 25-18. RB Cameron Artis-Payne sealed the game for the Roughnecks down the stretch, scoring two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. "I was just running," Artis-Payne said. "We've been focusing on finishing, so at the end of the day once we got down there, there was nothing else but to score. Offensive line did a good job wearing them down. We exploited some weaknesses after halftime," he added. "They continued to get a push to the second level on the linebackers and allowing us to get it downhill." The Roughnecks gave Artis-Payne the ball 10 times in the final nine minutes, and he tallied 80 yards in that span. Oklahoma City head coach Bob Stoops credited the former NFL back and the team's ability to establish the run in the second half of the game as "huge." "That was a major part of the win," Stoops said. "I thought we put them in a tough spot defending the run."
The Roughnecks offense turned the ball over three times, but the Fleet were unable to get points off of the turnovers. Stoops credited his defense with fighting out of some tough situations the team faced early and holding the Fleet offense down. "When you lose the turnover battle three to zero and still win, you're doing a lot right defensively," he said. Despite throwing for 305 yards and a touchdown, Roughnecks QB Landry Jones looked rusty, throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble through three quarters. "If I would've taken care of the ball, I feel like it would've been a different day altogether," he said. "Accuracy, that was my main problem."
-- (0-1)Fleet 18 - 25 Roughnecks(0-1)
(SD): QB Johnson - 18/34 196 yards, 2 TDs, RB Hood - 10 carries, 31 yards, WR Spruce - 6 catches, 89 yards, 2 TDs
(OKC): QB Jones - 28/40 305 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, RB Artis-Payne - 14 carries, 99 yards, 2 TDs, 5 catches, 32 yards, RB Dunbar - 10 carries, 55 yards, 5 catches, 34 yards, WR Badet - 6 catches, 53 yards, TE Parham - 5 catches, 76 yards, 1 TD, WR Davis - 2 catches, 57 yards
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XFL Week 2: Brawlers hold on to Defeat the Crusaders
February 17, 2020
Philadelphia, PA - WR Cam Phillips hauled in three touchdown passes from QB PJ Walker to lead the 2-0 Philadelphia Brawlers to a thrilling 29-24 win over the visiting London Crusaders. Philadelphia was up 21-6 at the half, but London QB Jordan Ta'amu connected with WR L'Damien Washington with a touchdown to cut the lead to 21-12 at 8:56 in the third quarter. Ta'amu then ran one in with 1:30 to go in the third to make things snug at 21-18. However, Ta'amu made a crucial mistake with the Crusaders driving in the fourth quarter when he threw his second interception of the contest with 10:48 to play. The ill-fated pass, intended for WR Alonzo Russell, instead found its way into Brawlers DB Jeremiah Johnson's grip. Johnson returned the pick to the six-yard line. Three plays later, Walker found Phillips in the end zone for their third touchdown connection. Walker then converted on the two-point conversion to make it 29-18.
London tacked on a touchdown when Ta'amu found WR Kamar Jorden for a 36-yard touchdown with 1:50 to play. The Brawlers were then able to maintain possession and run out the clock. Ta'amu's first thrown interception, 10:12 in the second quarter, was picked by DB Cody Brown, who returned it 50 yards to the one-yard line. That set up a one-yard touchdown run by RB James Butler. Phillips finished the game with eight catches for 63 yards and three touchdowns for Philadelphia.
-- (1-0)Crusaders 24 - 29 Brawlers(1-0)
(LON): QB Ta'amu - 30/37 284 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs, 8 carries, 32 yards, 1 TD, RB Jones - 16 carries, 44 yards, RB Michael - 19 carries, 50 yards, WR Washington - 6 catches, 77 yards, 1 TD, WR Russell - 5 catches, 42 yards, WR Jorden - 9 catches, 50 yards, 1 TD
(PHI): QB Walker - 21/30 170 yards, 3 TDs, RB Butler - 13 carries, 51 yards, 1 TD, WR Phillips - 8 catches, 63 yards, 3 TDs, WR Coates - 3 catches, 41 yards, WR Lewis - 4 catches, 50 yards
-- (0-0)Stallions 20 - 30 Rage(0-0)
(STL): QB Lynch - 16/32 199 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INTs, RB Mason - 16 carries, 75 yards, WR Listenbee - 4 catches, 58 yards, WR Quick - 4 catches, 36 yards, 1 TD
(ORL): QB Gilbert - 21/27 243 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Johnson - 20 carries, 69 yards, 1 TD, RB Hunt - 11 carries, 55 yards, WR Johnson - 7 catches, 90 yards, 1 TD, WR Mitchell - 6 catches, 63 yards, 1 TD, WR Marshall - 4 catches, 43 yards
Stallions Excited to be Heading Home
February 18, 2020
St. Louis, MO - St. Louis' road trip started well with a win over the Memphis Express in Week 1, but the Stallions suffered a taxing, 30-20 defeat at the hands of the undefeated Orlando Rage last week. The loss wasn't pretty, with St. Louis QB Paxton Lynch passing for 199 yards and three game-changing interceptions. "We're really going back with a whole new mindset," Stallions OL Greg Robinson said after the game. "We're trying to get things back on track and try to give a good performance."
For Stallions coach Jonathan Hayes, a new mindset after the grueling loss that saw St. Louis come heartbreakingly close to beating Orlando is exactly what's needed before his squad meets their home crowd for the first time. "I think our team is growing that way," Hayes said of the loss' effect on the Stallions. "They're maturing that way. Even at the end, no one quit. Everyone was fighting to find a way to win. That will make us better down the road. Now they've felt that sting."
"I can sit here and make an excuse. Why we did this or that or that," Lynch said. "Come on. You have to go play the game. It's not the first time we've played in a loud place, and last week was loud, too." As for loud crowds, Lynch anticipates a loud and rowdy St. Louis crowd when he and his teammates are introduced for the first time at home. "I'm expecting The Dome to be rocking," Lynch said. "We just have to do our job and put a good product on the field." And he assured the fanbase craving professional football since the Rams left for Los Angeles five years ago will be satisfied come Sunday. "St. Louis has been hungry for football," he said. "It's back now."
Cam Phillips is Ready to Play his Game
February 18, 2020
Philadelphia, PA - Cam Phillips needed a second to remember the last time he scored three touchdowns in a game. The wide receiver did it in the Philadelphia Brawlers' 29-24 victory over the London Crusaders. "I think that's only my second time doing it," Phillips said, recalling a three-score game as a senior at Virginia Tech in 2017. "I was in school against ECU. This was definitely more fun. I think the timeliness of these touchdowns made it better. We needed every one of them today. I'm just glad I could help the team win."
Bandits Offense Is 'Close' to Breakout
February 19, 2020
Tampa, FL - It was one of those moments when a team needed someone to make a play, something to provide some juice, a jolt that would help determine the course of the game. With the result of team's inaugural home opener in doubt, WR Keenan Reynolds delivered a big play. The receiver caught a well-place deep ball from QB Brandon Silvers that he took 68 yards for a touchdown during the Bandits' 17-9 victory. "That was huge," said Reynolds, who caught three passes for 87 yards and caught a two-point conversion. "We were stumbling the whole first half, shooting ourselves in the foot. We saw it on film. It was actually on the same guy. We had it set up right. Coach called it and we got the look we needed."
"It was big just to get our offense going," Silvers said. "We stalled a little bit, didn't make enough plays, starting with me. That was a big change in the game. The next drive they go throw a Pick-6. That was a really big play for Keenan to get open. Omaha's got a good defense. They held New York to only 200 yards last week. They've got a really good defense and they brought the pressure. I've just got to move around and make some plays."
"I look back on this game," Reynolds said. "I look back on the last game, and I don't feel like anyone has actually stopped us. I feel like we continuously shot ourselves in the foot and that's something we've definitely got to get cleaned up going into next week. We're close. We've got to keep working. We've got to get the reps, communicate, practice. All that stuff is big, but we're close. It's always good to look at the film, see what we missed, where we can get better and go from there."