XFL 2023 Opening Night: Nail-biter in Arlington before Roughnecks down Guardians
The 2023 XFL season got under way on Saturday with the Vegas Vipers going on the road to face the Arlington Renegades. In a stellar back and forth game, the Renegades went on to win at home as well, with the final score being of 22-20.
Renegades quarterback Drew Plitt, making his XFL debut start, was particularly sufficient in the win, helping lead the Renegades to their victory. Plitt completed 19 of 25 passes attempted for 172 yards but did fall to one interception.
However, while the Renegades may have won, the the Vipers had a dominant first half. Las Vegas were the first to score this season and lead 6-3 for most of the first half.
With their defense forcing a turnover they went on to lead the 14-3; after managing to successfully get a 2 point conversion. Vipers quarterback Luis Perez was having an MVP like game until the Renegades defense stepped up in the second half forcing three turnovers, two were even returned for a touchdown. Vipers quarterback Luis Perez would finish the game completing 22 of 36 passes attempted for 248 yards.
Late in the game, with the Vipers down to the Renegades 15-14, with 4:06 left to go, Perez threw a pick six making them down by seven. With Arlington up 22-14, Perez had a big chip on his shoulder having to make a comeback drive possible. With 55 seconds on the clock, he sends one deep to Sweeting making an acrobatic catch, before connecting again to Sweeting for a touchdown score making it 22-20.
Needing the two-point conversion to tie, Perez drops back and is sacked by Renegades defensive tackle TJ Barnes. The Vipers then try for a 4th and 15 to try and set themselves up for a hail mary attempt, but Perez’s throw and can’t stick in Allison’s hands as he is hit hard by the Renegade defense, ending the game.
Houston, we have a solution
In game two, the Houston Roughnecks kicked off their season off with a bang against the Orlando Guardians. Their opponents started off strong, but like a wheel going down hill, once the Roughnecks got rolling there was no lead up.
Houston went on to win 33-12 in the first blowout of the season, with quarterback Brandon Silvers starring, completing 26 of 42 passes attempted for 272 yards during the contest. What really shined for the Roughnecks though is their defense, who recovered after allowing the first touchdown of the game and went on to apply the pressure on quarterbacks Paxton Lynch and Quinten Dormady, sacking the pair seven times in total.
Roughnecks linebacker Trent Harris recorded four sacks on the day, not allowing Orlando to get back into the game. They were unstoppable, holding Orlando to just 12 points.
Roughnecks quarterback Brandon Silvers may have thrown two interceptions, but the highlight of the game was the 46 yard touchdown by former New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles receiver Deontay Burnett, who hauled the ball in with just one hand and was able to break away from the defender to score.
His team would lead most of the game, with Orlando needing a spark. The Guardians finally got the ball in the endzone with 6:47 left in the game, as backup Quinten Dormady, who replaced the benched Lynch, would connect with Andrew Jamiel for a late touchdown.
His team then went for the first 3 point conversion try of the season, but Dormady overthrew his receiver. The Roughnecks weren’t going to let that slide and going for it on 4th and 2 with the ball on the five yard line, and replacement QB Cole McDonald walked in for the game sealing touchdown.
With the Houston Roughnecks showing off their dominant team as a whole, they start their season off with a winning record. They face off against the Arlington Renegades, next week who are also 1-0. Who can stay undefeated? Guess we’ll see, Sunday February 26th, 2023 at 6:00 CT.
