XFL 2023 Results: Week 1 Scores and Best Twitter Reaction from Saturday
The third iteration of the XFL kicked off Saturday with the Arlington Renegades' 22-20 comeback win over the Vegas Vipers. The Houston Roughnecks capped the evening with a resounding 33-12 win over the Orlando Guardians.
On Sunday, the San Antonio Brahmas will welcome the St. Louis Battlehawks at 3 p.m. ET. The finale will feature the D.C. Defenders at home versus the Seattle Sea Dragons at 8 p.m.
Here's a look at what went down Saturday.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Renegades 22, Vipers 20
The Renegades overcame a 14-3 halftime deficit thanks to a pair of pick-sixes.
Simply put, the Vipers gave the game away, and the Renegades took advantage of the opportunities that presented themselves.
In the third quarter, Tomasi Laulile intercepted a screen attempt from Vipers quarterback Luis Perez and ran it back for 22 yards to cut Vegas' lead to 14-9.
On the next play from scrimmage, Arlington safety Jamal Carter forced and recovered a fumble from Vegas running back John Lovett that set up a Taylor Russolino field goal.
Then Vegas turned the ball over on downs after a successful Arlington rush at punter Michael Carrizosa forced him to run for the sticks. He didn't get the first down on 4th-and-4, and Arlington responded with a Russolino chip shot for a 15-14 edge.
A Vegas three-and-out led to a 16-play, 58-yard drive for Arlington that was extended thanks to a Vegas illegal substitution penalty when the Renegades faced a 4th-and-7.
Arlington elected to go for the first down on 4th-and-2 and got it. The Renegades rolled all the way to the 1-yard line but got stuffed in a four-down goal-line stand.
The Renegades defense had Vegas immediately backed up, though, and Arlington defensive back De'Vante Bausby picked off Perez for the second Renegade pick-six. The extra point led to a 22-14 edge.
Vegas and Arlington then traded punts before the Vipers finally found their first-half offensive form again. Perez led the Vipers on a five-play, 60-yard drive capped by a 20-yard touchdown toss to Cinque Sweeting. However, the two-point conversion was unsuccessful after a T.J. Barnes sack.
Vegas opted for a 4th-and-15 play instead of an onside kick with eight seconds left in hopes of a miracle, but Perez's pass fell incomplete.
Vipers wide receiver Jeff Badet stole the show in the first half with two touchdowns. He finished with six receptions for 81 yards.
Perez went 22-of-36 for 249 yards, three scores and two costly picks.
Twitter reacted to the proceedings.
The Renegades won despite not scoring an offensive touchdown, but they were able to dink-and-dunk to keep its defense off the field. Quarterback Drew Plitt completed 19 of 25 passes for 172 yards and one interception.
Roughnecks 33, Guardians 12
This matchup was far less dramatic, thanks to the Roughnecks' fantastic offensive performance.
Quarterback Brandon Silvers completed 26 of 42 passes for 272 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Deontay Burnett snagged eight of those passes for 90 yards and a score.
Jontre Kirklin added five receptions for 71 yards and another touchdown.
He also provided the highlight of the night.
Running back Max Borghi amassed 74 total yards and a rushing touchdown for a Roughnecks team that scored 21 unanswered points in the first half to take a 21-6 lead into the break.
Orlando cut the lead to 24-12 in the fourth off an Andrew Jamiel 51-yard touchdown catch. However, Houston responded after a muffed punt by the Guardians' Eli Rogers led to a Cole McDonald rushing touchdown to put this game out of reach. A late Hunter Duplessis field goal closed the scoring.
Jamiel (five catches, 80 yards, one touchdown) and wideout Cody Latimer (5-68-1) led the Guardians offense.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
