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XFL Arlington Renegades

Arlington Renegades Game Notes

April 26, 2023 - XFL (XFL)
Arlington Renegades News Release


SERIES NOTES: The Renegades are 0-3 all-time against the Roughnecks. Houston won matchups on March 1, 2020 at Choctaw Stadium (27-20), in Week 2 of this season at TDECU Stadium (23-14), and last week at Choctaw Stadium (25-9).

REGULAR SEASON FINALE RECAP

The Arlington Renegades (4-6) suffered a 25-9 loss to the Houston Roughnecks (7-3) in the XFL regular season finale on Sunday at Choctaw Stadium. The outcome had no impact on Arlington nor Houston's postseason positioning as both teams knew entering the game that they would be facing off for a third time this season in the XFL South Division Championship Game this week. All nine of Arlington's points came from a trio of 1st-half field goals by K Taylor Russolino, to tie for his most in a game this season. Renegades QB Luis Perez threw for 205 yards on 22-of-36 attempts to seven different receivers who each had at least two catches, led by five for 47 yards from RB Brian Herrien. Additional notes:

‚¬Â¢ Arlington matched its season-low with 9 points scored and allowed a season-high 196 rushing yards.

‚¬Â¢ Marked just Arlington's second game of the season not decided by one possession (nine points or less).

‚¬Â¢ Arlington CB Jordan Miller's INT in the 4th quarter gave the Renegades a takeaway in all 10 games in 2023.

‚¬Â¢ The Choctaw Stadium attendance of 12,821 was a season high.

THE POSTSEASON BEGINS

The 2023 XFL postseason begins this weekend with the South Division (Arlington at Houston) and North Division (Seattle at D.C.) Championship games. The Renegades travel to Houston's TDECU Stadium, where they suffered a hard-fought 23-14 loss back in Week 2. Despite also suffering a defeat to the Roughnecks in the regular season finale on Sunday, Arlington secured its postseason spot by virtue of San Antonio's narrow loss to D.C. at The Alamodome on Saturday. The winners of this weekend's Division Championship games will advance to the XFL Championship Game on Saturday, May 13 at The Alamodome in San Antonio (7 p.m. CT on ABC).

THE WORLDWIDE LEADER

On May 17, 2022, the XFL announced a multi-year broadcast agreement with The Walt Disney Company and ESPN. This season, all 43 games (40 regular season games, two playoffs, one championship) will be featured on a combination of ABC, ESPN networks, and FX. All XFL games will be streamed on ESPN+.

‚¬Â¢ Saturday's game will air on ESPN2 with the announcing team of Matt Barrie (play-by-play), Joey Galloway (booth analyst), Eric MacLain and Tiffany Blackmon (sideline reporters).

PUTTING THE 'D' IN DEFENSE

The Renegades have had one of the XFL's top defensive units this season, forcing an XFL-best 22 takeaways. With CB Jordan Miller's interception on Sunday vs. Houston, the Renegades have 8 takeaways in the last 3 games -- including a season-high 5 takeaways on April 8 at Orlando.

‚¬Â¢ The Renegades have forced a turnover in all 10 games this season.

‚¬Â¢ Arlington leads the XFL with 13 INT and ranks T2nd with 9 fumble recoveries.

‚¬Â¢ The Renegades have scored 77 of their 146 points (52.7 percent) off turnovers this season.

‚¬Â¢ The Renegades are allowing 19.4 points per game, the 4th-best mark in the XFL.

SOME OFFENSE

The Renegades were held to a season low-tying 9 points on Sunday after putting up a season-high 26 points in Week 9 at D.C. Despite averaging an XFL-low 14.6 points per game this season, the Renegades have posted 2 of their 3 highest point totals of the season since Week 8, when QB Luis Perez was installed as the starter. Perez put forth one of the best performances by an XFL quarterback in Week 9 at D.C., completing 31 of 41 passes for 335 yards with one TD and one INT. Those represented the highest marks by an Arlington QB in 2023 by a wide margin. The only XFL signal-caller to have more passing yards or more completions in a single game this season is Seattle QB Ben DiNucci, who threw for 377 yards on March 4 at Vegas and completed 35 passes on Feb. 19 at D.C..

FINDING PAYDIRT

Arlington RB De'Veon Smith was active for Sunday's game but did not play as he looks to return to full strength from an ankle injury. Smith finished the regular season tied with D.C. RB Abram Smith for the XFL lead with 7 rushing touchdowns this season, as he had 7 scores in his final 6 games and had 7 of the team's 12 offensive TDs in 2023. After averaging under 3 yards per carry through the season's first 5 weeks, Smith has carried the ball 47 times for 190 yards (4.0 yards per carry) over his last 4 games. In addition to TDs, he ranks among XFL ball carriers in attempts (T2nd, 115) & yards (4th, 365).

‚¬Â¢ As a team, Arlington has averaged more than 95 rushing yards over the last 4 games, surpassing the 100-yard mark on 2 occasions.

CANNELLA LEADS THE WAY

TE Sal Cannella has been the Renegades' top receiver this season with 41 catches (6th in XFL) for 393 yards. Cannella had 7 catches for 92 yards in Week 9 at D.C. -- including a clutch grab to convert a late 4th-and-15 attempt -- for the highest single-game receiving yardage total by an Arlington player this season. Cannella finished the season 2nd among XFL tight ends to Orlando's Cody Latimer (50 rec., 593 yds.) in most categories.

‚¬Â¢ Cannella joined the XFL this season after playing for the New Orleans Breakers of the USFL. He was named to the All-USFL team after leading all tight ends in receiving yards.

BIG WILLIE STYLE

Arlington LB Willie Taylor continued his strong campaign with a huge game in Week 8 at Orlando, recording an interception, forced fumble, and 3 tackles (one for loss). Taylor is among Arlington's team leaders in tackles for loss (8) and sacks (4 - tied with LB Will Clarke). One of the youngest players in the league at just 23 years old, Taylor is one of just two XFL players that are eligible for the NFL Draft (along with Seattle QB Harrison Frost). He played in college at Washington State and Eastern Kentucky, and finished up his college career last Fall before jumping straight to the XFL.

THE KICK IS GOOD

Arlington K Taylor Russolino went 3-for-3 on field goal attempts on Sunday, including a season-long 56-yard conversion that is one of the three longest FGs in the XFL this season. Russolino has gone 8-for-9 in FGs over the last 4 games, with multiple makes in 3 straight contests. He finished the regular season 16-for-19 on FG attempts, the 2nd-most successful tries in the league behind only San Antonio's Parker Romo (17 of 19). Including his time spent with St. Louis in 2020 - when he went 9-for-10 in FG attempts - Russolino has now converted 25 of 29 (86.2%) of FG attempts in the XFL.

ALL HAIL THE KING

In addition to Russolino on the kicking side, Arlington P Marquette King has found plenty of success in the punting game for the Renegades. The former NFL All-Pro had 40 punts (4th in XFL) for 1,858 yards (2nd in XFL) in the regular season, good for an average of 46.5 yards/ punt. That average ranks 2nd in the league behind San Antonio's Brad Wing (47.8 yds/punt). In addition to his punting prowess, King continues to pursue his musical interests off the field. His newest single, "Grind, ‚¬Â was recently released.

SOME EXPERIENCE NECESSARY

As with all XFL teams, the Arlington Renegades roster consists of players with extensive professional experience, including time spent at the sport's highest level in the NFL. Of the 51 players on the team's season-opening roster, 25 had appeared in at least one NFL game. Those 25 players have a total of 506 games of NFL experience. Leading the way for Arlington is former All-Pro P Marquette King with 84 games of NFL experience, while LB Will Clarke (53), CB Cre'von LeBlanc (52), and DB Will Hill (50) have each eclipsed the half-century mark in games played at the NFL level.

XFL HONORED AT TEXAS STATE CAPITOL

The XFL and Arlington Renegades were recognized by the Texas State House of Representatives with the reading of an Honorary Resolution at the Texas State Capitol in Austin last Tuesday. Renegades head coach Bob Stoops and Houston Roughnecks head coach Wade Phillips represented the XFL in Austin for the reading of the resolution, which is believed to be the first recognition of its kind for a professional spring football league.

ST. LOUIS SOUTH

The 2023 Arlington Renegades have a number of connections to the 2020 St. Louis Battlehawks from XFL 2.0. Members of the current coaching staff that worked for St. Louis in 2020, with their former role listed in parenthesis: co-offensive coordinator Jonathan Hayes (head coach), co-offensive coordinator Chuck Long (offensive coordinator & quarterbacks coach), co-defensive coordinator Jay Hayes (defensive coordinator), co- defensive coordinator Tim Lewis (defensive backs coach), quality control coach Michael George (asst. to head coach / asst. defensive line coach). Current Renegades players that played for St. Louis in 2020: DL Will Clarke, OL Brian Folkerts (St. Louis-area native & graduate of Hazelwood Central HS), DB Will Hill, P Marquette King, DL Davonte Lambert, DB Joe Powell, and K Taylor Russolino.

THE BAND IS BACK TOGETHER

Arlington Renegades head coach Bob Stoops and co-offensive coordinators Jonathan Hayes and Chuck Long all played college football together in 1982 at the University of Iowa under legendary head coach Hayden Fry. The trio were teammates on the Hawkeyes' 1982 Rose Bowl team, and Stoops was later part of the Iowa coaching staff while Hayes concluded his playing career. Hayes served as the tight ends/special teams coach for Stoops at OU from 1999-2002. Long was a coach for the Sooners from 2000-05, as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator.

RENEGADES IN THE COMMUNITY

The Renegades are committed to being a positive force and constant presence in the community. Below are some of the recent community events and appearances that the team has taken part in:

‚¬Â¢ Jan. 14: Girl Scouts of Texas and Oklahoma - Cookie Distribution Event

‚¬Â¢ Jan. 16: MLK Day / National Day of Service - Volunteering at Mission Arlington (players), meal delivery to needy families in partnership with Prince Lebanese Grill and Park Place Mercedes (Bob Stoops)

‚¬Â¢ Jan. 28: Renegades Open Practice / Bob Stoops Q&A / Player Autograph Session - 1,000+ fans in attendance

‚¬Â¢ Feb. 11: "Meet the Team ‚¬Â fan event at The Parks Mall in Arlington

‚¬Â¢ Feb. 17: Scottish Rite for Children hospital visit; Bob Stoops Ticketstock appearance

‚¬Â¢ March 4: Player Engagement Event at Main Event Entertainment in Grand Prairie, TX

‚¬Â¢ March 25: Player Appearance at Athletes Unlimited Women's Basketball Game

‚¬Â¢ March 30: Player Appearance at Texas Rangers Opening Day Tailgate

‚¬Â¢ April 18: Bob Stoops represents XFL for Resolution at Texas State Capitol in Austin

‚¬Â¢ April 22: Player Appearance at Texas Rangers game vs. Oakland

WELCOME TO ARLINGTON - THE HUB CITY

On July 25, 2022, the XFL announced the selection of the City of Arlington, Texas as its new football operations Hub, signing a three-year agreement that provides a centralized performance facility and multiple practice venues for preseason and in-week training for the League's eight teams. This hybrid Hub model provides players access to full-time, on- site support from coaches and athletic training staff, while still developing team affinity and community relations within their local markets. The Hub also serve as a content creation center, giving the league, its teams and its players an opportunity to build personal brands and engage with fans through social media, in-person events and other media platforms, tapping into the worldwide expertise and reach of XFL Owners, Dany Garcia, Dwayne Johnson, and RedBird Capital Partners.

HOME SWEET HOME

The Texas Rangers and Choctaw Casinos & Resorts announced a multi-year naming rights partnership for the former Globe Life Park in Arlington in Aug. 2021, re-naming the venue Choctaw Stadium. In addition to hosting the Renegades, Choctaw Stadium is home to the Dallas Jackals (Major League Rugby) and North Texas Soccer Club (MLS Next Pro), while also hosting multiple high school and college football games each year.

To be ready for the 2020 XFL season, Choctaw Stadium underwent a $10 million renovation completed by Manhattan Construction in 115 days. The renovation included the following:

‚¬Â¢ A new seating structure was added in what was formerly left field to accomodate 4,000 more fans and create a more intimate atmosphere

‚¬Â¢ 18 rows of seats and the dugout along what used to be the third base line were demolished

‚¬Â¢ A new network television broadcast booth, plus coaches' booths for the home and visiting teams were added at the 50-yard line

‚¬Â¢ Seating in corners of each end zone were reconfigured to accomodate marching bands

‚¬Â¢ Over 200 sports light fixtures were relocated/re-aimed to be accomodate football and soccer play and broadcast quality

‚¬Â¢ Two new locker rooms in what were previously batting cages were added to accomodate multiple events on the same day

‚¬Â¢ More than 90,000 square feet of grass and dirt were removed

‚¬Â¢ An unmarked, synthetic grass by Shaw Sports Turf was added

Check out the Arlington Renegades Statistics



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