XFL San Antonio Brahmas

Brahmas Win Over Guardians

April 15, 2023 - XFL (XFL)
San Antonio Brahmas News Release


The San Antonio Brahmas (3-6) defeated the Orlando Guardians (1-8) by a score of 25-23 Saturday night at the Alamodome.

Recap:

Jack Coan erupts for a franchise-best 302 passing yards and Nick Holley breaks the Brahmas' record with 105 receiving yards in his first game wearing black and yellow to help San Antonio sneak past Orlando 25-23. The Brahmas improved to 3-6 with their second win of the season over Orlando, and both of their highest offensive outputs have come against the Guardians with 30 points in Week Two and 25 points today in Week Nine.

Jumping for Joy and for Jack

With a franchise-high 302 passing yards, Brahmas quarterback Jack Coan became just the third XFL quarterback to cross 300 passing yards in a game during the 2023 campaign. Seattle's Ben DiNucci has done so twice including a 377-yard showing in Week Six against Las Vegas, which remains the best in the XFL this year. Orlando's Quinten Dormady has also thrown for at least 300 yards twice this season.

Blazing His Trail

After recording his first catch as a Brahma early in the game, wide receiver Nick Holley scampered across the middle of the field for a 34-yard catch near the end of the second quarter. This became the longest reception in San Antonio fran- chise history, besting Travis Toivonen's 30-yard catch in Week Four vs Seattle. But wait, Holley was far from done. In the third quarter, Holley went deep for a 44-yard reception, breaking his own record. On the evening, Holley finished with 105 receiving yards, becoming the first Brahma to cross the century mark. He burst past Landen Akers' previous high of 75 receiving yards back in Week Seven versus Las Vegas. This was Holley's first game as a member of the Brahmas. Hol- ley played five games this season for the Houston Roughnecks, who currently lead the XFL's South Division.

Not in His House

Brahmas linebacker Jordan Williams recorded a team-high 11 tackles in the game. Williams now holds a double-digit advantage over every other XFL player with a league-best 82 total tackles, and his 12 tackles-for-a-loss also top the XFL.

What Else is New?

For the sixth time in nine games, Orlando scored on its opening drive. Dormady connected with tight end Jordan Thomas for a four-yard touchdown pass. The duo hooked up again for a two-point conversion to put the Guardians up 8-0 with 11:34 remaining in the first quarter. Thomas has now caught a touchdown pass in two of the previous three weeks after no receptions through the first six games of the season.

Getting it Going

Less than a minute into the second quarter, Brahmas kicker Parker Romo made his league-best 14th field goal from 38 yards out to bring the Brahmas within five points at 8-3.

Casting a Spell

On 4th and 5, Guardians punter Mac Brown stunned the stadium by dropping back to pass on a fake punt. He rocketed a 69-yard pass to wide receiver K.D. Cannon that set up another Orlando touchdown. Running back Devin Darrington punched in a one yard-rush to finish the drive in the end-zone. Orlando did fail to convert a one-point conversion, making the score 14-3 in favor of the Guardians with 10:36 left in the first half.

Patrick's Parade San Antonio running back 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 Orlando's lead to 14-10 with 27 ticks still on the first half clock.

That remained the score headed into halftime.

Inching Back

With 8:10 left in the third quarter, Romo nailed a 29-yard field goal to narrow San Antonio's deficit to 14-13. Romo has not missed since Week One vs St. Louis.

Brahmas Vault Ahead

Coan found Toivonen for a go-ahead 28-yard touchdown completion with just over two minutes left in the third quarter.

While the two-point conversion failed, San Antonio hopped on top of Orlando for the first time all game, 19-14.

Not So Fast

Immeadiately after San Antonio stopped Orlando and looked to build momentum off their previous score, Guardians line- backer Terrance Smith knocked the ball out of Patrick's hands and lineman Stansly Maponga recovered the fumble to give the ball right back to the Guardians. Orlando capitalized as Jose Borregales nailed a 52-yard field goal to make the tally 19-17 still in favor of the Brahmas with 10:36 remaining in the game.

That's a Pick, and it Goes for Six

Brahmas defensive end Drew Beesley lit up the Alamodome when he intercepted Dormady and ran it to the house for a 20-yard score that stood even after Orlando challenged for defensive holding. Two false starts made the two-point con- version even more challenging and San Antonio could not convert, but they still claimed a 25-17 lead with 7:07 left in the game.

You Didn't Think They Were Done, Did You?

Deondre Francois entered the game at quarterback for Orlando and threw a three-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Andrew Jamiel, but when Dormady returned for the two-point conversion, miscommunication with his tight end Thomas prevented the Guardians from tying the game. With only 3:55 left to play, San Antonio remained on top 25-23.

OK, Now It's Done

After Orlando crept within two points, the Brahmas earned two first downs to ice the game and enter the win column with a 25-23 victory. The Brahmas improved to 3-6 with their second win of the season over Orlando, and both of their highest offensive outputs have come against the Guardians with 30 points in Week Two and 25 points today in Week Nine.

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