Guardians Top Previously Undefeated D.C., Win 37-36 Shootout
April 1, 2023 - XFL (XFL)
Orlando Guardians News Release
Orlando, Fla. - The Orlando Guardians (1-6) made history Saturday night at Camping World Stadium. Not only did the Guardians pick up their first win in franchise history, but they did it against the previously undefeated D.C. Defenders (6-1). The Guardians held on in a 37-36 offensive fireworks display.
Orlando took the lead for good with 8:50 remaining in the game. Cody Latimer came across the middle and took a Quinten Dormady pass 44 yards to give the Guardians a 37-36 lead. But it wasn't easy from there.
After forcing a punt on the next D.C. possession, the Guardians lost a fumble with 6:03 remaining in the game. But as the Defenders were driving for a potential go-ahead score, Stansly Maponga forced a fumble at the Orlando 23-yard line. The Guardians' offense was able to run all but 30 seconds off the clock. The Defenders had one last shot at victory, advancing to the Orlando 45-yard line with four seconds left. But D.C. kicker Matthew McCrane's 63-yard field goal attempt came up well short, setting off a wild celebration on the field for the Guardians.
Both teams scored a pair of touchdowns in the first quarter, with D.C. leading 14-12. The Defenders opened the scoring with a 32-yard touchdown pass from Jordan Ta'amu to Lucky Jackson. A successful two-point pass by the Defenders put the team up 8-0. Orlando's first possession ended with a quarterback sneak for a TD for Quinten Dormady. On Orlando's second possession, Dormady hooked up with K.D. for a 41-yard scoring strike to go up 12-8. D.C. answered with an 11-play, 69-yard drive concluding with an one-yard rushing touchdown by Abram Smith to go up 14-12.
The Defenders opened the second quarter with a 12-yard touchdown pass from D'Eriq King to tight end Briley Moore. A successful two-point pass from Ta'amu to tight end Alex Ellis put D.C. ahead by 10. On the final play of the first half, Dormady's second goal-line rushing touchdown pulled Orlando within four, 22-18, heading into the intermission.
The Guardians opened the half with a 46-yard kick return by wide receiver Deddrick Thomas. The return set up a 15-yard touchdown pass from Dormady to tight end Jordan Thomas. A successful one-point conversion rush by Jah-Maine Martin put the Guardians up 25-22. On the following drive, D.C. quickly pushed ahead after an 86-yard touchdown pass from Ta'amu to Chris Blair to go up 28-25. The Guardians responded with Dormady's third QB sneak touchdown of the game to go up 31-28 heading into the fourth quarter.
Early in the fourth quarter, an Orlando fumble led to a touchdown pass from Ta'amu to Jackson plus a two-point conversion from Ta'amu to Ellis put D.C. up 36-31 and set up Latimer's go-ahead score.
ORLANDO GUARDIANS POSTGAME NOTES
This game was the highest scoring game in XFL history
This was the most points scored by the Guardians this season
K.D. Cannon's 41-yard touchdown came on the first catch of his XFL career
Jordan Thomas's 15-yard touchdown came on the first catch of his XFL career
Deddrick Thomas's 46-yard kick return is the longest by a Guardian this season, fourth longest in the XFL
Quinten Dormady's three rushing touchdowns are tied for most by a quarterback in a game this season
Dormady's six total touchdowns is the most by any player in the XFL this season
ORLANDO GUARDIANS POSTGAME QUOTES
Quinten Dormady on his six-touchdown performance
"Shoot that's all credit to the team man. The guys up front blocked. We knew they were going to bring some goofy stuff on defense and they held up well. The running backs ran the ball hard all night and receivers made the plays they needed to. We still have some stuff out there that we want to clean up but shoot, I'm happy as hell for the guys, man. This is what we needed moving forward. Guys played their asses off and we're ready for next week to keep building off of this."
Cody Latimer on his breakout season
"It's just god, man. Great coaching, too. I wasn't supposed to be here, man. I was on my couch for three years and thought my career was over. I'm blessed, I'm grateful for the Guardians taking a chance on me. We just got to keep working, stay humble and keep pushing it. Hopefully, something good happens."
Terrance Plummer on his leadership and getting the win
"It might be on paper that I'm the leader but, at the beginning of the season, we said we are all leaders with our actions and how we go. I'm just so proud of our defense because of the fact that we kept fighting. We fight every game but we felt like this is the one we can make happen. We knew what they were going to do and it just feels so good to come out with the victory versus an undefeated D.C. Defenders that aren't undefeated anymore."
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XFL Stories from April 1, 2023
- Vipers Leave Home with 26-12 Victory over San Antonio - Vegas Vipers
- Guardians Top Previously Undefeated D.C., Win 37-36 Shootout - Orlando Guardians
- Brown's Big Day Goes for Naught in Loss at Vegas - San Antonio Brahmas
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