Houston Duo, Stevens and Gates Named OurSports Central XFL Players of the Week
by Fran Stuchbury
February 24, 2020 - XFL (XFL)
Los Angeles Wildcats
The Houston Roughnecks duo of quarterback P.J. Walker and wide receiver Cam Phillips, Los Angeles Wildcats cornerback Mike Stevens and Houston Roughnecks linebacker DeMarquis Gates were named the OurSports Central XFL Offensive Player, Defensive Player and Unsung Hero of the Week, respectively, for week three of the XFL season.
P.J. Walker and Cam Phillips share Offensive Player of the Week honors after both had outstanding performances in the Roughnecks' 34-27 shootout victory over the Tampa Bay Vipers.
Walker completed 24-of-36 passes for 306 yards and three touchdowns and added 34 yards rushing on four carries with another score. Walker, 24, played college football at Temple and spent time on the Indianapolis Colts practice roster in 2017 and 2018. He joined the Roughnecks as a Tier 1 Quarterback Allocation.
His amazing eight yard touchdown run on a fumbled snap seemed to come out of nowhere in the second quarter.
On the other end of Walker's throws, Phillips caught eight balls for 194 yards and three touchdowns in the victory.
Phillips, 24, rolled up 3,027 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns at Virginia Tech. He spent most of the 2018 season on the Buffalo Bills practice squad and appeared in two regular season games. He was taken in the sixth round by the Roughnecks in the XFL Skill Players Draft.
Phillips' 84-yard touchdown reception from Walker in the first quarter started Houston rolling.
Mike Stevens finished with six combined tackles, one sack, two passes defended and two interceptions in the Los Angeles Wildcats' dominating 39-9 victory over the DC Defenders.
Stevens, 24, had 79 total tackles and three interceptions in four seasons with NC State from 2014 to 2017. He was taken by the Wildcats in the ninth round in the XFL Defensive Players Draft.
Steven's second interception of the game off DC Defenders quarterback Cardale Jones effectively ended any thoughts of a DC comeback.
DeMarquis Gates intercepted Tampa Bay Vipers quarterback Taylor Cornelius late in the fourth quarter when the Vipers were driving to seal the victory for the Roughnecks.
Gates, 23, played college football at Ole Miss and had 282 total tackles and six sacks in his four seasons. He played for the Alliance of American Football's Memphis Express last year before being taken in the eighth round by the Roughnecks in the XFL Defensive Front Seven Draft.
His interception late in the fourth quarter allowed Houston to hang on in Tampa Bay's home opener.
Previous OurSports Central XFL Players of the Week
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- Houston Duo, Stevens and Gates Named OurSports Central XFL Players of the Week - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
- Houston Duo, Stevens and Gates Named OurSports Central XFL Players of the Week - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
- Houston Duo, Stevens and Gates Named OurSports Central XFL Players of the Week - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
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