XFL Houston Gamblers

Promising Start Goes Awry in Second Straight Loss

Published on March 27, 2023 under XFL (XFL)
Houston Gamblers News Release


The Houston Roughnecks found themselves on the losing end in back-to-back games as they fell to the D.C. Defenders on Monday night by a score of 37-26 at Audi Field. The game had an attendance of 12,492.

Houston (4-2 overall; 4-0 in their division) still stands alone at the top of the XFL South Division, while D.C. (6-0 overall; 5-0 in their division) leads the XFL North Division.

Houston got on the board first in this one, as RB Max Borghi punched in a 4-yard touchdown, set up by a facemask penalty against the Defenders' defense. A successful two-point try pass attempt from QB Brandon Silvers to WR Cedric Byrd put the Roughnecks up eight. On the other end, after a defensive pass interference penalty put the ball at the 1-yard line for D.C., the Houston defense stood tall, holding them to a 33-yard field goal. After one quarter of play, the Roughnecks led 8-3.

The first points of the second quarter came just after the two-minute warning, as D.C. punched in a 1-yard touchdown. On the ensuing drive, down 9-8, Houston found themselves on the wrong end of a pick six. A successful two-point try pass made the score 17-8 going into halftime, in favor of the home team.

The Roughnecks' defense gave up a 1-yard touchdown on the opening drive of the second half, making the deficit 23-8. After another Houston punt, D.C. would tack on a 32-yard field goal, pushing their lead to 26-8. Houston's offense responded accordingly, as QB Cole McDonald connected with WR Deontay Burnett for an 85-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 26-14.

D.C. responded with a 30-yard touchdown pass of their own, pushing the lead back up to twenty. The following drive, RB Max Borghi punched it in for a 1-yard touchdown, his second of the game. Another field goal by the Defenders made the score 37-20. A 1-yard touchdown rush by QB Cole McDonald made it 37-26 with just under two minutes remaining. After a failed 4th & 15 onside attempt, the game would end with D.C. in victory formation.

The Roughnecks head back home to Houston for their Week 7 matchup. They take on the St. Louis Battlehawks on Sunday, April 2 at TDECU Stadium. Game 7 will air on ESPN at 1:00 p.m. CT.

POSTGAME NOTES

€” The Houston Roughnecks are now 9-2 (.818) all-time, dating back to the 2020 XFL season.

€” Houston had a season-high 12 penalties called against them.

€” QB Cole McDonald had one touchdown on the ground and one through the air, his first scores of the season. He also led the team in both passing yards (194) and rushing yards (37).

€” RB Max Borghi scored two rushing touchdowns in the game and now has five on the season (T-1st in XFL).

€” WR Deontay Burnett had a team-high 122 receiving yards and snagged his fourth receiving touchdown of the year (2nd in XFL).

€” WR Travell Harris had a team-high 5 receptions.

€” DL Glen Logan recorded his first sack of the season, giving Houston 20 on the year (1st in XFL).

€” LB Emmanuel Ellerbee had a team-high 11 total tackles and now has 41 on the season (3rd in XFL).

€” Head Coach Wade Phillips is now 4-2 (.667) in the XFL.

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