XFL Arlington Renegades

Renegades Drop Finale to Houston, Look to Playoff Rematch

April 23, 2023 - XFL (XFL)
Arlington Renegades News Release


ARLINGTON - In a matchup of two teams that will face off again in six days, the Arlington Renegades allowed a season-most 196 rushing yards to the Houston Roughnecks on Sunday afternoon in a 25-9 loss at Choctaw Stadium in the regular-season finale.

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 next week. That contest will take place at Houston's TDECU Stadium on Saturday, April 29, at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN2.

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.

Arlington CB Jordan Miller intercepted Houston QB Cole McDonald - who finished 10-of-11 on the day - in the endzone early in the 4th quarter, giving the Renegades a forced turnover in all 10 games this season (an XFL-most 22 takeaways).

However, it wasn't enough for the Renegades as one week after allowing a season-most 28 points they gave up their 2nd-highest total of the season.

Houston wasted no time in taking a 6-0 lead on a game-opening touchdown drive (2-point try failed), but Arlington cut that lead in half on a season-best 56-yard field goal from Russolino on its first offensive drive.

A quick-strike touchdown response from the Roughnecks in less than two minutes extended their cushion to 12-3 at the 4:30 mark (1-point conversion stopped). Arlington responded with a 16- play, 65-yard drive which lasted nearly 10 minutes, but ended with a Russolino 36-yard field goal.

After a 4th-and-1 stop by the Renegades' defense as Houston was marching again inside Arlington territory, the hosts drove 53 yards but again stalled out - this time at the 1-yard line - and settled for a 19-yard field goal by Russolino just before halftime to make it a 12-9 contest.

A Roughnecks' 35-yard field goal to begin the 3rd-quarter scoring was followed up with a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown by LB Tavante Beckett to open up a 22-9 Houston advantage (1-point try successful).

The Roughnecks put the final points of the game on the board with 1:13 remaining in the 4th quarter on a 38-yard field goal by K Austin Jones.

It now sets up a rematch, and the winner of Arlington-Houston on Saturday will face the victor of the North Division Championship Game between the D.C. Defenders and either St. Louis Battlehawks or Seattle Sea Dragons in the XFL Championship Game. That tilt will take place on Saturday, May 13, at The Alamodome in San Antonio (7 p.m. CT on ABC).

POSTGAME NOTES

- Arlington's previous high for rushing yards allowed this year was 115.

- The 56-yard FG from Russolino in the 1st quarter was three longer than his previous best this year, and is the 3rd-longest make in the XFL this season.

- Russolino finished the regular season going 16-of-19 on field goal attempts, with the 16 makes currently ranking as the 2nd most in the league (leader: 17).

- Miller's interception was his first of the year.

- This was just Arlington's second game of the season not decided by one possession (nine points or less).

- The Renegades are now 0-3 all-time against the Roughnecks as Houston swept the season series this year (24-13 in Week 2) and claimed a victory back in 2020.

- The attendance was season-high 12,821 at Choctaw Stadium on a rainy-turnedovercast, 50-degree day.

Check out the Arlington Renegades Statistics



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