XFL Houston Gamblers

Roughnecks Cruise to Win at Orlando, Remain Undefeated

Published on March 11, 2023 under XFL (XFL)
Houston Gamblers News Release


The Houston Roughnecks remain undefeated on the season as they took down the Orlando Guardians on Saturday night by a score of 44-16 at Camping World Stadium.

Houston (4-0) remains alone at the top of the XFL South Division, while Orlando (0-4) sits in last place in the same division.

The Roughnecks got off to a quick start in this one, thanks to RB Dejoun Lee's 41-yard kick return on the opening kickoff. The opening drive would end with a 21-yard touchdown pass from QB Brandon Silvers to WR Travell Harris, giving them a 6-0 lead. Houston's defense came up big on Orlando's opening drive of the game, as DB William Likely came up with a 42-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown. A successful two-point try pass from Silvers to WR Jontre Kirklin put the visitors up 14-0. Later in the quarter, Kirklin would connect with fellow WR Deontay Burnett on a double pass, 49-yard touchdown to go up by 20 points after 15 minutes of play.

Orlando avoided a first half shutout early in the 2nd quarter, as they saw a 33-yard field goal go through the uprights to put them on the scoreboard. The Houston defense was doing its thing in the first half, seeing ILB Emmanuel Ellerbee and OLB Trent Harris each pick up a half sack, DL Trevon Mason and OLB Tim Harris each getting a sack, DB Jordan Mosley forcing a fumble, and DB Sean Davis recovering a fumble. The defense faltered at the end of the half, however, allowing a 31-yard touchdown pass to make the score 26-10 going into halftime.

After giving up an 81-yard touchdown pass early in the third quarter, the Roughnecks would later respond with a 1-yard touchdown by Dejoun Lee on the ground. This score was set up by a pass interference penalty on the Orlando secondary in the endzone, placing the ball on the goal line. After three quarters of play, Houston led 32-16.

The Roughnecks kept up their air attack on offense in the fourth quarter, as Brandon Silvers connected with Travell Harris on a 59-yard touchdown, Harris' second of the game. Though now up by 22 points, the Houston defense stayed hungry, as Trent Harris came up with a 1-yard sack later on in the quarter. The Roughnecks offense wasn't quite done yet, as they ended the final quarter with another 1-yard touchdown rush by Dejoun Lee, to go up 44-16.

The Roughnecks will continue their three-game road trip as they head up to the Pacific Northwest in Week 5. They'll face off against the Seattle Sea Dragons on Thursday, March 16 at Lumen Field. Game 5 will air on ESPN at 9:30 p.m. CT.

POSTGAME NOTES

€” The Houston Roughnecks are 9-0 all-time, dating back to the 2020 season.

€” Houston scored 20 points in the 1st quarter, the most points scored in a quarter by any team in the XFL this season.

€” Houston's total points scored (44) and margin of victory (28) are both league bests.

€” QB Brandon Silvers completed a pass to eight different players.

€” RB Dejoun Lee had a season-best 45 yards on the ground, along with his first two touchdowns of the year.

€” WR Jontre Kirklin threw for a touchdown and caught a touchdown, becoming the first player in league history to do so in the same game.

€” WR Travell Harris had his first multi-touchdown game of the season with 2.

€” WR Cedric Byrd caught a season-high 7 passes.

€” The Roughnecks scored four touchdowns of 40+ yards (Three by the offense and one by the defense).

€” Head Coach Wade Phillips improves his coaching record to 4-0 (1.000) in the XFL.

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