XFL Houston Roughnecks

Roughnecks End Regular Season with a Victory, Eye Playoff Debut Next Week

April 23, 2023 - XFL (XFL)
Houston Roughnecks News Release


The Houston Roughnecks got their third straight win on Sunday afternoon as they took down the Arlington Renegades by a score of 25-9 at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The game had an attendance of 12,821.

As the regular season has come to an end, Houston (7-3 overall; 6-0 division) finishes in first place in the XFL South, while Arlington (4-6 overall; 3-3 division) finishes in second place in the XFL South.

Houston's offense marched down the field on their opening drive of the game, as QB Cole McDonald scored a 10-yard touchdown on the ground, putting the Roughnecks up 6-0. On the Renegades opening drive, they made a 56-yard field goal, making the score 6-3. The Roughnecks followed up with another touchdown score via the ground, as RB Jeremy Cox ran it in from 5 yards out. After one quarter, the Roughnecks led the Renegades 12-3.

The Renegades made a 36-yard field goal early in the second quarter, cutting the lead to 12-6.

After Houston's offense turned the ball over on downs, Arlington made another field goal, this time from 19 yards out. At the half, Houston led 12-9.

A 35-yard field goal by K Austin Jones put the Roughnecks up 15-9 early in the third quarter. On the ensuing Arlington drive, a pass break up by DB Ajene Harris resulted in an interception for LB Tavante Beckett. Beckett returned the interception for a 45-yard touchdown. A successful 1-point attempt by QB Cole McDonald on the ground extended Houston's lead to 22-9.

An early 4th quarter interception thrown by QB Cole McDonald was Houston's first and only turnover of the game. With under two minutes remaining, K Austin Jones made a 38-yard field goal, making the final score 25-9, in favor of the visiting Roughnecks.

The Roughnecks will serve as host for the South Division Championship game. They take on the Arlington Renegades on Saturday, April 29 at TDECU Stadium in Houston, Texas. The game will air on ESPN2 at 6:00 p.m. CT.

POSTGAME NOTES

- The Houston Roughnecks are 12-3 (.800) all-time, dating back to the 2020 XFL season.

- QB Cole McDonald drew his second start of the season. He went 10/11 for 120 passing yards and 1 interception. He added eight carries for 66 yards and 1 touchdown.

- QB Kaleb Eleby saw his first action of the season, going 4/5 for 28 passing yards. He added 1 carry for six yards.

- RB Jeremy Cox had 21 carries for 120 rushing yards, both of which were game-highs. He scored his first touchdown of the season.

- WR Justin Smith had a team-high 51 receiving yards.

- Both WR Tavonn Salter and WR Travell Harris had a team-high 4 receptions.

- DL Trevon Mason and LB Trent Harris each had one sack.

- DL Trevon Mason and LB Caliph Brice each had a forced fumble.

- LB Tavante Beckett had an interception return for a touchdown, the team's first of the season. Houston now has 5 defensive touchdowns on the season (1st in the XFL).

- Head Coach Wade Phillips is 7-3 (.700) in the XFL.

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