Tampa Bay Vipers Postgame Notes - March 8, 2020
March 9, 2020 - XFL (XFL)
Tampa Bay Vipers News Release
- S Robert Priester recorded the third takeaway on the season for Tampa Bay when he intercepted Los Angeles QB Josh Johnson on the game's first play from scrimmage...The interception marked the first time this season that an XFL team has forced a turnover on the game's opening possession.
- K Andrew Franks, the only California-born player on the Vipers roster, recorded the game's first points when he converted a 26-yard field goal attempt with 12:19 remaining in the first quarter.
- Tampa Bay scored the game's first touchdown on a one-yard rush by RB Jacques Patrick with 5:38 remaining in the first quarter.
- DT Shane Bowman recorded the first fumble recovery in team history when he jumped on a fumbled snap by Los Angeles with 2:17 remaining in the first quarter...Bowman's fumble recovery marked the first time this season that Tampa Bay has recorded multiple takeaways in a single game.
- The Vipers added to the scoreboard in the second quarter on a two-yard read option rush by QB Taylor Cornelius, his third rushing touchdown of the season...Cornelius' three rushing touchdowns on the year lead all quarterbacks...Tampa Bay leads the XFL with six rushing touchdowns on the year.
- Tampa Bay's defensive scoreless streak ended when Los Angeles scored with 10:17 remaining in the second quarter...The Vipers amassed 90:07 of game clock between opponent scores, the longest such scoreless streak in the XFL this season.
- S Micah Hannemann recorded the first forced fumble in team history when he stripped Los Angeles WR Tre McBride on a punt return with 8:52 remaining in the second quarter.
- Tampa Bay capitalized on the turnover by scoring their third touchdown of the night on a 16-yard pass from QB Taylor Cornelius to WR Jalen Tolliver with 6:28 remaining in the second quarter...The touchdown reception was Tolliver's first of the season.
- K Andrew Franks got Tampa Bay on the board in the second half with a 25-yard field goal to pull the Vipers within six points with 9:25 remaining in the fourth quarter.
- QB Taylor Cornelius recorded his second passing touchdown of the night when he connected with WR Reece Horn on a 24-yard score to cap a six-play, 83-yard drive with 3:17 remaining in the fourth quarter. Cornelius finished the game 22-for-34 for 300 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions (87.9 rating), including a rushing touchdown...It was the first 300-yard passing game in Vipers history.
Please see the table below for a list of Tampa Bay Vipers firsts established in today's game:
Forced Fumble
Micah Hannemann on Los Angeles punt return (8:52 - 2nd Quarter)
Fumble Recovery
Shane Bowman (2:17 - 1st Quarter)
300-Yard Passing Game
Taylor Cornelius (22-for-34 for 300 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, 1 rushing TD)
OFFENSIVE STARTERS
WR #17 Jalen Tolliver
LT #73 Martez Ivey
LG #67 Jerald Foster
C #63 Jordan McCray
G #75 Andrew Tiller
RT #78 Marquis Lucas
TE #85 Nick Truesdell
WR #18 Reece Horn
WR #81 Dan Williams
QB #4 Taylor Cornelius
RB #24 De'Veon Smith
DEFENSIVE STARTERS
DE #96 Jason Neill
DT #92 Josh Banks
DT #49 Nikita Whitlock
DE #91 Bobby Richardson
MLB #45 Lucas Wacha
WLB #41 Terrance Plummer
CB #20 Tarvarus McFadden
CB #23 Anthoula Kelly
NCB #27 Micah Hannemann
SS #21 Robert Priester
FS #35 Marcelis Branch
INACTIVES
WR #15 Seantavius Jones
G/T #71 Isaiah Williams
G/T #76 Daronte Bouldin
TE #89 Pharoah McKever
DT #93 Kellen Soulek
DT #97 Ricky Walker
1 2 3 4 TOTAL
TAMPA BAY VIPERS 10 14 0 10 34
LOS ANGELES WILDCATS 0 20 7 14 41
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