NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Vegas Vipers

Vegas Vipers Defeated by DC Defenders, 32-18, at Audi Field in Washington DC

March 12, 2023 - XFL (XFL)
Vegas Vipers News Release


The Vegas Vipers couldn't overcome an early miscue and fell, 32-18, to the DC Defenders on Sunday, March 12 at Audi Field.

On the first play of the game, a botched snapped caused a Vegas fumble by quarterback Brett Hundley and led to a DC score five plays later when quarterback D'Eriq King punched in a five-yard score the first touchdown of the game. At the end of the first quarter, Vipers kicker Bailey Giffen cut the lead in half with a 37-yard field goal, getting the Vipers on the board.

DC's King opened up the second quarter with his second rushing touchdown followed by a good 2-point conversion pass, bringing the game to 14-3. During the middle part of the stanza, the Vipers threatened to close the gap, but settled with a 33-yard field goal by Giffen. Vegas had an opportunity to tie the game late in the half, but a Luis Perez touchdown was overturned and time ran out and the Defenders held a 14-6 lead going into halftime.

Vegas had a prime opportunity to open the second half Travis Koontz recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff. However, the Vipers couldn't convert on a fourth down, turning the ball over which then turned into three more points for DC after Matt McCrane nailed a 35- yard field goal, bringing the score to 20-6.

Vegas quarterback Luis Perez connected with Cinque Sweeting for a 26-yard touchdown to open the fourth quarter, narrowing the lead to one score. After trading possessions, the Defenders kept the lead for the remainder of the fourth quarter after McCrane hit a 26- yard field goal and the DC scored another touchdown when King connected with Jequez Ezzard for a 32-yard score, putting the game at 29-12. The Vipers answered about a minute later, when Perez and Sweeting paired up again to score the last touchdown of the game. McCrane hit his third field goal of the game late in the fourth to drive the score up to 32-18.

The Vipers return to action next week as they host the Orlando Guardians on Saturday, March 18th at Cashman Field. It will be the first of three straight home games for Vegas.

GAME NOTES - March 12, 2023 at DC Defenders

- For the first time this season, the Vegas Vipers did not score first in the game.

- Vegas did not hold a lead in the contest, which marked the first time this season in which the team did not lead at one point during the game.

- The final total of the game was 50 points, marking back-to-back weeks of playing in a 50 point game.

- The 14-point loss (32-18 final score) is the largest margin of defeat for the Vipers this season.

- After not starting the game, quarterback Luis Perez came in and was 23-of-32 for 283 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. The completions, completion percentage and yards were all season-highs by a Vipers quarterback this year.

- Wide receiver Jeff Badet led the team in receiving for the third time this season, finishing with seven receptions for 80 yards. He currently ranks third with 261 receiving yards on 19 receptions and is tied for the third most touchdowns with three.

- Cinque Sweeting finished with a career-high 65 yards on three receptions, including two touchdowns.

- Deontay Anderson finished with a game-high eight solo tackles, including a tackle-for- loss, and currently ranks fifth in the XFL with 26 total tackles.

Check out the Vegas Vipers Statistics

• Discuss this story on the XFL message board...

XFL Stories from March 12, 2023


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central