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XFL Vegas Vipers

Vipers Outlast Orlando, 35-32, Earn First Victory

March 19, 2023 - XFL (XFL)
Vegas Vipers News Release


The Vegas Vipers won their first game of the season, 35-32, against the Orlando Guardians on Saturday at Cashman Field. The Guardians opened the game driving down the field which was capped off with a Quinton Flowers a one-yard rushing touchdown. Following that score, Jah-Maine Martin would plow into the endzone on a rush attempt for the one-point conversion giving Orlando a 7-0 lead. About five minutes later, Luis Perez would rifle a 35-yard touchdown pass to the outstretched arms of Jeff Badet. Following the score, Perez connected with Rod Smith for the two-point conversion giving Vegas an 8-7 lead.

Vegas forced Orlando into a three-and-out to open the second quarter and the Vipers would capitalize by shredding the Guardians defense apart on a five-play, 65-yard drive, being capped off when Perez found Sean Price over the middle for a 3-yard touchdown extending their lead to 14-7. Shortly after that score, Vipers kicker Bailey Giffen would cash in a 39-yard field goal, giving Vegas a 17-7 lead. On the ensuing drive, Orlando would answer back with a methodical eight-play, 45-yard drive, which was finished when Guardians Quinten Dormady connecting with Charleston Rambo for a 25-yard touchdown pass to close out the first half.

Cinque Sweeting opened the second half for Vegas by taking the kickoff 47 yards. Nine plays later, Smith knifed his way into the endzone with a one-yard rushing touchdown, which gave Vegas a 23-13 lead. Four minutes later, Orlando answered by scoring one of their own short-yardage scores when Martin rushing through a wide gap for a two-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to four.

Smith opened the fourth quarter for Vegas with another one-yard score, rumbling his way in for his second rushing touchdown of the night. Orlando followed that up by driving down the field and scored just over two minutes later when Devin Darrington scored from two yards out. Following the score, Darrington successfully ran it in for a 1-point conversion, bringing the game back to a four point deficit. Vegas found themselves in a crucial 3rdand-five late in the game, just for Perez to again connect with Badet for a 25-yard passing touchdown, bringing the score to 35-26. With just over a minute left in the game, the Guardians pulled within three when Dormandy found Cody Latimer for a 45-yard score.

The three-point conversion failed and so did the following 4th-and-15 try by the Guardians, which gifted Vegas the ball on the Orlando 19-yard line. The Orlando defense forced a Vegas turnover and got the ball back with 20 seconds left in the game but wasn't able to come through with late game heroics as the Vipers defense held strong.

Perez led Vegas by going 20-of-28 for 269 yards and three touchdowns. Smith carried the ball 18 times for Vegas, finishing with 62 yards and two touchdowns. Badet once again led all Vipers' receivers, catching five passes for 80 yards and two touchdowns. The Vegas Vipers will continue their homestand next week when they host the St. Louis Battlehawks.

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