Defense stands tall, secures 2-0 start
The Houston Roughnecks used a tremendous defensive performance to win their season opener, amassing seven sacks and three interceptions.
The trend continued Sunday at TDECU Stadium, with three turnovers and five sacks contributing to a 23-14 victory against the Arlington Renegades.
A crowd of 11,765 watched Houston remain undefeated in XFL play in its short history, improving to 2-0 in 2023.
The game could not have started much better for Houston, particularly on defense.
The first play from scrimmage resulted in a leaping interception by Ajene Harris, setting up the Roughnecks at the Arlington 45.
A first-down catch by Jontre Kirklin helped set up a 42-yard field goal by Hunter Duplessis for a 3-0 lead with 12:10 remaining in the first quarter.
Arlington managed a first down on its second possession before Houston swarmed the backfield, generating three consecutive sacks. Trent Harris and C.J. Brewer combined for the first, followed by Tim Ward and Emmanuel Ellerbee to force a punt.
“I thought our defense really played well,” Houston coach Wade Phillips said. “Starting off the game, I think we had four sacks in the first quarter. We put a lot of pressure on them. We don’t blitz a whole lot. We play a lot of four-man rush, and we were able to get to the quarterback. We fought from behind as a team and I don’t think anybody blinked. We went forward with our gameplan, we kept doing the things we do well and succeeded.”
After a 40-yard punt return by William Likely, Houston took immediate advantage as Brandon Silvers found Nick Holley for a 5-yard touchdown. Kirklin caught a tipped pass for a 2-point conversion and an 11-0 lead at the 7:40 mark.
A member of the 2020 Roughnecks, it was Holley’s only catch of the game and first of the season in his return to Houston.
“It’s awesome,” Holley said. “H-town always shows up. It was an electric environment. They remember my name and showed me a lot of love, and I was appreciative.”
The Roughnecks followed with a three-andout and forced punts on two more possessions, but both were extended by fumbles on the return.
Arlington completed a 94-yard drive after the first fumble, converting a pair of third downs, including a 4-yard touchdown from Drew Plitt to LuJuan Winningham with 9:23 left in the second quarter.
Winningham forced the fumble on the next punt return, setting up the Renegades at the 14. Three plays later, Plitt completed a third-and-9 pass to Nate Becker for a 13-yard touchdown.
Plitt connected with Sal Cannella for the two-point conversion and a 14-11 lead. That score held at halftime as Houston wasted a 40yard catch and run by Kirklin by fumbling in the red zone, and Arlington fell short on a 55-yard field goal attempt before halftime.
Houston started its first two drives of the second half at the Arlington 45, taking advantage of the second with the help of consecutive first-down rushes by Cole McDonald, giving the Roughnecks a change of pace at quarterback.
Silvers connected with Cedric Byrd, who bounced off two defenders at the 1, for a 15-yard touchdown and a 17-14 lead at the 7:42 mark. The one-point conversion attempt failed.
Silvers was not as efficient as in Week One, completing 14-of-28 passes for 173 yards, but he threw for two touchdowns without an interception. He was sacked once.
“Every game, trying to get better,” Silvers said. “Some offensive drives stalled out. Just trying to get that first down, get us going. That’s when we’re best, when we’re in rhythm. Just staying back there and trusting my guys up front, and receivers making plays.”
The Roughnecks had a chance to extend the lead after a turnover, with John Daka’s strip of Plitt recovered by Jack Heflin, but instead went three and out.
The Houston defense continued to get results, forcing a punt and another turnover, this time a tipped interception by Sean Davis in Roughnecks territory.
The Roughnecks were able to put the game away with a 13-play, 70-yard drive with the help of a penalty that erased an interception by Will Hill at the goal line.
Silvers connected with Ben Putman behind two defenders for an 18-yard pass, setting up McDonald to cover the remaining 10 yards. A read-option look and strong interior blocks sprung Max Borghi for a 4yard touchdown and a 2314 lead with 5:00 remaining.
The defense put a final stamp on the game, with Charles Wiley among a swarm of three defenders bringing Plitt down for a sack on the ensuing possession.
Houston limited the Renegades to 125 yards, including 2.3 yards per carry and 2.7 yards per pass attempt. That overcame the Roughnecks’ three turnovers and a 2.8 rushing average.
“Nothing against Orlando, but I thought Arlington had a real good, solid football team,” Phillips said. “I thought we outplayed them. We did some things better, certainly, than we did the week before, in all areas. Turnovers hurt us, but we came back and made plays.”
The Roughnecks are the sole leaders in the XFL South, joining D.C. and St. Louis of the XFL North as the league’s only undefeated teams.
Houston closes its three-game, season-opening homestand at 7 p.m. March 5 against the San Antonio Brahmas.
“I’m proud of our team,” Phillips said. “It’s early in the season, but to be in first place, that’s one of our goals. We’ve got another division game next week, but 2-0 feels pretty good.”