ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI – In a clash between XFL Conference squads, the Arlington Renegades fell to the St. Louis Battlehawks on Saturday night, 27-24, at The Dome at America’s Center.
With both teams in search of their first win of the season, the opening quarter consisted of solid defense from both sides. Both teams punted once, and St. Louis K Andre Szmyt missed a 53-yard field goal to keep the game scoreless after one.
Both offenses got going in the second quarter, as St. Louis QB AJ McCarron connected with WR Marcell Ateman for a 24-yard touchdown on their opening drive of the quarter. A successful two-point conversion pass from McCarron to WR Darrius Shepherd put the Battlehawks up 8-0. On the ensuing Arlington drive, QB Lindsey Scott Jr. ran in a touchdown from 6 yards out, followed by a successful two-point conversion via the air from WR Tyler Vaughns to RB Leddie Brown.
Knotted up at 8-8, the Battlehawks came right back with a 1-yard score on the ground by RB Mataeo Durant. Their two-point conversion attempt would come up unsuccessful, giving St. Louis the 14-8 advantage. With under two minutes remaining in the first half, Arlington marched down the field and K Taylor Russolino nailed a 52-yard field goal, closing the gap heading into the locker room.
Trailing by a score of 14-11 heading into the second half, Arlington’s defense came up with a turnover on downs midway through the third quarter. The offense would take advantage of this as QB Luis Perez found TE Sal Cannella for a 6-yard score in the back of the endzone. After a failed one-point conversion attempt, the Renegades had their first lead of the night at 17-14. One play later, St. Louis would respond with a touchdown score of their own through the air, as McCarron connected with Ateman for 53 yards. A successful one-point conversion rush by Durant put the Battlehawks up 21-17 heading into the fourth quarter.
The points kept coming for the Renegades in the final quarter of play, as RB De’Veon Smith found paydirt from three yards out to start the fourth. A successful one-point conversion pass from Lindsey Scott Jr. to Tyler Vaughns put Arlington back up with a score of 24-21. On the next St. Louis possession, K Andre Szmyt hit a 47-yard field goal, knotting the game back up at 24.
A missed 46-yard field goal attempt by Arlington’s Russolino with just under two minutes remaining in the game gave the Battlehawks a chance to go for the win. Seven plays later, Szmyt would convert on a 22-yard field goal attempt as time expired, giving St. Louis the 27-24 victory at home.
Up next, the Renegades will head back to Arlington for their second home game of the season at Choctaw Stadium. They’ll face the D.C. Defenders (0-1) on Saturday, April 13 at 12 p.m. CT on ESPN.
POSTGAME NOTES
- The game between the Renegades and Battlehawks set a modern spring football attendance record with 40,317 fans at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis.
- QB Lindsey Scott Jr. saw his first action of the season on Saturday and scored Arlington’s first touchdown of the game. He finished with four carries for 13 yards and a touchdown and completed one pass for 4 yards.
- QB Luis Perez had another strong performance on Saturday, going 21-29 (72%) for 233 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions.
- RB De’Veon Smith found the endzone for the first time this season and finished with a team-high nine carries for 23 yards and a touchdown.
- WR JaVonta Payton finished with a team-high 83 receiving yards on five catches, in addition to one carry for 16 yards.
- TE Sal Cannella scored for the first time as well this season, finishing with 10 yards on two receptions and a score.
- LB Donald Payne led the Renegades defense with 7 total tackles.
- DT Jalen Redmond caused havoc in the St. Louis backfield, finishing with 4 total tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 tackles for loss.
- DE Vic Beasley now has a sack in back-to-back games, as he took down QB AJ McCarron on Saturday.
- K Taylor Russolino went 1-2 (50%) on field goals, converting from 52 yards and missing from 46. Russolino is 3-4 (75%) through two games this season.
POSTGAME FILES
Please visit the UFL Media Portal to access statistics, game highlights, photos, and video of press conferences for both Arlington and St. Louis.
Game Highlights:
Arlington Renegades vs. St. Louis Battlehawks
Postgame Press Conferences: