Renegades Fall to Panthers on Walk-off Field Goal, 28-27

DETROIT, MICHIGAN (May 5, 2024) –The Arlington Renegades (0-6, 0-3 XFL) failed to clinch their first win of the season as they fell to the Michigan Panthers (4-2, 2-1 USFL) on Sunday afternoon, 28-27. The total attendance for the game at Ford Field was 7,428.

Michigan wasted no time getting going in this one, as they went on a seven play, 70-yard scoring drive to open up the game. QB Danny Etling found WR Siaosi Mariner for a 9-yard touchdown, followed by a successful one-point attempt by RB Wes Hill, putting Arlington down 7-0 early. 

The Renegades would go on a nine play drive on their first offensive possession of the afternoon, resulting in a 39-yard field goal by PK Jonathan Garibay, cutting the deficit to 7-3. A 43-yard field goal by Michigan PK Jake Bates made the score 10-3 at the end of one, in favor of the home team.

After a three-and-out forced by the Arlington defense, the offensive unit would go on a 13 play, 84-yard scoring drive. RB Dae Dae Hunter found paydirt from twelve yards out for his first touchdown of the season. A successful two-point attempt from QB Luis Perez to WR Deontay Burnett gave the Renegades their first lead of the game at 11-10.

Following another Michigan punt, Arlington found the end zone yet again, taking just over a minute to do so. Luis Perez connected with TE Sal Cannella from 19 yards out, extending the Renegades’ lead to 17-10 after an unsuccessful two-point attempt. A 60-yard field goal made by the Panthers’ Jake Bates cut the lead to 17-13 going into halftime.

Michigan got on the board first in the second half, as Jake Bates converted from 29 yards out, cutting the Renegades’ lead to just one. The third quarter ended with Arlington driving and holding onto a 17-16 advantage.

Capping off an 11-play drive by the Arlington offense, WR JaVonta Payton scored a 14-yard rushing touchdown on an end around for his third score of the year. A successful one-point attempt by RB De’Veon Smith gave the Renegades their largest lead of the day at 24-16. Michigan responded with a 49-yard field goal made by Jake Bates, cutting the Renegades’ lead to 24-19.

After a turnover on downs on the following Arlington drive, the Panthers found the endzone just three plays later, as Wes Hills ran it in from one yard out. Following an unsuccessful two-point attempt, Michigan went ahead 25-24. The Renegades responded with a 10-play drive that resulted in a 48-yard go-ahead field goal by Jonathan Garibay with just under a minute remaining. Only three plays later, Michigan’s Jake Bates hit a walk-off 42-yard game-winning field goal for the Panthers.

The Renegades would come up short for the sixth straight time this season, losing 28-27 to the Panthers.

Up next, the Renegades will head back home for week seven of the UFL regular season. They’ll face the Memphis Showboats (1-5 overall, 1-3 USFL) on Saturday, May 11 at 12 p.m. CT on ESPN at Choctaw Stadium.

POSTGAME NOTES 

• Arlington’s 17 first half points are the most the team has scored in a half this season. Their 27 total points scored are the second-most they’ve scored in a game this season.
• QB Luis Perez, who leads the UFL in passing yards, went 24-for-37 (65%) for 180 yards, 1 TD, and 0 INT, with a passer rating of 114.6.1.
• RB Dae Dae Hunter scored his first TD of the season, tallying 4 carries for 32 yards.
• RB De’Veon Smith led the team with 14 carries for 55 rushing yards, both of which were game highs. He added three receptions for 13 yards.
• TE Sal Cannella caught his second TD of the season, snagging a team-high six receptions for a game-high 52 yards.
• WR JaVonta Payton scored his first rushing TD of the season, accounting for his third score on the year. He finished with two receptions for 38 yards and one carry for 14 yards.
• WR Juwan Manigo, who leads the UFL in kickoff return yards, had a season-high 180 kickoff return yards. He added 20 punt return yards and one reception for 10 yards.
• DB Jamal Carter had a game-high 9 total tackles (7 solo).
• DEs Vic Beasley and Anree-Saint Amour each recorded one sack. DT LaRon Stokes and OLB Will Clarke each picked up a half sack. 
• DEs Vic Beasley and Anree Saint-Amour, ILB Colin Schooler, and DTs Tomasi Laulile and LaRon Stokes each had one tackle for loss.
• CBs Darren Evans and Steven Jones Jr. each had one pass breakup.
• PK Jonathan Garibay went 2/2 (100%) on field goal attempts, converting from 39 and 48 yards out. He’s now 6/7 (86%) on the season.