Renegades’ Comeback Falls Short, Brahmas Prevail 20-15

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (May 19, 2024) –The Arlington Renegades (1-7, 0-4 XFL) fell to the San Antonio Brahmas (6-2, 3-2 XFL) on Sunday afternoon at the Alamodome, 20-15.

On the game’s opening drive, San Antonio’s offense needed just four plays to get into the end zone, as RB Anthony McFarland Jr. ripped off a 52-yard touchdown run to get the scoring going. Following a successful one-point conversion rush by RB Morgan Ellison, Arlington trailed 7-0. After a Renegades’ punt on their first offensive possession, Brahmas PK Ryan Santoso knocked through a 21-yard chip shot field goal to extend the lead to 10-0. Arlington was held scoreless in the first quarter and punted twice.

Another field goal by Santoso early in the second quarter, this one from 26 yards out, pushed the Arlington deficit to thirteen. The Renegades found some life on their next turn, with an 8-play, 71-yard drive that included a 39-yard pass from QB Luis Perez to WR Tyler Vaughns. PK Jonathan Garibay connected on a 33-yard field goal to make the score 13-3. San Antonio responded with another quick, three-play scoring drive, as QB Quinten Dormady hit McFarland Jr. for a 37-yard touchdown. A successful one-point conversion from Dormady to WR Jontre Kirklin stretched the lead to 20-3 going into the half.

Arlington started off hot in the third quarter, as they went on a 6-play, 55-yard scoring drive to open up the second half. Perez connected with TE Sal Cannella who went up over the defensive back for a 14-yard touchdown, the team’s first of the game. The Renegades cut the lead to 20-9 following an unsuccessful two-point attempt. Santoso missed wide right from 48 yards out for San Antonio to close out the third.

Another field goal miss by Santoso in the fourth kept the Renegades within striking distance, down eleven points. Arlington capitalized with a 9-play scoring drive as Perez found WR JaVonta Payton in the back of the endzone from five yards out. After an unsuccessful two-point conversion, Arlington went for the 4th & 12 attempt to retain possession of the ball. Perez was sacked on the attempt, giving San Antonio the 20-15 victory.

Up next, the Renegades will return home for week nine of the 2024 UFL regular season. They’ll face off against the St. Louis Battlehawks (6-2 overall, 4-0 XFL) on Saturday, May 25 at 11 a.m. CT at Choctaw Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ABC and ESPN Xtra on SiriusXM.

POSTGAME NOTES

• Arlington’s offense posted 262 total yards and picked up sixteen first downs. They won the third down conversion battle, going 5-for-11 (46%), while San Antonio went 3-for-10 (30%).
• QB Luis Perez, who leads the UFL in passing yards, went 22-of-33 (67%) for 209 yards, 2 TD, and 0 INT. He finished with a passer rating of 139.9, in addition to picking up two yards on one carry.
• RB De’Veon Smith finished with ten carries for a game-high 38 yards, both of which led the team. He added two receptions for 9 yards.
• TE Sal Cannella finished with a game-high nine receptions for 87 yards (both led the team) and a TD. He has now scored in three straight weeks and has five touchdowns on the season.
• WR JaVonta Payton caught two passes for 12 yards and a TD. He has now scored in four straight weeks and has six total touchdowns on the season (5 receiving, 1 rushing).
• Arlington’s defense posted three total sacks on the day: LBs Vic Beasley and Anree Saint-Amour both picked up one sack; DT LaRon Stokes and LB Willie Taylor III both notched a half sack. The team’s eight tackles for loss were a season-high.
• FS Jamal Carter and LB Storey Jackson paced the defense, each finishing with 9 total tackles (led team; tied for game-high).
• PK Jonathan Garibay went 1-for-1 (100%) on the day, converting from 33 yards out. He’s now 8-of-9 (89%) this season.