Arlington’s Struggles Continue, Renegades Fall 17-9 in Houston

HOUSTON, TEXAS – The Arlington Renegades (0-4) came up short of their first win of the season on Sunday as they fell to the Houston Roughnecks (1-3), 17-9. The total attendance for the game at Rice Stadium in Houston was 7,179.

The Lone Star State inter-conference matchup started off with a bang in the special teams department, as Arlington forced and recovered a fumble on their first punt of the afternoon. They would cash in three plays later with a 31-yard field goal made by K Jonathan Garibay, who was just signed to the team on Friday. After one quarter of play, the Renegades led 3-0.

Early in the second quarter, Houston would get on the board with a field goal of their own, knocked in from 25 yards out by J.J. Molson, knotting things up at 3-3. Later in the quarter after a turnover on downs for the Renegades offense, Houston found paydirt on a 3-yard pass from QB Reid Sinnett to WR Emmanuel Butler, followed by a successful two-point attempt. At halftime, Arlington trailed 11-3.

The points kept coming for Houston in the third quarter, as they went on an 11-play scoring drive that ended in a 10-yard touchdown rush by RB Mark Thompson, who made his season debut. Following an unsuccessful one-point attempt by the Roughnecks, the Renegades found themselves in a 17-3 hole. Arlington’s offense would respond on their following possession with a touchdown of their own, however, as QB Luis Perez found WR Deontay Burnett for a seven yard score. An unsuccessful one-point attempt cut the Renegades’ deficit to 17-9 at the end of the third quarter.

A missed 53-yard field goal by Houston’s Molson kept it a one possession game in the fourth quarter. The Renegades comeback attempt would be thwarted in the waning seconds of the contest, however, as QB Luis Perez was strip sacked by Houston DE Chris Odom. Houston won 17-9, giving Arlington their fourth straight loss to start the season.

Up next, the Renegades will head back home for week five of the regular season. They’ll face the San Antonio Brahmas (3-1) on Saturday, April 27 at 6 p.m. CT on FOX at Choctaw Stadium.

POSTGAME NOTES 

• The Arlington Renegades offense posted 193 yards of total offense on Sunday, their lowest so far this season.
• The Arlington Renegades defense allowed 17 points versus Houston, good for their lowest of the season.
• QB Luis Perez went 15-for-28 (54%) for 144 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, with a passer rating of 101.4.
• RB Leddie Brown had 8 carries for 17 yards on the ground (both team highs).
• WR Deontay Burnett led the team with 58 yards on four receptions, while also scoring his first touchdown of the year.
• DT Jalen Redmond had two sacks and two tackles for loss, in addition to 3 total tackles. He now has 4.5 sacks on the year, which leads the team.
• SS Tenny Adewusi had a game-high 9 total tackles, in addition to a sack and tackle for loss.
• K Jonathan Garibay made his Renegades and UFL debut, converting his lone attempt from 31 yards out in the first quarter.