The Dallas Renegades rallied in the fourth quarter of their Week 2 game against the Los Angeles Wildcats, claiming the first victory (and scoring their first touchdowns) of the 2020 XFL season. While the new league is working to find its footing, their North Texas representative is making similar progress.
Running back Cameron Artis-Payne scored twice, taking 14 carries for 99 yards and adding 32 receiving yards on five receptions as the player of the game.
The matchup featured a pair of quarterbacks making debuts for their respective teams: Los Angeles QB Josh Johnson and QB Landry Jones for the Renegades. For Jones, it was his first game action in nearly three years. He was noticeably rusty, but also flashed moments that showed why he was the first player to join the XFL, and why the league had to block the Pittsburgh Steelers from signing Jones after Ben Roethlisberger was injured early in the 2019 NFL season.
His Renegades debut was much anticipated, reuniting him with his Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops. A knee injury suffered on his first pass attempt in his first practice in early January forced the Renegades to start (ex-San Diego Fleet QB) Philip Nelson last week in their 15-9 loss in Week 1.
Similarly, a thigh injury sidelined Johnson for the first game of Los Angeles’ season. The epitome of a journeyman QB, Johnson has been a member of 13 NFL teams in 12 seasons, yet has started only eight NFL games (1-7) over that time. He was most recently with the Detriot Lions, and appeared in four games for Washington in 2018.
It was a slow start, with the game’s first points not coming until only 2:54 remained in the first half. Turnovers plagued both teams, changing possession five times, three coming on back-to-back-to-back drives stretching from the the end of the first quarter through the start of the second.
The first occurred via Jones interception on the Renegades’ second drive of the game. He nearly threw one on the first Dallas drive, but Wildcats CB Harlan Miller didn’t miss this one, stepping in the passing lane for the easy takeaway.
Los Angeles then drove all the way to the Dallas eight yard line before RB Elijah Wood was stripped by former Saints second round pick Hau’oli Kikaha. The play was initially whistled dead due to offensive holding, but Dallas still able to gain possession thanks to the XFL’s unique rule wrinkles. Video review confirmed there was a fumble with a “clear and immediate recovery”.
The fumble party continued however, as the Renegades gave it right back to Los Angeles via Sean Price fumble.
It wasn’t a half to remember, as the teams could only trade field goals before entering halftime. Clearly rusty, Jones settled mostly for short passes underneath the coverage, and showcased his (lack of) athleticism.
Jones threw his second interception on the Renegades’ first drive of the second half. It was similarly ugly, with Jones not picking up the defender lurking underneath.
A field-flipping pass interference penalty committed by 2018 Cowboys practice squad member Treston Decoud immediately set up Los Angeles, but their own bungle dashed their scoring chances. A sloppy handoff from the Renegades three yard line led to the second fumble from within their opponent’s 10-yard line. LB Greer Martini recovered the ball for Dallas.
From there, the game really started. Jones immediately got out from the shadow of the Renegades’ end zone with a 39-yard shot to WR Joshua Crockett.
The play kicked off what had then been the Renegades’ best drive (12-plays, 69-yards), but they were forced to settle for yet another another Austin MacGinnis field goal (45-yards). Trailing for the first time, Johnson was able to get his Wildcats to respond, re-taking the lead with the first touchdown of the game, connecting with WR Nelson Spruce in the back of the end zone.
That score was just the first of five fourth-quarter touchdowns, however. After a key 3rd and 16 conversion by Donald Parham, Artis-Payne got the Renegades back in front on a 21-yard scamper, scoring the first touchdown in franchise history. Former Cowboys RB Lance Dunbar helped spring Artis-Payne for a key block that helped him reach the end zone.
Dallas would add another six points on a three-yard Parham reception, the lone touchdown Jones would throw in the game. However, their 19-9 lead quickly evaporated, as Johnson followed a 62-yard Wildcat kick return with a 44-yard bomb to Spruce. Los Angeles then converted the first three point attempt in XFL history, suddenly making it a one-point game, 19-18 with 4:37 left.
The Renegades were able to hold them off through, thanks to Artis-Payne’s second touchdown, and the defense eventually forcing Los Angeles off the field late in the game. The offense woke up just in time, helping the Renegades win 25-18, evening their record at 1-1. Bud Lite Seltzer for everyone.
Odds and Ends
The Wildcats were playing just days after seemingly drastic changes were made to their defense. Los Angeles abruptly traded DL Anthony Johnson to the DC Defenders for DB Bradley Sylve just two days ago. The Wildcats quickly parted ways with their former team captain after he reportedly expressed displeasure over the firing of the Los Angeles defensive coordinator, after they lost 37-17 to the Houston Roughnecks in Week 1.
Seemingly very opinionated and eager to share. Johnson recorded 1.5 sacks in his Defenders debut, and also let his stance be known in the punching-vs-reclining seat debate:
NFL stars Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon attended the game, supporting their friends in the XFL and taking part in the festivities.
Other Week 2 Results
DC Defenders 27 – New York Guardians 0
Seattle Dragons 17 – Tampa Bay Vipers 9
Houston Roughnecks 21 – St. Louis Battlehawks 12
Week 3 Schedule
Saturday, February 22nd
Houston Roughnecks (1-0) @ Tampa Bay Vipers (0-2) | 2pm ET, ABC
Dallas Renegades (1-1) @ Seattle Dragons (1-1) | 5pm ET, FOX
Sunday, February 23rd
New York Guardians (1-1) @ St. Louis Battlehawks (1-0) | 3pm ET, ESPN
DC Defenders (2-0) @ Los Angeles Wildcats (0-2) | 6pm ET, FS1
