Donald Payne broke up fourth-and-15 attempt to end the game as the Arlington Renegades rallied and held on for a 22-20 win over the Vegas Vipers on Saturday in Arlington, Texas, to kick off the XFL reboot season.
Quarterback Luis Perez hit Cinque Sweating with a 20-yard scoring strike to pull the Vipers within two points late in the fourth quarter. Perez was stuffed on the ensuing 2-point try.
XFL rules allow teams to attempt to convert a fourth-and-15 instead of an onsides kick, and Payne broke it up.
The Renegades ran back two interceptions for touchdowns and kicked three field goals for the win.
Perez threw for 249 yards and three touchdowns but tossed the two costly pick-sixes for the Vipers. The Vipers led 14-3 at halftime.
Roughnecks 33, Guardians 12
Brandon Silvers threw for 272 yards and two touchdowns and the defense recorded seven sacks as Houston opened with a convincing win over Orlando.
Max Borghi rushed for 42 yards and a touchdown while Cole McDonald also scored for the Roughnecks. Trent Harris recorded four sacks.
Paxton Lynch threw for 136 yards, with a touchdown and an interception, and Quinten Dormady threw for 142 yards and a touchdown against two interceptions for the Guardians. Lynch earned the start but was replaced by Dormady.
The game was tied 6-6 after the first quarter before the Roughnecks outscored the visitors 15-0 in the second quarter to take command of the game.
–Field Level Media
