ORLANDO, Fla. (April 8, 2023) – The Orlando Guardians (1-7) had a chance at the end. But five costly turnovers, including one in the final minute of the game, allowed the Arlington Renegades (4-4) to hold on for an 18-16 win in the Guardians home finale at Camping World Stadium Saturday evening.
A 23-yard field goal by Taylor Russolino put Arlington up 3-0 after the opening possession. A muffed Arlington punt recovered by Orlando allowed for a 24-yard field goal by Jose Borregales to tie the game 3-3.
Arlington grabbed a 9-3 lead late in the first quarter on the first Guardians turnover of the day. Quarterback Quinten Dormady scrambled 12 yards for an apparent first down, but fumbled. The loose ball was returned 48 yards by De’Vante Bausby to put Arlington up 9-3.
Another Guardian turnover early in the second quarter gave Arlington possession at the Orlando 45-yard line. However, the Renegades could only manage a 31-yard field goal by Russolino, pushing the score to 12-3. On its final possession of the first half, Orlando put together an eight-play, 69-yard drive, which culminated in a 2-yard rushing touchdown by quarterback Quinten Dormady. The touchdown trimmed Orlando’s deficit to three, 12-9, at halftime.
Orlando opened the third quarter with a drive that looked like it might tie the game or give the Guardians the lead. Orlando drove it to the Arlington 23, but came away with no gain on 3rd-and 4th-and-1, turning the ball over on downs. Orlando got into the takeaway game on Arlington’s next possession, saving a score on a Marcus Murphy fumble recovery at the Orlando 18-yard line.
Another Guardians’ drive ended with a turnover, an interception this time, after a tipped pass gave possession back to the Renegades. Arlington found the end zone for the first time on offense on a 1-yard rushing touchdown by De’Veon Smith to go up 18-9 late in the third quarter.
Neither team managed to move the ball much early in the fourth quarter. But Orlando finally put a drive together late in the game. Dormady was 4-of-4 passing in the drive, including three completions to Eli Rogers. The final Dormady-Rogers hookup of the possession was for a 19-yard TD. A one-point conversion run by Jah-Maine Martin left Orlando needing a stop and a field goal for the win.
The got the stop with a three-and-out from the defense, getting the ball back with just over two minutes left.
Dormady was 4-of-5 passing as the Guardians pushed the ball into Arlington territory at the 44-yard line. However, with 35 seconds left in the game, a sack on Dormady led to a fumble that ended Orlando’s comeback efforts. It was the fifth turnover for Orlando of the night.
ORLANDO GUARDIANS POSTGAME NOTES
This is Cody Latimer’s fifth game with 60+ yards
Rogers’ eight catches and 116 yards are both season highs
Dormady’s 303 yards is the second time this season he has passed for 300+ yards
Rogers’ 116 yards are the most by a Guardians wide receiver in a game this season
Najeem Hosein’s seven tackles are the third time this season matching that total
Hosein’s forced fumble was his first of the season
This game marked the first time this season in the XFL where multiple turnovers occurred on one play
ORLANDO GUARDIANS POSTGAME QUOTES
Eli Rogers on his breakout performance
“I thought I performed well with the opportunities I had. I missed a touchdown
pass, I’m kind of tight about that but I think I performed good.”
