The Renegades put together a solid win on the road, locked up their first win, and did it all when Landry Jones was in the lineup.
Los Angeles, CA– The Renegades left Carson with a “W” beating the Wildcats 25-18, though they had a slow start.
Through the first half of play the game had a similar feel to last week’s matchup at home against the St.Louis BattleHawks. The game had a slow start with both teams being forced into 3 & outs and turnovers.
The Renegades offensive drives during the first half resulted in two punts, a interception, a fumble, and field goal.
Landry Jones was 17 for 26 and tallied 177 passing yards and 1 interception in the first half, and were 0/2 on third downs.
With 2:58 left on the clock, the Wildcats capped off a 9 play 38 yard drive with a Nick Novak field goal that split the uprights putting the first points on the board.
The following drive the Renegades returned the favor and scored on a 12 play 50 yard drive leaving with seconds remaining by way of a Austin MacGinnis 41 yard field goal to tie the game.
The Renegades through 6 quarters of football only scored (15) points, which at the time was league worst.
Landry Jones spoke several times during the game stating he needed to be the one to step up and lead his team to victory.
Going into the second half it was very noticeable that the Renegades emphasized at half time to get the ball to open receivers in space to move the ball.
The third quarter had its share of three and outs and turnovers just like the first half, but ultimately resulted in a 45-yard field goal from Austin MacGinnis to take the lead increasing the Renegades lead 6-3.
We all know in the sport of football how quickly things can change.
LA, after working the ball down field with seconds remaining in the third, started the fourth quarter with the ball on the Renegades 30-yard line, which placed them in a perfect position to take over the game.
Josh Johnson connected with Nelson Spruce on a 6 yard strike for a touchdown early, taking the lead 9-6 in a game that was clouded by uncertainty of either team scoring the football.
The Renegades began the ensuing drive at their own 32 yard line, and the drive started with a sack that placed Dallas in a second and long.
That hit had to have knocked the “rust” off Landry Jones.
Jones threw three consecutive passes and completed all of them. Tight end Donald Parham who was getting a ton of looks in the first half caught a 16-yard pass for a first down, then wide receiver Josh Crockett was on the receiving end of a pass that put the Renegades into plus territory.
The Renegades rushing attack which didn’t gain much traction in the first three quarters, came alive and Cameron Artis Payne capped the drive off with a 21 yard touchdown and converted the 1 point conversion giving them the lead 13-9.
The Wildcats got the ball back and quickly went three and out. A neutral zone infraction by LA, and a huge punt return by Flynn Nagel put the Renegades at the Wildcats 30 yard line.
On the next drive Jones was able to find Donald Parham on a quick out route in the flat for a 3 yard touchdown to cap off a short 5 play 25-yard drive. The Renegades took a commanding 19-9 lead with just a little over 5 minutes remaining.
As I said before, things change quickly in the sport of football, Josh Johnson connected with Nelson Spruce on a 44-yard touchdown making it a one possession game after a successful three point conversion.
To start the final drive, Cameron Artis-Payne enforced his will rushing the ball twice for 20 yards, and then Landry Jones threw his final pass attempt of the game and made it count, finding Jeff Badet on a 16-yard completion setting up another Artis-Payne run which went for a touchdown.
Bob Stoops and Landry Jones locked up their first win in the XFL and extended their combined record as player and coach to 40-12.
Landry Jones finished the game 28/40 305 yards 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions, but completed 70% of his passes, which is a very encouraging stat for this team going forward.
If this offense can be efficient, it could cause opposing defenses headaches.
For the Renegades, this is just the beginning, and some people may think it was a so-so debut performance for Jones, but I believe as before when he and Bob Stoops were at the University of Oklahoma, he found a way to get it done and be one of the reasons why Renegades won the game.
The Renegades put together a solid win on the road, locked up their first win, and did it all when Landry Jones was in the lineup.
In my opinion, that’s not a bad day at the office.
