The Houston Roughnecks got their second straight win on Saturday afternoon as they took down the Vegas Vipers by a score of 28-21 at TDECU Stadium. The game had an attendance of 10,967.
Houston (6-3 overall; 5-0 division) has clinched first place in the XFL South, while Vegas (2-7 overall; 0-4 division) sits in last place in the XFL North.
The Roughnecks got off to a slow start in this one, in part due to a first quarter interception thrown by QB Brandon Silvers. The Vipers would score on a 3-yard touchdown rush thefollowing drive to put them up 6-0.
Houston’s offensive struggles continued into the second quarter, as WR Cedric Byrd lost a fumble that was recovered by the Vegas defense. The Vipers once again cashed in on the takeaway, as they scored a 2-yard touchdown through the air on their next drive, making the score 12-0. With under four minutes to go in the half, Roughnecks’ LB Deandre Johnson cameup with a strip sack on QB Jalan McClendon, resulting in a 39-yard scoop and score touchdown by LB Tavante Beckett. At halftime, Houston trailed 12-6.
QB Brandon Silvers threw his second interception of the game to start the second half. On Vegas’ next drive, DB Ajene Harris stripped Vegas WR Martavis Bryant, returning it for a 12-yard touchdown. On the one-point attempt, Silvers connected with WR Tavonn Salter, giving Houston their first lead of the game at 13-12. Later in the quarter, RB Max Borghi punched in a 2-yard touchdown, Houston’s first offensive score of the game. After three quarters of play, the Roughnecks led 19-12.
Vegas cut the lead to just four points after a 53-yard field goal made early in the fourth quarter. Houston’s offense responded with a 14-yard touchdown rush by RB Brycen Alleyne, making the score 25-15. On the Vipers’ following drive, a 25-yard touchdown rush put Vegas down just four points yet again. Houston would add onto their lead with a 28-yard field goal made by K Austin Jones. The Roughnecks defeated the Vipers, 28-21.
The Roughnecks will finish out the regular season on the road for their Week 10 matchup. They take on the Arlington Renegades on Sunday, April 23 at Choctaw Stadium. Game 10 will air on ESPN at 2:00 p.m. CT.
POSTGAME NOTES
The Houston Roughnecks are 11-3 (.786) all-time, dating back to the 2020 XFL season.
QB Brandon Silvers went 16/27 for 105 passing yards and 2 interceptions. He added one carry for 6 yards.
RB Brycen Alleyne had a game-high 12 carries and scored his 1st TD of the season.
RB Max Borghi had a game-high 74 rushing yards and scored his 6th rushing TD of the season (6th in the XFL).
TE Garrett Owens had a team-high four receptions, his most in a game this year.
WR Justin Smith led the team with 26 receiving yards.
LB Emmanuel Ellerbee had a game-high 12 total tackles. He now has 62 total tackles on the season (2nd in the XFL).
LB John Daka had a game-high 1.5 sacks. LB Deandre Johnson recorded 1 sack. DL C.J. Brewer and LBs Tavante Beckett and Emmanuel Ellerbee each recorded a half sack. Houston has 33 total sacks on the season (1st in the XFL).
LB Deandre Johnson and DB Ajene Harris each had a forced fumble.
LB Tavante Beckett and DB Ajene Harris each had a fumble recovery.
Houston’s defense had 2 fumble recoveries for a TD. They now have 4 fumble recoveries for a TD on the season (1st in the XFL).
Head Coach Wade Phillips is 6-3 (.667) in the XFL.
