7 days three of the UFL wrapped up with two XFL powerhouses clashing in San Antonio. The Brahmas hosted the St. Louis Battlehawks, in what finished up being a down to the wire matchup at the Alamodome.
The tour carries on. @XFLBrahmas vs. @XFLBattlehawks at the major of the hour. Essential XFL convention matchup in this article. Can SA keep undefeated? #UFL pic.twitter.com/pq0Qvmx2pM
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) April 14, 2024
Final week, the St. Louis Battlehawks created their residence debut, and to the delight of above 40,000 admirers, arrived away with a final second get above Arlington. It was not a excellent game, but it was a stepping stone for momentum heading into week three.
San Antonio, on the other hand, had a very last second earn as very well. Theirs was a little bit distinct, as they mounted a two score comeback in the closing minute versus Memphis. OC A.J. Smith was on a heater that day.
With a good deal on the line in this recreation, let’s consider a search at what went down in San Antonio.
First Quarter
The San Antonio Brahmas elected to acquire the opening kickoff, and received correct to do the job. The group swiftly marched into the Battlehawks purple zone, but couldn’t punch it in the close zone. Ryan Santaso, who was signed just this 7 days to replace Donald De La Haye Jr., strike a 35 property industry target.
Ryan Santoso hits the 35-lawn FG to get us our initial points of the working day! #TorosUnidos pic.twitter.com/xippIxQ6CD
— San Antonio Brahmas (@XFLBrahmas) April 14, 2024
St. Louis experienced a rapid reply in store. Following having down into San Antonio territory, A.J. McCarron termed his have number, scampering into the stop zone on a 10 lawn score.
@10AJMcCarron requires it himself for the landing pic.twitter.com/Mt2ezxWE3j
— St. Louis Battlehawks (@XFLBattlehawks) April 14, 2024
With two lengthy drives from the two teams, we went into the up coming interval with a 6-3 ball game.
Second Quarter
The Battlehawks protection performed solid soccer early on, and pressured San Antonio into a punt. This led to yet another rating for St. Louis. McCarron discovered Hakeem Butler for a huge open up touchdown, and they went up 14-3 just after a effective two issue conversion to Jake Sutherland.
KA-KAW! KA-KAW!@10AJMcCarron to @410Keem for 6! pic.twitter.com/LYCL0Xqb1u
— St. Louis Battlehawks (@XFLBattlehawks) April 14, 2024
John Lovett had a good match for San Antonio now, with 12 rushes for 41 yards. He designed an influence in this second quarter, hurrying for a two property score to make it 14-9.
ALL LOVETT @_jlovett7 dives to give us our 1st TD of the working day! pic.twitter.com/tY4wwdOHb8
— San Antonio Brahmas (@XFLBrahmas) April 14, 2024
Amazing kickoff returns have been a staple of the UFL so considerably. Darrius Shepherd set St. Louis in a situation to rating right before the 50 percent. A few of performs later, they received into field aim variety, and Andre Szmyt hit a 44 yarder to place the Battlehawks in front 17-9.
Third Quarter
Defensively, the Brahmas struggled today. It was an uncharacteristic functionality from Will Reed’s unit. That said, they opened up this 50 % with a bang. Darius Phillips compelled a fumble on Jamarcus Bradley, recovering it himself.
FUMBLE!
Darius Phillips with the Huge perform! #TorosUnidos pic.twitter.com/60X0JCl6YA
— San Antonio Brahmas (@XFLBrahmas) April 14, 2024
San Antonio couldn’t capitalize totally, however, settling for an additional field aim. Speaking of area ambitions, St. Louis struck suitable back again, as Andre Szmyt hit from 54 yards out.
54 yards? No issue for @AndreSzmyt pic.twitter.com/bTPOn5grfr
— St. Louis Battlehawks (@XFLBattlehawks) April 14, 2024
A.J. Smith’s offense was on and off nowadays. At periods, they appeared like the Brahmas from 7 days just one. On this possession, that’s just what we saw. A few of penalties assisted them out as effectively, which led to an Anthony McFarland dashing touchdown.
IT'S A 2-Position Match!
Anthony McFarland carries on to soar and gets the TD!#TorosUnidos pic.twitter.com/10pEFaUBMD
— San Antonio Brahmas (@XFLBrahmas) April 14, 2024
With fifteen minutes still left to participate in, the St. Louis Battlehawks led 20-18.
Fourth Quarter
The Battlehawks continued to generate down the discipline, but couldn’t find a way to punch it in the close zone. Jalen Dalton sacked McCarron, and they settled for another subject purpose.
JALEN DALTON
Dalton shuts the door and registers the sack! #TorosUnidos pic.twitter.com/ZQIcVWRr9i
— San Antonio Brahmas (@XFLBrahmas) April 14, 2024
San Antonio experienced to punt, even though, which would transform out to haunt them. The Battlehawks acquired into the purple zone courtesy of Jacob Saylors, who then finished the position himself by managing it in for the score. A two level conversion was productive – to Saylors – and St. Louis went up 31-18.
sayling for the tuddy @Saylors1k extends the guide pic.twitter.com/aqbAkjN9eH
— St. Louis Battlehawks (@XFLBattlehawks) April 14, 2024
The Brahmas set collectively a long push, which resulted in a touchdown. Chase Garbers was composed on this possession, making use of his legs to deliver offense when wanted. In the red zone, he uncovered Alize Mack for a touchdown, and it was 31-24 with a couple of minutes remaining to perform.
ALIZE MACK!
IT IS A 1-Score Match! pic.twitter.com/mH0QLbZJkc
— San Antonio Brahmas (@XFLBrahmas) April 14, 2024
The protection, following obtaining a tough time all working day, came up significant when San Antonio wanted them. St. Louis experienced to punt as McCarron’s go sailed above his receiver’s head on third down, and the Brahmas had one particular extra crack at it.
Nevertheless, Donnie Abraham’s protection would stand robust. Garbers was far too large on a pass on fourth down, and the Battlehawks came away with a enormous 31-24 victory on the road.
INCOMPLETE!!! pic.twitter.com/jim1lZKBJB
— St. Louis Battlehawks (@XFLBattlehawks) April 14, 2024
Standout Playmakers
QB A.J. McCarron: McCarron was on place these days, throwing for 152 yards and a touchdown while finishing 70% of his passes. His legs were being a necessary asset today as properly, as his early rushing landing sparked their offense to the results they had right now.
RB Jacob Saylors: Saylors had an impressive outing, hurrying for 62 yards and a landing. Just after remaining inactive a 7 days back, Jacob arrived back again into the rotation and proved why he belongs on this workforce. His fourth quarter fundamentally set the sport away for the Battlehawks.
Allows GO! What a catch by @410Keem at midfield! pic.twitter.com/ZjDgqOowLf
— St. Louis Battlehawks (@XFLBattlehawks) April 14, 2024
WR Hakeem Butler: Right after two months of silence, Hakeem Butler experienced an fantastic game for the Battlehawks when they wanted it. He completed the recreation with 87 acquiring yards and a touchdown.
LB Callahan O’Reilly: Callahan has been undertaking incredibly properly in his specialist rookie year with St. Louis. He led the workforce nowadays with 12 tackles, filling in nicely for an hurt Mike Rose.
LB Willie Harvey Jr.: Harvey is a workforce captain for a cause. He also totaled 12 tackles, along with a pass breakup. Willie’s been getting a fantastic time in St. Louis – if he keeps this up, an NFL group unquestionably will be contacting.
LB Jordan Williams: Williams continues to be a havoc maker on defense, foremost San Antonio with 9 tackles. Jordan’s All-XFL campaign past year was no fluke: he is a truly, genuinely great defender.
Write-up-Sport Responses
Battlehawks HC Anthony Becht experienced some ideas about their gain, and what it took to get the task carried out:
“We knew they would battle for 4 quarters as perfectly, which is the most important factor with our league. You gotta finish and shut the doorway when you have the option to do so. I’m happy that our defense was in a position to do that now. Right now was a 3 stage sport. Offense acquired out early, obtained the details up and place force on them. I considered the exclusive groups had been breathtaking right now. Andre with his area plans, and kick off returning (Darrius), and defensively we were bend really don’t break. In the conclude, when we required to make a end, we did.”
Wade Phillips was quite pleased with the fan turnout these days, but was unhappy with his staff not being equipped to finish the comeback:
“I thought our guys fought their hearts out these days. We shouldn’t be set in a situation in which we have to appear back from driving like that. We still experienced an option to get it carried out. I assumed we did well on 3rd downs, nine out of seventeen. I observed some fantastic points, and one particular good thing was the fan support. It surely aided us flip the activity and we appreciate them coming out. I think we have an thrilling staff.”
Final Feelings
The San Antonio Brahmas are no for a longer time unbeatable. Quite a few believed that they should really have been overwhelmed a 7 days in the past, experienced Memphis not choked away that guide. Defensively, San Antonio appeared shaky these days. They held the football for seven minutes extended than St. Louis did, but couldn’t come across a way to be effective in the crimson zone (two short area objectives), which hurt them down the stretch.
Which is A DUBSKIIIIII pic.twitter.com/ax9aSOgMQO
— St. Louis Battlehawks (@XFLBattlehawks) April 14, 2024
Anthony Becht’s Battlehawks are on a roll. They’ve picked up two shut wins in a row, and this just one in unique was really extraordinary. On the highway, in a hard surroundings, they uncovered a way to get the career carried out. Now, St. Louis can take comprehensive command of the XFL meeting with a win from Memphis on Saturday.
Did you check out this match involving the San Antonio Brahmas and St. Louis Battlehawks? Which UFL gamers stuck out to you? Permit us know down in the remarks below, or join the dialogue on Discord!
The submit St. Louis Battlehawks Knock Off Brahmas On The Highway appeared first on Pro Football Newsroom.