The late game Saturday showcased the New York Guardians traveling to Dallas to take on the Renegades. Both teams are coming into this game with issues at the QB position. New York would be starting Luis Perez for the first time this season. Due to the re-aggravation of Landry Jones knee injury, the Renegades would be starting Phillip Nelson.
The game started out fairly slow, which is nothing new for the Dallas Renegades. It seems that a lot of their match-ups don’t really get moving until the second half. Nelson was able to get them in field goal position, with Austin MacGinnis knocking his 23-yard attempt through the up-rights. MacGinnis is the XFL FG league leader, going 9-9 so far on attempts.
Here's the 23-yard chipshot from the league leader in FGs
📺 FOX
💻 https://t.co/mniEka1voR pic.twitter.com/cmbeRkgOl7— Dallas Renegades (@XFLRenegades) March 7, 2020
On the kickoff the Guardians were able to get great ball placement thanks to the massive return from Justin Stockton.
.@Justinstockto16 IMMEDIATELY making an impact 💥
📺 @XFLonFOX
🔗 https://t.co/Q5QYo56ElV#OnDuty | #ForTheLoveOfFootball pic.twitter.com/1pFddbIzlC— New York Guardians (@XFLGuardians) March 7, 2020
The Guardians could not get into the end-zone, but they were able to tie the game. Matt McCrane was able to successfully add three points with a 46-yard attempt. The game was now tied 6-6 with 6:37 left in the first quarter.
He has been automatic all year. Keep being you, @mmccrane16 💯
📺 @XFLonFOX
🔗 https://t.co/Q5QYo56ElV#OnDuty | #ForTheLoveOfFootball pic.twitter.com/o2hbZvHGZV— New York Guardians (@XFLGuardians) March 7, 2020
The game continued to be a low-scoring game. It wasn’t until 8:34 left in the second that the Guardians were once again able to get into field goal position. McCrane successfully made a 39-yard field goal giving his team a slim 6-3 lead over Dallas.
.@mmccrane16 is at it again. This time from 39 yards 💰
6-3 good guys here in Arlington. 8:34 left in the first half on @XFLonFOX. #OnDuty | #ForTheLoveOfFootball pic.twitter.com/LPdVl77oHa
— New York Guardians (@XFLGuardians) March 7, 2020
Thanks to Donald Parham, the Renegades were able to get into scoring position with time running out in the half.
Takes a LOT of Guardians to bring down the 6-foot-8 Parham!
📺 FOX
💻 https://t.co/mniEka1voR pic.twitter.com/S3cTvWzzTX— Dallas Renegades (@XFLRenegades) March 7, 2020
The Renegades could not get into the end-zone, but they were able to tie up the game with one second left in the half. MacGinnis, now 10-10, knocked it in from the 36-yard line bringing the match-up to 6-6.
TIED UP! Austin MacGinnis hits again from 36 yards out and he's 10-for-10 on the year.
6-6, one second left in the half. pic.twitter.com/ZyweZiiaBl
— Dallas Renegades (@XFLRenegades) March 7, 2020
The game was effectively 0-0 at the half. New York was looking for their second consecutive win, whereas Dallas was looking for their first win at home. Going into this game, The Guardians were 2-0 at home and 0-2 on the road. Dallas had the reverse record at 0-2 at home and 2-0 on the road. Both teams were hoping to get that win in the other column.
Now in the third quarter, Luis Perez was able to move the ball into the red-zone. The Guardians ultimately tapped Marquise Williams to come in at QB and punch it in the middle, grabbing the first touchdown of the afternoon for either team. New York couldn’t convert an extra-points, but they now held the lead again at 12-6.
🚨 TOUCHDOWN 🚨@1MjWilliams2 punches it in on a designed QB rush! #OnDuty | #ForTheLoveOfFootball pic.twitter.com/p1P2AEHsWS
— New York Guardians (@XFLGuardians) March 7, 2020
Dallas couldn’t do much with their drive, being forced back to punt back to New York. During this drive, Josh Hawkins was able to pick off Perez. This play ultimately led to a fight on the field that led to multiple ejections from the game.
Dallas couldn’t capitalize on this drive though, once again being forced to punt. With New York’s next drive Luis Perez was able to connect with Colby Pearson, who broke off a couple tackles and took it to the house, adding six more. Coach Gilbride opted for a 2-point conversion, which was successful giving them a solid 20-6 lead with a little under 3:30 left in the third quarter.
🚨 80 YARDS TO THE CRIBBBB 🚨@colbyp04 breaks free and goes the distance for 6 PTS! #OnDuty | #ForTheLoveOfFootball pic.twitter.com/nLboGX2JIe
— New York Guardians (@XFLGuardians) March 8, 2020
Luck was still not going Phillip Nelson’s way. In their next drive, he threw an interception with Ryan Mueller running it back for a pick-six. New York successfully converted on a 1-point attempt, giving them a 27-6 lead nearing the fourth.
MADNESS IN ARLINGTON 😮@R_Mueller44 shows off the athleticism with a 33-yard pick six! #OnDuty | #ForTheLoveOfFootball pic.twitter.com/70xgK4hwkr
— New York Guardians (@XFLGuardians) March 8, 2020
The Renegades were having problems with their offense, but leave it up to their special teams to pick up the load. On the kickoff, Austin Walter was able to run it all the way back 97-yards to add six more for his team. This retun marks the longest of the season so far. Dallas tried for three, but could not convert, but they were a little closer now; still down 27-12.
We needed an answer, and Austin Walter gives it to us.
📺 FOX
💻 https://t.co/mniEka1voR pic.twitter.com/d20hj4qQn5— Dallas Renegades (@XFLRenegades) March 8, 2020
Both teams traded possession for rest of the game. New York was able to add three more points to their lead via another successful field goal.
.@mmccrane16 knocks in his third field goal of the game.
Our lead stretches to 30-12. 8:47 left in the fourth quarter on @XFLonFOX! #OnDuty | #ForTheLoveOfFootball pic.twitter.com/Hzix8ItYKn
— New York Guardians (@XFLGuardians) March 8, 2020
The Renegades could not respond, and the Guardians secured their first road win with Dallas still winless at Globe Life. Dallas is still second in the west, but now under .500 at 2-3. New York moves to 3-2 and will be watching the Defenders/BattleHawks game intently.
The Dallas Renegades are hoping to have Landry Jones back on the field by week 7, but there’s no guarantee that this will happen. We expect Dallas the make adjustments by next week, it’s possible we somebody new at the helm to see if they can get their offense moving.
What did you think of the first day of week 5 XFL action? Let us know in the comments below or join the conversation on Discord.