It was a great opening day for the XFL, even more so for the Houston Roughnecks as they took care of business with a 37-17 final over the LA Wildcats in front of a crowd of 17,815 fans in attendance.
The Roughnecks were efficient on all sides of the ball with forcing four turnovers and limiting the Wildcats’ opportunities when they did have possession. However, it was the star of the night in Roughnecks quarterback P.J. Walker, who threw 23-for-39, good for 59 percent completion, along with 272 yards, four touchdowns and only one interception that came late in the fourth quarter after they already amassed a 20 point lead.
Coach June Jones commented on PJ’s performance after the game saying :
“He’s learning the system, he did some really good things. I was anxious to see him, because I had played against him in college. When the play breaks down, he creates things, and he did create a lot of stuff. That kind of was his magic in college too. We got him plugged in; if he can continue to get better in his reads, I think he has a real chance to be a pretty good player.”
Head coach June Jones executed a perfect play call on the offensive side of the ball. While the defense struggled early, they were able to find themselves towards the end of the first half and put together the start of what would be 25 straight unanswered points by the Roughnecks to give them the 37-17 victory, going to 1-0 on the season and topping the Western division in the XFL.
The leaders on the defensive side of the ball highlighted by linebacker LaTroy Lewis and cornerback Deatrick Nichols. Lewis finished the night with two tackles, two quarterback sacks for a total of 12 yards lost, three quarterback hits and a forced fumble. Nichols would end the game tied for the team lead with five tackles to go along with one quarterback sack of four yards, two passes defended and one interception.
The Roughnecks will look to continue their winning ways as they play at home once again at 5 p.m. on Sun, Feb 16 at TDECU Stadium as they take on the St. Louis Battlehawks in the final game of week two play.
