San Antonio’s’ Rushing Attack Carries Brahmas to 25-15 win over the Renegades

ARLINGTON, Texas - San Antonio’s passing attack through the first four weeks of the UFL season had taken center stage helping the Brahmas to a 3-1 start. Saturday night it was the ground game’s turn. Running backs John Lovett and Morgan Ellison combined for 179 of San Antonio’s 190 rushing yards as the Brahmas defeated the Arlington Renegades, 25-15, at Choctaw Stadium. The win improved San Antonio to 4-1 on the season and 2-1 in the XFL conference.

The Brahmas got out to a quick start once again, getting into the redzone just four plays into the game. Lovett got them there with a 36-yard run up the middle, his longest run of the season. The drive ended with a 43-yard Ryan Santoso field goal to put San Antonio up 3-0 early.

San Antonio’s defense came out firing as well, holding Arlington to no points on their first possession. Linebacker Delontae Scott, who missed the last two games, tallied his first sack of the season on a key third down to force a Renegades punt.

Running back Morgan Ellison wasted no time getting the Brahmas back into Arlington territory with a 47-yard scamper on the first play of the drive. Three plays later, Quinten Dormady found tight end Alize Mack wide open down the seam for a 24-yard touchdown. The extra point conversion was no good, making the score 9-0. The four-play, 75-yard drive only lasted 1:40.

The Renegades found their way into the red zone with the help of a defensive pass interference penalty. Scott then came up with another big play, this time a tackle for loss of four yards. On third down, quarterback Luis Perez just missed the outstretched arms of Javonta Payton in the corner of the endzone. On the first play of the second quarter, Jonathan Garibay knocked in a 29-yard field goal to get Arlington on the board pulling Arlington within 9-3. 

San Antonio kept up the pace on offense, creating another big play of 26 yards with a Dormady pass to Marquez Stevenson down the sideline. Lovett capped the drive with a one-yard rushing score, his third of the season giving the Brahmas a 15-3 advantage.

After a Brahmas three-and-out, Perez hit a deep shot to Payton for a 52-yard touchdown on the first play of the drive. On the two-point conversion, cornerback Corey Mayfield Jr. forced a fumble on Tyler Vaughns. Mayfield Jr. picked up the fumble looking to score, but he was chased out at the six-yard line to keep it 15-9. 

On San Antonio’s first play on the ensuing drive, a Dormady pass squeaked through the clutches of Landen Akers and into the waiting arms of Renegades corner Steven Jones Jr. Arlington was unable to capitalize on the takeaway, as A.J. Hendy came through and blocked a Garibay 31-yard field goal attempt. 

Arlington opened the second half with points, capping an 8-play, 39-yard drive with a 47-yard Garibay field goal to inch closer to San Antonio, 15-12.

The Renegades quickly got the ball back with another interception off Dormady. Ajene Harris jumped the pass intended for Kirklin, which set up Arlington’s offense near the red zone. That drive ended with another Garibay field goal to tie the game 15-15.

San Antonio broke the tie early in the fourth quarter with another Lovett rushing touchdown. Dormady then found Justin Smith on the one-point conversion to take a 22-15 lead. 

The Brahmas went on to stop another Arlington fourth down attempt, this time on a direct snap to Seth Green. Jalen Dalton made the play, stuffing Green for no gain.

Looking to put the game away, the Lovett train continued, picking up 19 hard-fought yards to get into the red zone. A false start on the next play halted the drive, but they regrouped and got into field goal range for Santoso, who came through with a 31-yard field goal to take a 10-point lead with six minutes remaining. 

Zach McCloud made a potential comeback difficult for Arlington, sacking Perez on third down to create a fourth-and-long. The Renegades punted instead of going for it, and San Antonio took advantage by draining a majority of the remaining clock.

Dormady completed 19-of-30 passes for 164 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Perez finished 26-of-36 passing for 270 yards and one touchdown.

Lovett was the team’s leading rusher with 95 yards and two touchdowns on 13 attempts. Dae Dae Hunter was the leading rusher for the Renegades with 33 yards on nine attempts.

Kirklin added to his league-leading receptions totals hauling in six catches for 43 yards. Payton caught seven balls for 119 yards and a touchdown for Arlington.

The Brahmas (4-1) will be on the road in Week 6 as they face the D.C. Defenders (2-2) next Sunday at Audi Field. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. CT on FOX. The Renegades (0-5) will face the Michigan Panthers (2-2) on the road at 12 p.m. CT.