Brahmas Walk-Off Roughnecks in 15-12 Victory

HOUSTON, Texas - San Antonio kicker Ryan Santoso nailed a season-long 51-yard field goal as time expired and the Brahmas (5-2) overcame four turnovers to defeat the Houston Roughnecks (1-6) in a nail-biter, 15-12, at Rice Stadium Sunday afternoon. 

Trailing 12-3 with less than three minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Brahmas scored the game’s only touchdown with a John Lovett one-yard rushing touchdown. On the three-point attempt, Kevin Hogan found Cody Latimer tying the game, 12-12.

On the ensuing kickoff, San Antonio’s Bryce Thompson forced a Roughneck fumble and cornerback Teez Tabor recovered at Houston’s 42-yard line. San Antonio bled the remaining clock, and Santoso won the game on Santoso’s leg.

The first quarter was not kind to the Brahmas, as two red zone trips resulted in two lost fumbles. Houston was unable to capitalize on either takeaway, keeping the game scoreless heading into the second.

San Antonio broke the seal in the second quarter with a Santoso 26-yard field goal. After a Jarrett Guarantano deep shot to Justin Hall for 42 yards, Houston tied the game with a 48-yard field goal in the final seconds of the half. 

The turnover bug plagued the Brahmas in the second half, as Quinten Dormady was strip sacked early in the third quarter, and the Roughnecks recovered the loose ball on San Antonio’s 25-yard line. The Brahmas defense held Houston to another field goal, but the Roughnecks claimed the lead midway through the quarter.

J.J. Molson notched this third field goal of the game for Houston with a 62-yard make near the end of the quarter, his third make from 50+ yards this season.

Looking to get back into the game, Dormady was intercepted to bring the turnover count to four. Houston turned the takeaway into points with a Molson 21-yard field goal.

Hogan took over for Dormady in the fourth quarter and led the Brahmas to a comeback victory with significant implications across the league.

Dormady completed 10-of-24 passes for 142 yards and one interception. Hogan completed 5-of-7 passes for 38 yards in relief. Guarantano finished 11-of-18 passing for 121 yards.

Lovett was the team’s leading rusher with 37 yards and a touchdown on 18 attempts. Mark Thompson was the leading rusher for the Roughnecks with 38 yards on nine attempts.

Lovett also hauled in five catches for 28 yards. Landen Akers led the team in receiving yards with 72. Hall caught five balls for 69 yards for Houston.

The Brahmas (5-2) will return home in Week 8 as they face the Arlington Renegades (1-6) next Sunday at The Alamodome. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. CT on FOX. The Roughnecks (1-6) will face the Birmingham Stallions (7-0) on the road at 3 p.m. CT on Saturday.