2023 Houston Roughnecks season

2023 Houston Roughnecks season
Owner	Alpha Acquico, LLC
General manager	Wade Phillips
Head coach	Wade Phillips
Home field	TDECU Stadium
Results
Record	7–3
Division place	1st XFL South
Playoff finish	Lost Division Finals (vs. Arlington Renegades) 11–26

The 2023 Houston Roughnecks season was the second season for the Houston Roughnecks as a professional American football franchise. They played as charter members of the XFL, one of eight teams to compete in the league for the 2023 season. The Roughnecks played their home games at the TDECU Stadium and were led by head coach Wade Phillips.

Earning their first playoff berth and clinching first place in the South Division, the Roughnecks were eliminated by the Arlington Renegades in the South Division title game in the playoffs.

This was the last season before the XFL merged with the United States Football League to form United Football League (UFL). As part of the merger agreement leading up to the 2024 season, the XFL's Roughnecks would disband and the USFL's Houston Gamblers would take over the Roughnecks name.

Final Roster

2023 Houston Roughnecks final roster

	Quarterbacks  5 Kaleb Eleby 14 Cole McDonald 12 Brandon Silvers Running backs 26 Brycen Alleyne 22 Max Borghi 35 Jeremy Cox 20 Dejoun Lee 21 Garrett Owens FB Wide receivers 83 Michael Bandy  1 Deontay Burnett  2 Cedric Byrd  6 Travell Harris 80 Ben Putman 86 Tavonn Salter 10 Justin Smith		Offensive linemen 75 Jachai Baker T 76 Sage Doxtater T 78 Dylan Pasqualli T 77 Ryan Pope T 55 Alex Mollette C 79 James Moore T 56 Dareuan Parker G 64 Jack Snyder G 70 John Yarbrough C Defensive linemen 98 C. J. Brewer DE 96 Jack Heflin DT 97 Glen Logan DT 99 Trevon Mason DE 94 Scean Mustin DT		Linebackers 11 Tavante Beckett ILB 36 Caliph Brice OLB 45 John Daka OLB 52 Emmanuel Ellerbee ILB 33 Trent Harris OLB 17 DeAndre Johnson OLB 27 Drew Lewis OLB 47 Chauncey Rivers OLB 15 Nate Wieland ILB 57 Charles Wiley OLB Defensive backs 25 John Brannon FS 28 Stephen Denmark CB  3 Ajene Harris CB 29 A. J. Hendy FS  4 William Likely CB 24 Alexander Myres CB 18 Jordan Mosley SS 16 Raleigh Texada CB 31 David Tolentino Jr. CB Special teams  8 Austin Jones K 42 Brian Khoury LS 46 Race Porter P		Reserve lists -- Ellis Brooks OLB (IR) 23 Sean Davis SS (IR) 90 Austin Edwards DE (IR) 53 Duke Ejiofor OLB (IR) 13 Jontre Kirklin WR (IR) 19 Sewo Olonilua FB (IR) 49 Derick Roberson DE (IR) 71 James Stanley OL (IR) 91 Warren Thomas OLB (IR) 89 Tim Ward DE (IR) 51 active, 10 inactive

Schedule

All times Central

Week	Day	Date	Kickoff	TV	Opponent	Results		Location	Attendance
						Score	Record
1	Saturday	February 18	7:30 p.m.	ESPN/FX	Orlando Guardians	33–12	1–0	TDECU Stadium	12,784
2	Sunday	February 26	6:00 p.m.	ESPN2	Arlington Renegades	23–14	2–0	TDECU Stadium	11,765
3	Sunday	March 5	7:00 p.m.	ESPN2	San Antonio Brahmas	22–13	3–0	TDECU Stadium	11,309
4	Saturday	March 11	6:00 p.m.	FX	at Orlando Guardians	44–16	4–0	Camping World Stadium	10,013
5	Thursday	March 16	9:30 p.m.	ESPN	at Seattle Sea Dragons	14–21	4–1	Lumen Field	9,231
6	Monday	March 27	6:00 p.m.	ESPN2	at DC Defenders	26–37	4–2	Audi Field	12,492
7	Sunday	April 2	1:00 p.m.	ESPN	St. Louis BattleHawks	15–24	4–3	TDECU Stadium	12,013
8	Sunday	April 9	2:00 p.m.	ABC	at San Antonio Brahmas	17–15 (OT)	5–3	Alamodome	12,243
9	Saturday	April 15	11:30 a.m.	ABC	Vegas Vipers	28–21	6–3	TDECU Stadium	10,967
10	Sunday	April 23	2:00 p.m.	ESPN	at Arlington Renegades	25–9	7–3	Choctaw Stadium	12,821

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Orlando Guardians

Week 1: Orlando Guardians at Houston Roughnecks – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Guardians	6	0	0	6	12
Roughnecks	6	15	0	12	33

at TDECU Stadium, Houston, Texas

• Date: February 18
• Game time: 7:30 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 51 °F (11 °C)
• Game attendance: 12,784
• Referee: Chris Coyte
• TV announcers (ESPN): Lowell Galindo, Sam Acho, and Taylor McGregor
• [1]

Game information

First quarter ORL – Cody Latimer 27-yard pass from Paxton Lynch (2-pt Conversion No Good), 10:01. Guardians 6-0. Drive: 10 plays, 77 yards, 4:59. HOU – Jontre Kirklin 10-yard pass from Brandon Silvers (1-pt Conversion No Good), 2:22. Tied 6-6. Drive: 7 plays, 52 yards, 3:22. Second quarter HOU – Deontay Burnett 46-yard pass from Brandon Silvers (1-pt Conversion No Good), 10:59. Roughnecks 12-6. Drive: 6 plays, 70 yards, 2:41. HOU – Max Borghi 27-yard run (1-pt Conversion No Good), 6:04. Roughnecks 18-6. Drive: 5 plays, 42 yards, 2:28. HOU – Hunter Duplessis 33-yard field goal, 1:52. Roughnecks 21-6. Drive: 6 plays, 47 yards, 2:21. Third quarter No Scoring Plays. Fourth quarter HOU – Hunter Duplessis 33-yard field goal, 10:18. Roughnecks 24–6. Drive: 9 plays, 44 yards, 4:36. ORL – Andrew Jamiel 51-yard pass from Quinten Dormady (3-pt Conversion No Good), 10:29. Roughnecks 24-12. Drive: 8 plays, 76 yards, 3:30. HOU – Cole McDonald 5-yard rush (1-pt Conversion No Good), 3:08. Roughnecks 30-12. Drive: 4 plays, 13 yards, 1:43. HOU – Hunter Duplessis 22-yard field goal, 1:23. Roughnecks 33-12. Drive: 4 plays, 5 yards, 0:30. Top passers ORL – Quinten Dormady – 12/18, 142 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT HOU – Brandon Silvers – 26/42, 272 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Top rushers ORL – Jah-Maine Martin – 9 rushes, 41 yards HOU – Max Borghi – 8 rushes, 42 yards Top receivers ORL – Andrew Jamiel – 3 receptions, 80 yards HOU – Deontay Burnett – 8 receptions, 90 yards

Week 2: vs. Arlington Renegades

Week 2: Arlington Renegades at Houston Roughnecks – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Renegades	0	14	0	0	14
Roughnecks	11	0	6	6	23

at TDECU Stadium, Houston, Texas

• Date: February 26
• Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 75 °F (24 °C)
• Game attendance: 11,765
• Referee: Jeff Heaser
• TV announcers (ESPN2): Matt Barrie, Joey Galloway, and Tiffany Blackmon
• [2]

Game information

First quarter HOU – Hunter Duplessis 42-yard field goal, 12:10. Roughnecks 3–0. Drive: 6 Plays, 22 Yards, 2:40. HOU – Nick Holley 5-yard pass from Brandon Silvers (2-pt Conversion Good by Jontre Kirklin), 7:40. Roughnecks 11–0. Drive: 1 Play, 95 Yards, 0:05. Second quarter ARL – LuJuan Winningham 4-yard pass from Drew Plitt (2-pt Conversion No Good), 9:23. Roughnecks 11–6. Drive: 6 Plays, 23 Yards, 2:59. ARL – Nate Becker 13-yard pass from Drew Plitt (2-pt Conversion Good by Tyler Vaughns), 3:53. Renegades 14–11. Drive: 4 Plays, 40 Yards, 1:44. Third quarter HOU – Cedric Byrd 15-yard pass from Brandon Silvers (1-pt Conversion No Good), 7:42. Roughnecks 17–14. Drive: 6 Plays, 45 Yards, 2:55. Fourth quarter HOU – Max Borghi 4-yard rush (1-pt Conversion No Good), 5:00. Roughnecks 23–14. Drive:13 Plays, 70 Yards, 7:44. Top passers ARL – Drew Plitt – 15/29, 120 yards, 2 TD, INT HOU – Brandon Silvers – 14/28, 173 yards, 2 TD Top rushers ARL – De'Veon Smith – 7 rushes, 16 yards HOU – Cole McDonald – 12 rushes, 27 yards Top receivers ARL – Sal Cannella – 4 receptions, 38 yards HOU – Ben Putman – 4 receptions, 65 yards

Week 3: vs. San Antonio Brahmas

Week 3: San Antonio Brahmas at Houston Roughnecks – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Brahmas	7	0	6	0	13
Roughnecks	8	14	0	0	22

at TDECU Stadium, Houston, Texas

• Date: March 5
• Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 69 °F (21 °C)
• Game attendance: 11,309
• Referee: Jason Autrey
• TV announcers (ESPN2): Tom Hart, Greg McElroy, and Cole Cubelic
• [3]

Game information

First quarter SA – T. J. Vasher 9-yard pass from Jack Coan (1-pt Conversion Good by T. J. Vasher), 12:29. Brahmas 7–0. Drive: 5 Plays, 36 Yards, 2:31. HOU – Jontre Kirklin 7-yard pass from Brandon Silvers (2-pt Conversion Good by Jontre Kirklin), 8:30. Roughnecks 8–7. Drive: 8 Plays, 45 Yards, 3:59. Second quarter HOU – Jontre Kirklin 3-yard pass from Brandon Silvers (2-pt Conversion No Good), 11:16. Roughnecks 14–7. Drive: 8 Plays, 84 Yards, 3:51. HOU – Deontay Burnett 18-yard pass from Brandon Silvers (2-pt Conversion Good by Cole McDonald), 4:54. Roughnecks 22–7. Drive: 7 Plays, 72 Yards, 3:39. Third quarter SA – Jacques Patrick 2-yard rush (2-pt Conversion No Good), 2:53. Roughnecks 22–13. Drive: 8 Plays, 45 Yards, 5:16. Fourth quarter Top passers SA – Jack Coan – 8/20, 64 yards, 1 TD HOU – Brandon Silvers – 24/35, 278 yards, 3 TD Top rushers SA – Kalen Ballage – 10 rushes, 35 yards HOU – Max Borghi – 15 rushes, 74 yards Top receivers SA – Alize Mack – 3 receptions, 27 yards HOU – Jontre Kirklin – 6 receptions, 77 yards

Week 4: at Orlando Guardians

Week 4: Houston Roughnecks at Orlando Guardians – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Roughnecks	20	6	6	12	44
Guardians	0	10	6	0	16

at Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida

• Date: March 11
• Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 76 °F (24 °C)
• Game attendance: 10,013
• Referee: Reggie Smith
• TV announcers (FX): John Schriffen, Tom Luginbill, and Stormy Buonantony
• [4]

Game information

First quarter HOU – Travell Harris 21-yard pass from Brandon Silvers (2-pt Conversion No Good), 11:10. Roughnecks 6–0. Drive: 7 Plays, 52 Yards, 3:50. HOU – Fumble recovery returned for touchdown by William Likely (2-pt Conversion Good by Jontre Kirkland), 9:53. Roughnecks 14–0. Drive: 3 Plays, 27 Yards, 1:17. HOU – Deontay Burnett 49-yard pass from Jontre Kirklin (2-pt Conversion No Good), 4:15. Roughnecks 20–0. Drive: 5 Plays, 66 Yards, 2:44. Second quarter ORL – José Borregales 33-yard field goal, 9:16. Roughnecks 20–3. Drive: 10 Plays, 35 Yards, 5:20. HOU – Jontre Kirklin 42-yard pass from Brandon Silvers (2-pt Conversion No Good), 1:01. Roughnecks 26–3. Drive: 1 Play, 39 Yards, 0:07. ORL – Jaylen Smith 31-yard pass from Paxton Lynch (1-pt Conversion Good by Charleston Rambo), 0:39. Roughnecks 26–10. Drive: 2 Plays, 30 Yards, 0:22. Third quarter ORL – Charleston Rambo 81-yard pass from Paxton Lynch (2-pt Conversion No Good), 10:50. Roughnecks 26–16. Drive: 1 Play, 78 Yards, 0:11. HOU – Dejoun Lee 1-yard rush (2-pt Conversion No Good), 2:08. Roughnecks 32–16. Drive: 8 Plays, 71 Yards, 4:34. Fourth quarter HOU – Travell Harris 59-yard pass from Brandon Silvers (2-pt Conversion No Good), 10:57. Roughnecks 38–16. Drive: 3 Plays, 57 Yards, 1:57. HOU – Dejoun Lee 1-yard rush (2-pt Conversion No Good), 3:40. Roughnecks 44–16. Drive: 8 Plays, 61 Yards, 4:17. Top passers HOU – Brandon Silvers – 24/30, 239 yards, 3 TD ORL – Paxton Lynch – 18/30, 267 yards, 2 TD Top rushers HOU – Dejoun Lee – 6 rushes, 45 yards ORL – Devin Darrington – 12 rushes, 40 yards Top receivers HOU – Travell Harris – 3 receptions, 83 yards ORL – Cody Latimer – 4 receptions, 57 yards

Week 5: at Seattle Sea Dragons

Week 5: Houston Roughnecks at Seattle Sea Dragons – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Roughnecks	0	0	0	14	14
Sea Dragons	6	9	0	6	21

at Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington

• Date: March 16
• Game time: 9:30 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 48 °F (9 °C)
• Game attendance: 9,231
• Referee: Jason Autrey
• TV announcers (ESPN): Lowell Galindo, Sam Acho, and Taylor McGregor
• [5]

Game information

First quarter SEA – Ben DiNucci 20-yard rush (3-pt Conversion No Good), 3:43. Sea Dragons 6–0. Drive: 7 Plays, 46 Yards, 3:23. Second quarter SEA – Damion Willis 9-yard pass from Ben DiNucci (3-pt Conversion Good by Juwan Green), 0:45. Sea Dragons 15–0. Drive: 9 Plays, 90 Yards, 3:38. Third quarter Fourth quarter HOU – Max Borghi 1-yard rush (2-pt Conversion No Good), 7:22. Sea Dragons 15–6. Drive: 4 Plays, 25 Yards, 2:04. SEA – Darius Bradwell 3-yard rush (3-pt Conversion No Good), 1:22. Sea Dragons 21–6. Drive: 6 Plays, 38 Yards, 2:25. HOU – Justin Smith 47-yard pass from Brandon Silvers (2-pt Conversion Good by Deontay Burnett), 0:29. Sea Dragons 21–14. Drive: 8 Plays, 74 Yards, 0:58. Top passers HOU – Brandon Silvers – 25/47, 227 yards, 1 TD SEA – Ben DiNucci – 17/32, 209 yards, 1 TD Top rushers HOU – Max Borghi – 6 rushes, 12 yards SEA – Darius Bradwell – 9 rushes, 12 yards Top receivers HOU – Travell Harris – 5 receptions, 58 yards SEA – Jahcour Pearson – 5 receptions, 82 yards

Week 6: at DC Defenders

Week 6: Houston Roughnecks at DC Defenders – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Roughnecks	8	0	6	12	26
Defenders	3	14	9	11	37

at Audi Field, Washington, DC

• Date: March 27
• Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 60 °F (16 °C)
• Game attendance: 12,492
• Referee: Reggie Smith
• TV announcers (ESPN2): Taylor Zarzour, Tom Luginbill, and Stormy Buonantony
• [6]

Game information

First quarter HOU – Max Borghi 4-yard rush (2-pt Conversion Good by Cedric Byrd), 5:08. Roughnecks 8–0. Drive: 8 Plays, 66 Yards, 4:32. DC – Matt McCrane 34-yard field goal, 1:18. Roughnecks 8–3. Drive: 8 Plays, 52 Yards, 3:50. Second quarter DC – Abram Smith 1-yard rush (2-pt Conversion No Good), 1:57. Defenders 9–8. Drive: 10 Plays, 61 Yards, 4:37. DC – Interception returned for touchdown by Santos Ramirez (2-pt Conversion Good by Josh Hammond), 1:15. Defenders 17–8. Drive: 1 Play, -12 Yards, 0:42. Third quarter DC – Alex Ellis 1-yard pass from Jordan Ta'amu (2-pt Conversion No Good), 10:12. Defenders 23–8. Drive: 8 Plays, 72 Yards, 4:48. DC – Matt McCrane 32-yard field goal, 2:08. Defenders 26–8. Drive: 11 Plays, 44 Yards, 6:03. HOU – Deontay Burnett 85-yard pass from Cole McDonald (3-pt Conversion No Good), 1:19. Defenders 26–14. Drive: 2 Plays, 86 Yards, 0:49. Fourth quarter DC – Lucky Jackson 30-yard pass from Jordan Ta'amu (2-pt Conversion Good by Chris Blair), 13:16. Defenders 34–14. Drive: 6 Plays, 76 Yards, 3:04. HOU – Max Borghi 1-yard rush (2-pt Conversion No Good), 10:03. Defenders 34–20. Drive: 6 Plays, 65 Yards, 3:12. DC – Matt McCrane 50-yard field goal, 6:14. Defenders 37–20. Drive: 7 Plays, 36 Yards, 3:49. HOU – Cole McDonald 1-yard rush (3-pt Conversion No Good), 1:57. Defenders 37–26. Drive: 9 Plays, 62 Yards, 4:17. Top passers HOU – Brandon Silvers – 10/17, 111 yards, 0 TD DC – Jordan Ta'amu – 19/31, 245 yards, 2 TD Top rushers HOU – Max Borghi – 11 rushes, 25 yards DC – Abram Smith – 19 rushes, 95 yards Top receivers HOU – Travell Harris – 5 receptions, 60 yards DC – Lucky Jackson – 5 receptions, 136 yards

Week 7: vs. St. Louis BattleHawks

Week 7: St. Louis BattleHawks at Houston Roughnecks – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
BattleHawks	6	11	0	7	24
Roughnecks	0	9	0	6	15

at TDECU Stadium, Houston, Texas

• Date: April 2
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 82 °F (28 °C)
• Game attendance: 12,013
• Referee: Jeff Heaser
• TV announcers (ESPN2): Tom Hart, Greg McElroy, and Cole Cubelic
• [7]

Game information

First quarter STL – Gary Jennings Jr. 14-yard pass from A. J. McCarron (2-pt Conversion No Good), 4:18. BattleHawks 6–0. Drive: 13 Plays, 96 Yards, 7:53. Second quarter HOU – Deontay Burnett 1-yard pass from Cole McDonald (1-pt Conversion No Good), 13:34. Tied 6–6. Drive: 11 plays, 69 yards, 5:44. STL – Hakeem Butler 5-yard pass from A. J. McCarron (2-pt Conversion Good by Hakeem Butler), 8:22. BattleHawks 14–6. Drive: 8 plays, 45 yards, 5:12. HOU – Hunter Duplessis 25-yard field goal, 3:11. BattleHawks 14–9. Drive: 10 Plays, 63 Yards, 5:11. STL – Donny Hageman 59-yard field goal, 0:01. BattleHawks 17–9. Drive: 2 Plays, 8 Yards, 0:05. Third quarter Fourth quarter HOU – Fumble recovery returned for touchdown by William Likely (2-pt Conversion No Good), 10:44. BattleHawks 17–15. Drive: 1 Play, 0 Yards, 0:23. STL – Darrius Shepherd 10-yard pass from A. J. McCarron (1-pt Conversion Good by Brian Hill), 3:54. BattleHawks 24–15. Drive: 11 Plays, 74 Yards, 6:49. Top passers STL – A. J. McCarron – 26/34, 222 yards, 3 TD HOU – Cole McDonald – 15/32, 106 yards, 1 TD Top rushers STL – Brian Hill – 11 rushes, 53 yards HOU – Max Borghi – 9 rushes, 46 yards Top receivers STL – Darrius Shepherd – 7 receptions, 70 yards HOU – Cedric Byrd – 7 receptions, 50 yards

Week 8: at San Antonio Brahmas

Week 8: Houston Roughnecks at San Antonio Brahmas – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Roughnecks	6	3	6	0	2	17
Brahmas	3	3	0	9	0	15

at Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas

• Date: April 9
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 70 °F (21 °C)
• Game attendance: 12,243
• Referee: Francisco Villar
• TV announcers (ABC): Tom Hart, Greg McElroy, Cole Cubelic and Kris Budden
• [8]

Game information

First quarter HOU – Deontay Burnett 3-yard pass from Brandon Silvers (1-pt Conversion No Good), 8:52. Roughnecks 6–0. Drive: 12 Plays, 70 Yards, 6:08. SA – Parker Romo 26-yard field goal, 2:00. Roughnecks 6–3. Drive: 13 Plays, 63 Yards, 6:52. Second quarter SA – Parker Romo 42-yard field goal, 6:29. Tied 6–6. Drive: 13 Plays, 66 Yards, 7:23. HOU – Austin Jones 41-yard field goal, 1:01. Roughnecks 9–6. Drive: 11 Plays, 52 Yards, 5:28 Third quarter HOU – Garrett Owens 5-yard pass from Brandon Silvers (1-pt Conversion No Good), 13:02. Roughnecks 15–6. Drive: 2 Plays, 0 Yards, 0:42. Fourth quarter SA – Jacques Patrick 2-yard rush (3-pt Conversion No Good), 1:07. Roughnecks 15–12. Drive: 5 Plays, 36 Yards, 1:54. SA – Parker Romo 49-yard field goal, 0:07. Tied 15–15. Drive: 9 Plays, 44 Yards, 1:00. Overtime HOU – Deontay Burnett pass from Cole McDonald for 2 points Top passers HOU – Brandon Silvers – 17/36, 146 yards, 2 TD SA – Jack Coan – 23/41, 190 yards, 0 TD Top rushers HOU – Max Borghi – 7 rushes, 10 yards SA – Jacques Patrick – 16 rushes, 96 yards Top receivers HOU – Michael Bandy – 4 receptions, 29 yards SA – Landen Akers – 5 receptions, 62 yards

Week 9: vs. Vegas Vipers

Week 9: Vegas Vipers at Houston Roughnecks – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Vipers	6	6	0	9	21
Roughnecks	0	6	13	9	28

at TDECU Stadium, Houston, Texas

• Date: April 15
• Game time: 11:30 a.m. CDT
• Game weather: 82 °F (28 °C)
• Game attendance: 10,967
• Referee: Chris Coyte
• TV announcers (ABC): Tom Hart, Greg McElroy, Cole Cubelic and Katie George
• [9]

Game information

First quarter VGS – Sean Price 4-yard pass from Jalan McClendon (2-pt Conversion No Good), 0:40. Vipers 6–0. Drive: 9 Plays, 75 Yards, 4:41. Second quarter VGS – Cinque Sweeting 2-yard pass from Jalan McClendon (2-pt Conversion No Good), 9:05. Vipers 12–0. Drive: 7 Plays, 41 Yards, 4:01. HOU – Fumble recovery returned for touchdown by Tavante Beckett (1-pt Conversion No Good), 3:49. Vipers 12–6. Drive: 6 Plays, 23 Yards, 3:18. Third quarter HOU – Fumble recovery returned for touchdown by Ajene Harris (1-pt Conversion good by Tavonn Salter), 8:55. Roughnecks 13–12. Drive: 2 Plays, -1 Yards, 0:44. HOU – Max Borghi 2-yard rush (2-pt Conversion No Good), 1:16. Roughnecks 19–12. Drive: 8 Plays, 49 Yards, 4:00. Fourth quarter VGS – Sam Sloman 53-yard field goal, 13:33. Roughnecks 19–15. Drive: 6 Plays, 30 Yards, 2:42. HOU – Brycen Alleyne 14-yard rush (2-pt Conversion No Good), Roughnecks 25–15. Drive: 2 Plays, 50 Yards, 0:43. VGS – John Lovett 25-yard rush (2-pt Conversion No Good), 6:23. Roughnecks 25–21. Drive: 4 Plays, 65 Yards, 2:28. HOU – Austin Jones 28-yard field goal, 1:49. Roughnecks 28–21. Drive: 10 Plays, 42 Yards, 4:34. Top passers VGS – Jalan McClendon – 27/37, 249 yards, 2 TD HOU – Brandon Silvers – 16/27, 105 yards, 0 TD Top rushers VGS – John Lovett – 9 rushes, 46 yards HOU – Brycen Alleyne – 12 rushes, 42 yards Top receivers VGS – Geronimo Allison – 6 receptions, 60 yards HOU – Garrett Owens – 4 receptions, 23 yards

Week 10: at Arlington Renegades

Week 10: Houston Roughnecks at Arlington Renegades – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Roughnecks	12	0	10	3	25
Renegades	3	6	0	0	9

at Choctaw Stadium, Arlington, Texas

• Date: April 23
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 51 °F (11 °C)
• Game attendance: 12,821
• Referee: Jason Autrey
• TV announcers (ESPN): Matt Barrie, Eric Mac Lain, and Tiffany Blackmon
• [10]

Game information

First quarter HOU – Cole McDonald 10-yard rush (2-pt Conversion No Good), 10:11. Roughnecks 6–0. Drive: 9 Plays, 69 Yards, 4:50. ARL – Taylor Russolino 56-yard field goal, 6:35. Roughnecks 6–3. Drive: 7 Plays, 33 Yards, 3:35. HOU – Jeremy Cox 5-yard rush (1-pt Conversion No Good), 4:30. Roughnecks 12–3. Drive: 4 Plays, 66 Yards, 1:53. Second quarter ARL – Taylor Russolino 36-yard field goal, 9:50. Roughnecks 12–6. Drive: 16 Plays, 65 Yards, 9:40. ARL – Taylor Russolino 19-yard field goal, 0:07. Roughnecks 12–9. Drive: 10 Plays, 53 Yards, 3:54. Third quarter HOU – Austin Jones 35-yard field goal, 8:23. Roughnecks 15–9. Drive: 9 Plays, 38 Yards, 5:01. HOU – Pass interception returned for touchdown by Tavante Beckett (1-pt Conversion Good by Cole McDonald), 5:33. Roughnecks 22–9. Drive: 5 Plays, 20 Yards, 2:50. Fourth quarter HOU – Austin Jones 38-yard field goal, 1:13. Roughnecks 25–9. Drive: 7 Plays, 41 Yards, 2:43. Top passers HOU – Cole McDonald – 10/11, 120 yards, 0 TD ARL – Luis Perez – 22/36, 205 yards, 0 TD Top rushers HOU – Jeremy Cox – 21 rushes, 120 yards ARL – Leddie Brown – 14 rushes, 29 yards Top receivers HOU – Tavonn Salter – 4 receptions, 47 yards ARL – Brian Herrien – 5 receptions, 47 yards

Standings

2023 XFL standings
North Division
Team	W	L	PCT	GB	TD+/-	TD+	TD-	DIV	PF	PA	DIFF	STK
(y) DC Defenders	9	1	.900	0	-2	33	35	6–0	298	240	58	W3
(x) Seattle Sea Dragons	7	3	.700	2	+10	30	20	3–3	243	177	66	W2
(e) St. Louis Battlehawks	7	3	.700	2	+9	32	23	3–3	249	202	47	W1
(e) Vegas Vipers	2	8	.200	7	0	28	28	0–6	184	252	-68	L3
South Division
Team	W	L	PCT	GB	TD+/-	TD+	TD-	DIV	PF	PA	DIFF	STK
(y) Houston Roughnecks	7	3	.700	0	+4	30	26	6–0	247	182	65	W3
(x) Arlington Renegades	4	6	.400	3	-8	15	23	3–3	146	194	-48	L2
(e) San Antonio Brahmas	3	7	.300	4	-8	16	24	3–3	169	183	-14	L1
(e) Orlando Guardians	1	9	.100	6	-5	32	37	0–6	204	310	-106	L3
(x)–clinched playoff berth; (y)–clinched division; (e)–eliminated from playoff contention

Postseason

Schedule

Week	Day	Date	Kickoff	TV	Opponent	Results		Location	Attendance
						Score	Record
Division Finals	Saturday	April 29	6:00 p.m.	ESPN	Arlington Renegades	11–26	0–1	TDECU Stadium	13,558

Game summaries

XFL South Division Finals: vs. (2) Arlington Renegades

XFL South Division Finals: (2) Arlington Renegades vs (1) Houston Roughnecks  – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Renegades	6	17	0	3	26
Roughnecks	0	8	3	0	11

at TDECU Stadium• Houston, Texas

• Date: May 4
• Game time: 6:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: 69 °F (21 °C)
• Game attendance: 13,568
• Referee: Chris Coyte
• TV announcers (ESPN): Matt Barrie, Joey Galloway, Eric Mac Lain and Tiffany Blackmon
• [11]

Game information

First quarter ARL – JaVonta Payton 14-yard pass from Luis Perez (2-pt Conversion No Good), 9:05. Renegades 6–0. Drive: 10 Plays, 75 Yards, 5:55. Second quarter ARL – JaVonta Payton 59-yard pass from Luis Perez (2-pt Conversion Is Good by JaVonta Payton), 13:41. Renegades 14–0. Drive: 3 Plays, 70 Yards, 16:21. HOU – Jeremy Cox 1-yard rush (2-pt Conversion Good by Deontay Burnett), 7:01. Renegades 14–8. Drive: 12 Plays, 61 Yards, 6:38. ARL – Brandon Arconado 14-yard pass from Luis Perez (2-pt Conversion No Good), 4:58. Renegades 20–8. Drive: 4 Plays, 45 Yards, 2:04. ARL – Taylor Russolino 31-yard field goal, 0:05. Renegades 23–8. Drive: 11 Plays, 74 Yards, 2:22. Third quarter HOU – Austin Jones 32-yard field goal, 5:42. Renegades 23–11. Drive: 5 Plays, 13 Yards, 2:25. Fourth quarter ARL – Taylor Russolino 19-yard field goal, 1:04. Renegades 26–1. Drive: 10 Plays, 57 Yards, 4:12. Top passers ARL – Luis Perez – 19/27, 289 yards, 3 TD HOU – Cole McDonald – 9/25, 82 yards, 0 TD Top rushers ARL – De'Veon Smith – 24 rushes, 94 yards HOU – Max Borghi – 7 rushes, 48 yards Top receivers ARL – JaVonta Payton – 5 receptions, 121 yards HOU – Deontay Burnett – 4 reception, 57 yards

Staff

Houston Roughnecks staff

	Front office Director of team operations – Danielle Lee Director of player personnel – Marc Lillibridge Head coach General Manager/Head Coach – Wade Phillips Offensive Coaches Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks – A. J. Smith Offensive Line - Andre Gurode Running Backs - John Estes Wide Receivers - Payton Pardee Offensive Quality Control - Marvin Williams			Defensive Coaches Defensive coordinator – Brian Stewart Linebackers - A.J. Reisig Defensive Line - Bill Johnson Defensive Backs - Morgan Ford Special Teams Coaches Special Teams Coordinator - Greg McMahon Team Operations Athletic Trainer - Joe Resendez Equipment Manager - Jared Mostowsky Video Manager - Brian Martin