The Arlington Renegades have faced a difficult 2024 UFL season, losing six of their eight games so far. They registered their first win on May 11, a 47-23 shellacking of the Memphis Showboats at home (more on that coming soon). Unfortunately for the Renegades, their journey continues to be disappointing, as they were the only winless team for so long and are in last place in the XFL Conference. They have also been officially eliminated from playoff contention, which is especially disappointing considering they were the 2023 XFL champions. Let’s take a closer look at this organization through the lens of the current season.
Keeping Things Close, but Falling Short in the End
This season has been relatively close for Arlington, with five games decided by one score. Only the first and fifth games of this 10-week season were losses by 10 or more points.
The Initial Trio of Games
Despite leading twice in their opening game against the Birmingham Stallions, the Renegades lost 14-27, even being shut out in the fourth quarter. In his first professional football game, Stallions QB Matt Corral went 12 of 21 for 201 yards, one TD, and one INT, rushing for 13 yards on four carries as well. Though Arlington QB Luis Perez had a good day, no other Renegade significantly contributed. Both quarterbacks were intercepted on their first drives, and both kickers alternated field goals to keep the game tied. While the Stallions didn’t immediately respond to the Renegades’ TD, they tied it up at 11 by the end of the half. After a Ricky Person two-yard rushing touchdown broke the deadlock. Arlington could only add a field goal to cut the lead to five. Another TD in the fourth and a subsequent 8:16 drive by the Stallions essentially iced this game.
Photo Cred: YouTube- United Football League (UFL)
A better performance by Perez and company was not enough to avoid heartbreak in game 2, as St. Louis Battlehawks K Andre Szymyt made a 22-yard FG to secure a 27-24 victory for his side. Despite the last-minute finish and close score, St. Louis had an impressive offensive showing. QB AJ McCarron threw for 248 yards and two TDs, while RB Mataeo Durant ran for 104 yards and a touchdown. WRs Darrius Shepherd and Marcell Ateman combined for 13 receptions and 196 yards, with Ateman scoring two touchdowns. Perez threw for 233 yards and a TD for Arlington, and DT Jalen Redmond recorded two timely sacks. Renegades K Taylor Russolino missed a go-ahead 46-yard field goal that could’ve broken a 24-24 tie, so Szymyt’s FG would have merely sent the game to overtime.
Photo Cred: FOX Sports
In one of Arlington’s closest games this season, their hopes of a win were dashed by another last-second field goal. DC Defenders kicker Matthew McCrane’s 49-yarder capped off an 11-point comeback with less than a minute left in the game. DC trailed for most of the time, only briefly leading by three points in the first quarter and taking an 18-17 lead at the end of the third. Arlington seemed to secure the game with a Russolino 49-yard FG and a fourth-quarter Renegades TD. It bought the score to 28-18 with 2:08 left on the clock.
DC’s fortunes turned dramatically in their favor, beginning with a 57-yard kick return by Chris Rowland. Running back Cam’Ron Harris then punched in a one-yard rushing touchdown with just 48 seconds remaining. Quarterback Jordan Ta’amu completed a crucial 4th-and-12 pass to wide receiver Ty Scott, followed by a 26-yard connection to wideout Kelvin Harmon to advance DC to the ARL 27-yard line. Despite a delay of game penalty adding extra pressure, McCrane successfully converted his field goal attempt, dealing Arlington another heartbreaking loss with a final score of 28-29.
Photo Cred: UFLBoard.com
A Contest of Decisive Matches: Games 4-6
The fourth game started promisingly for Arlington as they capitalized on a forced fumble during a punt return. However, as has been the issue in most of their games, this initial spark didn’t sustain any offensive momentum for the Renegades. They struggled to move the ball and repeatedly gave it back to the Houston Roughnecks, who took advantage of Arlington’s miscues. Houston capitalized with a touchdown following a turnover on downs before the end of the half.
Despite shaving Houston’s commanding 17-3 third-quarter lead down to eight points, the Renegades’ chances ultimately ended with a strip-sack fumble by Chris Odom on Luis Perez. Arlington had their worst offensive performance of the season, posting only 193 total yards in the 9-17 loss, while the Roughnecks secured their first win of the season.
Photo Cred: Houston Chronicle
Against the San Antonio Brahmas, turnovers and missed opportunities defined the game for both teams. Brahmas QB Quinten Dormady was intercepted three times, while LB Tavante Beckett forced a last-minute fumble on the Renegades’ last drive. Each kicker missed one field goal attempt (one was blocked), and only one out of four total extra point conversions was successful for either team. It was Arlington’s second consecutive Texas showdown, following the previous weekend’s clash at Houston.
The final score in this matchup was 15-25, and the closest Arlington came was a 15-15 tie in the third quarter. However, San Antonio secured the win with a fourth-quarter touchdown and field goal. The Brahmas nearly had two 100-yard rushers, nearly tripling the entire Renegades’ combined rushing yards themselves. Wide receiver J.P. Payton continued his offensive consistency alongside Perez, but little else could be said otherwise despite the defense’s three interceptions. The Renegades’ drives following the turnovers resulted in a blocked field goal, a 33-yard field goal, and a fumble.
Photo Cred: Alamy
As has been a recurring theme this season, the Michigan Panthers added to Arlington’s last-second, game-ending heartbreaks. Despite holding a 10-3 first-quarter lead, Michigan quickly fell behind 16-24, managing only field goals while giving up three TDs. Two fourth-quarter scoring drives gave the Panthers a 25-24, but Renegades kicker Jonathan Garibay hit a 48-yard field goal to put his team ahead 27-25 with 0:59 left on the clock. However, just like the stroke of luck DC received in Week 3, Michigan similarly gashed the hopes of Renegades fans.
Marcus Simms muffed the kickoff return but still managed a 45-yard return, aided by a 15-yard facemask penalty that placed the Panthers on the ARL 29-yard line. Another defensive penalty gave Michigan K John Bates a 42-yard FG attempt, which he successfully knocked down with two seconds left, ending the game 28-27 in favor of Michigan. Bates, one of the premier special teams players this year, went 5-for-5 in his field goal attempts and will continue to attract a lot of NFL attention during the UFL offseason.
Photo Cred: X.com
Roster Construction
Fans were optimistic before the season’s kickoff. Especially with a roster filled with talent from big-name collegiate programs such as Ohio State (Cameron Brown), USC (three players), LSU (Darren Evans), and Oklahoma (five players). The team also features Vic Beasley, a former NFL first-round pick for the Atlanta Falcons. He had a dominant 2016 season as a pass rusher, leading the league with 15.5 sacks and tying with Bruce Irvin for the most forced fumbles with six. His career has had many ups and downs, eventually leading him to the UFL. Marquette King, the former Oakland Raiders punter from 2012-17, is also on the roster and has been playing in various spring leagues since 2020.
Photo Cred: X.com
Season Stats
As a Team
Despite their disappointing season, the Renegades lead the league in several passing statistics: yards, pass attempts, completions, and average yards per game. Of their 148 first downs, 104 have come from passing plays, the highest in the league. They’ve also converted the most third downs, with 48 conversions. However, they have lost the most yards through penalties on offense (449), so they will need to work on that. On a positive note, they have the best two-point conversion rate: 9/16 (56%). Arlington ranks second in total offensive yards and passing yards this UFL season. They lead the league with a pass completion of 68.1%.
Photo Cred: UFLBoard.com
The Renegades’ defense has improved a little recently, but they ranked low in several defensive categories earlier in the season. They’ve given up the second-most yards in the league (2,553). Arlington’s DBs have allowed the most passing yards per catch and the second-most passing TDs. The team has also conceded the second-highest number of rushing yards per game (110.0) and total first downs (148). 18 of those first downs came from penalties, the highest in the league. Opposing offenses have scored five one-point conversions and seven two-point conversions against the team, which have been some of the most given up this year. 19 extra points allowed is the second-worst among all teams.
Despite a lack of notable punt returns this season, Arlington still ranks second to last in punt return yards with 110. The Renegades also have the ignominy of being the only UFL team to have a field goal attempt blocked. However, they do have the highest average yards/punt, which helps pin opponents deep on the field.
Photo Cred: Getty Images/Icon Sportswire
The Individual Performers
Luis Perez has excelled at protecting the ball, with Arlington only throwing two INTs thrown so far, the fewest in the league. TE Sal Cannella and WR JaVonta Payton are tied for the league lead in receiving TDs in the league, along with two other players. The offensive line has also been effective in pass protection, allowing only 13 sacks, the second-lowest in the league. Inside linebacker Donald Payne has made 27 assisted tackles, tying for the most this year. CB Ajene Harris is one of the leaders in pass breakups on defense. Kicker Jonathan Garibay, who was added in mid-April, boasts one of the better field goal percentages in the league. Lastly, wide receiver and kick returner Juwan Manigo ranks second in kick return yards this season, with 795.
The Texas Connection
There are three Texas-based teams in the league: the San Antonio Brahmas and the Houston Roughnecks, and the Arlington Renegades. The Renegades were winless for much of the season, while Houston’s only victory came at the expense of Arlington. The Brahmas, however, are one of the league’s strongest teams with a solid 6-2 record.
Photo Cred: ConchoValleyHomepage.com
Houston does not play Arlington again this season, but San Antonio secured a home win against the Renegades last weekend. Despite their Week 7 victory, Arlington’s earlier losses essentially doomed their entire season. The St. Louis Battlehawks and San Antonio hold the top two spots in the XFL Conference. Houston and the Memphis Showboats are languishing at the bottom of the USFL Conference with dual 1-7 records.
Both could have been in contention for the postseason. They were previously two games behind the then-3-2 Michigan Panthers in Week 5. Unfortunately, the Panthers defeated Arlington in Week 6 to shatter their aspirations. The Roughnecks were hoping for help from their fellow Texas team to even the USFL Conference race. But it was not meant to be as both Memphis and Houston have been eliminated as well.
