HOUSTON – Before the XFL season began, San Antonio Brahmas head coach Hines Ward embraced the intra-state rivalry between the three Texas teams in the revamped league. The Brahmas’ first chance to earn bragging rights came Sunday night in Houston, but the hometown Roughnecks had other plans.
Houston quarterback Brandon Silvers completed 24-of-35 passes for 278 yards and three touchdowns, as the Roughnecks built a commanding 15-point halftime lead and held on to defeat San Antonio in their first Lone Star Showdown 22-13. The Brahmas fall to 1-2 on the season. Houston improves to 3-0.
The Brahmas started the game with an opening-drive touchdown. On the fifth play from scrimmage, quarterback Jack Coan hit wide receiver TJ Vasher for a nine-yard score and a quick 7-0 lead. The Roughnecks answered right back on the ensuing possession, capping an eight-play, 45-yard drive with Silvers’ seven-yard strike to Jontre Kirklin. A successful two-point conversion meant Houston led 8-7 at the end of the first quarter.
Houston then poured it on in the second quarter. Silvers threw two touchdowns on two straight offensive possessions -- a three-yard TD pass to Kirklin and an 18-yarder to Deontay Burnett -- while the Roughnecks defense held San Antonio to negative yardage on nine plays, as Houston entered halftime with a 22-7 lead.
Defensive back Kameron Kelly gave the Brahmas life midway through the third quarter by jumping a route and intercepting Silvers at the Houston 45-yard line. The Brahmas promptly cut the deficit to nine points on Jacques Patrick’s elusive one-yard touchdown-run, 22-13.
Nice TD run by @jacques_patrick
— San Antonio Brahmas (@XFLBrahmas) March 6, 2023
Score is now 22-13 with 2:53 seconds left in the 3Q. #XFL2023 | #HornsForward pic.twitter.com/p6vbzTqlhq
Both teams traded turnovers on back-to-back possessions, until San Antonio took control of the ball with 9:34 left in regulation. After moving the ball into Roughnecks territory, a key defensive pass interference call set up first-and-goal at the Houston one-yard line, but four straight rushing plays were unable to find the endzone. Running back Kalen Ballage was stuffed for a loss on fourth-and-goal, and Houston took over on downs. The Roughnecks burned the majority of the final minutes to pick up the victory.
One week after throwing three touchdown passes in a victory over Orlando, Coan only completed 8-of-20 passes for 64 total yards, one touchdown and one interception in the loss. The Brahmas were held to 162 total yards of offense.
Next up, San Antonio travels to Seattle to take on the Sea Dragons. Kickoff at Lumen Field is set for next Saturday at 9 p.m.
We fought hard.
— San Antonio Brahmas (@XFLBrahmas) March 6, 2023
We will bounce back next week. #XFL2023 | #HornsForward 🟡🤘⚫️ pic.twitter.com/PL1p1SZ6uE