The UFL | Phillips Debuts a New-look San Antonio Brahmas Team in 27-12 Season Opening Win Over the D.C. Defenders

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio Brahmas Head Coach Wade Phillips confidently on a couple of events informed soccer followers within the Alamo Metropolis {that a} new-style of soccer was coming to city. In his phrases, the Phillips protection and the Mike Leach air-raid or no less than a model of it was coming. Phillips and his teaching employees ushered in a new-look model of the San Antonio Brahmas Sunday. The Brahmas (1-0, 1-0 XFL) led from begin to end in holding off the D.C. Defenders, 27-12,  in entrance of 13,164 followers on Easter Sunday on the Alamodome within the inaugural United Soccer League (UFL) opener for each groups.

Chase Garbers made his debut as the brand new sign caller for the Brahmas finishing 76 % of his passes whereas going 19-of-25 for 158 yards and two touchdowns. He additionally ran for one rating. Linebacker Jordan Williams, who led the XFL in tackles in 2023, picked up the place he left off with a game-high 10 tackles.

However it was an unpredictable particular groups play involving punter Brad Wing and beginning middle Alex Mollette that despatched shockwaves by means of the Alamodome proper earlier than halftime and instantly went viral on social media platforms. The play resulted in a 40-yard landing catch by Mollette from Wing for the most effective performs of the opening weekend within the UFL and fairly presumably in skilled spring soccer historical past.

The Brahmas lined up for  a 57-yard subject purpose try by Donald De La Haye, however Wing popped up from his holder place whereas De La Haye, who performed a bit of receiver at UCF, motioned out to receiver. Wing took the snap, rolled to his proper and lofted a move to Mollette who caught it on the 15-yard line and rumbled the remainder of the best way for the rating giving San Antonio a 20-9 lead heading into the locker room. 

San Antonio opened up the scoring with their first landing of the season when Garbers discovered Anthony McFarland Jr., for a 28-yard landing move with 9:08 left within the first quarter placing the house staff forward, 7-0. Jontre Kirklins’ 4-yd TD reception from Garbers made it, 14-3, in favor of the house staff. D.C. Defenders kicker Matt McCrane linked on three subject objectives within the half – 50 yards, 34 yards and 48 yards to maintain his staff within the sport.

The defenses settled within the second half. McCrane linked on his fourth subject purpose, a 28-yarder, with 2:54 to go within the third quarter, drawing the Defenders inside 20-12.

D.C. (0-1, 0-1 XFL) appeared to be on the transfer once more within the fourth quarter. Defenders quarterback Jordan Ta’amu tossed an 8-yard landing move to Keke Coutee with 10:47 left within the sport. 

The Defenders had been flagged for a dead-ball private foul on the play, which might have been accessed. Phillips, after getting some robust encouragement from five-time Professional Bowler for the Dallas Cowboys and offensive line coach Andre Gurode, challenged a false begin on proper deal with Jean Delance. The problem was profitable for the Brahmas negating the landing. 

4 performs later Brahmas cornerback Darius Phillips intercepted Ta’amu on the 6-yard line and returned it 88 yards to the D.C. 6-yard line. Three performs later, Garbers ran it in for a 5-yard landing placing the Brahmas forward 27-12.

D.C. outgained the Brahmas within the second half,183-34. San Antonio got here up with three sacks and the interception within the second half. Tim Ward, Prince Emili and Wyatt Ray every had a sack for San Antonio. Ray completed with two sacks within the sport.

Ta’amu completed the sport finishing 25-of-45 passes for 235 yards and an interception. Ty Scott led the Defenders with 4 catches for 87 yards. San Antonio’s Jontre’ Kirklin had a game-high eight receptions for 61 yards. McFarland led all rushers with 47 yards on 9 carries. 

De La Haye’s a lot anticipated debut on the sphere resulted in 5 kickoffs for 371 yards, which was a 74.2 yard common. 

San Antonio takes to the street for its subsequent sport as they journey to the Memphis Showboats for an 11 a.m. (CT) begin subsequent Saturday on ESPN. D.C. will host the Houston Roughnecks at 4 p.m. ET on FOX subsequent Sunday.

POSTGAME NOTES

Ultimate Rating: San Antonio Brahmas 27, D.C. Defenders 12

Sharp Begin

The primary drive of the season for San Antonio resulted in a landing as quarterback Chase Garbers lofted a ball into the arms of working again Anthony McFarland Jr. The drive lasted 5 minutes and 52 seconds, and gave the Brahmas a 7-0 lead with 9:08 remaining within the first quarter. 

Texas Trickery

Brahmas middle Alex Mollette caught a 40-yard landing from punter Brad Wing on a protracted distance faux subject purpose. Wing, who had performed 5 seasons within the NFL with the Steelers and Giants, had solely tried one move in his skilled  profession, which was intercepted. The rating gave San Antonio a 20-9 lead with three seconds remaining within the half. 

Defending the Defenders

Whereas D.C. was capable of muster 253 complete yards of offense and 16 first downs, they had been held to 4 subject objectives within the sport. San Antonio was good in defending the purple zone, going 3-for-3 in maintaining the Defenders out of the tip zone. D.C. had an opportunity to tie the sport on their third purple zone journey, however San Antonio was aided by an interception by cornerback Darius Phillips that he returned for 88-yards.

Go For It

Whereas the Brahmas had been solely 1-of-7 on third down, they made up for it by changing on 3-of-4 on 4th down makes an attempt. This features a 40-yard landing scored off a faux subject purpose try. 

Residence Area Benefit

The official attendance for the season opener was 13,164 and gave San Antonio its first dwelling win in 2024. In 2023, the Brahmas lone dwelling win got here towards the XFL Orlando Guardians, 25-23, on April 15, 2023. 

De La Haye Debut

De La Haye’s a lot anticipated debut on the sphere resulted in 5 kickoffs for 371 yards, which was a 74.2 yard common. Kicking off from the 20-yard line, his kickoffs landed on the D.C. 2-yard line, 15-yard line, finish zone,7-yard line and 5-yard line.