Arlington Renegades fall to Seattle, 24-15, despite improved offense
The Renegades recorded season highs in rushing and passing yards on Friday night.
ARLINGTON — The Arlington Renegades made their offensive breakthrough sooner than expected. A team that hasn’t scored a first-half touchdown since week two of the season was celebrating a well-earned trip to the end zone in the final minutes of the second quarter.
The festivities didn’t last long.
The Seattle Sea Dragons, led by the XFL’s leading passer — Ben DiNucci — responded with their own touchdown in under one minute of game time. A 24-yard dime from DiNucci to Texas-native Josh Gordon quelled the Renegades’ attempted early rally.
Arlington showed significant improvements in offensive efficiency — setting season highs for passing and rushing yardage — but red zone inconsistency saw the Renegades (3-4) drop their second straight game, 24-15.
“For us it’s just confirmation we know how good we can be,” quarterback Drew Plitt said. “We just gotta finish drives now. When it comes down to scoring points, we didn’t put enough points up…we showed a little bit of progress.”
The Sea Dragons (5-2) had few issues moving the ball in Choctaw Stadium throughout the first half. Though they didn’t score touchdowns on any of their first three drives, Seattle connected on two field goals from Dominik Eberle of 44 and 33 yards.
Arlington managed to get pressure on an offensive line that’s been stout this year. DiNucci had only been sacked six times in the first six games, but hit the turf twice in the first half.
The offense was a bit of a question mark going into this week with the unit showing to be a major weakness and now looking a bit different. Though the new personnel Arlington added was not on show Friday night, Plitt seemed to play like a new man under center.
It started on play one when the Renegades attempted to run a trick play with three pitches before Plitt eventually dumped the ball off for a seven-yard gain to Brandon Arcanado.
What followed was a more assertive Drew Plitt.
He didn’t shy away from trying to make tough passes, take shots and use his legs. It worked at times, with Plitt extending plays and making a gutsy fourth-down decision to throw to Sal Cannella the play after he dropped the same pass.
“We knew we had those shots there,” Plitt said. “Coach did a great job calling plays and letting us have that chance. And not that he hasn't, but I think we put ourselves in a position to call them, getting first downs on drives.”
But at times, he looked too bold — throwing a first-down pick on a deep shot to Victor Bolden that was double-covered.
That interception cost the Renegades as DiNucci ripped off a 47-yard gain to Jordan Veasy before Darius Bradwell charged through for a touchdown.
Trailing 13-3, Arlington put together one of its best drives of the season. Plitt led the Renegades 72 yards in nine plays for a touchdown.
LuJuan Winningham continued his trend of grabbing a highlight-reel play with his limited touches by rising above a defender to catch a fading pass from Plitt down to the two yardline. De’Veon Smith was responsible for the final two plays, running up the gut for the score on the second.
It would’ve been a big swing for the Renegades at the break had DiNucci, Gordon and the Sea Dragons not delivered their half-ending blow.
“Frustrated with us in that we just have too many times where [we’re] just not where we ought to be,” said Coach Bob Stoops.
The Renegades came out with an offensive balance they’ve lacked most of the year, mixing a pair of Smith runs for 27 yards and a spread of passes to Cannella, Tyler Vaughns and Nate Becker.
Down to the Seattle 20, Arlington looked ready to strike and cut into its 21-9 deficit. A nine-yard gain from running back Leddie Brown on first down set up the Renegades for success. But three consecutive plays were shut down for no gain and Arlington turned the ball over.
“Short yardage on offense again continues to be a problem all year,” Stoops said. “Can't do that, especially when we’re in the red zone… you got to give yourself a chance at touchdowns.”
As the Arlington defense showed signs of exhaustion, Will Hill provided a boost. The former Baltimore Raven added to the Renegades’ league-leading interception count by picking off DiNucci in the end zone.
Arlington failed to produce on the proceeding drive, punting for just the second time in the game. A Sea Dragons’ field goal saw the lead grow to 24-9 with time ticking for the Renegades.
Plitt led a final stellar drive for Arlington, going 4-of-4 for 56 yards before bowing to Smith on the goalline. The Renegades went for a two-point conversion, but a penalty on Seattle allowed them to take the try from the two.
In one of his lowest moments, Plitt misfired and threw the ball right in the turf, well away from any receiver. Overall, it was still Plitt’s best game of the season and one that should grow plenty of confidence in him, even with Luis Perez likely available to play next week.
Plitt had a season-high 213 yards on 19-of-29 passing.
“He's getting all the reps, all the preparation and Drew has thrown the ball well in the last couple of games,” Stoops said. “He and [quarterback Kevin Anderson] make a good team and Luis, can’t wait to have him working with those guys more.”
With the Renegades unable to make a defensive stop in the final two minutes, the Sea Dragons were able to wind the clock down to triple zeroes and take the victory.