St. Louis Battlehawks vs Houston Roughnecks - pfnewsroom.com
For all you diehard football fanatics waiting for the sport to return, it’s back, and the game’s innovation is even better. Season 2 of the UFL kicked off with the first-ever spring edition of “Friday Night Lights.”
It opened with the St. Louis Battlehawks taking on the Houston Roughnecks at TDECU Stadium, home to the Houston Cougars’ college football team.
UFL Kicks off Opening Weekend- Week 1
With former starting quarterback A.J. McCarron retiring after last season, new Battlehawks’ quarterback Manny Wilkins made his first career start.
The team also returned with 31 of its former players from last season.
The game began quickly. Running back Jacob Saylors opened the scoring with a four-yard touchdown, putting the Battlehawks up early, 7-0.
The Houston Roughnecks defense struggled throughout the first half, as St. Louis led Houston 18-0.
UFL Kicks off Opening Weekend- First Half Facts
The eighteen-point lead made it the second-largest for the Battlehawks in team history, behind a 23-3 lead over the New York Guardians in the Battlehawks’ first home game in week 3 of the 2020 XFL campaign.
Additionally, St. Louis has kept Houston scoreless in six of its last eight quarters when facing them, including a scoreless first half during its previous two meetings in 2024.
With Wilkins as the new starter, he threw for 167 yards in the first half.
UFL Kicks off Opening Weekend- 4th Quarter
With the game out of hand, backup quarterback Max Duggan relieved Wilkins in the fourth quarter.
Nevertheless, on his second possession, running back Jarveon Howard took the handoff 74 yards for a score, which until Kalen Ballege’s 77-yard TD run for the Arlington Renegades set the longest run in UFL history.
In addition, Howard rushed for 115 yards on 13 carries, a new Battlehawks single-game rushing performance.
Houston finally scored, as wide receiver Justin Hall caught a five-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Nolan Henderson. This broke the Battlehawks’ shutout, nevertheless.
However, Houston took the ball to attempt the 4th and 12 to keep control. They converted thanks to a facemask penalty on the Battlehawks, and Houston kept the ball for a new set of downs.
The Battlehawks ran the ball at will Friday night. The team set a new UFL record with 273 yards on the ground and totaled a whopping 460 yards of offense.
Quarterback Manny Wilkins completed 17 of 22 passes for 189 yards while scoring two rushing touchdowns in his first UFL start.
On the other hand, the Roughnecks really struggled to gain any traction on offense, only mustering 183 total yards and one touchdown in the closing minutes.
Both QBs Brown and Henderson combined for a dreary 12-of-29 for 76 yards with two interceptions.
UFL Kicks off Opening Weekend- Team Stats
St. Louis Battlehawks
Top Offensive Players:
Manny Wilkins: QB- 17/22, 189 passing yards, 8 rushes for 43 yards and 2 TDs
Jarveon Howard: RB- 13 carries for 115 yards and 1 TD, 3 receptions for 18 yards
Jacob Saylors: RB- 16 carries for 98 yards and 1 TD, 4 receptions for 47 yards
Jahcour Pearson: WR- 6 receptions for 83 yards
Frank Darby: WR- 2 receptions for 32 yards
Top Defensive Players:
Pita Taumoepenu: LB – 2 tackles, 2 sacks
T.J. Pesefea Jr: DL- 1 tackle, 1 interception
Lukas Denis: S- 2 tackles, 1 interception
Brandon Sebastian: CB- 2 tackles
Houston Roughnecks
Top Offensive Players:
Nolan Henderson: QB- 7/18, 68 passing yards, 1 TD, 4 rushes for 54 yards
Anthony Brown: QB- 5/11, 21 passing yards, 2 INTs, 1 rush for 20 yards
Kirk Merritt: RB/WR- 8 carries for 16 yards, 2 receptions for 5 yards
Justin Hall: WR- 5 receptions for 40 yards, 1 TD
Emmanuel Butler: WR- 1 reception for 16 yards.
Top Defensive Players:
J.T. Tyler: LB- 6 tackles
Drew Lewis: LB- 5 tackles
Damon Arnette: CB- 4 tackles, 1 sack
Marvin Moody Jr: LB- 4 tackles
Leon O’Neal Jr: S- 4 tackles
Conclusion
The Battlehawks defeated the Roughnecks 31-6. They improved to (1-0) and will have their home opener next week against the San Antonio Brahmas, who are (0-1).
The Roughnecks fell to (0-1) and will head on the road to face the Arlington Renegades, who are (1-0) at Choctow Stadium in Arlington.
Please check here to find out the full UFL schedule
