It took four weeks, but the Tampa Bay Vipers finally looked like the team that Vegas pegged them to be. They dominate the DC Defenders in their 25-0 victory.
Tampa, FL — Finally! Football is fun again in Tampa Bay. The Vipers dominated the Defenders in their first win of the season. The Vipers out gained the Defenders 477-107 and had 23 more first downs in the game. The ran 41 more plays and won the time of possession battle 37:10-22:50. A true beat down.
The route started on the Vipers first drive. After the Vipers defense caused the first of many three and outs, the Vipers rolled of a 12-play drive that ended with a Jacques Patrick touchdown. Patrick showed some emotion after the score. He was interviewed by sideline reporter Molly McGrath when he returned to the sideline.
“That was my first Pro touchdown and I had to bury my dad last Friday, and it was just surreal you know,” Patrick responded. “He was not here to see it. My dad introduced me to the game, so it was real tough to see that and not know that he’s home to watch it but I know he’s watching from up top. I know he’s got a big smile on his face right now and I love him and it was just a real moment because I know he’s smiling.”
Strong defense and an unstoppable rushing attack helped the @XFLVipers secure their first W. #ForTheLoveOfFootball pic.twitter.com/dmv10ph2mN
— XFL (@xfl2020) March 2, 2020
Cornelius comes up huge
With his arm and his legs. Cornelius ended the evening going 24/31 passing for 211 yards including one touchdown and one interception.
GOOOOLS!@thebasedone30 | #DCvsTB pic.twitter.com/RXL8dRamRX
— Tampa Bay Vipers (@XFLVipers) March 2, 2020
“I thought he played well tonight,” head coach Marc Trestman said about Cornelius. “I thought he played winning football. He could have made a better throw on the interception in the right corner. We really had two guys open. That just goes to reps and working more with him. He did a really good job outside the pocket. I think he’ll grade out with a winning performance.”
Cornelius also added 36 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
Wide receiver Dan Williams lead the team catching seven of 11 targets for 72 yards. He also made what may be considered the most exciting play of the game.
The magic of THA THREAT ‼️@jsudwilliams | #DCvsTB pic.twitter.com/6taUmMCxaF
— Tampa Bay Vipers (@XFLVipers) March 2, 2020
Run it, run it
And run it they did. With ease. It’s the first time in XFL history that a running back duo both rushed for 100 yards each. Patrick ended the night with 108 yards on 21 carries while De’Veon Smith had 122 yards on 24 carries.
“That’s pretty cool,” Patrick said to the media after the game. “I look at it like hard work paying off.”
It was apparent that the game plan was to run the ball. The Vipers had ten more rushing plays than the Defenders had total plays.
“I mean, that’s just coach believing in us,” Patrick continue to say after the game. “Believing in the guys up front that’s blocking for us. Believing in me and De’Veon and even Cornelius pitched in with some good runs.”
Defense throws a shutout
Complete and total domination from the defense tonight. Matching the team’s total in sacks with three tonight, the Vipers defense blitzed until they were blue in the face. It’s amazing the impact of a number one overall pick can bring to a team. Obum Gwacham recorded one of the Vipers three sacks tonight. Oh, and he blocked a field goal attempt. No big deal.
“Very impressed,” Trestman said when I asked him about the defense. “That’s not an easy offense to stop. I think they hit a bump in the road. The first two games they showed they were very dynamic. The quarterback has been awesome to start the season.”
“Got a good pass rush,” Trestman continued to say. “We ran to the ball, we run, we chase the ball as good as anybody in the league and I think we saw that tonight. We tackled well. There’s still work to be done.”
The Vipers limited Jones to 72 yards passing the football including Tarvarus McFadden’s second interception of the season.
Up Next
The Vipers (1-3) head to L.A. to take on Josh Johnson and the Wildcats (1-3). The game will be Sunday March, 8 at 9 PM ET at Digital Health Sports Park.
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