The Houston Roughnecks returned two fumbles for touchdowns, and Brycen Alleyne later scored on a 14-yard run in the fourth quarter to post a 28-21 victory over the visiting Vegas Vipers on Saturday.
The Roughnecks (6-3) trailed 12-0 before Tavante Beckett returned a fumble 30 yards for a score with 3:49 left in the second quarter.
Houston’s lead was 19-12 after the only scores of the third quarter — Ajene Harris’ 13-yard fumble return for a touchdown (with one-point conversion) and Max Borghi’s 2-yard TD run.
The Vipers (2-7) responded in the fourth quarter with Sam Sloman’s 53-yard field goal and John Lovett’s 25-yard TD run sandwiched around Alleyne’s TD to close to 25-21.
But the rally fell short and Houston kicker Austin Jones accounted for the final difference on a 28-yard field goal with 1:49 left.
Houston quarterback Brandon Silvers was 16-for-27 passing for 105 yards and two interceptions. Vegas quarterback Jalan McClendon was 27-for-37 for 249 yards with TD passes to Sean Price for 4 yards and Cinque Sweeting for 2 yards that forged a 12-0 lead with 9:05 left in the second quarter.
Brahmas 25, Guardians 23
Orlando scored a potential game-tying touchdown in the fourth quarter, but the 2-point conversion failed and host San Antonio ran out the clock on its ensuing possession to close out a two-point victory at the Alamodome.
The Brahmas (3-6) built a 19-14 lead going into the fourth on the strength of touchdowns from running back Jacques Patrick and quarterback Jack Coan, the latter of whom threw for 302 yards in the victory. Patrick ran for 80 yards on 20 carries.
After a field goal for Orlando (1-8), the Guardians got the ball back with a chance to take the lead, but Drew Beesley intercepted a tipped pass and returned it for a touchdown, giving San Antonio a 25-17 lead with 7:07 to play.
Orlando responded with a 6-play, 72-yard drive that culminated in a Deondre Francois to Andrew Jamiel touchdown pass, but a Quinten Dormady to Jordan Thomas 2-point attempt failed, and the Guardians’ defense couldn’t get the ball back.
–Field Level Media
