ORLANDO, Fla. – With the XFL returning to Orlando, the Guardians dropped their home opener against the San Antonio Brahmas 30-12 on Sunday, falling to 0-2.
Orlando went with a two-quarterback approach again, but the results were with unfavorable with Paxton Lynch and Deondre Francois combining for less than 100 yards.
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Early in the game, the Guardians matched the Brahmas’ score with a touchdown pass from quarterback Paxton Lynch to receiver Eli Rogers for eight yards to even the game at 6-6.
In the fourth quarter, Orlando quarterback Deondre Francois found tight end Cody Latimer for a 4-yard touchdown pass to pull within 15 points, 27-12.
A late field goal from Brahmas’ kicker Parker Romo accounted for the final score.
During an in-game interview, Guardians coach Terrell Buckley said “We gotta get different guys in. Obviously, I got guys out there that are not competing, that are not making plays.”
The Brahmas won the statistical battle as well, with more rushing and passing yards than the Guardians. Orlando had more than double the penalties than San Antonio.
After the game Buckley said, “We got to change a lot of things. We’re going to go back to the drawing board. Coaches, everybody included.”
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Former NFL star Hines Ward got his first win as a head coach as the team bounced back after an opening week loss.
“It was a great group effort,” Ward said after the game. “It was a complete game.”
According to a Guardians spokesperson, there were 12,011 in attendance at Camping World Stadium.
Next week, the Guardians are on the road against the Arlington Renegades.
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