Following a 3-hour rain delay on a wet and stormy Saturday afternoon, the Memphis Showboats dropped a 30-12 loss to the visiting Arlington Renegades. Due to poor weather conditions, the game originally called for 11:00 a.m. CDT was pushed back to 2:00 p.m. CDT.
The teams arrived at Simmons Liberty Bank Stadium early in the morning prepared to play. But after their pre-game preparations and warm-ups, they were sent back to their hotel rooms to wait out the storm, only to return a few hours later to do it all over again. It was an exceptionally long day for everyone involved.
Nonetheless, the Renegades emerged with an impressive victory. Here are five takeaways from Saturday’s game.
DISAPPOINTING PERFORMANCES FROM PERRY AND WINN
After the Renegades built up an early 9-0 lead, Memphis fought back. E.J. Perry started the game for the Showboats. However, it was one of Perry’s worst outings. Renegades defender Will Clarke nailed Perry on the Showboats’ first possession, forcing a turnover on downs. His best play of the afternoon was a 49-yard completion to Eli Stove that set up a Jalen Jackson rushing touchdown, narrowing the gap 9-6.
After Renegades’ DE Willie Taylor forced a fumble off Perry, Clarke was his nemesis once again when he pounced on the ball and recovered it on the Memphis 11-yard line. Clarke’s recovery resulted in a Renegades score two plays later. Perry finished with a disappointing 5/11 attempts for 89 yards.
Following Perry’s disappointing performance, interim HC Jim Turner gave Dresser Winn the nod to start the second half. Despite heavy pressure from the Renegades defense, Winn looked strong initially with a 37-yard pass to Isaiah Washington that set up a Matt Coghlin field goal tying the game at 12-12.
Unfortunately, after succumbing to three sacks on the afternoon, Winn didn’t fare much better than Perry and he finished 7/16 for 83 yards and an interception by LB Donald Payne.
A DOMINANT PERFORMANCE FROM LUIS PEREZ
Arlington’s veteran quarterback Luis Perez put his team in a position to win by completing 20 of 30 throws for 206 yards and two touchdowns. Perez was at his best, launching a stunning 41-yard strike to Tyler Vaughns who somersaulted into the end zone for the 18-12 go-ahead score.
Perez went on to lead his team to two more scoring drives. JaVonta Payton found the end zone with a 15-yard touchdown run followed by a second Perez touchdown. With under two and a half minutes remaining, Perez closed out the game with a 24-yard strike to Deontay Burnett. Perez is already over 2,000 yards this season. Saturday’s game was another dominant performance from one of spring football’s premier athletes.
A LACKLUSTER PERFORMANCE FROM THE DEFENSE
In a season where the Showboats have struggled under the weight of off-field issues, coaching changes, and season-ending injuries, DC Jarren Horton’s defense has been one of the consistent bright spots. Throughout the season, the defense played well, showing a steady improvement. Last week, the defense put it all together coming up with 88 tackles, three interceptions, (including a pick-six) two sacks, and six PBRs.
But on Saturday afternoon, the defense couldn’t stop Arlington. The Renegades’ 30 points were the most scored by an opponent this season and matched the Showboats’ biggest scoring deficit at 18 points.
Early in the game, Memphis allowed a seven-minute 14-play drive that resulted in a Lucas Havrisik field goal to put them ahead 3-0. Although Memphis recorded two sacks against Perez by Izayah Green-May and Boogie Roberts, once again, the team failed to come up with a turnover.
Keaton Ellis led the team with eight tackles while Nasir Player and Andrew Dowell recorded 6 each. Steele Chambers leads the team with 68 tackles this season. A mid-season replacement, Dowell has the fifth most tackles on the team with 36, despite only appearing in five games.
THE MEMPHIS GROUND GAME SUFFERED
Running back Deneric Prince was the leading rusher. Unfortunately, that’s not saying much. Whereas the Renegades put up an impressive 141 yards on 25 carries with one touchdown, Memphis managed only 53 yards on 20 carries with one touchdown. Prince had 11 carries for 30 yards. Jackson was more efficient with six carries for 19 yards and one touchdown.
Arlington had a strong ground game from Dae Dae Hunter who finished with 13 carries for 67 yards and three catches for another 23 yards.
A MASTER CLASS IN BALL-CATCHING ACROBATICS
Arlington wide receiver Tyler Vaughns is making a name for himself as one of the most talented and exciting wide receivers in the UFL. Vaughns had eight catches on Saturday for 107 yards with one touchdown. In addition to his stunning 41-yard acrobatic grab and one-handed touchdown from a week ago, Vaughns had another catch that was almost as thrilling. He recovered an over-the-head tipped pass from Perez for first down yardage.
By comparison, the talented Memphis receiving group was held to a total of 12 passes for 172 yards with no touchdowns. Jonathan Adams, who led the league in yardage and receptions wasn’t targeted and was missing in action. Former All-UFL Team wide receiver Daewood Davis had one catch for five yards. Isaiah Washington led the team with three receptions for 54 yards.
The Renegades surpassed the Showboats in every single statistic, but based on the talent Memphis has in this receiving group, the lack of targets is perhaps the most egregious of all. The Showboats can’t expect to win games if they can’t put the ball in the hands of their most talented players.
Next week, the 2-7 Memphis Showboats close out the team’ second UFL season at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, hosting the 6-3 playoff-bound Birmingham Stallions. The game is scheduled for Sunday, June 1st at 2:00 pm CDT and televised on FOX. Tickets are still available.
1 Comment
by Frank Dux
206 yards on 30 pass attempts from Luis Perez is dominant against a 2 win team?