Battlehawks’ WR Marcell Ateman (3) celebrates with teammate Hakeem Jeffries (88), after scoring a touchdown during Saturday’s home opener against Arlington at The Dome at America’s Center. (Photo courtesy: TheUFL.com)
| United Football League | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington (0-2) | 0 | 11 | 6 | 7 | 24 |
| St. Louis (1-1) | 0 | 14 | 7 | 6 | 27 |
Cedric Williams
Senior Editor
ST. LOUIS, MO — A record-breaking crowd of 40,317 — the most ever for a modern spring football league game — watched the St. Louis Battlehawks battle back late in the fourth quarter to defeat the defending XFL champion Arlington Renegades, 27-24, Saturday night at the Dome at America’s Center.
It was St. Louis’ 2024 home opener and it was every bit as exciting as everyone hoped it would be.
Both teams played well. Both teams played hard. The lead changed hands six times. The deciding play happened just as time expired.
It was an exciting night for all involved, especially the more than 40,000 Battlehawks fans whose attendance almost eclipsed the combined attendance of all four of last week’s UFL home games (45,918).
St. Louis quarterback A.J. McCarron threw for a pair of touchdowns and kicker Andre Szmyt hit a 22-yard field goal — his second of the night — with no time left on the clock to lift the Battlehawks to the win.
The kick ended a 7-play, 47-yard drive that covered the final 1 minute, 55 seconds of the game.
In a second half that featured four lead changes, Arlington held a 24-21 lead with 10:55 left in regulation after RB De’Veon Smith scored on a 3-yard rush and Arlington converted the extra-point attempt. St. Louis tied the game on a 47-yard field goal by Szmyt with 6:52 remaining.
Arlington kicker Taylor Russolino missed a 46-yard field goal attempt on Arlington’s next drive to put the Battlehawks in position for their game-winning march.
The Renegades took their first lead of the game, 17-14, with 28 seconds left in the third quarter when quarterback Luis Perez hit tight end Sal Cannella for a 6-yard touchdown pass.
Battlehawks return man Darrius Shepherd returned the ensuing kickoff 29 yards to the St. Louis 47 yard line, and McCarron and receiver Marcell Ateman covered the remaining 53 yards on the next play with their second touchdown connection of the day. A 1-yard run by Mataeo Durant for the extra point put the Battlehawks back in front, 21-17, with 14 seconds left in the third quarter.
St. Louis entered halftime with a 14-11 lead thanks to a pair of touchdowns on both of the Battlehawks’ second-quarter drives. The Battlehawks took an initial 8-0 lead with 10:36 left in the second quarter when Ateman caught a 24-yard pass from McCarron for Ateman’s first touchdown of the night. McCarron connected with Shepherd for a two-point conversion to complete the drive.
Arlington responded with an 8 play, 80-yard drive that ended when QB Lindsey Scott Jr. scampered for 6 yards into the end zone. Perez found RB Leddie Brown for a two-point conversion that knotted the game at eight. A 1-yard touchdown rush by Durant regained the lead for the Battlehawks on the following drive, highlighted by a 32-yard reception that got the Battlehawks to Arlington’s 1 yard line.
A 52-yard field goal by Arlington K Taylor Russolino shaved St. Louis’ lead to three points at the end of the first half.
The Battlehawks will return to the road for a Week 3 matchup for another XFL Conference matchup when they visit the San Antonio Brahmas on Sunday, April 14. That contest will kick off at the Alamodome in San Antonio at 2 p.m. and will be broadcast nationally on ABC.
SCORING SUMMARY
| Team | Qtr | Clock | Score | Type | Play | Drive | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STL | 2 | 10:29 | TD | PASS | Marcell Ateman 24 yd reception thrown by AJ McCarron (2PT ATT PASS caught by Darrius Shepherd GOOD) | 5/72/2:33 | 8-0 |
| ARL | 2 | 5:40 | TD | RUSH | Lindsey Scott Jr. 6 yd rush (2PT ATT PASS caught by Leddie Brown GOOD) | 8/53/4:49 | 8-8 |
| STL | 2 | 1:56 | TD | RUSH | Mataeo Durant 1 yd rush (2PT ATT PASS to Blake Jackson FAILED) | 6/60/3:44 | 14-8 |
| ARL | 2 | 00:00 | FG | Taylor Russolino 52 yd Field Goal | 8/32/1:56 | 14-11 | |
| ARL | 3 | 00:28 | TD | PASS | Sal Cannella 6 yd reception thrown by Luis Perez (1PT ATT PASS to Austin Allen FAILED) | 9/47/5:56 | 14-17 |
| STL | 3 | 00:14 | TD | PASS | Marcell Ateman 53 yd reception thrown by AJ McCarron (1PT ATT RUSH by Mataeo Durant GOOD) | 1/53/00:14 | 21-17 |
| ARL | 3 | 10:44 | TD | RUSH | De’Veon Smith 3 yd rush (1PT ATT PASS caught by Tyler Vaughns GOOD) | 8/82/4:30 | 21-24 |
| STL | 4 | 6:47 | FG | Andre Szmyt 47 yd Field Goal | 8/33/3:57 | 24-24 | |
| STL | 4 | 00:00 | FG | Andre Szmyt 22 yd Field Goal | 7/47/1:55 | 27-24 |
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