Dallas Renegades’ offense shows up late, but just in time to secure first XFL victory

After failing to find the end zone in the first seven quarters of their existence, the Dallas Renegades erupted for three touchdowns in the fourth quarter Sunday against the Wildcats in Los Angeles in their 25-18 win, their first XFL victory.

Former Oklahoma and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Landry Jones, who started his first professional football game in nearly two years, led the Renegades (1-1) after missing last week’s game as he recovered from injury. Jones threw for 305 yards, one score and two interceptions, but the star of the game was running back Cameron Artis-Payne, who ran for 99 yards and two touchdowns.

Artis-Payne, the 29-year-old Auburn product, only had 14 carries, but he picked up yardage in big chunks with a 7.1 yards per carry. His long was 21 yards, and it was the run that gave the Renegades their first touchdown in franchise history.

Down 9-6, with 9:02 to play in the game, Artis-Payne took the handoff and stutter-stepped through a hole in the center of the line. At the 15 he broke to the left picked up a key block from North Texas’ Lance Dunbar and cruised into the end zone untouched.

“The offensive line did a good job of wearing them down,” Artis-Payne said after the game.

Jones, who was frustrated with the level of his play after not having played competitively in more than 700 days, said he needed to be more accurate with the football.

“Literally, the guy hadn’t played in a couple of years,” said Renegades head coach Bob Stoops. “He’s missed five weeks of practice. He’s only had three days of practice ahead of this game.”

The Wildcats fell to 0-2, but they did create a bit of history in the loss by converting the first three-point conversion in XFL history on a 10-yard pass from Josh Johnson to Adonis Jennings.