The Arlington Renegades only went 4-6 in the XFL regular season, but they still somehow managed to win the league championship on Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
The team toppled the 10-win D.C. Defenders, 35-26, to take the XFL championship for 2023, a stunning fact when you realize they’d only won four games out of 10 before the XFL playoffs.
However, the Renegades caught fire in the postseason and defeated the Houston Roughnecks in the semifinals to reach Saturday’s championship.
Former University of Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops coached the Renegades to the improbable title victory, one that just shows how fascinating a league like the XFL can be.
How often is it that a team with a 4-6 regular season can storm the playoffs and win the entire league?
FROM 4-6 RECORD TO AN XFL CHAMPIONSHIP 🏆 @XFLRenegades | @XFL2023 pic.twitter.com/D0DaUp7X0i
— ESPN (@espn) May 14, 2023
Arlington’s quarterback Luis Perez was acquired midseason via a trade and threw for 288 yards and three touchdowns in the victory,
The Arlington Renegades led by HC Bob Stoops have defeated the D.C. Defenders 35-26 and are XFL Champions.
QB Luis Perez, who was acquired in a midseason trade, led the way: 26/36, 288 yards, 3 TDs and 0 INTs.
Perez was named MVP. pic.twitter.com/iR44Pnwi7R
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 14, 2023
Renegades running back Leddie Brown also played a key role in the win despite not scoring a touchdown for the entire season.
Entering today, Leddie Brown hadn't scored a TD this season. He's got 1 rushing and 1 receiving in the XFL Championship.
He becomes the first player with a Rush TD and Rec TD in an XFL game this season. pic.twitter.com/8p9lamTQMZ
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 14, 2023
Stoops got predictably drenched as the clock winded down on the Renegades’ XFL title, a fascinating way for this football season to end.
THE ARLINGTON RENEGADES REACH BOWL ELIGIBILITY AND GET TO 6-6 BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY THEY WIN THE XFL CHAMPIONSHIP!! BOB STOOPS XFL CHAMP!!pic.twitter.com/X4U4Hhge6y
— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) May 14, 2023
