wolmerica Just like that, week two in the UFL has kicked off. The Memphis Showboats hosted the San Antonio Brahmas, in what was a battle between two undefeated teams.
For San Antonio, they took care of business against the DC Defenders – who were favorites to win that game – taking them down 27-12. A fresh Brahmas personnel group looked a lot different than last year, and the AJ Smith-Chase Garbers duo is already on pace to be elite in this league.
On the other side, the Memphis Showboats won their week one matchup against the Roughnecks. That said, it was an ugly affair, most notably in the second half. The Showboats have some things to clean up, especially within their offensive line.
Chef Cookus is ready for kickoff 
@USFLShowboats pic.twitter.com/tTbOTi9bog
— United Football League (@TheUFL) April 6, 2024
With the Brahmas having an opportunity to be the first XFL team to beat a USFL team, let’s take a look at what happened today.
First Quarter
The Memphis Showboats opened up with the football first. RB Trey Williams had an excellent kick return, which put them inside San Antonio territory to start.
Starting the game with a BIG return 
pic.twitter.com/jmxDkOzXi4
— Memphis Showboats (@USFLShowboats) April 6, 2024
One of Memphis’ struggles was field position, especially on first down last week. During their first drive, Case Cookus methodically marched the team down the field. On 3rd down inside the ten yard line, he found his favorite target – Daewood Davis – for the touchdown. Cookus then ran it in himself for the one point conversion, and Memphis went up 7-0.
Solid methodical drive from the @USFLShowboats that results in a score.
Case Cookus finds Daewood Davis, and Memphis takes an early lead. The offensive line looked better on this drive compared to last week. pic.twitter.com/Hv0CRhkM4T
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) April 6, 2024
While Brycen Alleyne gave San Antonio a fantastic start with a big kick return, the Brahmas went three and out, and punted from inside Showboats territory.
Memphis originally got bailed out on their second possession by a DPI call on Bryce Thompson. San Antonio’s defense held strong, though, and some pressure from Jalen Dalton forced a punt from the Showboats.
Memphis’ defense came up big on the next drive. Maxi Roberts strip sacked Chase Garbers, and recovered it himself, setting up the Showboats nicely heading into the second period.
What a play by Maxi Roberts. Formerly of the @XFLVipers, Roberts was picked up by Memphis and is already proving his worth defensively.
Strip sacks Chase Garbers, and recovers it himself. @MaxiRoberts_23 | #UFL pic.twitter.com/eVRSbx7cqi
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) April 6, 2024
Second Quarter
Daewood Davis is a top receiver in this league, and continues to get better every week. He made a couple of big catches on this drive, and Darius Victor also knocked off a few solid runs. After getting inside the ten yard line, a couple of great defensive plays from Teez Tabor and AJ Hendy resulted in a 23 yard field goal from Matt Coghlin.
COOKUS 
DAVIS 
pic.twitter.com/GJOlxVAzS2
— Memphis Showboats (@USFLShowboats) April 6, 2024
The Showboats defense continued to apply pressure. They were forcing San Antonio to throw checkdowns, and the secondary was flying around, ensuring the Brahmas could not convert. Brad Wing came out for another punt, and Memphis took over.
On 3rd and 1, Case Cookus ran it up the middle himself for a first down – but upon further review, he fumbled the football. Darius Phillips recovered for the Brahmas, and they regained possession with a massive turnover.
That ball is ours! Upon further review, we have recovered the fumble 
pic.twitter.com/FeOpKniu99
— San Antonio Brahmas (@XFLBrahmas) April 6, 2024
Carnell Lake’s defense played an outstanding first half. Maxi Roberts got to Chase Garbers again, forcing another punt.
SAAAAACK BY MAXIMILIAN ROBERTS pic.twitter.com/uh3T93XlTm
— Memphis Showboats (@USFLShowboats) April 6, 2024
After what looked like a promising drive for Memphis, a disastrous sack by Jordan Williams put them in a hole. Williams and Tavante Beckett combined for the next two tackles. Matt White punted it away, and the Brahmas had one last crack at it before the half.
Their sloppy play continued, though, and the Memphis Showboats got the ball back with less than a minute to go. Case Cookus used his legs to get the team in field goal range, and Matt Coghlin knocked through a kick to give Memphis a 13-0 halftime lead.
Get you a running back who blocks like @yungvitov pic.twitter.com/1qRyMMv34e
— Memphis Showboats (@USFLShowboats) April 6, 2024
Third Quarter
Marquez Stevenson got San Antonio off to a great start in the second half, with a 41 yard reception. However, the Brahmas still could not capitalize, ultimately stalling out. Jarey Elder made one heck of play on a deep ball to Kirklin, preventing what would have been a touchdown.
BIG gain for Marquez Stevenson 
pic.twitter.com/uwi8nMVFib
— San Antonio Brahmas (@XFLBrahmas) April 6, 2024
On their first drive of the third quarter, Cookus took off on a scamper, and got injured. This made backup QB Troy Williams come in for a play. The injuries continued, with TE Wes Saxton Jr. going down the very next play. Cookus came back in, but a sack from Wyatt Ray forced a punt.
San Antonio’s offense was stuck in a rut. It didn’t make much sense, given their success a week ago. Penalties, and poor execution left them empty handed, and they sent it back to Memphis.
The Showboats offensive line took some hits in the second half. Their penalties put Memphis in a 2nd and 26 situation – but, Jonathan Adams made a ridiculous catch deep down the field, on a prayer from Cookus.
JONATHAN ADAMS, ARE YOU SERIOUS??
The former Breakers leading receiver with an unreal catch, something we've become accustomed to while watching him play. Wow. #UFL | @ItsJayAdams pic.twitter.com/PDawF34vQ2
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) April 6, 2024
San Antonio’s defense stood strong in the redzone, and Coghlin knocked through another chip shot. With fifteen minutes to play, the Brahmas were marching, looking alive for the first time all game.
Fourth Quarter
After three quarters of poor offensive play, Chase Garbers made things happen for San Antonio. He was productive through the air – and on the ground – eventually finding Marquez Stevenson for their first touchdown of the day. A successful two point attempt, courtesy of John Lovett, made it an eight point affair.
THERE IT IS!
The @XFLBrahmas are on the board 
pic.twitter.com/Dttqsuof43
— United Football League (@TheUFL) April 6, 2024
Memphis was able to take advantage of excellent field position, thanks to another great return from Trey Williams. A roughing the passer call allowed for the Showboats to keep moving, and Cookus found Jonathan Adams again on a deep ball to put them in the red zone.
ANOTHER GREAT PLAY! 1ST AND GOAL! pic.twitter.com/5VrB8xOmQL
— Memphis Showboats (@USFLShowboats) April 6, 2024
Once again, though, Memphis couldn’t punch it in the endzone. Matt Coghlin hit another short field goal, and the Showboats went up 19-8.
San Antonio pushed the ball down the field quickly, as Garbers was in a groove in the fourth quarter. After getting down to near the 20 yard line, though, Chase threw an interception to Delrick Abrams Jr. on fourth and one.
IT'S A PICK! 
WE HAVE THE BALL!!! pic.twitter.com/koa8YABh7E
— Memphis Showboats (@USFLShowboats) April 6, 2024
Brahmas Comeback
As the game wound down, San Antonio had one more shot at it. This time, Garbers was able to put the Brahmas in the endzone. After a quick march down the field which involved a few different receivers, Chase found Jontre Kirklin for a touchdown, dropping a dime in the back of the endzone.
TOUCHDOWN JONTRE KIRKLIN! pic.twitter.com/kMUX5xXOzd
— San Antonio Brahmas (@XFLBrahmas) April 6, 2024
Some confusion led to a long delay before the XP attempt. Once that was sorted, San Antonio attempted a three point conversion, but Delrick Abrams broke it up.
This is where things got out of hand. In the UFL, you can attempt a 4th and 12 instead of an onsides kick, when trailing in the fourth. Garbers converted to Jontre Kirklin, just barely, and the Brahmas maintained possession.
THE FIRST ALTERNATE POSSESSION OPTION OF THE SEASON IS GOOD 
The Brahmas elect to go for the 4th-and-12 from their own 28-yard line rather than attempt an onside kick and successfully keep possession pic.twitter.com/nhwrvkcTug
— United Football League (@TheUFL) April 6, 2024
Chase continued to push the ball deep into Memphis territory. With the Showboats giving their receivers some space to not get beat over the top, the Brahmas took advantage.
Then, with less than 10 seconds to go, Garbers scrambled and found Cody Latimer in the back of the endzone, completing the comeback with a couple of seconds left.
THE #UFL COMEBACK IS COMPLETE. WOW.
What an unbelievable two series from Chase Garbers to bring this team back into it. Cannot believe what we just watched. pic.twitter.com/fKlLXMfNCG
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) April 6, 2024
With one play left, Cookus was going to attempt a hail mary – but was stripped of the ball. This ended the game, and the San Antonio Brahmas pulled out a miraculous 20-19 win.
Standout Playmakers
QB Chase Garbers: I’ll be the first to say it – there were some rough moments for Garbers today. His decision making was questionable at times, and the overall chemistry didn’t seem to carry over from a week ago. Ultimately, that didn’t matter during the final three minutes. Garbers ended up throwing for almost 300 yards and three touchdowns. For those of us who watched the full game, it’s hard to believe that was his final stat-line.
QB Chase Garbers today:
29/40
287 yards
3 TD
1 INT
1 Unreal Comeback
It was a frustrating 55+ minutes of football for Garbers this week, but those final two drives were spectacular. Hats off to A.J. Smith as well.
What a finish. #UFL pic.twitter.com/rIqJVlYp9N
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) April 6, 2024
WR Marquez Stevenson: Stevenson has proven to be a valuable weapon for A.J. Smith’s offense. Today, he posted 103 receiving yards and a touchdown, dicing up the secondary in crunch time. His speed and savviness makes him into an NFL-caliber prospect, especially if he keeps playing like this.
TE Cody Latimer: After a quiet start, Cody Latimer erupted in the second half. He finished with 91 yards on eight receptions, and made the biggest play of the day as Garbers found him for the walkoff touchdown. The veteran showed up in the most important moment, and we’d expect nothing less.
LB Jordan Williams: Williams was all over the place today. He posted eight tackles, a sack, and a TFL. The XFL’s leading tackler from a year ago continues to prove week in and week out why he’s a top defender in the spring football scene.
Safeties A.J. Hendy & Jordan Mosley: Mosley, who was with the Roughnecks a year ago, led the team with 10 tackles today. Hendy, the veteran, posted eight tackles and a PBU. Both were dynamic and did an excellent job in the red zone.
Memphis Showboats
QB Case Cookus: Cookus did what he could for Memphis today. Despite being banged up once again, Case totaled 194 passing yards, and added 58 on the ground. The Showboats lone touchdown of the day came from a Cookus dart to Daewood Davis.
WR Jonathan Adams: The former New Orleans Breaker put on a show in the second half, totaling three receptions for 76 yards – including the aforementioned grab on 2nd and 26. He’s been tremendous through two weeks so far.
DB T.J. Green: Green had an outstanding day in the secondary, with seven tackles and two TFL. While their unit crumbled down the stretch, for most of the outing they were fantastic, largely due to T.J.’s efforts.
DB Delrick Abrams Jr.: Abrams Jr. put Memphis in a position to close things out. He picked Garbers off with less than five minutes to go, and also prevented their three point attempt. Delrick finished with seven tackles, a TFL, an interception, and a PBU.
Key Factors
Well, I had to rewrite this entire section as I had it almost all typed out with two minutes left…so much for that. For the Memphis Showboats, talk about a coaching collapse. With full control and an 11 point lead, not to mention multiple penalties late from San Antonio, the Showboats still found a way to let the Brahmas back into it.
The biggest factor for Memphis: their red zone inefficiency. They kicked three field goals from within 25 yards out, and their fourth FG from 35 would have been a 25 yarder, had a penalty not been assessed prior to the kick.
Memphis kicked three field goals that were all from under 25 yards out (22, 22, 23).
Their inefficiency in the red zone is ultimately what haunted them today. No shot that comeback would have been remotely feasible, had the Showboats converted when they needed to early. #UFL
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) April 6, 2024
You’d have to imagine that Coach DeFilippo is sick to his stomach over this loss. Memphis dominated 58 minutes, but let it all slip away in the final 120 seconds.
How about those San Antonio Brahmas? Just when you think you can count them out, they put together one of the craziest comebacks you’ll ever see. It’s a full circle moment for the fans, as they watched their Brahmas choke away a late lead to St. Louis last season.
A.J. Smith has some work to do, as his offense was unable to move the ball much at all against the zone throughout the first half. The adjustments he made in the final two quarters – alongside Memphis moving into more of a man set – allowed for the unthinkable to become reality. The resiliency of this group cannot be understated.
Final Thoughts
Brahmas HC Wade Phillips on the UFL 4th & 12 alternative onside kick rule that extended the game and bought the Brahmas another drive to win it#SAvMEM pic.twitter.com/jT3m7Ue8ZH
— Matty Fresh (@MattyFreshTV) April 6, 2024
With a 2-0 record heading into week three, the Brahmas will have firm control of the XFL conference. Meanwhile, the Memphis Showboats let an opportunity slip, as they could have been the first USFL team with a 2-0 record.
Week two of the UFL continues tonight. The St. Louis Battlehawks make their 2024 home debut, against the Arlington Renegades at 8pm ET on ABC.
Did you enjoy watching this game between the San Antonio Brahmas and Memphis Showboats? Which UFL players stuck out to you? Let us know down in the comments below, or join the conversation on Discord!
The post San Antonio Brahmas Stun Showboats In Unreal UFL Comeback appeared first on Pro Football Newsroom.
