XFL 2023 Outcomes: Week 8 Scores and Finest Twitter Response from Saturday

Week 8 of the 2023 XFL season acquired underway Saturday with North Division rivals the St. Louis Battlehawks and Vegas Vipers squaring off within the early recreation, and the Arlington Renegades and Orlando Guardians going at it in a South Division conflict within the later recreation.

With simply three regular-season weeks remaining, each video games had been vital by way of playoff positioning.

The DC Defenders might have turn out to be the primary crew to clinch a playoff spot Saturday had the Vipers overwhelmed the Battlehawks, however St. Louis got here from behind and gained the primary extra time recreation of the 2023 XFL season regardless of being with out star quarterback AJ McCarron as a consequence of damage.

Here’s a rundown of the scores for Saturday’s XFL video games, in addition to recaps and response for the entire motion to date.

XFL Saturday Scores

St. Louis Battlehawks def. Vegas Vipers, 21-17 (OT)

Arlington Renegades def. Orlando Guardians, 18-16

Battlehawks 21, Vipers 17

With a large recreation in opposition to the Seattle Sea Dragons set for subsequent week, Battlehawks head coach Anthony Becht mentioned earlier than Saturday’s recreation in opposition to Vegas that he was sitting McCarron to ensure he’s absolutely wholesome for Week 9 and past.

Regardless of that, St. Louis gained its third consecutive recreation to enhance to 6-2, placing it in second place within the North Division, a half-game forward of Seattle.

Nick Tiano acquired his first begin at quarterback for St. Louis, and though he did not put up large numbers, he acquired the job performed with 194 yards, one landing (two interceptions) by the air, in addition to 51 speeding yards.

The important thing play of the sport for St. Louis did not come from its offense, although, because it was the particular groups unit that stepped up within the fourth quarter.

With the Battlehawks trailing by 9 factors with about 5 minutes remaining, they ran a pretend punt, and punter Sterling Hofrichter discovered a wide-open Gary Jennings for a 64-yard landing:

St. Louis missed the three-point conversion to tie, however it pressured extra time within the waning seconds of regulation with a area purpose.

Saturday marked the primary alternative for followers to see the XFL extra time guidelines in motion, and the response on social media was overwhelmingly optimistic:

Much like an NHL shootout or penalty kicks in soccer, the 2 groups alternated two-point conversion makes an attempt from the 5-yard line, and the crew with probably the most profitable conversions after three tries every gained.

Vegas missed every of its two tries, whereas Tiano hit vast receiver Hakeem Butler for 2 on St. Louis’ first try, and operating again Brian Hill then put the sport away on the Battlehawks’ second attempt:

Vegas was the one crew eradicated from playoff rivalry coming into Week 8, however it principally performed impressed soccer due to a possibility to play spoiler.

Simply as they’ve all through the season, nonetheless, the Battlehawks got here by in key moments and acquired higher as the sport went on.

Subsequent week’s contest in opposition to Seattle can be even larger, however because the Sea Dragons and Defenders play one another this week, the Battlehawks will both be tied for first within the North or on their lonesome in second coming into Week 9.

Successful with out McCarron was large, particularly since he must be absolutely wholesome and good to go in opposition to Seattle.

Arlington Renegades 18, Orlando Guardians, 16

A tricky season for the Guardians took one other gut-wrenching twist Saturday.

Down two and with just below 40 seconds remaining, Orlando quarterback Quinten Dormady fumbled the ball after being sacked, clinching an 18-16 win for the 4-4 Renegades that additionally snapped a two-game dropping streak.

The Guardians, in the meantime, dropped to 1-7 on the yr.

It was considered one of 5 turnovers for Dormady on the afternoon (two interceptions, three fumbles). XFL Twitter unsurprisingly had just a few ideas on that:

The Renegades turned these 5 turnovers right into a defensive landing and loads of second possibilities for an offense that struggled to generate many factors outdoors of a De’Veon Smith speeding rating.

Arlington’s season will proceed subsequent Sunday in opposition to the D.C. Defenders at midday ET, whereas the Guardians can be in motion on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET in opposition to the San Antonio Brahmas.