Texas Throwdown Turns Into Tug of War: Arlington Survives Houston in UGLY Week 2 UFL Clash

In what was dubbed another chapter of the “Texas Throwdown,” the Arlington Renegades narrowly edged out the Houston Roughnecks in an 11-9 slugfest that tested the patience of fans, the limits of offensive execution, and perhaps even the structural integrity of punting units. While Arlington emerged victorious, this Week 2 UFL matchup was less a clash of titans and more a battle of attrition—highlighting glaring offensive shortcomings on both sides of the ball.

A Game of Missed Opportunities

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Coming into the game, Arlington was riding high after demolishing San Antonio 33-9 in a clean and dominant performance. Houston, on the other hand, was reeling from a crushing 31-6 loss to the Battlehawks and seeking redemption. Ironically, the Roughnecks' only win in their previous campaign came against these same Renegades, offering a sliver of hope that history might repeat itself.

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Instead, the opening half was a masterclass in missed opportunities, stalling drives, and quarterback play that ranged from jittery to downright ineffective. Houston’s Anthony Brown struggled mightily to establish any rhythm, throwing near-picks and taking sacks at the worst times. Arlington’s Luis Perez wasn’t much better, consistently stalling in key moments and missing out on red zone capitalizations.

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The scoreboard read 3-3 at halftime—a fitting tribute to just how sloppy both offenses were. The Roughnecks were plagued by penalties and questionable decision-making, while Arlington continued to stumble in short-yardage and third-down situations. If there was a winner in the first half, it was punter Marquette King, who pinned Houston deep and was perhaps Arlington’s most consistent weapon.

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Defense Shines Amid Offensive Chaos

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The saving grace for both franchises was their defensive units, which came out swinging. For Arlington, defensive end Willie Taylor III played like a man possessed—recording a sack, a pair of tackles for loss, and a batted pass. Fellow lineman Will Clarke also made his presence felt, frequently disrupting the pocket and forcing hurried throws. On the back end, cornerback Jayden Price and safety Myles Dorn contributed critical stops to keep the Renegades afloat.

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Houston’s defense deserves equal praise. Safety Leon O’Neal Jr. was everywhere—racking up seven tackles, a sack, a TFL, and a forced fumble. Defensive linemen Tashawn Bower and Corn Elder also had key moments that disrupted Arlington’s tempo and limited any chance of offensive continuity.

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Offensive Spark, Finally

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It took over three quarters of grit and grind before the Renegades finally found the end zone. Luis Perez connected with Deontay Burnett on a smooth scoring strike and then hit him again for the two-point conversion, making it an 11-3 game. The touchdown was a brief reminder of the Renegades’ offensive potential when clicking—but that moment was fleeting.

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The Roughnecks, refusing to go quietly, made things interesting in the final minutes. Brown, suddenly effective in an up-tempo attack, led a scoring drive capped by a touchdown to Emmanuel Butler. But a failed two-point conversion—and a critical drop by Butler on 4th and 12—sealed Houston’s fate.

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Standout Playmakers

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Despite the mud slog, a few individual performances deserve mention:

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• Dae Dae Hunter (RB, Arlington): The most reliable offensive piece for Arlington, Hunter rushed for 63 yards and added another 22 through the air. His shifty movement and vision were the closest things to dynamic offense in this game.
• Isaiah Winstead (WR, Arlington): The big-bodied target led the team with 73 yards on seven catches, often moving the chains even when the rest of the offense sputtered.
• Will Clarke (DE, Arlington): Clarke didn’t fill the stat sheet, but his pressures and backfield presence were crucial to keeping Houston from gaining momentum.
• Willie Taylor III (DE, Arlington): Taylor might be the most quietly dominant defender in the league right now. His motor and impact plays were instrumental in limiting Houston’s scoring chances.
• Leon O’Neal Jr. (S, Houston): Houston’s defensive MVP, O’Neal played like a one-man wrecking crew trying to will his team to victory.

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Analysis & Takeaways

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Let’s not sugarcoat it: this game was hard to watch. The UFL, still building credibility and a loyal audience, won’t win over many new fans with games like this. Sloppy offensive execution, double-digit penalties, and stalled drives aren’t the hallmark of professional-level football.

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For Arlington, this win counts in the standings but raises significant concerns about offensive consistency. Through two weeks, they’ve tallied 18 penalties—an unacceptable number for a team hoping to contend. Their inability to convert on third downs or capitalize in plus territory could be their Achilles heel if not corrected quickly.

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As for Houston, the defense looks legit under coordinator Chris Wilson. But the offense? It’s bordering on dysfunctional. Anthony Brown’s leash should be short moving forward, and unless the Roughnecks can get better quarterback play or establish a ground game, they’re staring down a long, frustrating season. Nolan Henderson’s late-game cameo didn’t inspire much confidence either, though it’s hard to judge when protection collapses instantly.

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Looking Ahead

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Both teams leave this game with more questions than answers. Arlington may be 2-0, but they’ve shown two drastically different faces in their first two contests. Houston, now 0-2, needs to decide whether to stick with Brown or search for a new signal-caller to ignite their stagnant offense.

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For the UFL, parity is exciting—but only if it comes with execution. Defensive battles can be entertaining, but only if they're not the result of offensive ineptitude. The league needs cleaner football to maintain momentum and keep fans engaged.

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As Week 2 wraps up with the San Antonio Brahmas facing off against the St. Louis Battlehawks, one hopes the Sunday night game will offer more fireworks and fewer punts.

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