The Houston Roughnecks (3-3) hosted the Memphis Showboats (1-5) on Saturday afternoon from TDECU Stadium in their final meeting of the regular season. The Roughnecks have been on a role in the second half of the season winning two of their last three games.
For Memphis, they were looking to continue its momentum after a shocking overtime win over the Birmingham Stallions last Friday. This was a competitive game with Houston’s defense coming up big in the second half.
In the first quarter, Houston quarterback Jalan McClendon threw a short pass to wide receiver Justin Hall, who took it in for a 13-yard touchdown. Houston got the one-point conversion to take a 7-0 lead with 29 seconds left. The score remained 7-0 Houston at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Houston kicker Chris Blewitt made a 49-yard field goal extending the Roughnecks lead to 10-0 with 12:05 left. Memphis got back into the game when quarterback Dresser Winn completed a short pass to tight end Jay Jay Wilson for a two-yard touchdown. They did not get the two-point conversion and trailed the Roughnecks 10-6 with 7:26 left.
Late in the second quarterback, Memphis quarterback Dresser Winn rushed to his right side on his way to scoring a nine-yard touchdown. Memphis successfully converted the two-point conversion to take a 14-10 lead at halftime.
In the third quarter, Memphis quarterback Dresser Winn’s pass was intercepted by Houston defensive back Ja’Quan Sheppard. This led to Houston kicker Chris Blewitt making a 35-yard field goal and the Roughnecks trailed the Showboats 14-13 with 4:36 left.
On the next Memphis possession, quarterback Dresser Winn did not have protection on his right side which led to Armani Marsh hitting him forcing the ball out. T.J. Franklin recovered the ball on his way to scoring a 40-yard touchdown. Houston successfully converted the two-point conversion for a 21-14 lead with 2:35 left.
Houston’s defense continued to make a stand allowing two field goals by Matt Coughlin. Coughlin made a 42-yard field goal which made it 21-17 with 13 minutes left, and he later made a 27-yard field goal and the score was now 21-20 Houston with 5:50 left.
Houston’s offense was able to kill the clock and they secured a 21-20 win over the Memphis Showboats for their second consecutive victory. Houston can be in a three-way tie for first place on Sunday if Michigan and Birmingham lose on Sunday.
Houston had 209 yards of offense led by quarterback Jalan McClendon completing 20 of 28 passes (71.4%) for 149 yards, one touchdown, and five carries for four yards. Running back Zaquandre White led the rushers with 13 carries for 50 yards, and Kirk Merritt had four carries for nine yards and one catch for 37 yards.
Wide receiver Justin Hall led the receivers making six catches for 38 yards, and one touchdown, while Keke Chism made five catches for 32 yards. Kicker Chris Blewitt made two field goals with a long of 49 yards. The defense made 58 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, five pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Memphis had 287 yards of offense led by quarterback Dresser Winn completing 22 of 34 passes (64.7%) for 207 yards, one touchdown, one interception, three carries for 16 yards, and one rushing touchdown. Backup quarterback E.J. Perry completed 1 of 2 passes (50%) for seven yards.
Running back Wes Hills led the rushers with 13 carries for 47 yards. Wide receiver Dee Anderson led the receivers making five catches for 47 yards, and Deneric Prince made four catches for 39 yards.
Kicker Matt Coughlin made two field goals with a long of 42 yards. The defense made 57 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, and one pass breakup.
Next week, the Houston Roughnecks visit the Birmingham Stallions on Sunday at noon on ABC, followed by the Memphis Showboats hosting the St. Louis Battlehawks at 3 pm on ESPN. Purchase UFL tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
