The Dallas Renegades (3-0) hosted the Columbus Aviators (0-3) on Sunday afternoon at Toyota Stadium. The Columbus Aviators had Todd Haley fill in as head coach after head coach Tedd Ginn Jr. was arrested on Saturday night for DUI.
In the first quarter, Columbus got on the board when quarterback Jalan McClendon threw a short pass to John Lovett for an eight-yard touchdown. The Aviators took a 7-0 lead that concluded an eight-play drive for 60 yards. Late in the first quarter, Columbus had a chance to add more points, but kicker Ryan Coe missed a 50-yard field goal. The Aviators led the Renegades 7-0 heading into the second quarter.
In the second quarter, Dallas started from their 40-yard line. The offense went seven plays for 60 yards that resulted in quarterback Austin Reed throwing a two-yard touchdown pass to Deontay Burnett. The game was tied 7-7. Later, Columbus kicker Ryan Coe made a 53-yard field goal to put the Aviators back in the lead 10-7.
Late in the second quarter, Columbus had the ball on the 11-yard line. Two plays later, Columbus quarterback Jalan McClendon’s pass was intercepted by Shaun Wade. He lateraled the ball to Ajene Harris, who scored a 17-yard touchdown. The Renegades led the Aviators 14-10 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Dallas got the ball on the 27-yard line. The offense moved the ball to the one-yard line when quarterback Austin Reed tossed the ball to Dae Dae Hunter, who walked in for the touchdown. The Renegades extended their lead to 21-10 to conclude a 14-yard drive for 74 yards.
Dallas’s defense continued to make the day worse for McClendon. On third down, they pressured McClendon, where Eyabi Okie-Anoma got to him just as he was throwing the ball, only to lead to a Tra Fluellen interception on the 32-yard line. Dallas marched down the field, where quarterback Austin Reed threw a two-yard touchdown pass to Emmanuel Butler for a 28-10 lead to cap off a two-play drive for 32 yards.
Columbus responded on the drive, going six plays for 60 yards, where running back John Lovett scored a two-yard rushing touchdown. The Aviators trailed the Renegades 28-17 to end the third quarter.
Late in the fourth quarter, Columbus went on an 11-play drive for 75 yards. The drive ended when Jalan McClendon threw a two-yard touchdown pass to Antwane Wells. They were unable to get the two-point conversion and trailed the Renegades 28-23 with 1:58 left.
Columbus tried a 4th and 12 play, but did not get the first down. Dallas got the ball and ran out the clock to win the game. The Renegades remain undefeated with a 28-23 win over the Aviators.
Dallas had 225 yards on offense (147 passing yards, 83 rushing yards), 15 first downs, 3 for 3 in the red zone, and the team was penalized 11 times. Quarterback Austin Reed completed 18 of 29 passes (62.1%) for 147 yards, two touchdowns, and two carries for three yards. Running back Dae Dae Hunter had 11 carries for 62 yards and one rushing touchdown.
Wide receiver Tyler Vaughns had five catches for 41 yards, while Emmanuel Butler made two catches for 22 yards and one touchdown, and Deontay Burnett made three catches for 15 yards and one touchdown. The defense made 59 tackles, three tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions, four pass breakups, and one forced fumble.
Columbus had 288 yards on offense (230 passing yards, 74 rushing yards), 21 first downs, 3 for 3 in the red zone, and the team was penalized eight times. Quarterback Jalan McClendon completed 26 of 34 passes (76.5%) for 230 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions, and five carries for 24 yards. Running back John Lovett had six carries for 24 yards, one rushing touchdown, three catches for 23 yards, and one touchdown.
Wide receiver Tay Martin made five catches for 49 yards, while Antwane Wells made four catches for 43 yards and one touchdown. The defense made 52 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, and four pass breakups.
The two teams will meet in a rematch next Friday in Columbus at 8 pm on Fox.
