Battlehawks run all over Roughnecks in UFL season opener

Field Level Media|published: Sat 29th March, 24:43 2025

XFL: St. Louis Battlehawks at Houston Roughnecks

Apr 2, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; St. Louis Battlehawks head coach Anthony Becht walks the sidelines as his team plays against the Houston Roughnecks in the second quarter at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

The St. Louis Battlehawks ran roughshod over the host Houston Roughnecks, compiling a UFL record 273 yards on the ground and four rushing touchdowns in a 31-6 victory on Friday night in the league's season opener.

Jarveon Howard (13 carries, 115 yards, one TD), Jacob Saylors (16-98-1) and Manny Wilkins (8-43-2) did the bulk of the rushing damage for the Battlehawks, who also got 189 yards from Wilkins on 17-of-22 passing.

Howard's score came on a 74-yard scamper -- the longest regular-season run in UFL history -- in the fourth for St. Louis' final TD.

Down 31-0 late in the fourth, the Roughnecks avoided the shutout on Justin Hall's 5-yard touchdown grab from Nolan Henderson (7-for-18 passing, 68 yards). Hall finished with a team-high five catches for 40 yards. Henderson added a team-high 54 yards on the ground, on four carries.

Pita Taumoepenu recorded a pair of sacks and T.J. Pesefea Jr. added one for the Battlehawks, who are led by third-year coach Anthony Becht. Damon Arnette notched the lone sack for the Roughnecks, who are coached by CJ Johnson, also in his third season.

--Field Level Media