Roughnecks vs. Renegades final score, results: Arlington advances to XFL championship with upset of Houston

Dan Treacy

•
Roughnecks vs. Renegades final score, results: Arlington advances to XFL championship with upset of Houston image

Entering a win-or-go-home game as a decisive favorite can be one of the toughest positions for a team. The Roughnecks looked like a group that felt the pressure on Saturday night. 

After notching two wins over the Renegades during the regular season, the roles reversed in the playoffs as Houston's offense melted down. The Roughnecks scored only one touchdown in an ugly 26-11 home loss, falling into an early hole and never showing signs of recovery despite many chances in the second half. 

The Renegades, who finished the regular season 4-6, earned their way into the XFL championship game after a hot start by QB Luis Perez. Perez threw three touchdowns in the first half, including a 59-yard strike to JaVonta Payton.

Arlington's offense wasn't nearly as electrifying in the second half, but it managed to take time off the clock and limit the Roughnecks' chances. The Renegades' defense took care of the rest, intercepting Cole McDonald in the fourth quarter to effectively seal Arlington's victory.

MORE: Full XFL playoff schedule, bracket

The regular season didn't go as planned for the Renegades, but Bob Stoops won in big moments at Oklahoma and won when it mattered on Saturday.

Arlington will stay in-state for the XFL championship at the Alamodome in San Antonio on May 13. The Renegades will face the winner of Sunday's semifinal game between the Defenders and Sea Dragons. They're set to enter as a decisive underdog in that game, too, regardless of their opponent. 

The Renegades embraced their underdog status in Houston, so it might not be wise for the Defenders or Sea Dragons to overlook them. 

MORE: Watch XFL playoff games live with Fubo (free trial)

The Sporting News tracked live updates and highlights from Saturday's XFL playoff game between the Roughnecks and Renegades. Check out all of the key moments you might have missed.

Roughnecks vs. Renegades live score

  1 2 3 4 F
Roughnecks 0 8 3 3 11
Renegades 6 17 0 0 26

Roughnecks vs. Renegades updates, highlights from XFL playoff game

(All times Eastern)

Final: Renegades 26, Roughnecks 11

9:55 p.m. — This one is OVER. The 7-3 Roughnecks are stunned by the 4-6 Renegades, who will face the Defenders or Sea Dragons for the XFL championship as underdogs again.

Renegades 26, Roughnecks 11

9:49 p.m. FIELD GOAL — The Renegades' offense hasn't been too impressive in the second half, but it's been just good enough to run this clock down. Arlington kicks a field goal here to extend the lead to 15 and ice it with a minute left.

9:38 p.m. INTERCEPTION — That might end the Roughnecks' season! Cole McDonald is picked off by DeVante Bausby, and Houston needs a miracle with five minutes remaining.

9:34 p.m. — Arlington will punt, but time is running low for the Roughnecks...

9:32 p.m. — The Renegades are rapidly running time off the clock and making a Houston comeback more improbable, even with XFL rules.

9:25 p.m. — The Roughnecks are doing what they badly needed to avoid on this drive: Punting. Houston's defense needs to make some plays, and quickly, for this team to have a chance.

End of third quarter: Renegades 23, Roughnecks 11

9:15 p.m. — The conversion bought the Renegades some time, taking this down to the end of the third quarter, but they'll be punting it back to Houston. Time for the Roughnecks to show some fight.

9:09 p.m. — A HUGE completion by Perez to Caleb Vander Esch on 3rd & 15. That keeps the Renegades' drive very much alive and moves the Renegades well into Roughnecks territory.

Renegades 23, Roughnecks 11

9:01 p.m. FIELD GOAL — Something is still not quite right with this Roughnecks offense... Cole McDonald is sacked on 3rd & 3 from the Renegades' 7-yard line, and Houston settles for the field goal to trim the deficit to 12.

8:57 p.m. FUMBLE — Woah! The Roughnecks punt again, but they recover on a Renegades fumble. That's a bad mistake by Arlington that could allow Houston to make this a game.

8:53 p.m. — Houston still has some real hope after forcing a quick three-and-out. The Roughnecks have forced three consecutive incompletions by Perez after his hot start.

8:48 p.m. — The Roughnecks' first drive of the second half ends in a punt as the issues begin to compile. That would've been a nice opportunity to steal the momentum. 

End of first half: Renegades 23, Roughnecks 8

8:28 p.m. FIELD GOAL — The magic ends for Perez, at least for now, and the Renegades settle for the field goal after a pair of red zone incompletions. Arlington has a commanding 23-8 lead entering the second half. Intrigue!

8:23 p.m. — Here come the Renegades again! Back-to-back 27-yard completions from Perez, who is dealing tonight. Arlington is trying to complete an 87-yard drive with a touchdown.

8:18 p.m. — The Roughnecks open their drive with a first down but quickly end up punting...that's exactly what they couldn't have happen. Now the Renegades have a chance to score before the end of the half. 

Renegades 20, Roughnecks 8

8:13 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Perez hits Brandon Arconado for the 14-yard touchdown! That's Perez's third TD pass of the game, and the successful two-point attempt makes it a 12-point lead again for Arlington. 

8:07 p.m. — Back-to-back gains of 15+ yards have the Renegades back in the red zone already. This is not the Arlington offense that's struggles throughout the season. Luis Perez is having a statement game so far.

Renegades 12, Roughnecks 8

7:58 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — After coming up short on 1st & 1, Jeremy Cox punches it in for the Roughnecks touchdown! The two-point try is good, so it's only a four-point game. 

7:53 p.m. — Now Houston is starting to get serious. The Roughnecks start with decent field position and have methodically run the ball into the red zone. Here's an opportunity to trim Arlington's deficit and quickly take the momentum back. 

Renegades 12, Roughnecks 0

7:50 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — JaVonta Payton again! Perez hits Payton for a 59-yard touchdown to make this a two-possession game! We are officially on upset alert.

End of first quarter: Renegades 6, Roughnecks 0

7:43 p.m. — The Roughnecks were able to pick up one first down but didn't come close to approaching midfield. Another punt for Houston as the offensive struggles pile up. Can Arlington take advantage?

7:35 p.m. — This drive doesn't go as far for the Renegades, who will punt.

7:26 p.m. — Wow, the Roughnecks move into Arlington territory but get stopped. Renegades force a Brandon Silvers incompletion and will get the ball back. 

Renegades 6, Roughnecks 0

7:18 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — The Renegades strike first! Luis Perez stays patient and finds JaVonta Payton for a 14-yard score. The two-point try is no good, but underdog Arlington is on the board first.

7:13 p.m. — Arlington is having a nice opening drive, taking the ball into Roughnecks territory after a 24-yard run by De'Veon Smith.

6:55 p.m. — The Renegades, who finished three games behind the Roughnecks, are embracing the underdog role.

6:42 p.m. — The Roughnecks are ready to go. Being a clear favorite in a win-or-go-home game is not usually an easy position. Can Houston meet expectations?

Roughnecks vs. Renegades start time

  • Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET | 6 p.m. CT

Saturday's playoff game between the Roughnecks and Renegades will kick off at 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. local time) from TDECU Stadium in Houston. 

What channel is Roughnecks vs. Renegades on today?

XFL fans will be able to watch Saturday's playoff game between the Roughnecks and Renegades game on ESPN. Live stream options include ESPN+ and Fubo, which offers a free trial.

Division championships

Saturday, April 29

Matchup Time (ET) TV Live stream
(1) Houston Roughnecks vs. (2) Arlington Renegades 7 p.m. ESPN ESPN+, Fubo

Sunday, April 30

Matchup Time (ET) TV Live stream
(1) D.C. Defenders vs. (2) Seattle Sea Dragons 3 p.m. ESPN ESPN+, Fubo

XFL Championship

Sunday, May 13

Matchup Time (ET) TV Live stream
North champion vs. South champion 8 p.m. ABC Fubo

Dan Treacy

Dan Treacy Photo

Dan Treacy is a content producer for Sporting News, joining in 2022 after graduating from Boston University. He founded @allsportsnews on Instagram in 2012 and has written for Lineups and Yardbarker.