L.A. Wildcats quarterback Josh Johnson is chased out of the pocket by Dallas Renegades outside linebacker Hau’oli Kikaha during the second half of an XFL game at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday February 16, 2020. The L.A. Wildcats lost to the Dallas Renegades 25-18. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
LA Wildcats wide receiver Jordan Smallwood (84) attempts a catch in the end zone against Dallas Renegades cornerback Josh Hawkins (28) during the second half of an XFL game at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday February 16, 2020. The LA Wildcats lost to the Dallas Renegades 25-18. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
LA Wildcats tight end Brandon Barnes (82) misses a reception against the Dallas Renegades during the second half of an XFL game at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday February 16, 2020. The LA Wildcats lost to the Dallas Renegades 25-18. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
LA Wildcats running back Elijah Hood (34) tires to break free from Dallas Renegades defenders during the first half of an XFL game at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday February 16, 2020. The LA Wildcats lost to the Dallas Renegades 25-18. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
LA Wildcats quarterback Josh Johnson (8) throws the ball against the Dallas Renegades during the first half of an XFL game at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday February 16, 2020. The LA Wildcats lost to the Dallas Renegades 25-18. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
The LA Wildcats play against the Dallas Renegades during the second half of an XFL game at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday February 16, 2020. The LA Wildcats lost to the Dallas Renegades 25-18. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
The LA Wildcats play against the Dallas Renegades during the second half of an XFL game at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday February 16, 2020. The LA Wildcats lost to the Dallas Renegades 25-18. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Dallas Renegades running back Lance Dunbar (25) runs for yards as he is chased by LA Wildcats linebacker Will Smith (57) during the first half of an XFL game at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday February 16, 2020. The LA Wildcats lost to the Dallas Renegades 25-18. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
LA Wildcats linebacker Will Smith (57) runs for yards after making an interception against the Dallas Renegades during the second half of an XFL game at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday February 16, 2020. The LA Wildcats lost to the Dallas Renegades 25-18. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
L.A. Wildcats quarterback Josh Johnson is chased out of the pocket by Dallas Renegades outside linebacker Hau’oli Kikaha during the second half of an XFL game at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday February 16, 2020. The L.A. Wildcats lost to the Dallas Renegades 25-18. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Dallas Renegades head coach Bob Stoops, left, speak to LA Wildcats head coach Winston Moss, right, at the end of an XFL game at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday February 16, 2020. The LA Wildcats lost to the Dallas Renegades 25-18. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley high fives a fan during the second half of an XFL game at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday February 16, 2020. The LA Wildcats lost to the Dallas Renegades 25-18. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
LA Wildcats offensive tackle Jaelin Robinson (73) looks on during the second half of an XFL game at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday February 16, 2020. The LA Wildcats lost to the Dallas Renegades 25-18. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
LA Wildcats fans hold up signs during the first half of an XFL game at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday February 16, 2020. The LA Wildcats lost to the Dallas Renegades 25-18. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
LA Wildcats wide receiver Nelson Spruce (11) stiff arms Dallas Renegades linebacker Tre Watson (40) during the first half of an XFL game at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday February 16, 2020. The LA Wildcats lost to the Dallas Renegades 25-18. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
LA Wildcats running back Elijah Hood (34) tries to keep his balance as he is hit by Dallas Renegades cornerback Josh Hawkins (28) during the first half of an XFL game at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday February 16, 2020. The LA Wildcats lost to the Dallas Renegades 25-18. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
LA Wildcats defensive tackle Latarius Brady (99) sacks Dallas Renegades quarterback Landry Jones (12) during the first half of an XFL game at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday February 16, 2020. The LA Wildcats lost to the Dallas Renegades 25-18. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
LA Wildcats wide receiver Adonis Jennings (18) catches the ball out of bounds in the end zone against Dallas Renegades safety Derron Smith (31) during the second half of an XFL game at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday February 16, 2020. The LA Wildcats lost to the Dallas Renegades 25-18. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
A young LA Wildcats fan reacts to the camera during the national anthem prior to the start of an XFL game at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday February 16, 2020. The LA Wildcats lost to the Dallas Renegades 25-18. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
A LA Wildcats helmet featuring a sticker with the numbers 24-8 honoring Kobe Bryant is pictured prior to the start of an XFL game at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday February 16, 2020. The LA Wildcats lost to the Dallas Renegades 25-18. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Young singing sensation Malea Emma preforms the national anthem prior to the start of an XFL game at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday February 16, 2020. The LA Wildcats lost to the Dallas Renegades 25-18. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
LA Wildcats offensive coordinator Norm Chow, center, looks on while his team warms up prior to the start of an XFL game at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday February 16, 2020. The LA Wildcats lost to the Dallas Renegades 25-18. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
LA Wildcats head coach Winston Moss walks off the field at the end of an XFL game at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday February 16, 2020. The LA Wildcats lost to the Dallas Renegades 25-18. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
LA Wildcats fans look on while the LA Wildcats warm up prior to the start of an XFL game at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday February 16, 2020. The LA Wildcats lost to the Dallas Renegades 25-18. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Downey residents Art and his son Arthur Lozano wearing Kobe Bryant t-shirts look on while the LA Wildcats warm up prior to the start of an XFL game at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday February 16, 2020. The LA Wildcats lost to the Dallas Renegades 25-18. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
LA Wildcats quarterback Josh Johnson (8) hands the ball off to running back Elijah Hood (34) during the first half of an XFL game against the Dallas Renegades at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday February 16, 2020. The LA Wildcats lost to the Dallas Renegades 25-18. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
LA Wildcats cornerback Roman Tatum (25) runs out of the tunnel with his teammate prior to the start of an XFL game at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday February 16, 2020. The LA Wildcats lost to the Dallas Renegades 25-18. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
LA Wildcats running back Elijah Hood (34) runs for yards against Dallas Renegades linebacker Asantay Brown (58) uring the first half of an XFL game at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday February 16, 2020. The LA Wildcats lost to the Dallas Renegades 25-18. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
LA Wildcats tight end Brandon Barnes (82) stiff arms Dallas Renegades cornerback Donatello Brown (26) during the second half of an XFL game at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday February 16, 2020. The LA Wildcats lost to the Dallas Renegades 25-18. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
CARSON — The XFL had a successful opening week. The rule changes and in-game interviews were a hit on social media. It was new and refreshing professional football in mid February.
But that buzz was missing for three quarters during the Los Angeles Wildcats’ home opener on Sunday against the Dallas Renegades at Dignity Health Sports Park. The stench of overthrows, dropped passes, turnovers and excessive TV timeouts overtook the fresh aroma of the startup league.
The XFL had its Week 1 success with quarterbacks Josh Johnson and Landry Jones on the bench with injuries. Having two of the league’s best quarterbacks on the same field for their debuts was supposed to give the league a boost. It did the opposite, delivering perhaps the ugliest game of the XFL 2.0 era. Well, at least for three quarters.
Jones’ Renegades defeated Johnson’s Wildcats 25-18, but the quarterbacks likely won’t be taking any Week 2 awards for their performances. The announced crowd of 14,979 did eventually receive some excitement in the final five minutes.
Loud “Let’s go, Wildcats” and “defense” chants broke out after Johnson connected with wide receiver Adonis Jennings for a 3-point play that cut Dallas’ lead to 19-18 with 4:37 left in regulation. Perhaps they were cheering because passes were finally completed, or because the Wildcats were able to turn a 10-point deficit into a one-point game on one drive.
There was some good, and a lot of bad for the Wildcats home debut. The 0-2 Wildcats still need plenty of work, but what transpired in the final five minutes of the game gives them hope of winning over some fans in the Los Angeles market.
“We’ve got to give them more to cheer about,” Wildcats coach Winston Moss said. “When an L.A. crowd gets behind you, there’s nothing else like it. I felt some of that today, and I really appreciate the fans for coming out and trying to support us today.”
The game finished in under three hours, and the first half only took 60 minutes, although the clunky football made it feel much longer.
Johnson and Jones, two NFL-tested quarterbacks, missed numerous throws in the first three quarters. Jones, the former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, finished 28 of 40 for 305 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Johnson, who started eight games in the NFL, completed 18 of 34 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns and no interceptions.
It was a shaky debut for the two signal-callers, but neither had played in a game in over six months. Jones rushed throws and Johnson missed open receivers, including a pass to Nelson Spruce in the end zone. But Spruce did finish with two touchdown catches from Johnson, and six receptions for 89 yards.
“We left a lot on the field today,” Johnson said. “I missed throws that I know I can make … I know for a fact that I should make. I’ll get back on the tape. I will evaluate myself hard and see what I can do better next week.”
The play on the field can always improve for the Wildcats, but will Los Angeles care after one home game? The winless Wildcats host Cardale Jones and the undefeated D.C. Defenders next Sunday at 3 p.m.
For five minutes, the fans in Carson cared, and it says something that they stayed in the stands that long after the bad three quarters of football.
Perhaps it was the in-game interviews that entertained the fans. Wildcats center Patrick Vahe screamed into the microphone to fire up the crowd, and “Spruuuceeee” chants were heard during the wideout’s turn for an interview.
“The atmosphere was awesome, especially in that fourth quarter, when we had a chance to stop them to try to get the ball back to go win it,” said Spruce, who played at Westlake High School and had stints with the Rams and Chargers. “The crowd was loud. … That was awesome. Just wish we could have gotten the win for our first home game.
“I think part of that is just being a hometown guy, and having played for the Rams and the Chargers for a little bit. It’s just cool to get that kind of appreciation.”
Spruce was a crowd favorite, and had a memorable moment when he opened a can of Bud Light Seltzer black cherry to sip on during his post-game news conference.
“This is good,” Spruce said of the alcoholic beverage. “I was kinda a White Claw guy, but the black cherry is pretty good.”
Spruce has what the Wildcats are looking for as a whole. Good performer on the field, marketable — and knows how to promote the sponsors.
The product on the field hasn’t been appealing, but for five minutes, the Wildcats had the audience’s attention. It’s at least something to build on heading into Week 3.
