Top Moments: Houston Roughnecks 34, Tampa Bay Vipers 27
See live photos and video from the first game of the Week 3 schedule. The Tampa Bay Vipers (0-2) play their first home game in the XFL, hosting the Houston Roughnecks (1-0) in this interconference battle at Raymond James Stadium.
FINAL: Snakebitten
Taylor Cornelius throws an interception that sealed the Vipers' loss.
FINAL SCORE: Houston Roughnecks 34, Tampa Bay 27
4th Qtr: Can't punch it in
The Vipers fail to cross the goal line in four attempts from the 2-yard line.
Roughnecks buried deep in their territory late in the fourth quarter but still up 34-27.
4th Qtr: Hard Cam
Cam. Phillips. Touchdown. Again. Third time's the charm.
Nick Holley hauls in a Walker pass for a two-point conversion.
34-27 Roughnecks with 10:24 left in the fourth.
4th Qtr: Franks Hot Sauce
Andrew Franks splits the uprights again from 43 yards out to put the Vipers ahead 27-26.
3rd Qtr: Dan Can, Dan Williams
Wideout Dan Williams takes a short pass 20 yards for the touchdown.
Off an unsuccessful two-point attempt, it's 26-24 Roughnecks.
... And the drama after the touchdown was just as beastly.
3rd Qtr: Candid Cam
Cam Phillips strikes again.
At this point: Eight targets. Six catches. 163 yards. Two touchdowns.
3rd Qtr: Phillips fills up
P.J. Walker ... Cam Phillips ... great move for the touchdown.
Phillips' second TD plant of the game and sixth of the year.
James Butler adds a two-point rush to make it 26-18.
Halftime: Walker the WorldWide Leader?
ESPN personality Mina Kimes saying the obvious?
2nd Qtr: Corn Dog eats up the defense
After leading a frantically paced final-minute drive, Vipers QB Taylor Cornelius, who rotated back in to replace Quinton Flowers, punches it into the end zone to close out the half.
A two-point snag by Dan Williams knots the score 18-18 heading into halftime.
2nd Qtr: Cleaning up
Roughnecks QB P.J. Walker can do no wrong.
A wild snap couldn't prevent him from simply picking up the rock, turning the corner, and giving Houston the lead back with six points.
After an unsuccessful three-point try, it's 15-10 Roughnecks with 4:59 left in the second quarter.
2nd Qtr: The Butler Did It Again
Roughnecks RB James Butler pops off a 30-yard scamper to bring the Roughnecks deep into Tampa Bay territory.
2nd Qtr: Scramble in
Vipers QB Quinton Flowers follows up that highlight throw by carrying into the end zone off a run-pass option for Tampa Bay's first offensive touchdown in franchise history.
A one-point conversion puts Tampa Bay up 10-9. This offense is rolling with Flowers under center and offensive coordinator Jaime Elizondo contributing to the play-calling.
2nd Qtr: Spinning Wheel
Vipers RB De'Veon Smith lays out to make a
1st Qtr: Bomb under pressure
While being thrown around by defenders on the toss, Roughnecks QB P.J. Walker hits Cam Phillips for an 84-yard touchdown.
He then slices the secondary for a three-point completion to Sam Mobley.
9-3 Roughnecks
1st Qtr: Three on the board
The Vipers move quickly via Taylor Cornelius' play under center and punch three points through on a 48-yard field goal by Andrew Franks.
3-0 Vipers
1st Qtr: Kickoff trickery
On the XFL's first kickoff at Raymond James Stadium, Vipers cornerback Rannell Hall zooms upfield on a fake reverse to get Tampa Bay started.
Ready to Strike
The Tampa Bay Vipers make their first hometown entrance as an XFL franchise.