American professional football season
The 2023 St. Louis Battlehawks season was the second season for the St. Louis Battlehawks as a professional American football franchise . They played as charter members of the XFL , one of eight teams to compete in the league for the 2023 season . The BattleHawks played their home games at The Dome at America's Center and were led by head coach Anthony Becht .[ 1] [ 2]
Roster
Schedule
All times Central
Week
Day
Date
Kickoff
TV
Opponent
Results
Location
Attendance
Score
Record
1
Sunday
February 19
2:00 p.m.
ABC
at San Antonio Brahmas
18–15
1–0
Alamodome
24,245
2
Thursday
February 23
8:00 p.m.
FX
at Seattle Sea Dragons
20–18
2–0
Lumen Field
10,386
3
Sunday
March 5
12:00 p.m.
FX
at DC Defenders
28–34
2–1
Audi Field
16,212
4
Sunday
March 12
3:00 p.m.
ESPN2
Arlington Renegades
24–11
3–1
The Dome at America's Center
38,310
5
Saturday
March 18
6:00 p.m.
FX
DC Defenders
20–28
3–2
The Dome at America's Center
35,868
6
Saturday
March 25
6:00 p.m.
FX
at Vegas Vipers
29–6
4–2
Cashman Field
6,033
7
Sunday
April 2
1:00 p.m.
ESPN
at Houston Roughnecks
24–15
5–2
TDECU Stadium
12,013
8
Saturday
April 8
12:00 p.m.
ESPN
Vegas Vipers
21–17 (OT )
6–2
The Dome at America's Center
35,167
9
Sunday
April 16
2:00 p.m.
ESPN
Seattle Sea Dragons
12–30
6–3
The Dome at America's Center
33,142
10
Saturday
April 22
11:00 a.m.
ESPN
Orlando Guardians
53–28
7–3
The Dome at America's Center
33,034
[ 3] [ 4]
Game summaries
Week 1: at San Antonio Brahmas
Game information
First quarter
SA – John Romo 43-yard field goal, 2:54. Brahmas 3-0. Drive: 8 plays, 32 yards, 3:26. Second quarter
STL – Donny Hageman 32-yard field goal, 8:03. Tied 3-3. Drive: 5 plays, 15 yards, 3:07. Third quarter
SA – John Romo 29-yard field goal, 9:16. Brahmas 6-3. Drive: 11 plays, 56 yards, 5:44. Fourth quarter
SA – Fred Brown 4-yard pass from Jack Coan (1-pt Conversion No Good), 10:42. Brahmas 12-3. Drive: 10 plays, 63 yards, 4:32.
SA – John Romo 48-yard field goal, 3:02. Brahmas 15-3. Drive: 9 plays, 37 yards, 5:08.
STL – Hakeem Butler 18-yard pass from A. J. McCarron (3-pt Conversion Good by Austin Proehl ), 1:25. Brahmas 15-12. Drive: 8 plays, 71 yards, 1:37.
STL – Austin Proehl 14-yard pass from A. J. McCarron (1-pt Conversion No Good), 0:16. Battlehawks 18-15. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:46.
Top passers
STL – A. J. McCarron – 18/27, 190 yards, 2 TD
SA – Jack Coan – 25/36, 207 yards, TD, INT Top rushers
Top receivers
STL – Austin Proehl – 4 receptions, 49 yards, 1 TD
SA – Jalen Tolliver – 3 receptions, 49 yards
Week 2: at Seattle Sea Dragons
Game information
First quarter
SEA – Dominik Eberle 29-yard field goal, 4:02. Sea Dragons 3–0. Drive: 13 plays, 61 yards, 7:02. Second quarter
SEA – Josh Gordon 54-yard pass from Ben DiNucci (3-pt Conversion Good by Josh Gordon), 14:56. Sea Dragons 12–0. Drive: 2 plays, 73 yards, 0:34.
STL – A. J. McCarron 1-yard rush (2-pt Conversion Good by Marcell Ateman ), 7:26. Sea Dragons 12–8. Drive: 14 plays, 72 yards, 7:24. Third quarter
STL – Donny Hageman 44-yard field goal, 6:32. Sea Dragons 12–11. Drive: 7 plays, 16 yards, 3:58. Fourth quarter
STL – Hakeem Butler 44-yard pass from A. J. McCarron (2-pt Conversion No Good), 7:14. BattleHawks 17–12. Drive: 6 plays, 73 yards, 3:00.
SEA – Jordan Veasy 8-yard pass from Ben DiNucci (3-pt Conversion No Good), 1:21. Sea Dragons 18–17. Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards, 1:50.
STL – Donny Hageman 44-yard field goal, 0:00. BattleHawks 20–18. Drive: 8 plays, 50 yards, 1:21.
Top passers
STL – A. J. McCarron – 22/36, 184 yards, TD
SEA – Ben DiNucci – 19/29, 196 yards, 2 TD Top rushers
STL – A. J. McCarron – 5 rushes, 41 yards, TD
SEA – Morgan Ellison – 10 rushes, 50 yards Top receivers
STL – Hakeem Butler – 4 receptions, 61 yards, TD
SEA – Jahcour Pearson – 4 receptions, 78 yards, TD
Week 3: at DC Defenders
Game information
First quarter
DC – Ethan Wolf 7-yard pass from Jordan Ta'amu (2-pt Conversion Good by Ethan Wolf), 10:31. Defenders 8–0. Drive: 7 Plays, 77 Yards, 2:26.
DC – Michael Joseph 42-yard interception return (2-pt Conversion No Good), 9:45. Defenders 14–0. Drive: 2 Plays, 4 Yards, 0:46.
STL – Brian Hill 8-yard pass from A. J. McCarron (2-pt Conversion Good by Darrius Shepherd ), 5:33. Defenders 14–8. Drive: 8 Plays, 73 Yards, 4:12. Second quarter
STL – Hakeem Butler 1-yard pass from A. J. McCarron (2-pt Conversion No Good), 0:03. Tied 14–14. Drive: 9 Plays, 75 Yards, 2:20. Third quarter
DC – Matt McCrane 41-yard field goal, 9:24. Defenders 17–14. Drive: 11 Plays, 48 Yards, 5:18.
STL – Jake Sutherland 23-yard pass from A. J. McCarron (2-pt Conversion No Good), 8:26. BattleHawks 20–17. Drive: 2 Plays, 25 Yards, 1:16.
DC – Jordan Ta'amu 2-yard rush (2-pt Conversion Good by Lucky Jackson), 3:08. Defenders 25–20. Drive: 12 Plays, 81 Yards, 5:18. Fourth quarter
DC – Matt McCrane 35-yard field goal, 15:00. Defenders 28–20. Drive: 4 Plays, 7 Yards, 1:40.
DC – Chris Blair 4-yard pass from D'Eriq King (2-pt Conversion No Good), 6:02. Defenders 34–20. Drive: 12 Plays, 67 Yards, 6:46.
STL – Steven Mitchell 2-yard pass from A. J. McCarron (2-pt Conversion Good by Steven Mitchell), 0:22. Defenders 34–28. Drive: 1 Play, 2 Yards, 0:00.
Top passers
STL – A. J. McCarron – 26/42, 262 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
DC – Jordan Ta'amu – 11/20, 196 yards, TD Top rushers
STL – Brian Hill – 12 rushes, 32 yards
DC – Abram Smith – 16 rushes, 54 yards Top receivers
STL – Hakeem Butler – 9 receptions, 105 yards
DC – Lucky Jackson – 4 receptions, 89 yards
Week 4: vs. Arlington Renegades
Game information
First quarter
STL – Donny Hageman 28-yard field goal, 5:46. BattleHawks 3–0. Drive: 10 Plays, 45 Yards, 5:46. Second quarter
Third quarter
STL – Brian Hill 15-yard rush (2-pt Conversion No Good), 6:48. BattleHawks 17–3. Drive: 6 Plays, 68 Yards, 3:12. Fourth quarter
ARL – De'Veon Smith 1-yard rush (2-pt Conversion Good by De'Veon Smith), 12:40. BattleHawks 17–11. Drive: 9 Plays, 87 Yards, 4:44.
STL – Hakeem Butler 25-yard pass from A. J. McCarron (1-pt Conversion Good by Jake Sutherland), 9:55. BattleHawks 24–11. Drive: 6 Plays, 67 Yards, 2:45.
Top passers ARL – Kyle Sloter – 23/39, 205 yards, 3 INT
STL – A. J. McCarron – 20/27, 214 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers ARL – De'Veon Smith – 9 rushes, 24 yards
STL – Brian Hill – 18 rushes, 89 yards Top receivers ARL – Sal Cannella – 6 receptions, 40 yards
STL – Darrius Shepherd – 8 receptions, 91 yards
Week 5: vs. DC Defenders
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
STL – Donny Hageman 36-yard field goal, 10:02. BattleHawks 3–0. Drive: 16 Plays, 72 Yards, 8:55.
DC – Abram Smith 62-yard rush (2-pt Conversion good by Josh Hammond), 9:22. Defenders 8–3. Drive: 2 Plays, 68 Yards, 0:38.
DC – Abram Smith 5-yard rush (2-pt Conversion No Good), 1:54. Defenders 14–3. Drive: 3 Plays, 14 Yards, 0:12. Third quarter
STL – Donny Hageman 34-yard field goal, 13:16. Defenders 14–6. Drive: 4 Plays, 0 Yards, 1:44.
DC – Abram Smith 70-yard rush (2-pt Conversion No Good), 12:24. Defenders 20–6. Drive: 2 Plays, 73 Yards, 0:51.
STL – George Campbell 5-yard pass from A. J. McCarron (2-pt Conversion No Good), 6:20. Defenders 20–12. Drive: 11 Plays, 65 Yards, 5:56. Fourth quarter
DC – D'Eriq King 10-yard rush (2-pt Conversion Good by Jordan Ta'amu), 12:16. Defenders 28–12. Drive: 7 Plays, 65 Yards, 3:31.
STL – Steven Mitchell 50-yard pass from A. J. McCarron (2-pt Conversion Good by Steven Mitchell), 4:19. Defenders 28–20. Drive: 4 Plays, 71 Yards, 1:43.
Top passers
DC – Jordan Ta'amu – 12/18, 90 yards
STL – A. J. McCarron – 22/34, 236 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers
DC – Abram Smith – 23 rushes, 218 yards, 3 TD
STL – Brian Hill – 14 rushes, 79 yards Top receivers
DC – Lucky Jackson – 5 receptions, 54 yards
STL – Hakeem Butler – 9 receptions, 86 yards
Week 6: at Vegas Vipers
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
STL – Gary Jennings Jr. 4-yard pass from A. J. McCarron (2-pt Conversion Good by Darrius Shepherd), 14:57. BattleHawks 8–0. Drive: 12 Plays, 62 Yards, 7:11.
STL – Donny Hageman 40-yard field goal, 2:25. BattleHawks 11–0. Drive: 11 Plays, 75 Yards, 6:42.
STL – Darrius Shepherd 30-yard pass from A. J. McCarron (2-pt Conversion No Good), 0:34. BattleHawks 17–0. Drive: 3 Plays, 57 Yards, 0:50. Third quarter
STL – Kareem Walker 1-yard rush (1-pt Conversion No Good), 9:32. BattleHawks 23–0. Drive: 7 Plays, 49 Yards, 4:03. Fourth quarter
VGS – John Lovett 17 yard pass from Brett Hundley (2-pt Conversion No Good), 7:05. BattleHawks 23–6. Drive: 5 Plays, 51 Yards, 2:10.
STL – Darrius Shepherd 6-yard pass from A. J. McCarron (1-pt Conversion No Good), 3:06. BattleHawks 29–6. Drive: 6 Plays, 45 Yards, 3:55.
Top passers
STL – A. J. McCarron – 23/29, 236 yards, 3 TD
VGS – Luis Perez – 13/20, 99 yards, 2 INT Top rushers
STL – Brian Hill – 14 rushes, 71 yards
VGS – John Lovett – 6 rushes, 19 yards Top receivers
STL – Darrius Shepherd – 7 receptions, 79 yards
VGS – Jeff Badet – 4 receptions, 34 yards
Week 7: at Houston Roughnecks
Game information
First quarter
STL – Gary Jennings Jr. 14-yard pass from A. J. McCarron (2-pt Conversion No Good), 4:18. BattleHawks 6–0. Drive: 13 Plays, 96 Yards, 7:53. Second quarter
HOU – Deontay Burnett 1-yard pass from Cole McDonald (1-pt Conversion No Good), 13:34. Tied 6–6. Drive: 11 plays, 69 yards, 5:44.
STL – Hakeem Butler 5-yard pass from A. J. McCarron (2-pt Conversion Good by Hakeem Butler), 8:22. BattleHawks 14–6. Drive: 8 plays, 45 yards, 5:12.
HOU – Hunter Duplessis 25-yard field goal, 3:11. BattleHawks 14–9. Drive: 10 Plays, 63 Yards, 5:11.
STL – Donny Hageman 59-yard field goal, 0:01. BattleHawks 17–9. Drive: 2 Plays, 8 Yards, 0:05. Third quarter
Fourth quarter
HOU – Fumble recovery returned for touchdown by William Likely (2-pt Conversion No Good), 10:44. BattleHawks 17–15. Drive: 1 Play, 0 Yards, 0:23.
STL – Darrius Shepherd 10-yard pass from A. J. McCarron (1-pt Conversion Good by Brian Hill), 3:54. BattleHawks 24–15. Drive: 11 Plays, 74 Yards, 6:49.
Top passers
STL – A. J. McCarron – 26/34, 222 yards, 3 TD
HOU – Cole McDonald – 15/32, 106 yards, TD, INT Top rushers
STL – Brian Hill – 11 rushes, 53 yards
HOU – Max Borghi – 9 rushes, 46 yards Top receivers
STL – Darrius Shepherd – 7 receptions, 70 yards, TD
HOU – Cedric Byrd – 7 receptions, 50 yards
Week 8: vs. Vegas Vipers
Game information
First quarter
VGS – John Lovett 5-yard rush (2-pt Conversion Good by Martavis Bryant), 11:26. Vipers 8–0. Drive: 7 Plays, 48 Yards, 3:35. Second quarter
VGS – Sam Sloman 23-yard field goal, 14:46. Vipers 11–0. Drive: 16 Plays, 87 Yards, 8:56.
STL – Hakeem Butler 32-yard pass from Nick Tiano (2-pt Conversion Good by Nick Tiano), 10:57. Vipers 11–8. Drive: 7 Plays, 73 Yards, 3:43. Third quarter
Fourth quarter
VGS – Geronimo Allison 27-yard pass from Jalan McClendon (1-pt Conversion No Good), 7:09. Vipers 17–8. Drive: 2 Plays, 27 Yards, 0:44.
STL – Gary Jennings Jr. 64-yard pass from Sterling Hofrichter (3-pt Conversion No Good), 4:55. Vipers 17–14. Drive: 4 Plays, 68 Yards, 2:14.
STL – Donny Hageman 34-yard field goal, 0:15. Tied 17–17. Drive: 10 Plays, 44 Yards, 1:45. Overtime
STL – Hakeem Butler pass from Nick Tiano for 2 points
STL – Brian Hill rush for 2 points
Top passers
VGS – Jalan McClendon – 13/23, 159 yards, 1 TD
STL – Nick Tiano – 19/34, 194 yards, 1 TD Top rushers
VGS – Jalan McClendon – 13 rushes, 62 yards
STL – Brian Hill – 10 rushes, 35 yards Top receivers
VGS – Mathew Sexton – 3 receptions, 27 yards
STL – Brian Hill – 6 receptions, 37 yards
Week 9: vs. Seattle Sea Dragons
Game information
First quarter
SEA – T. J. Hammonds 9-yard rush (2-pt Conversion Good by Phillip Lindsay), 7:35. Sea Dragons 8–0. Drive: 12 Plays, 74 Yards, 7:25.
STL – Donny Hageman 45-yard field goal, 2:48. Sea Dragons 8–3. Drive: 9 Plays, 44 Yards, 4:47. Second quarter
STL – Darrius Shepherd 42-yard pass from A. J. McCarron (2-pt Conversion No Good), 9:51. BattleHawks 9–8. Drive: 7 Plays, 92 Yards, 3:51.
SEA – Jordan Veasy 2-yard pass from Ben DiNucci (2-pt Conversion No Good), 3:09. Sea Dragons 14–9. Drive: 5 Plays, 53 Yards, 2:46. Third quarter
SEA – Jahcour Pearson 68-yard pass from Ben DiNucci (3-pt Conversion No Good), 11:36. Sea Dragons 20–9. Drive: 3 Plays, 63 Yards, 1:35.
STL – Donny Hageman 54-yard field goal, 3:24. Sea Dragons 20–12. Drive: 7 Plays, 24 Yards, 4:19. Fourth quarter
SEA – Ben DiNucci 8-yard rush (1-pt Conversion Good by Phillip Lindsay), 4:00. Sea Dragons 27–12. Drive: 3 Plays, 16 Yards, 1:27.
SEA – Dominik Eberle 36-yard field goal, 0:05. Sea Dragons 30–12. Drive: 7 Plays, 42 Yards, 1:54.
Top passers
SEA – Ben DiNucci – 21/31, 260 yards, 2 TD
STL – A. J. McCarron – 18/32, 186 yards, 1 TD Top rushers
SEA – Phillip Lindsay – 10 rushes, 17 yards
STL – Brian Hill – 5 rushes, 11 yards Top receivers
SEA – Jahcour Pearson – 7 receptions, 115 yards
STL – Marcell Ateman – 7 receptions, 99 yards
Week 10: vs. Orlando Guardians
Game information
First quarter
ORL – Andrew Jamiel 27-yard pass from Deondre Francois (1-pt Conversion No Good), 5:15. Guardians 6–0. Drive: 11 Plays, 79 Yards, 6:33.
STL – Donny Hageman 35-yard field goal, 2:25. Guardians 6–3. Drive: 6 Plays, 41 Yards, 2:50. Second quarter
STL – Kareem Walker 1-yard rush (2-pt Conversion No Good), 12:27. BattleHawks 9–6. Drive: 7 Plays, 42 Yards, 3:14.
ORL – Jordan Thomas 84-yard pass from Mac Brown (2-pt Conversion No Good), 9:35. Guardians 12–9. Drive: 4 Plays, 73 Yards, 2:52.
STL – Hakeem Butler 7-yard pass from A. J. McCarron (2-pt Conversion Good by Marcell Ateman), 6:36. BattleHawks 17–12. Drive: 6 Plays, 70 Yards, 2:59.
ORL – K. D. Cannon 45-yard pass from Quinten Dormady (2-pt Conversion Good by Andrew Jamiel), 6:19. Guardians 20–17. Drive: 1 Play, 45 Yards, 0:17.
STL – Jake Sutherland 5-yard pass from A. J. McCarron (2-pt Conversion Good by Hakeem Butler), 0:55. BattleHawks 25–20. Drive: 10 Plays, 66 Yards, 5:24. Third quarter
STL – Steven Mitchell 13-yard pass from A. J. McCarron (2-pt Conversion Good by Steven Mitchell), 9:32. BattleHawks 33–20. Drive: 6 Plays, 68 Yards, 2:57.
STL – Hakeem Butler 66-yard pass from A. J. McCarron (3-pt Conversion No Good), 4:08. BattleHawks 39–20. Drive: 2 Plays, 67 Yards, 0:46. Fourth quarter
STL – Darrius Shepherd 4-yard pass from A. J. McCarron (2-pt Conversion No Good), 10:55. BattleHawks 45–20. Drive: 5 Plays, 57 Yards, 2:31.
ORL – Charleston Rambo 6-yard pass from Quinten Dormady (2-pt Conversion Good by K. D. Cannon), 5:10. BattleHawks 45–28. Drive: 13 Plays, 65 Yards, 5:45.
STL – Steven Mitchell 16-yard pass from A. J. McCarron (2-pt Conversion Good by Hakeem Butler), 1:55. BattleHawks 53–28. Drive: 6 Plays, 39 Yards, 3:15.
Top passers
ORL – Quinten Dormady – 18/24, 187 yards, 2 TD
STL – A. J. McCarron – 28/35, 420 yards, 6 TD Top rushers
ORL – Devin Darrington – 6 rushes, 0 yards
STL – Mataeo Durant – 8 rushes, 36 yards Top receivers
ORL – Charleston Rambo – 5 receptions, 57 yards
STL – Hakeem Butler – 9 receptions, 164 yards
Standings
Staff
St. Louis Battlehawks staff
Front office Director of team operations – Anastasia Ali
Director of player personnel – Dave Boller Head coach Offensive coaches
Defensive coaches Team operations Athletic Trainer – Eric Avila
Equipment Manager – Todd Hewitt
Video Manager – Sean Hollister
*Linebackers coach Dave Steckel left the team after Week 2. Chris Claiborne took over Week 3.[ 6]
References
^ Lyons, Joe (October 31, 2022). "The Battlehawks are back: St. Louis XFL squad again will have that name" . St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved January 10, 2023 . ^ Somers, Jennifer; Machi, Sara (October 31, 2022). "Ka-Kaw! St. Louis Battlehawks will return in 2023" . KSDK. Retrieved January 10, 2023 . ^ Lyons, Joe (January 5, 2023). "St. Louis Battlehawks announce 2023 XFL schedule" . St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved January 10, 2023 . ^ Schneider, Joey (January 5, 2023). "St. Louis Battlehawks release 2023 schedule" . KTVI. Retrieved January 10, 2023 . ^ a b "XFL Standings" . XFL.com . February 19, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2023 .^ Rifino, Patrick (March 2, 2023). "Battlehawks Hire NFL Vet Chris Claiborne, amid Coach Steckel's Resignation" . xflnewshub.com . Retrieved March 3, 2023 .
Franchise Stadiums Key personnel Affiliations
League: XFL (2020-2023); United Football League (2024-present) Seasons
North Division South Division
