American professional football season
The 2023 Vegas Vipers season was the second season for the Vegas Vipers 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 Vipers played their home games at the Cashman Field and were led by head coach Rod Woodson .[ 1]
The franchise relocated from Tampa, Florida to Las Vegas, Nevada prior to the season, changing the team's name from Tampa Bay Vipers to Vegas Vipers.[ 2] [ 3]
On January 1, 2024, it was announced that the 2023 season was the last season for the Vipers.[ 4] [ 5]
Roster
Schedule
All times Pacific
Week
Day
Date
Kickoff
TV
Opponent
Results
Location
Attendance
Score
Record
1
Saturday
February 18
12:00 p.m.
ABC
at Arlington Renegades
20–22
0–1
Choctaw Stadium
12,047
2
Saturday
February 25
4:00 p.m.
FX
DC Defenders
6–18
0–2
Cashman Field
6,023
3
Saturday
March 4
4:00 p.m.
FX
Seattle Sea Dragons
26–30
0–3
Cashman Field
6,037
4
Sunday
March 12
4:00 p.m.
ESPN2
at DC Defenders
18–32
0–4
Audi Field
11,521
5
Saturday
March 18
7:00 p.m.
FX
Orlando Guardians
35–32
1–4
Cashman Field
6,008
6
Saturday
March 25
4:00 p.m.
FX
St. Louis BattleHawks
6–29
1–5
Cashman Field
6,033
7
Saturday
April 1
12:00 p.m.
ESPN2
San Antonio Brahmas
26–12
2–5
Cashman Field
6,041
8
Saturday
April 8
10:00 a.m.
ESPN
at St. Louis BattleHawks
17–21 (OT )
2–6
The Dome at America's Center
35,167
9
Saturday
April 15
9:30 a.m.
ABC
at Houston Roughnecks
21–28
2–7
TDECU Stadium
10,967
10
Sunday
April 23
4:00 p.m.
ESPN2
at Seattle Sea Dragons
9–28
2–8
Lumen Field
15,046
[ 1] [ 6] [ 7]
Game summaries
Week 1: at Arlington Renegades
Game information
First quarter
VGS – Jeff Badet 5-yard pass from Luis Perez (2-pt Conversion No Good), 8:18. Vipers 6-0. Drive: 12 plays, 69 yards, 6:44.
ARL – Taylor Russolino 38-yard field goal, 1:29. Vipers 6-3. Drive: 12 plays, 55 yards, 6:47. Second quarter
VGS – Jeff Badet 39-yard pass from Luis Perez (2-pt Conversion Good to Brandon Dillon ), 4:43. Vipers 14-3. Drive: 5 plays, 65 yards, 2:18. Third quarter
ARL – Tomasi Laulile 22-yard interception return (2-pt Conversion No Good), 9:23. Vipers 14-9. Drive: 1 play, 22 yards, 0:04.
ARL – Taylor Russolino 32-yard field goal, 6:47. Vipers 14-12. Drive: 5 plays, 26 yards, 2:19.
ARL – Taylor Russolino 25-yard field goal, 2:43. Renegades 15-14. Drive: 5 plays, 28 yards, 2:17. Fourth quarter
ARL – De'Vante Bausby 6-yard interception return (1-pt Conversion Good by De'Veon Smith 1-yard rush, 4:06. Renegades 22-14. Drive: 1 play, 1 yard, 0:01.
VGS – Cinque Sweeting 20-yard pass from Luis Perez (2-pt Conversion No Good), 0:12. Renegades 22-20. Drive: 5 plays, 60 yards, 0:47.
Top passers
VGS – Luis Perez – 22/36, 249 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
ARL – Drew Plitt – 19/25, 172 yards, 1 INT Top rushers
VGS – John Lovett – 4 rushes, 10 yards
ARL – De'Veon Smith – 15 rushes, 42 yards Top receivers
VGS – Jeff Badet – 6 receptions, 81 yards, 2 TD
ARL – Sal Cannella – 7 receptions, 70 yards
Week 2: vs DC Defenders
Game information
First quarter
VGS – DeAndre Torrey 2-yard rush (2-pt Conversion No Good), 12:10. Vipers 6–0. Drive: 1 play, 98 yards, 0:04. Second quarter
Third quarter
DC – Matt McCrane 47-yard field goal, 9:41. Vipers 6–3. Drive: 11 plays, 42 yards, 5:19. Fourth quarter
DC – D'Eriq King 12-yard rush (1-pt Conversion Good by D'Eriq King), 14:58. Defenders 10–6. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 4:21.
DC – Abram Smith 9-yard rush (2-pt Conversion Good by Ethan Wolf ), 8:43. Defenders 18–6. Drive: 5 plays, 44 yards, 2:16.
Top passers
DC – Jordan Ta'amu – 11/23, 93 yards
VGS – Brett Hundley – 11/18, 98 yards Top rushers
DC – Abram Smith – 15 rushes, 71 yards
VGS – Rod Smith – 6 rushes, 39 yards Top receivers
DC – Josh Hammond – 3 receptions, 24 yards
VGS – John Lovett – 2 receptions, 33 yards
Week 3: vs Seattle Sea Dragons
Game information
First quarter
VGS – Jeff Badet 12-yard pass from Brett Hundley (2-pt Conversion No Good), 10:20. Vipers 6–0. Drive: 6 Plays, 25 Yards, 2:40.
SEA – Blake Jackson 26-yard pass from Ben DiNucci (3-pt Conversion No Good), 1:32. Tied 6–6. Drive: 7 Plays, 91 Yards, 3:47. Second quarter
VGS – Bailey Giffen 39-yard field goal, 7:38. Vipers 9–6. Drive: 8 Plays, 53 Yards, 4:11.
SEA – Dominik Eberle 34-yard field goal, 1:55. Tied 9–9. Drive: 6 Plays, 49 Yards, 2:10. Third quarter
VGS – Brett Hundley 6-yard rush (2-pt Conversion Good by Martavis Bryant ), 12:06. Vipers 17–9. Drive: 6 Plays, 75 Yards, 2:54.
VGS – Bailey Giffen 47-yard field goal, 6:24. Vipers 20–9. Drive: 8 Plays, 30 Yards, 3:18.
SEA – Josh Gordon 16-yard pass from Ben DiNucci (3-pt Conversion No Good), 1:17. Vipers 20–15. Drive: 9 Plays, 82 Yards, 5:07. Fourth quarter
SEA – Dominik Eberle 32-yard field goal, 7:06. Vipers 20–18. Drive: 10 Plays, 55 Yards, 5:28.
VGS – John Lovett 50-yard pass from Brett Hundley (2-pt Conversion No Good), 6:45. Vipers 26–18. Drive: 1 Play, 50 Yards, 0:21.
SEA – Juwan Green 22-yard pass from Ben DiNucci (3-pt Conversion No Good), 3:36. Vipers 26–24. Drive: 6 Plays, 73 Yards, 3:09.
SEA – Josh Gordon 65-yard pass from Ben DiNucci (3-pt Conversion No Good), 1:00. Sea Dragons 30–26. Drive: 4 Plays, 73 Yards, 0:43.
Top passers
SEA – Ben DiNucci – 29/37, 377 yards, 4 TD
VGS – Brett Hundley – 13/28, 224 yards, 2 TD Top rushers
SEA – Morgan Ellison – 17 rushes, 103 yards
VGS – Rod Smith – 10 rushes, 41 yards Top receivers
SEA – Jahcour Pearson – 7 receptions, 99 yards
VGS – Jeff Badet – 4 receptions, 93 yards
Week 4: at DC Defenders
Game information
First quarter
DC – D'Eriq King 5-yard rush (2-pt Conversion No Good), 13:11. Defenders 6–0. Drive: 4 Plays, 21 Yards, 1:35.
VGS – Bailey Giffen 37-yard field goal, 0:50. Defenders 6–3. Drive: 6 Plays, 44 Yards, 2:49. Second quarter
DC – D'Eriq King 2-yard rush (2-pt Conversion Good by Chris Blair), 10:42. Defenders 14–3. Drive: 11 Plays, 72 Yards, 5:08.
VGS – Bailey Giffen 33-yard field goal, 5:15. Defenders 14–6. Drive: 11 Plays, 50 Yards, 5:27. Third quarter
DC – Matt McCrane 20-yard field goal, 6:48. Defenders 17–6. Drive: 12 Plays, 80 Yards, 6:10.
DC – Matt McCrane 35-yard field goal, 1:44. Defenders 20–6. Drive: 5 Plays, 43 Yards, 2:36. Fourth quarter
VGS – Cinque Sweeting 26-yard pass from Luis Perez (2-pt Conversion No Good), 14:22. Defenders 20–12. Drive: 5 Plays, 74 Yards, 2:22.
DC – Matt McCrane 26-yard field goal, 6:53. Defenders 23–12. Drive: 14 Plays, 76 Yards, 7:29.
DC – Jequez Ezzard 32-yard pass from D'Eriq King (2-pt Conversion No Good), 2:40. Defenders 29–12. Drive: 6 Plays, 52 Yards, 2:49.
VGS – Cinque Sweeting 25-yard pass from Luis Perez (3-pt Conversion No Good), 1:55. Defenders 29–18. Drive: 2 Plays, 30 Yards, 0:45.
DC – Matt McCrane 23-yard field goal, 0:47. Defenders 32–18. Drive: 5 Plays, 16 Yards, 1:02.
Top passers
VGS – Luis Perez – 23/32, 283 yards, 2 TD
DC – Jordan Ta'amu – 14/19, 177 yards, 0 TD Top rushers
VGS – John Lovett – 7 rushes, 39 yards
DC – Abram Smith – 22 rushes, 58 yards Top receivers
VGS – Jeff Badet – 7 receptions, 80 yards
DC – Josh Hammond – 5 receptions, 17 yards
Week 5: vs. Orlando Guardians
Game information
First quarter
ORL – Quinton Flowers 1-yard rush (1-pt Conversion Good by Jah-Maine Martin), 8:25. Guardians 7–0. Drive: 13 Plays, 67 Yards, 6:35.
VGS – Jeff Badet 35-yard pass from Luis Perez (2-pt Conversion Good by Rod Smith), 2:59. Vipers 8–7. Drive: 3 Plays, 40 Yards, 1:14. Second quarter
VGS – Sean Price 3-yard pass from Luis Perez (2-pt Conversion No Good), 10:44. Vipers 14–7. Drive: 5 Plays, 63 Yards, 2:47.
VGS – Bailey Giffen 39-yard field goal. Vipers 17–7. Drive: 8 Plays, 45 Yards, 4:50.
ORL – Charleston Rambo 25-yard pass from Quinten Dormady (1-pt Conversion No Good), 0:50. Vipers 17–13. Drive: 10 Plays, 71 Yards, 3:42. Third quarter
VGS – Rod Smith 1-yard rush (2-pt Conversion No Good), 9:53. Vipers 23–13. Drive: 9 Plays, 53 Yards, 5:07.
ORL – Jah-Maine Martin 2-yard rush (2-pt Conversion No Good), 5:07. Vipers 23–19. Drive: 11 Plays, 73 Yards, 4:47. Fourth quarter
VGS – Rod Smith 1-yard rush (1-pt Conversion No Good), 14:57. Vipers 29–19. Drive: 10 Plays, 71 Yards, 5:10.
ORL – Devin Darrington 2-yard rush (1-pt Conversion Good by Devin Darrington), 12:24. Vipers 29–26. Drive: 6 Plays, 73 Yards, 2:34.
VGS – Jeff Badet 25-yard pass from Luis Perez (1-pt Conversion No Good), 6:26. Vipers 35–26. Drive: 10 Plays, 87 Yards, 5:57.
ORL – Cody Latimer 45-yard pass from Quinten Dormady (3-pt Conversion No Good), 1:12. Vipers 35–32. Drive: 3 Plays, 61 Yards, 0:39.
Top passers
ORL – Quinten Dormady – 22/25, 256 yards, 2 TD
VGS – Luis Perez – 20/28, 269 yards, 3 TD Top rushers
ORL – Jah-Maine Martin – 9 rushes, 36 yards
VGS – Rod Smith – 18 rushes, 62 yards Top receivers
ORL – Cody Latimer – 8 receptions, 124 yards
VGS – Jeff Badet – 5 receptions, 80 yards
Week 6: vs. St. Louis BattleHawks
Week 6: St. Louis BattleHawks at Vegas Vipers – Game summary
at Cashman Field , Las Vegas, Nevada
Date : Game time : 4:00 p.m. PDTGame weather : 59 °F (15 °C)Game attendance : 6,033Referee : Jason AutreyTV announcers (FX) : Lowell Galindo , Sam Acho , Ian Fitzsimmons and Taylor McGregor[5]
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, 0 TD 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: vs. San Antonio Brahmas
Game information
First quarter
SA – Fred Brown 1-yard pass from Kurt Benkert (2-pt Conversion No Good), 11:29. Brahmas 6–0. Drive: 6 Plays, 73 Yards, 3:33.
VGS – Sean Price 33-yard pass from Jalan McClendon (2-pt Conversion Good by Cam Sutton), 6:40. Vipers 8–6. Drive: 9 Plays, 74 Yards, 4:47. Second quarter
VGS – Bailey Giffen 39-yard field goal, 11:11. Vipers 11–6. Drive: 12 Plays, 42 Yards, 7:31.
SA – Kick returned 96 yards by Fred Brown for touchdown (2-pt Conversion No Good), 11:11. Brahmas 12–11. Drive: 1 play, 96 yards, 0:00.
VGS – Rod Smith 17-yard pass from Jalan McClendon (2-pt Conversion Good by Sean Price), 7:09. Vipers 19–12. Drive: 7 Plays, 68 Yards, 3:52. Third quarter
VGS – John Lovett 1-yard rush (1-pt Conversion Good by Mathew Sexton), 10:54. Vipers 26–12. Drive: 10 Plays, 77 Yards, 4:06. Fourth quarter
Top passers
SA – Kurt Benkert – 22/31, 179 yards, 1 TD
VGS – Jalan McClendon – 21/31, 264 yards, 2 TD Top rushers
SA – Jacques Patrick – 12 rushes, 20 yards
VGS – Jalan McClendon – 8 rushes, 25 yards Top receivers
SA – Landen Akers – 6 receptions, 75 yards
VGS – Mathew Sexton – 4 receptions, 72 yards
Week 8: at St. Louis BattleHawks
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: at Houston Roughnecks
Game information
First quarter
VGS – Sean Price 4-yard pass from Jalan McClendon (2-pt Conversion No Good), 0:40. Vipers 6–0. Drive: 9 Plays, 75 Yards, 4:41. Second quarter
VGS – Cinque Sweeting 2-yard pass from Jalan McClendon (2-pt Conversion No Good), 9:05. Vipers 12–0. Drive: 7 Plays, 41 Yards, 4:01.
HOU – Fumble recovery returned for touchdown by Tavante Beckett (1-pt Conversion No Good), 3:49. Vipers 12–6. Drive: 6 Plays, 23 Yards, 3:18. Third quarter
HOU – Fumble recovery returned for touchdown by Ajene Harris (1-pt Conversion good by Tavonn Salter), 8:55. Roughnecks 13–12. Drive: 2 Plays, -1 Yards, 0:44.
HOU – Max Borghi 2-yard rush (2-pt Conversion No Good), 1:16. Roughnecks 19–12. Drive: 8 Plays, 49 Yards, 4:00. Fourth quarter
VGS – Sam Sloman 53-yard field goal, 13:33. Roughnecks 19–15. Drive: 6 Plays, 30 Yards, 2:42.
HOU – Brycen Alleyne 14-yard rush (2-pt Conversion No Good), Roughnecks 25–15. Drive: 2 Plays, 50 Yards, 0:43.
VGS – John Lovett 25-yard rush (2-pt Conversion No Good), 6:23. Roughnecks 25–21. Drive: 4 Plays, 65 Yards, 2:28.
HOU – Austin Jones 28-yard field goal, 1:49. Roughnecks 28–21. Drive: 10 Plays, 42 Yards, 4:34.
Top passers
VGS – Jalan McClendon – 27/37, 249 yards, 2 TD
HOU – Brandon Silvers – 16/27, 105 yards, 0 TD Top rushers
VGS – John Lovett – 9 rushes, 46 yards
HOU – Brycen Alleyne – 12 rushes, 42 yards Top receivers
VGS – Geronimo Allison – 6 receptions, 60 yards
HOU – Garrett Owens – 4 receptions, 23 yards
Week 10: at Seattle Sea Dragons
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
SEA – Ben DiNucci 14-yard rush (2-pt Conversion No Good), 1:16. Sea Dragons 6–0. Drive: 9 Plays, 66 Yards, 4:38. Third quarter
SEA – Jahcour Pearson 33-yard pass from Ben DiNucci (2-pt Conversion Good by Josh Gordon), 11:12. Sea Dragons 14–0. Drive: 7 Plays, 80 Yards, 3:48.
VGS – Sam Sloman 53-yard field goal, 8:10. Sea Dragons 14–3. Drive: 6 Plays, 41 Yards, 3:02.
SEA – Juwan Green 37-yard pass from Ben DiNucci (2-pt Conversion No Good), 5:02. Sea Dragons 20–3. Drive: 6 Plays, 64 Yards, 3:08. Fourth quarter
SEA – Jordan Veasy 3-yard pass from Ben DiNucci (2-pt Conversion Good by Blake Jackson), 14:25. Sea Dragons 28–3. Drive: 6 Plays, 60 Yards, 3:09.
VGS – Shai Mckenzie 1-yard rush (2-pt Conversion No Good), 1:33. Sea Dragons 28–9. Drive: 3 Plays, 85 Yards, 0:58.
Top passers
VGS – Jalan McClendon – 6/21, 201 yards, 0 TD
SEA – Ben DiNucci – 26/41, 339 yards, 3 TD Top rushers
VGS – John Lovett – 7 rushes, 30 yards
SEA – T. J. Hammonds – 8 rushes, 12 yards Top receivers
VGS – Mathew Sexton – 2 receptions, 119 yards
SEA – Josh Gordon – 9 receptions, 115 yards
Standings
Staff
Vegas Vipers staff
Front office Director of team operations / Team president – Temeko Richardson
Director of player personnel - Joey Clinkscales Head coaches Offensive coaches
Defensive coaches Team Operations Quality control – Franco Arellanos
Athletic Trainer - Justin Bland
Asst Athletic Trainer - Annie Wilkerson
Equipment Manager: Bob Wick
*Offensive Coordinator Duane Taylor was fired after Week 3 [ 9] and Wide Receivers Coach Ray Sherman took over play-calling duties.
*After week 5, Mike Newton was hired as an assistant coach.[ 10]
References
^ a b Seeman, Matthew (January 5, 2023). "Vegas Vipers of XFL to play home games at Cashman Field" . KSNV. Retrieved January 10, 2023 . ^ "Las Vegas XFL team to be named Vipers" . KVVU-TV. October 31, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2023 .^ "XFL debuts brand-new team Las Vegas Vipers ahead of 2023 season kickoff" . KTNV-TV. October 31, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2023 .^ Zalucki, Rachel (January 1, 2024). "Vegas Vipers are no more following merger of XFL, USFL" . KTNV-TV. Retrieved January 1, 2024 . ^ Schreiber, Evan (January 1, 2024). "Las Vegas loses football franchise as new league is formed" . KSNV. Retrieved January 1, 2024 . ^ Hill, Adam (January 5, 2023). "XFL's Vegas Vipers get home, schedule for 2023 season" . Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved January 10, 2023 . ^ Seifert, Kevin (January 5, 2023). "Vipers-Renegades to kick off XFL's 2023 season on Feb. 18" . ESPN. Retrieved January 10, 2023 . ^ a b "XFL Standings" . XFL.com . February 19, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2023 .^ Duran, Gavin. "Las Vegas Vipers Relieve Duane Taylor Of Offensive Coordinating Duties" . xflnewshub.com . Retrieved March 10, 2023 . ^ "Vegas Vipers Hire Mike Newton As Assistant Coach, Make 3 Other Roster Moves" . xflnewshub.com.
Franchise Stadiums Affiliations
League: XFL Seasons
North Division South Division
