Austin Reed began his UFL career with a bang.
Reed, who was named the Dallas Renegades’ starting quarterback this week, broke the UFL regular season single-game passing record with a 376-yard performance. He completed 26 of 40 passes and threw three touchdown passes in the Renegades’ season-opening 36-17 win over the Houston Gamblers on Saturday at Frisco’s Toyota Stadium.
Despite Reed’s impressive overall numbers, it still took a little bit for the Dallas offense to get going. Thankfully for the Renegades, their defense was able to set the tone and even take an early lead. Steven Jones Jr. intercepted a first-quarter pass from Houston quarterback Nolan Henderson and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown, giving Dallas the 6-0 lead.
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The Renegades’ defense gave Henderson fits, as he completed just 3 of 9 passes for 34 yards and threw two interceptions before being benched in favor of Hunter Dekkers. Houston totaled just 284 yards and was held to 3.8 yards per rush on the day.
Meanwhile, the Renegades’ offense was humming. Dallas racked up 427 total yards and averaged 8.9 yards per pass attempt. Tyler Vaughns was the Renegades’ top receiver, hauling in seven passes for 144 yards and a touchdown. Greg Ward and Ellis Merriweather each caught touchdown passes as well.
Up next for the Renegades is a bout with the St. Louis Battlehawks at 7 p.m. on April 7 at Toyota Stadium.
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