The Los Angeles Wildcats lost a tough game to the Dallas Renegades 25-18 in their home opener. For the first three quarters, the score was 6-3, but in the fourth quarter, both teams offenses woke up and scored a combined 34 points.
Josh Johnson made his first start for the Wildcats and finished with 196 passing yards, and two touchdown passes. Johnson struggled in missing open receivers, including a pass to Nelson Spruce in the endzone early in the game. Spruce did manage to catch two touchdown passes and added four more receptions for a total of 89 yards. In week one, Spruce caught 11 passes.
Both of Spruce’s touchdown passes came in the fourth quarter as the Wildcats tried to keep up with the Renegades.
Curtis Artis-Payne helped the Renegades seal the game with 21-yard, and 17-yard touchdown runs in the fourth quarter.
Defense Needs To Play Better
The Wildcats defense only gave up six points through three quarters and forced three turnovers, but they gave up 444 total yards.
Landry Jones passed for 304 yards on the day, and Curtis Artis-Payne rushed for 99 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns. Artis-Payne averaged 7.1 yards per rush against the Wildcats.
Los Angeles must improve their defense, or play a complete game, if they want to get this season turned around.
Turnovers
The Wildcats won the turnover battle 3-2, but they had two costly red zone fumbles that cost them the game. In football, turning the ball over in the red zone is arguably the worst thing you can do. The Wildcats were 1 for 4 in red zone scoring in the game Sunday.
Unable To Run The Ball
Los Angeles ran for only 57 yards on the ground against the Renegades. Elijah Hood, the Wildcats starting running back, rushed for 31 yards on 10 carries. The Wildcats must do a better job getting the running game going; it will help their defense stay off the field. Also, running the ball will help take the pressure off quarterback Josh Johnson as he tries to get back into rhythm.
Conclusion
Head coach Winston Moss and the Los Angeles Wildcats have a lot of work to do to get the Wildcats going in the right direction. It won’t get any easier either; the undefeated DC Defenders are coming to town, and if the Wildcats don’t get better, next weekend’s game could get ugly.
