Bob Stoops Talks Renegades Home Opener Against Brahmas
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The Arlington Renegades’ season-opener against the San Antonio Brahmas is just a few days away and Renegades head coach Bob Stoops spoke to the media in preparation of the game.
Saturday’s matchup will be the sixth time Stoops and Brahmas head coach Wade Phillips have faced off against each other. Phillips has the advantage with winning all four regular season matches against Stoops, but Stoops has the all important one playoff win against Phillips in 2023 that led the Renegades to their first XFL league title.
Stoops knows though that a Phillips-run team will be ready to play on Saturday.
“They're always a good team. I think as much as anything, their coaching staff, Coach Phillips, and both sides of the ball, you think about it, two years ago, they were in the playoffs. We were fortunate to beat them in the playoffs. And then last year, they're in the playoffs and win, and they go to the Championship game and end up losing to Birmingham. So they do a really good job. Anyway, we'll have to play a really good game and be smart, take care of the football and those things to have a chance to win.”
Arlington finished the 2024 season with a 3-7 record, but the three wins came in the last four games of the year. San Antonio made it all the way to the UFL title game after a 7-3 season and winning the XFL Conference title against the St. Louis Battlehawks.
What propelled the Brahmas last year was their number one ranked defense. Stoops talked about how tough their defensive line is and how critical it will be to do the small things like convert on third down and score on every extra point.
“They'll be one of the best, if not the best, front seven defensively that we'll play probably all year. So we've got to be really good taking care of the football. Third down conversions are huge. Then red zone efficiency, making sure we score, not just field goals, but you got to be able to get the ball in the end zone, whether it be red zone and/or the extra points, whether you're going for one, two three, those are important plays.”
The Renegades’ passing offense was ranked first last year with UFL passing leader Luis Perez leading the way. Arlington’s unit would use backup quarterback Lindsey Scott for certain packages, but with Scott now in coaching, Holton Ahlers appears to be the next man in line.
Despite the different styles of play between Scott and Ahlers, Stoops still expects the Renegades to be creative with Ahlers in his new packages.
“There'll be some plays with Holton as well. To some degree, he doesn't run like Lindsey Scott. He may not be as quick and elusive as Lindsey, but he's a little stronger and more powerful. So there'll be some of that through the year.”
The Renegades and Brahmas kick off at 3:00 pm CST on FOX.
