It was a disaster class of Ben DiNucci’s second half.
Obviously, every Seattle pro football team is destined to produce a wild ending.
The XFL’s Sea Dragons were 18-8 ahead of a DC Defenders team that went three-and-off on five of their first six offensive possessions, but a trio of terrible second-half turnovers by quarterback Ben DiNucci gave the Defenders both their winning points and denied the Sea Dragons a dramatic last-second victory.
DiNucci got off to a flying start with an impromptu flip touchdown pass to former Seahawks receiver Josh Gordon.
A touchdown run from Brendon Kemp followed by a three-point conversion rush from DiNucci took Seattle to 10. Things were going smoothly in the 3rd quarter…until DC’s recalcitrant fans threw lemons on the field, because they didn’t get their precious beer in line.
When play resumed, DiNucci collapsed. A third and long throw near his own end zone was thrown straight to Michael Joseph, who ran him back for a touchdown.
Another pick for Joseph in double coverage led to a go-ahead rushing touchdown from D’Eriq King.
Seattle prevented King with a game-saving 4th and 2nd stop with over two minutes left and the Sea Dragons with no timeouts. This was DiNucci’s chance at redemption, and it looked like he was going to make it.
A swing pass to Jahcour Pearson was delivered to the 1-yard line, at which point DiNucci jabbed the ball 26:26 left. All they had to do was get a yard and they would surely walk away with a dramatic win.
Then, for some reason, offensive coordinator June Jones called for an options play that turned into a disaster.
Game over. It’s like Jones forgot that the Sea Dragons don’t have time off anymore.
The Sea Dragons lose 22-18 to the Defenders and were the only favored team not to win the opener. DiNucci was 35/54 for 282 yards, a touchdown pass, two interceptions and that brutal fumble in a doomed game. Josh Gordon had 6 catches for 74 yards and a touchdown.
Statistically, the Sea Dragons were the better offensive team, but three giveaways to DC’s One will tell you the story.
Seattle has a home game against the St. Louis Battlehawks on Thursday, February 23 at 6pm PT on FX. Lumen Field will rock and probably won’t throw lemons on the field either!
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