The Houston Roughnecks returned two fumbles for touchdowns, and Brycen Alleyne later scored on a 14-yard run in the fourth quarter to post a 28-21 victory over the visiting Vegas Vipers on Saturday.
The Roughnecks (6-3) trailed 12-0 before Tavante Beckett returned a fumble 30 yards for a score with 3:49 left in the second quarter.
Houston’s lead was 19-12 after the only scores of the third quarter — Ajene Harris’ 13-yard fumble return for a touchdown (with one-point conversion) and Max Borghi’s 2-yard TD run.
The Vipers (2-7) responded in the fourth quarter with Sam Sloman’s 53-yard field goal and John Lovett’s 25-yard TD run sandwiched around Alleyne’s TD to close to 25-21.
But the rally fell short and Houston kicker Austin Jones accounted for the final difference on a 28-yard field goal with 1:49 left.
Houston quarterback Brandon Silvers was 16-for-27 passing for 105 yards and two interceptions. Vegas quarterback Jalan McClendon was 27-for-37 for 249 yards with TD passes to Sean Price for 4 yards and Cinque Sweeting for 2 yards that forged a 12-0 lead with 9:05 left in the second quarter.
–Field Level Media