EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The Tampa Bay Vipers don't have to look hard for answers as to why they lost their XFL debut 23-3 to the New York Guardians on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
- Vipers committed three turnovers
- Tampa Bay wide receiver Dan Williams finished with 123 yards receiving
- Next game: at Seattle Dragons, Feb. 15 at 5 PM ET
The Vipers turned the ball over three times and did not force a turnover. Their quarterbacks were sacked five times. And the Tampa Bay offense never found its way into the end zone.
"It's just not acceptable," said Vipers head coach Marc Trestman. "We kept our defense on the field too long.
"Between explosives, turnovers and not converting in the red zone, it's very clear the score was as it was and the Guardians deserved to win," explained Trestman, whose team was 0-4 in the red zone.
Murray was 16-34 for 231 yards, but threw two interceptions. He also fumbled twice, but Tampa Bay recovered both of those fumbles.
"If you're going to turn the ball over three times, and the other team doesn’t turn it over, they’re going to win, I mean plain and simple," said Murray.
Guardian quarterback Matt McGloin completed 15 of 29 of his passes for 182 yards and a touchdown. He scored New York's first touchdown on a one-yard run.
Tampa Bay wide receiver Dan Williams grabbed six passes for 123 yards.
Tampa Bay kicker Andrew Franks scored the first points in Vipers history when he made a 23-yard field goal with 1:00 remaining in the third quarter.
Tight end Nick Truesdell, the team's top draft pick, made a sensational, one-handed catch in the second quarter and held on despite taking a hard hit from a Guardian defender. But Truesdell fumbled a catch in the fourth quarter and New York returned it 28 yards for a touchdown.
"I'm excited about our football team," Trestman said. "I think we have a good football team in that locker room. We didn't show it today."