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Unfamiliar territory in a good way for this year’s Vegas Knight Hawks just two games into the new campaign.
In its annual home opener, Vegas got the better of a 39-33 finish over Jacksonville Sunday, March 31 from the Dollar Loan Center. For the third straight year, the team started the season 1-0 but for the first time in franchise history the club is undefeated through the first two games.
“It’s good but they understand how sloppy that was,” head coach Mike Davis said. “There’s a lot to build on so the energy is still high. The hunger is what I’m most impressed with.”
Last week, the Knight Hawks beat the Arizona Rattlers despite being a more than 13-point underdog. With their 2-0 overall record, Vegas now sits atop of the Western Conference.
“I don’t think we’re flying under any radar,” Davis said. “I would love it if we could.”
Vegas will conclude its brief two-game homestand Friday, April 12 from the Dollar Loan Center against San Antonio. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Next week, the team will have a bye.
“It feels good man,” receiver Caleb Holley said. “Just have to start knocking off teams and keep stacking. I’m just looking forward to it.”
Starting quarterback Ja’Rome Johnson left the game in the third quarter favoring his left leg after a big run. Prior to the injury, Johnson was in the midst of perhaps a second straight IFL Offensive Player of the Week performance.
“It’s an individual award but it's a team award because he couldn’t do it by himself,” Davis said. “And Ja’Rome will tell you that. We started a little slow but we picked it up.”
After suffering a turnover on downs on the team’s first drive of the game, Johnson led the Knight Hawks to a touchdown via his legs on the second drive of the contest. The first eight touchdowns of the season for the team all went through Johnson whether through the air or on a scramble by the second-year quarterback.
In the second quarter, Johnson found Holley for a touchdown strike for a second straight week. Holley would later add another score through the air for a total of three through the first two games of the week.
“Well luckily right now we have a bye week,” Holley said. “The next guy [has] to step up, that’s all it is, stepping up. Next guy up, that’s universal football.”
In limited action, Johnson went 9-for-18 for 83 yards and three total touchdowns. He has scored three or more touchdowns in eight of his 11 career games.
Currently, Johnson is not expected to miss any time after leaving the game due to tweaking his hamstring.
“He just strained his hamstring,” Davis said. “He’ll be fine.”
Backup quarterback Joe Mancuso had an up-and-down outing after entering the game for an injured Johnson. At one point in the fourth quarter, Mancuso scrambled for a touchdown but would have it called back after holding on the offensive line.
Moments later, running back Taurean Taylor found the end zone to put the final nail in the coffin for the win. Taylor scored two touchdowns on the day and became the first player other than Johnson to be responsible for a touchdown this season.
Taylor also iced the game with a late first down near the goal line to secure the win.
Jacksonville scored on a deep touchdown pass in the final third of the third quarter to trim the 20-point deficit to 13. At that point, that was the first touchdown for the visitors since midway through the second quarter.
“Just grind,” Holley said. “We’ve got each other’s backs. The defense did their thing and they depended on us so that’s what we did.”
Eagerness on the defensive end costed Vegas after a fourth quarter interception was wiped off the board after a roughing the passer penalty. Shortly after, defensive back Roderick Coleman committed a personal foul after a hit that jarred an opponent’s helmet off.
That drive would end in a Sharks’ touchdown that cut the once 20-point lead for the Knight Hawks to just six.
Defensive back Bryce Hampton picked off Jacksonville quarterback Conor Blount two times in his home debut as a Las Vegas native. He had two tackles to go along with two interceptions.
“He gave me what I asked for,” Holley said. “I asked for two picks and he gave me two picks. It’s good to see the young guys come in and play at a high-level and put the city on his back.”