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A solid defensive third quarter resulted in the Vegas Knight Hawks ending a three-game losing skid by beating the league’s reigning champions.
Vegas beat the Massachusetts Pirates, 46-44, Sunday May 1 from Phoenix Field in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Last season, the Pirates were crowned IFL league champions.
In the final game of a three-game road trip, the Knight Hawks salvaged one win before heading back to the Valley.
Now, the team has a 2-2 record away from The Dollar Loan Center. Overall, the team is 3-4 and sits in fourth place in the Western Conference.
Upon returning to The DLC, Vegas will be met with its third and final matchup with the Northern Arizona Wranglers.
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 8.
The two teams have split both earlier meetings with the Knight Hawks winning in Week 2 while the Wranglers got their revenge in Week 6.
Quarterback Jerod Evans made his first start for Vegas and stole the spotlight.
Accounting for nearly 250 total yards, Evans racked up seven touchdowns on the night to help Vegas right the ship.
Four of those seven touchdowns came through the air, with two recipients claiming all scores.
Wide receiver Jordan McCray led all players with six catches, tallying 32 yards and two touchdowns.
McCray scored the opening touchdown for the Knight Hawks after the Pirates went up 7-0 to start the contest.
His second touchdown grab of the night gave Vegas a nine-point lead in a 14-0 third quarter for the road team.
Running back Elad Covaliu added more highlights to his season adding two more touchdowns to his season totals, both through the air.
Both of his catches went for six points as he finished with 33 yards receiving.
Covaliu now has nine touchdowns on the year with five coming in the passing game.
Despite his success in the passing game, Covaliu did not gain much ground in the rushing game.
He finished with just two yards on five carries.
Evans found success to the tune of 18-for-25 passing with 203 yards and four touchdowns passes.
In addition, Evans was Vegas’ most proficient rusher as well, compiling 39 yards on eight carries with three rushing touchdowns.
The Knight Hawks got the win without the defense forcing a turnover from the reigning champions.