Texas Football: Cedric Reed stands out in XFL Week 2

Two former players out of the Texas football program had a big showing for the Los Angeles Wildcats in an eventual loss in Week 2 of the XFL season.

Among the former Texas football players in the XFL in Week 2 of the rejuvenation of this alternative spring league, there was one that really stood out. Former Texas All-Big 12 defensive end Cedric Reed helped the Los Angeles Wildcats, along with offensive lineman Patrick Vahe, to a  near-win over the Dallas Renegades on Feb. 16.

On the other sideline in this battle between the Renegades and Wildcats was another former member of the Texas Longhorns football program, quarterback/wide receiver Jerrod Heard. Former Oklahoma Sooners head coach Bob Stoops didn’t get much usage at all in Week 2 of the XFL for Heard, though.

The Renegades offense was more effective across the board in Week 2, but Heard didn’t have a single catch or punt return in their 25-18 win over Los Angeles.

In this loss to the Renegades, Reed racked up three combined tackles, one quarterback hit, and one sack. This was his biggest game in any professional football league in a while. He made a much bigger impact in Week 2 than he did his XFL debut.

Moreover, Vahe helped the Wildcats get a decent push in the trenches. But the Wildcats didn’t rely on the ground game all that much. The pocket held steady for most of the game, though, as the long-time NFL backup quarterback Josh Johnson didn’t have any interceptions and tossed two touchdown passes.

Johnson wound up getting sacked twice on the day for a total loss of just two yards.

The only other former Longhorn competing in the XFL saw offensive lineman Kent Perkins and his St. Louis Battlecats fall short against the Houston Roughnecks by the final score of 28-24.

Week 2 across the board was a pretty low scoring affair in the XFL. No team scored more than the Roughnecks in Week 2. Three of the four teams that won did score at least 25 points, though.

Next up for Reed, Vahe and the Wildcats will be a battle with the DC Defenders on Feb. 23 at 3 p.m. PT at home at Dignity Health Sports Park. The Wildcats will be looking for their first win of the XFL season while the Defenders will be looking to stay undefeated.