Vegas’ Pita Taumoepenu Forces Fumble To Help Seal Win Over Brahmas
Apr 1, 2023, 4:07 PM
Pita Taumoepenu #50 of the Utah Utes celebrates a called touchdown against the Arizona State Sun Devils during their game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on October 17, 2015 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The call was later reversed. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
(Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Former Utah Utes and current Vegas Vipers linebacker Pita Taumoepenu forced a fumble to help secure a Week 7 victory over the San Antonio Brahmas.
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The Vipers hosted the Brahmas at Cashman Field in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, April 1.
With 4:50 remaining in the fourth quarter, Taumoepenu knocked the ball free from Brahmas quarterback Kurt Benkert. Vegas’ Vic Beasley recovered the ball and gave possession back to the Vipers in the closing minutes.
At the time of Taumoepenu’s turnover forced, the Vipers owned a 26-12 lead.
Pita Taumoepenu with a strip sack, Beasley recovers. pic.twitter.com/w4BrpSQWJB
— Spring Football Gems (@spring_fbgems) April 1, 2023
Vegas held on to defeat San Antonio by the 14-point margin.
Taumoepenu finished the contest with four total tackles, two solo tackles, 1.5 sacks, one tackle for loss, and two pass breakups.
With the performance, the former Ute became the XFL’s sack leader this season. This season, Taumoepenu has recorded 21 total tackles, 16 solo tackles, 6.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.
Pita Taumoepenu got me crying 🥲 pic.twitter.com/VPWhLxQ9NQ
— Scott Simpson (@NimblewNumbers) April 1, 2023
With the win, the Vipers improved their record to 2-5 this season.
Vegas’ next game is on the road against the St. Louis Battlehawks on Saturday, April 8 at 11 a.m. (MDT). The game will be broadcast on ESPN/ESPN+.
RELATED: Former Utah LB Francis Bernard Forces Turnover During Week 3 XFL Game
About the XFL
In April 2020, the XFL suspended league operations and terminated its employees amid the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A total of 12 former college football players from the state of Utah were on active 52-man rosters in the eight-team league. Along with the 12 players, former BYU and Utah offensive coordinator Norm Chow was the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Wildcats.
In 2019, another football league, the American Alliance of Football, folded before the completion of its inaugural season.
After the XFL suspended operations, new ownership purchased the league. The group is led by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Unlike the current edition of the USFL, which will start its second season in 2023, the XFL has partnered with the NFL.
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Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com and co-host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
