Change at quarterback pays off for Vipers in home finale

Vegas Vipers quarterback Jalan McClendon (3) celebrates Vegas Vipers running back Rod Smith (15 )& #x 2019; s touchdown against the San Antonio Brahmas during the very first half of an XFL game on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFangSan Antonio Brahmas commemorate a goal score by San Antonio Brahmas wide receiver TJ Vasher (18) during the very first half of an XFL game against the Vegas Vipers on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFangVegas Vipers quarterback Jalan McClendon (3) tosses against the San Antonio Brahmas throughout the very first half of an XFL video game on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFangVegas Vipers tight end Cam Sutton (89) spikes the ball over the uprights after scoring throughout the first half of an XFL game versus the San Antonio Brahmas on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFangVegas Vipers host Jennifer Stehlin pumps up the crowd with the Drumbots during the first half of an XFL video game versus the San Antonio Brahmas on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFangVegas Vipers protective lineman Max Roberts (23) pleads with the referees after being flagged for a hit on San Antonio Brahmas protective back Luq Barcoo (1) during the first half of an XFL game on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFangVegas Vipers running back Rod Smith (15) topples over San Antonio Brahmas protective back Sean Williams (21) during the first half of an XFL game on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFangVegas Vipers head coach Rod Woodson on the sideline during the very first half of an XFL game versus the San Antonio Brahmas on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFangVegas Vipers head coach Rod Woodson on the sideline during the first half of an XFL video game against the San Antonio Brahmas on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFangVegas Vipers tight end Sean Price (80) talks to Vegas Vipers quarterback Jalan McClendon (3) and Vegas Vipers quarterback Brett Hundley (2) in between the second and first quarter an XFL game against the San Antonio Brahmas on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFangVegas Vipers running back John Lovett (8) is dealt with by San Antonio Brahmas defensive lineman Mike Tverdov (42) and San Antonio Brahmas defensive lineman Mike Scott (44) throughout the very first half of an XFL video game on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFangSan Antonio Brahmas wide receiver Fred Brown (6) runs back a kick return for a touchdown during the first half of an XFL game against the Vegas Vipers on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFangVegas Vipers wide receiver Mathew Sexton (10) heads a San Antonio Brahmas protector on a catch during the very first half of an XFL video game on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFangSan Antonio Brahmas wide receiver Fred Brown (6) commemorates his touchdown with fans during the very first half of an XFL video game against the Vegas Vipers on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFangVegas Vipers running back Rod Smith (15) takes off for completion zone during the first half of an XFL game against the San Antonio Brahmas on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFangVegas Vipers Rod Smith (15) is lifted up by running back John Lovett (8) to celebrate his touchdown versus the San Antonio Brahmas during the first half of an XFL game on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFangVegas Vipers quarterback Jalan McClendon (3) celebrates Vegas Vipers running back Rod Smith (15 )& #x 2019; s touchdown versus the San Antonio Brahmas throughout the very first half of an XFL video game on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFangVegas Vipers tight end Sean Price (80) spikes the ball over the uprights after scoring on a two-point conversion during the very first half of an XFL game versus the San Antonio Brahmas on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFangVegas Vipers tight end Sean Price (80) spikes the ball over the uprights after scoring on a two-point conversion throughout the first half of an XFL game against the San Antonio Brahmas on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFangSan Antonio Brahmas running back Jon Hilliman (31) looks for room to run against the Vegas Vipers during the very first half of an XFL video game on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFangVegas Vipers protective back Deontay Anderson (9) commemorates his interception with Vegas Vipers protective lineman Robert Windsor (88) during the very first half of an XFL game on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFangReferees attempt to break up a run-in between Vegas Vipers pass receiver Geronimo Allison (19) and San Antonio Brahmas wide receiver Fred Smith (6) during the first half of an XFL game on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFangVegas Vipers running back Rod Smith (15) dives for backyards with San Antonio Brahmas defensive back Jack Koerner (28) protecting during the 2nd half of an XFL video game on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFangVegas Vipers protective back Deontay Anderson (9) celebrates his interception against the San Antonio Brahmas with colleagues Pita Taumoepenu (0) and Jamar Summers (31) throughout the first half of an XFL video game on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFangVegas Vipers running back Rod Smith (15) difficulties over San Antonio Brahmas defensive back Luq Barcoo (1) during the very first half of an XFL video game on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFangVegas Vipers defensive back Deontay Anderson (9) celebrates his interception versus the San Antonio Brahmas with teammates throughout the very first half of an XFL video game on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFangVegas Vipers quarterback Jalan McClendon (3) hurries with the football during the 2nd half of an XFL game San Antonio Brahmas on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFangVegas Vipers linebacker Pita Taumoepenu (0) sacks San Antonio Brahmas pass receiver Darece Roberson Jr. (13) throughout the 2nd half of an XFL video game on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFang
Vipers coach Rod Woodson said he has seen quarterback Jalan McClendon "illuminate" his defense in practice the last four weeks.

After the Vipers traded starting quarterback Luis Perez to the Arlington Renegades on Tuesday, Woodson stated he knew McClendon had actually made his chance.

" I got to give (McClendon) a shot," Woodson stated, "and glad I did it."

McClendon finished 21 of 31 passes for 264 lawns and two goals to assist lead the Vipers (2-5) to a 26-12 win over the San Antonio Brahmas (2-5) on Saturday in front of an announced crowd of 6,041 at Cashman Field in the home finale.

" It wasn't anything different," McClendon said. "Even though I wasn't getting the physical representatives (in practice), I was getting the psychological reps. Preparation and everything, it was all the exact same, now I was just getting reps."

"I took it every day like I was playing. When I was on the scout team going against our defense, I took it as I was preparing for my time.

In the Vipers' loss to St. Louis last week, Brett Hundley replaced Perez after Woodson benched him in the second half.

Rather of moving forward with Hundley as the starter, Woodson triggered McClendon, whom the Vipers took in the XFL draft in November. After the Vipers picked up Hundley prior to the start of the season, McClendon moved to third on the depth chart, and he received his first playing time of the season Saturday.

" He's a pro's pro," Woodson said. I just understood that I owed it to him to earn that shot.

The Vipers' defense held San Antonio scoreless in the 2nd half. After the loss to St. Louis, Woodson stated he challenged his gamers to play with more effort and energy.

" We all took it personally as a secondary," protective back Deontay Anderson said. We just kept practicing, and we practiced really hard this week.

After San Antonio scored on the game's first belongings, the Vipers answered with McClendon moving the ball with his limb. He found pass receiver Sean Price down the middle of the field for a 33-yard goal, and a two-point conversion provided the Vipers an 8-6 lead midway through the first quarter.

The Vipers grew their lead on a 39-yard field goal from Bailey Giffen, however it didn't last long. San Antonio's Fred Brown ran the ensuing kickoff back 96 yards for a touchdown - - the first kickoff return for a score this season in the XFL - - to put the Brahmas in front 12-11 early in the 2nd quarter.

McClendon had another response, discovering running back Rod Smith as he leaped over a San Antonio protector at the goal line on a 17-yard TD pass. The Vipers were successful on the two-point conversion effort and held a 19-12 lead at halftime after Anderson obstructed Kurt Benkert in the end zone.

The Vipers included one more goal early in the third quarter on a 1-yard fourth-down run from John Lovett.

The Vipers are on the roadway for their final 3 regular-season video games, beginning at St. Louis at 10 a.m. Saturday.

" It took us 7 weeks to play like Vipers," Woodson said. "This is how we're expected to play.".

Contact Alex Wright at awright@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AlexWright1028 on Twitter.