The Houston Roughnecks have started the 2024 UFL season and their first game at Rice Stadium was against the Memphis Showboats on Sunday. Memphis maintained the lead throughout the game despite a late quarter Roughnecks comeback with the final score being 18-12. Fans welcomed the Roughnecks back and had a great time tailgating and watching the game. (Photos by Eric Sauseda)
-
Roughneck fans were ready for spring football -
Roughnecks QB Jarrett Guarantano (6) with the throw downfield -
Tailgating fans -
Reuben Foster (10) celebrates a defensive play -
The Roughnecker Tailgating crew -
Roughnecks on defense -
Houston Roughneck tailgaters -
RB Tiyon Evans (13) -
Rice Stadium has a single tailgating lot in West Lot 5 and all lots open 4 hours prior to kickoff -
QB Guarantano (6) on the run -
These guys were grilling up Korean BBQ and had homemade kimchi -
Your Houston Roughnecks -
Roughneck tailgaters -
Roughnecks defense doing work -
A tailgating trio -
T.J. Pledger IV (5) -
A large group of tailgaters gather prior to the game -
Coach C.J. Johnson leads the team onto the field -
Tailgaters preparing the grill -
CB Jimmy Moreland (4) takes down a Memphis player -
Tailgaters enjoying the afternoon -
Roughnecks defense on the field -
Hanging out pre-game -
Kennedy Smith is back again this year as your Roughnecks Game Host -
QB Guarantano (6) -
Roughneck tailgaters enjoying the day -
The one handed not quite a catch play -
Representin’ the Roughnecks -
Houston Roughnecks coach, C.J. Johnson was the head coach of the 2023 USFL Gamblers, he’s also won an NFL Super Bowl ring with the Saints as a wide receiver coach -
True tailgaters -
WR Isiah Hennie (17) -
A young Roughnecks fan with a spiked helmet -
Roughnecks defenders going in for the tackle -
The EMS crew, just in case -
T.J. Pledger IV (5) -
Hall of Famer, Andre Johnson was at the game -
High rollers in action -
The Easter Bunny made an appearance at the Fan Fest -
Former Houston Oiler and current TSU football head coach, Cris Dishman -
Anthony Ratliff-Williams (1) -
Former Dallas Cowboy player and current Executive VP of Football Operations for the UFL, Daryl “Moose” Johnston -
Emmanuel Butler (18) runs down the field with an attached Memphis player -
The lower bowl sidelines of Rice Stadium were well attended -
Kirk Merritt gets airborne -
The Roughnecks season begins -
Fans in the stands -
J.J. Molson (39) put first 3 Roughnecks points on the board -
Roughnecks vs Showboats -
The Macho Fan was in attendance, ooh yeah!