SALT LAKE CITY — Colby Pearson made the most of his first pro catch.
The former BYU wide receiver, now suiting up for the XFL’s New York Guardians, caught a 12-yard touchdown Sunday to help the Guardians beat the Tampa Bay Vipers 23-3 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., during the opening weekend of the league’s reboot.
“It was a double move play so I knew I had a little time to be patient. And I was fortunate to beat him back to the outside and Matt (McGloin) put a good ball on me,” Pearson said during the Fox broadcast of the game.
Pearson’s touchdown capped a three-play, 57-yard drive in the second quarter to put the Guardians up two scores, and he had another catch that set up a score in the period.
Two plays after New York’s Bryce Jones intercepted Aaron Murray deep in Guardians territory and returned the ball to the New York 32, McGloin, the Guardians’ starting quarterback, hit Pearson for a 31-yard reception on a busted coverage to get New York into field goal range with five seconds until the half.
Former BYU teammate Micah Hannemann, playing at safety for the Vipers, had the assisted tackle stopping Pearson on the catch, and New York’s Matthew McCrane hit a 49-yard field goal as the half expired to give the Guardians a 17-0 lead.
Pearson finished with the two catches for 44 yards, second-most on the team, and was targeted four times.
Hannemann, meanwhile, had the first defensive tackle for Tampa Bay on the opening play of the game. He made three tackles, including a pair of solo stops.
Sunday’s other locals roundup
St. Louis BattleHawks 15, Dallas Renegades 9: While the BattleHawks don’t have any Utah ties, the Renegades have three. Former Utah offensive lineman Salesi Uhatafe started at left guard for Dallas on Sunday, while former Southern Utah cornerback Josh Thornton had two tackles, including a solo stop. Former BYU defensive tackle Tomasi Laulile also plays for the Renegades.