Anthony Becht is not about to push the panic button.
There will be no rash or knee-jerk reactions from the ѿý coach as the Battlehawks look to erase the memory of a 12-point loss to DC at home on Sunday.
Quarterback Manny Willikins, despite a sub-par performance, will start under center at 11:30 a.m. Saturday when ѿý (2-1) travels to Arlington (2-1) for a United Football League contest (ABC-TV).
Wilkins turned the ball over four times in the 27-15 setback to DC, including three interceptions.
That effort was in stark contrast to his stellar performances in season opening wins over Houston and San Antonio.
But Becht is sticking with the 29-year old veteran.
"I've got to push confidence in my quarterback and I'll allow him to rectify that he's going to manage and take care of the ball and do the things like he did in the first two games," Becht said.
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Wilkins hit on 16 of 29 passes for 147 yards against the Defenders.
The Arizona State product connected on 29 of 38 passes for 351 yards and rushed for 101 yards and two scores over the first two games. His 12 of 16 performance against San Antonio earned him UFL offensive player of the week honors.
Yet there was a huge drop off against the Defenders, who are lone unbeaten team in the eight-team league.
"I just have to do a better job of controlling the football," Wilkins said. "Knowing situations of the game, putting us in a position to get us more points."
Wilkins is happy Becht is staying with him for the time being.
"We've had many conversations going into this year about how confident he was in my play and what I can do for this team," Wilkins said. "My confidence hasn't wavered one bit. It's disappointing, this loss, but it doesn't make me bat an eye, it doesn't make me come into (this game) nervous or anything like that."
Becht and his staff do have an option. Backup quarterback Max Duggan played well in camp and was expected to share reps with Wilkins in the season opener. But Wilkins was so sharp that Duggan never got a chance until the end of the opener when the contest was all but decided.
Wilkins is looking at Saturday's contest as a challenge.
"The best thing is to show how you bounce back from these things, it's about coming in and getting ready to ball," Wilkins said.
ѿý wideout and punt returner Jahcour Pearson said the team is still totally behind Wilkins. And he expects the offense to rebound in a big way.
"We've got a lot to prove this week trying to correct the mistakes we made and go from there," Pearson said. "It's behind us. We've just got to keep moving in the right direction."
Bad memories on defense
ѿý struggled in its trip to Arlington last season, giving up 36 points in 14-point loss to the Renegades in a Week 9 contest.
Free safety Qwynnterrio Cole said that will not happen again.
"You never lose the feeling for a team that gave you a loss. That's always in the back of your head to get some redemption," Cole said. "It's a new team and we're looking to come out with a win."
ѿý surrendered just 15 points over its first two games this season and held DC to three field goals and 18 points until the final 2:21 of the contest.
"We know we can do better," Cole said.
The two XFL Divisional foes will meet for the second time in three weeks when they face off at The Dome at America's Center on May 2.
"The plan is to get back on track," Pearson said. "We're pretty confident we can do that."
