UFL Announces Revised Schedule for 2012 Season
September 6, 2012 - United Football League (UFL 1)
Omaha Nighthawks News Release
The defending champion Virginia Destroyers and the Las Vegas Locomotives meet in a rematch of last season's title game to kick off the United Football League's fourth season under a revised and enhanced schedule that moves the opening games back one week and the championship game to Dec. 1, the UFL announced today.
The Destroyers will open their season in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Sept. 26. The Omaha Nighthawks also will open their season on the road as they take on the Sacramento Mountain Lions on Friday, Sept. 28.
The UFL and CBS Sports Network, its broadcast partner, agreed to modify the start of the season. The original opening-week games - Sacramento at Las Vegas and Virginia at Omaha - move to the end of the schedule to form the new Week 8.
The championship game is now Dec. 1 at a location to be determined. The extra time allotted in the enhanced schedule will allow for better preparation by the title contenders and for a Saturday broadcast.
"These changes will enable the UFL to give our dedicated fans, our eager ticket buyers and CBS Sports Network the competitive product that we have promised," said UFL acting chairman Bill Mayer.
Nighthawks general manager Matt Boockmeier believes the change will have a positive impact on his team.
"From a football standpoint, the schedule change will allow us to continue to build a competitive training camp roster, ultimately resulting in a better on-field product for our fans," Boockmeier said.
According to head coach Bart Andrus, the new timeline will give the team a chance to put more NFL players in Nighthawks jerseys.
"It gives us an extended period to evaluate players that were released by NFL teams in last weekend's cut-down to 53-man rosters," Andrus said. "That ultimately will raise the level of play in the UFL."
The Nighthawks' home opener will now take place Oct. 12, when the team hosts the defending champion Virginia Destroyers.
"We now have more time to not only sell tickets, but also to focus on current and prospective season ticket holders and make them a top priority as we move forward," said director of ticket operations Malissa Fritz. "The loyalty of the Nighthawk fan base is what drives this organization, and we want the fans to know that we remain committed to them and to the city of Omaha."
The UFL's four teams will each play eight games, all of them televised by CBS Sports Network, which is available in more than 99 million homes. The UFL expects to announce reporting dates for players and the start of training camp shortly.
The Enhanced UFL Schedule (All times Eastern)
Week 1
Wednesday, Sept. 26: Virginia at Las Vegas, 9 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 28: Omaha at Sacramento, 11 p.m.
Week 2
Wednesday. Oct. 3: Omaha at Las Vegas, 9 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 5: Sacramento at Virginia, 7 p.m.
Week 3
Wednesday, Oct. 10: Las Vegas at Sacramento, 9 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 12: Virginia at Omaha, 7 p.m.
Week 4
Wednesday, Oct, 17: Las Vegas at Omaha, 9 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 19: Sacramento at Virginia, 9 p.m.
Week 5 (games Tuesday and Thursday)
Tuesday, Oct. 23: Sacramento at Omaha, 9 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 25: Las Vegas at Virginia, 6 p.m.
Week 6
Wednesday, Oct. 31: Omaha at Las Vegas, 9 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 2: Virginia at Sacramento, 9 p.m.
Week 7
Wednesday, Nov. 7: Las Vegas at Sacramento, 9 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 9: Omaha at Virginia, 9:30 pm.
Week 8
Wednesday, Nov. 14: Sacramento at Las Vegas, 9 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 16: Virginia at Omaha, 7 p.m.
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Saturday, Dec. 1: Time and place to be determined
United Football League Stories from September 6, 2012
- UFL Announces Revised Schedule for 2012 Season - Omaha Nighthawks
- UFL Delays 2012 Season - UFL 1
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