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California Redwoods Defeat New York Sentinels 20-13

October 30, 2009 - United Football League (UFL 1)
California Redwoods News Release


RUTHERFORD, NJ (October 29, 2009) - The California Redwoods kept themselves in contention for a spot in the Championship Game this evening with their 20-13 victory over the New York Sentinels. The New York Sentinels were welcomed in their first home game by a crowd of 10,318 at Giants Stadium. The Redwoods moved to 2-2 on the season, while the Sentinels fell to 0-3. A complete box score can be obtained [http://www.ufl-football.com/content/downloads/UFL_CA_NY_GameReport_0/UFL_CA_NY_GameReport.pdf] here.

QB Shane Boyd directed California to an eight play, 76-yard drive to start the game, capped by Cory Ross' 25-yard touchdown reception. After an exchange of punts, the Sentinels put together an impressive drive, moving to the Redwoods 38-yard line before a Koren Robinson fumble ended their scoring threat.

Boyd gave the ball right back to with an interception by Sentinels DB Paul Pratt. New York QB Quinn Gray responded with a drive that ended with Piotr Czech's 36-yard field goal to make it 7-3. California answered with a seven-play, 65-yard drive of its own, going up 10-3 on a 27-yard field goal by Parker Douglass.

For most of the first half, Sentinels Head Coach Ted Cottrell's defense repeatedly bailed out the team with timely hits while holding the Redwoods to only two scoring drives. However, Redwoods QB Boyd scrambled for 16 yards and ran a draw up the middle for 12. He then picked his way through the middle for a 5-yard touchdown with 26 seconds remaining to put California up 17-3. Gray rallied the Sentinels just before halftime with an excellent drive to set up a 45-yard field goal attempt that was blocked as time expired. The play was negated by a California timeout and Czech hit it on his second try, narrowing the deficit to 17-6.

The Sentinels were unable to carry the momentum into the second half, going three and out. It looked as if New York was once again going to watch the game get away from them until Douglass missed on a 38-yard field goal. Gray then led an impressive drive that featured some nice runs by LaBrandon Toefield, back after sitting out the last game, and short receptions by receiver Craphonso Thorpe. However, it was Cortez Hankton's 29-yard reception that got New York into the red zone for the first time in the game. Gray's five-yard touchdown throw to tight end Christian Hopkins on the next play were New York's first second half points this season and made it 17-13.

New York moved the ball to California's 48-yard line with 3:46 remaining in the game but turned the ball over on downs. The Redwoods used their good field position to increase their lead to 20-13 on a Parker Douglass 44-yard field goal to close the scoring.

California RB Cory Ross had another fantastic game, rushing for 79 yards on 23 carries while catching 7 passes for 63 yards and a touchdown. Redwoods QB Shane Boyd finished the game with 192 yards on 18-23 passing, with one touchdown and one interception.

Below are quotes from tonight's post-game press conferences:

California Redwoods Head Coach Dennis Green

General:

"It was a hard-fought game. We had great defense...it was an entertaining game with intriguing plays."

On coaching again in Giants Stadium: "It is very exciting. I noticed the number of fans in the stadium and that created a great atmosphere for the guys on the field. I think just being in a stadium brings a lot of excitement to the game for them as well."

On his quarterback Shane Boyd: "I think he had a lot of great throws tonight. He got his job back and got his first win as a starter. He had a better start than he did against Las Vegas (Oct. 8) and he will continue to get better."

On what will make the UFL survive when other professional leagues have not: "Well there are three things: One being exposure, TV, every week we play, people can watch it again on replays...on their blackberries on the subway, train, or wherever. Also in your offices on the computer you can watch them online. Two, we have endless supply of players who want to gain experience; we have players who are released. We had one signed this past week. We get phone calls daily from players who want to play so there is a high demand. Also we have fans (in San Francisco) who can enjoy both teams-the 49ers and the Redwoods-because we don't compete against one another. It's another form of entertainment. And the third reason why it will last is because the players stand a chance to make it in the NFL.

In conclusion: "We're glad to be back even at 2-2 and we (the UFL) have another great game coming tomorrow, Las Vegas vs. Florida. We (California and Las Vegas) have been working in the same (training facility) together, using the same hallways and sharing the space with one another, so we know them well."

New York Sentinels Head Coach Ted Cottrell on playing at Giants Stadium: "It felt great playing here. I'm kind of familiar with this area anyways. Good to be back in the area. Lots of good memories here. Tell you what, this ball park is great for fans. I love this area. We need the area (support) to be successful. We hope to make the people around here proud of us and want to come see us play."

On the Sentinels enthusiasm: "We are really working hard on getting off to a better start and I thought we did that. I liked their bounce back and resiliency because there was a chance where they could have gone up 20-6, and we held them to a missed field goal, so that was a big moment. I thought, oh boy, we got it going right now. Then our offense got a few good things going. It's unfortunate it didn't work out.... We got a penalty and some things didn't go our way."

On the league's future success: "I think the model set up for the League works. The hard salary cap that can not be circumvented and the wage scale that is still attractive without going over board. I think bonuses have plagued the NFL. With the huge bonuses, some of the motivation gets lost in that. The structure, salary, lack of huge bonuses and million dollar contracts (help). It's still a good brand of football and you are going to see the guys that really, really have that desire to play."

On the opportunity for players in the league: "We have some guys that have been out for a few years, like Simeon Rice,(who) wants to be back in there and has the ability to play so this is a golden opportunity for him. He is really into it. It's not about the money, it's about the opportunity and trying to make the best of it. There are a few players in the league like that. Then there are the players coming up, who just need a chance. We have that situation with a lot of young guys learning on the job. I tell you one thing, they do well with this chance and they can get up to NFL, which is great for them."

On the New York market: "When people come to the games and witness this brand of football, they will start to attract more and more crowds. It is a good brand of football. I think this is remarkable that in a few weeks we have been able to get such cohesiveness and executions both offensively, defensively, and special teams. The crowds will get better. We will keep working."

On what he wants to work on: "We have some young guys, and they get in the game and they get kind of big-eyed. Then they settle down, but that's just lack of experience. So we are trying to get them settled earlier. We still need to work on defensive tackling. I think our QB did better. It was a better game for him. There were some dropped passes, so we need to get those corrected as well."

California Redwoods RB Cory Ross

On the game: "It was good tonight. I felt like I was able to move out there today. The offensive line did a great job as far as having holes for me to hit. They did a great job towards scheming to stop the run."

On his touchdown: "It was a situation route, I have a two-way go... I was waiting on that backer and he seemed like he blitzed too and it was wide open and Shane just put it right there and I expect to win one-on-one."

On playing in Giants Stadium: "It felt great, this is my first time playing in Giants stadium and it's as big as everyone says it is! We had a great time and it was fun being out there playing on an NFL football field again."

On the players' intensity: "It's straight NFL type intensity. Everyone is out there yelling guys calling, trying to make the reads. A lot of talking, everyone is competitive, a lot of pushing each other. We are on the sideline making sure we are telling our line coach what they are doing. It just like what football is supposed to be."

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