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Culpepper, Garcia Share UFL Player of the Week Honors

September 29, 2010 - United Football League (UFL 1) News Release


JACKSONVILLE, FL - Wednesday, September 29, 2010 - They were touted as two star names of the United Football League and in Week 2 of the 2010 season lived up to their billing with inspired game-winning performances.

Quarterbacks JEFF GARCIA, making his debut for the expansion franchise Omaha Nighthawks, and DAUNTE CULPEPPER of the Sacramento Mountain Lions both led their teams to victory and won a share of the UFL Offensive Player of Week 2 honors.

Watch the UFL Week 2 recap on the UFL YouTube channel:

http://www.youtube.com/theUFL#p/u/0/rwff16Erw0Q

When the Nighthawks (1-0) and Mountain Lions (1-1) meet at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha on Saturday, October 2 (7.30pm CST / 8.30pm EST, HDNet live), the veteran signal callers will duel for first place in the standings. It is a mouthwatering clash that brings together two players who have thrown for a combined 428 touchdowns and almost 67,000 yards in their professional careers.

In the Nighthawks' first-ever game in front of a 23,067 sellout crowd at Rosenblatt Stadium, Garcia led a dramatic game-winning drive, which culminated in his 12-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Robert Ferguson with six seconds remaining to give Omaha a breathtaking 27-26 victory over the Hartford Colonials. Garcia completed 23 of 40 passes for 226 yards and three touchdowns in a week that also included the birth of his third child.

Watch the game-winning drives and 'Rumble at Rosenblatt' preview at the UFL YouTube channel: [2]http://www.youtube.com/theUFL#p/u/0/q-YJUiUE54k

"On fourth down, not a whole lot of time left, no timeouts left, basically I had to go to the end zone," said Garcia of the winning play. "I didn't make the greatest of throws. It was one of those throws where I wanted to just give (Ferguson) a chance to make a play. And fortunately it snuck by that corner and he made the play. What a way to finish."

Culpepper directed a come-from-behind 24-20 victory for the Mountain Lions over the Florida Tuskers at Hornet Stadium in Sacramento. He set a new UFL single-game record with 374 passing yards, going 26-for-42 with three touchdowns and one interception. His 33-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Rod Windsor with 31 seconds remaining on the clock sealed the Sacramento victory.

The previous single game high for passing yards was 323 by Florida Tuskers quarterback Brooks Bollinger in 2009 against the Las Vegas Locos in Week 4. The UFL average for passing yards per game is 257 yards per game, while the NFL average is currently 224 yards per game.

"Both Daunte and Jeff have shown throughout their pro football careers that they are not only superb athletes, but true leaders," said UFL Commissioner MICHAEL HUYGHUE. "Last week's closing second victories only go to show that there is a lot of gas left in these tanks."

Defensive Player of the Week honors went to Sacramento Mountain Lions linebacker ZEKE MORENO, who in his first UFL start made 11 total tackles (10 solo) with three tackles for a loss and a pass breakup in a 24-20 home victory over the Florida Tuskers.

After starring at USC, Moreno was selected in the fifth round (139th overall) by the San Diego Chargers in the 2001 NFL Draft and played for the Chargers from 2001-2004 and with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2005. He registered 171 career tackles, 3 sacks, 4 pass defenses, 1 interception for 8 yards and 3 forced fumbles. He also played in the Canadian Football League and was twice named to the CFL All-Star team.

Mountain Lions kicker FABRIZIO SCACCIA tied the record for longest field goal in UFL history with a 54-yarder early in the fourth quarter of his team's 24-20 win over the Florida Tuskers to earn Special Teams Player of the Week honors and also tagged on three extra points.

Scaccia did not play football in college, but played semi-pro football with the St. Lucie Bobcats, earning a place in the Minor League Football Hall of Fame when he nailed a 68-yard field goal, believed to be the longest in the game's history. He then joined the Arizona Rattlers of the AFL before signing with the Mountain Lions this season.

United Football League Players of Week 2

Offense (joint) - Jeff Garcia, QB, Omaha Nighthawks

Offense (joint) - Daunte Culpepper, QB, Sacramento Mountain Lions

Defense - Zeke Moreno, LB, Sacramento Mountain Lions

Special Teams - Fabrizio Scaccia, K, Sacramento Mountain Lions



United Football League Stories from September 29, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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