Florida Tuskers Score Early And Often To Defeat Omaha
Published on November 6, 2010 under United Football League (UFL 1) News Release
ORLANDO, FL - Quarterback Chris Greisen was all but flawless in his first United Football League start in a 31-14 victory over the Omaha Nighthawks.
In a dominating Tuskers win, running back Dominic Rhodes broke one for 65 yards, a Florida Tuskers franchise record, and the defense held Jeff Garcia and the Omaha Nighthawks to 85 total yards, registered a pick six and flirted with the league's first-ever shutout through three quarters.
The win kept alive the Tuskers' post-season hopes before a Florida Citrus Bowl crowd of 9,203 and Florida (3-3) registered its first home victory of the season to move into a tie with the Nighthawks (3-3) for second place in the UFL standings. Head to head, the Tuskers have the edge.
Before Omaha registered two fourth-quarter touchdowns, Florida was up 31-0.
"Any time you get up 31-0 on a quality team like Omaha, no doubt everyone is doing well," said Florida coach Jay Gruden. "Everyone has a great feeling tonight because everyone had a hand in this one."
Florida did everything Friday it wasn't doing in the past two home games: Sustaining drives, keeping the defense fresh and the keeping the mistakes to a minimum.
"A great way to bounce back," Gruden said.
In place of injured 2009 UFL MVP Brooks Bollinger, Griesen developed a rhythm earlier and avoided the pressure as he finished with 215 yards and touchdowns to Huey Whitaker and Calvin Russell, who finished with six catches for 61 yards.
"Everything came together," Griesen said. "We started off with Coach Gruden's first 15 plays with high percentage passes and that allowed us to get the ball into our playmakers' hand."
Griesen also kept drives alive - Florida was 10 of 15 on third down.
"Sustaining drives - -we hadn't been doing well on third downs and tonight we did," Griesen said.
Leading 14-0 at halftime, Florida used big plays in a 17-point third quarter. Rhodes (111 yards on 11 carries, also a franchise record) made it 21-0 on a 65-yard breakaway then Keiwan Ratliff returned a Garcia pick 29 yards 15 seconds later. Nick Novak added a 42-yard field goal.
With Garcia, also suffering a strained calf injury, replaced after completing just 9 of 19 passes, backup Matt Gutierrez made the most of his opportunity, finishing with 188 yards and a 2-yard touchdown to Jeb Putzier.
Omaha got a touchdown with 5:15 to go. Florida linebacker Terrance Milton picked off Gutierrez in the end zone and was stripped of the ball while starting a return. Robert Ferguson fell on the ball for a touchdown and the Nighthawks were within 17.
Griesen completed seven of his first eight passes and was in control after that as Florida built a 14-0 lead on the strength of his two touchdown passes. The Tuskers had a chance to stretch their lead to three scores, but Omaha safety Jermaine Phillips picked off an ill-advised Griesen floater in the end zone to end the threat with 17 seconds to play.
Maurice Clarett had five catches for 38 yards for the Nighthawks, who managed just 46 yards rushing.
"Give the Tuskers credit - they outplayed us in every facet of the game," said Omaha coach Jeff Jagodzinski. "The good news is that we'll get things corrected and we have these guys again in Omaha on the last [regular season] game of the year. We control our own destiny, and so do they.
"We've still got two games left and one of the best things about Omaha is the great fans at Rosenblatt Stadium and I expect a good turn out and believe they can help us get into the Championship Game. There's no doubt this is now playoff football. We have a two-game playoff now. I want our fans to know we'll get things corrected."
United Football League Stories from November 6, 2010
- Colonials Still Alive For Berth In Championship Game - Hartford Colonials
- Colonials Sign Two; Release Three - Hartford Colonials
- All Teams Alive in UFL Playoff Race - UFL 1
- Florida Tuskers Score Early And Often To Defeat Omaha - UFL 1
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