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Gruden, Fassel Agree Running Rock Key To Title

November 22, 2010 - United Football League (UFL 1)
Florida Tuskers News Release


OMAHA, NE, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2010 -When asked at the Monday press conference about his formula for reaching Saturday's UFL Championship Game, head coach Jay Gruden's answer sounded exactly like the one given by Las Vegas head coach Jim Fassel a few minutes earlier.

"If you look at some championship teams through the years you won't find too many that couldn't run the football successfully," Fassel said at Monday's kickoff press conference.

Gruden echoed those sentiments, "Running the football is essential to our success because it helps open up the passing game and also gives our defense a chance to rest on the sidelines while we are moving the chains with a solid running game."

The Tuskers earned the right to stay the week in Omaha after soundly defeating the Nighthawks 27-10 on Friday at Rosenblatt Stadium. The win capped off a 5-3 season with a three-game win streak after struggling to a disappointing 2-3 start.

The Locos story is quite opposite of the Tuskers as they streaked out to a 5-1 record, clinching their spot in the title game with a 24-10 victory over the Nighthawks back on October 28 before dropping their last two contests to Sacramento and Hartford.

While their paths to get here might be different, it is no secret that these two have used outstanding running games and stout defenses to punch their ticket to Omaha.

Tuskers' running back Dominic Rhodes is a candidate for the UFL's Most Valuable Player award for a reason. His 557 yards and nine rushing touchdowns blew away the competition this year and were instrumental in leading Florida to this point.

The feat is only astonishing because Rhodes spent a lot of time on the bench watching backs Aveion Cason and later Maurice Hicks take reps at his position. A Super Bowl champion with the Indianapolis Colts, Rhodes is looking to bring a championship and MVP award home on Saturday.

"I'm excited about this chance to play for a championship," Rhodes said. "Three weeks ago coach told us we had to band together to get to this point and that's exactly what we did rallying around our new quarterback Chris Greisen who has done an outstanding job running our offense."

Locos' running back Dede Dorsey had his second best rushing day of the season in the last meeting with the Tuskers; a 20-17 last second triumph by Las Vegas at the Florida Citrus Bowl on Sept. 19. His 14 carries for 99 yards in that game enabled the Locos to even the season series at one game apiece coming into this championship rematch.

Dorsey was named MVP of last year's 20-17 overtime victory over the Tuskers for helping his team to the UFL's first championship. In that game, he rushed 11 times for 66 yards and two touchdowns.

"I've tutored Dede since he was a young puppy," said Rhodes jokingly. "I want to get that MVP trophy for myself this Saturday and be the best running back on the field."

Defensively, both teams have shined this season with the Tuskers giving up just 31 points in their last three contests. Florida has used its opportunistic defense to score four touchdowns in the last three games. That included interceptions returned for touchdowns by Darrius Vinnett and Keiwan Ratliff proved to be the difference in Orlando's 27-10 win over Omaha.

Florida's 22 takeaways led the UFL this season and they finished plus-six in turnover margin which also led the league.

"I'm pleased with what our defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan has done with our guys on that side of the ball this season," Gruden said. "He has done an excellent job bringing in players to fill in for all the injuries we've had to suffer through this season and it has been a key to our success."

Las Vegas finished right behind Florida with 21 takeaways and a plus-five in turnover margin. It is suffice to say that the team who runs the ball best and protects it on Saturday is likely to come away with a championship.

Another thing these teams have in common is coming from cities with warm weather. That will be another adjustment they will have to make with the high for Omaha set at 44 degrees on Saturday. Tune in at Noon eastern as the Tuskers and Locos meet at Rosenblatt Stadium live on the Versus Network.

Tuskers Notebook: The Tuskers had special teams meetings on Monday and will begin practice for the title game in earnest on Tuesday...with several special events planned this week, it made sense for the Tuskers to just remain in Omaha for the title game after playing the Nighthawks in the regular season finale last Friday night...Head Coach Jay Gruden was optimistic that injured players OL Adrien Clarke, LB Patrick Chukurwah and LB Odell Thurman would be able to play this week...Under normal circumstances, coaches can only dress 50 of 52 roster players and must declare two inactives each week...the Tuskers have been so banged up that several times the team could only dress 48 or 49 players, making the decision on who to declare inactive a moot point...the Tuskers will practice from 12 noon to 2 p.m. (EST) tomorrow and then will participate in the UFL's Annual Media Day...Saturday's UFL Championship Game is the last sporting event scheduled for historic Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha...the stadium has served as home to the College World Series since 1950 and has served as home to four different minor league franchises, including the Omaha Royals (AAA) since 1969...Rosenblatt Stadium is named for former Omaha mayor Johnny Rosenblatt who was instrumental in bringing the College World Series and minor league baseball to the city...Florida quarterback Chris Greisen is 3-0 as a starter...the UFL is expected it announce its Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Year, as well as Coach of the Year and League MVP tomorrow...Florida kicker Nick Novak is a favorite for the Special Teams POY...Novak has hit 15 of 18 field goals this year, all 24 extra points and leads the league in points scored (69)...Novak also hit two field goals longer than 50 yards this season...Saturday's title game is a rematch of last year's championship game, where Las Vegas (4-2) upset Florida (6-0) in overtime.

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