Nighthawks Sweep Player of the Week Honors
October 6, 2011 - United Football League (UFL 1)
Omaha Nighthawks News Release
Omaha, NE - The United Football League announced that three Omaha Nighthawks were named Players of the Week following Saturday's game against the Sacramento Mountain Lions.
Kicker Jeff Wolfert was named Special Teams Player of the Week. He hit the game-winning 39-yard field goal at the final gun to give Omaha a 33-30 win. Wolfert set or tied many new UFL standards on Saturday night. His 56-yard field goal in the third quarter now is the longest in league history, and Wolfert became the first player to hit two field goals of 50 or more yards in a game (56 and 54 yards). He also tied a league record by scoring 15 points in one game, connecting on four field goals in a single game and attempting five field goals in a single game.
"I kind of pride myself on my mental stability," said Wolfert, who initially missed a 52-yard attempt in the second quarter. "It's tough to come back after a missed kick. I'm glad I was able to rebound. I was glad I was given a chance. Sitting on the sideline after missing your first opportunity, not knowing if you're going to get another one, makes you really anticipate the next one. I'm glad the offense got into position where I could prove that I can make these kicks."
Wolfert was the most accurate kicker in the UFL in 2010, hitting 9 of 1- field goals and 10-of-10 extra points. He has spent time with the Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons, and New York Jets.
Rookie quarterback Jeremiah Masoli was named Co-Offensive Player of the Week, as he made his first professional start on Saturday and went 27-for-42 for 283 yards and two interceptions. He also ran for 24 yards on five attempts. Masoli's 35-yard completion to wide receiver Chad Jackson on the final drive of the game helped set up Wolfert's game-winner as he orchestrated the explosive Nighthawks offense.
Masoli played collegiately at City College of San Francisco, Oregon, and Ole Miss, where he set a single-season record for rushing yards by a quarterback. He was signed as a free agent by the San Francisco 49ers in 2011 before joining the Nighthawks. Masoli shared the Co-Offensive Player of the Week honors with Sacramento running back John David Washington.
Safety Stuart Schweigert led the Nighthawks with seven total tackles and added his first UFL interception and a fumble recovery in the victory, where he would go on to be named Defensive Player of the Week. His interception in the fourth quarter paved the way for a Noel Devine touchdown run to tie the game at 23.
Schweigert made 45 total tackles (second on the team) and three pass breakups for the Nighthawks in 2010. He was selected in the third round (67th overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders and played from 2004-07 and also saw action for the Detroit Lions in 2008. He appeared in 69 regular season NFL games with 42 starts and recorded 325 tackles, 19 pass break ups, 4 interceptions for 45 yards, and 2 forced fumbles.
The Nighthawks will travel to Las Vegas for a game this Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. CST. The game will be available via 1620am The Zone or streamed on their website at www.1620thezone.com
The Nighthawks return home to Omaha on Saturday, October 15. This home game coincides with the University of Nebraska football team's bye weekend.
Tickets still remain for the October 15 home game as well as the final home game on Friday, October 28.
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