Rhodes Helps Colts Win Division Title, Bryant Perfect For Home-Field Earning Falcons
Published on January 3, 2011 under United Football League (UFL 1) News Release
JACKSONVILLE, FL ¬" Monday, January 3 ¬" United Football League players continued to make an impact in the National Football League in Week 17, as one helped secure a division championship and another helped secure home-field advantage throughout the NFL playoffs.
Florida Tuskers running back DOMINIC RHODES was a factor in the Indianapolis Colts clinching the AFC South title in a 23-20 home win over the Tennessee Titans Sunday afternoon. Rhodes was the Colts' leading rusher with 48 yards on 11 carries, and added 78 yards on four kickoff returns. In Week 16, Rhodes led the Colts in rushing with 98 yards on 17 carries, and had 221 all-purpose yards.
Rhodes rewrote the UFL record book during the 2010 season, setting new single-season marks for total touchdowns (10), rushing yards (547) and all-purpose yards (918). He was third in the UFL in yards from scrimmage (652) and second in kickoff return average (21.7). He scored at least one touchdown in each of the first seven games of the season. Rhodes also had three 100-yard rushing games for the Tuskers this fall - 103 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries in Week 4 at Hartford, a team-record 111 yards and a touchdown on just 11 carries in Week 8 at home vs. Omaha and 102 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries in Week 9 at home vs. Hartford.
In the 2010 UFL Championship Game, Rhodes ran 20 times for 67 yards and caught four passes for 29 yards.
Rhodes helped the Tuskers to three straight victories at the end of the season in order to qualify for the UFL Championship Game, and now, Rhodes has helped the Colts to four straight wins as they have secured a spot in the postseason.
Kicker MATT BRYANT (Florida 2009) helped the Atlanta Falcons secure home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs by going 4-for-4 on extra points and hitting a 47-yard field goal in a 31-10 home win over the Carolina Panthers. In 2009 for the Tuskers, Bryant tied for the UFL lead in points (51) and led the league in extra points (21). He was 21-for-21 on extra points and 10-for-12 on field goals during the regular season, and was 1-for-2 on field goals and 2-for-2 on extra points in the 2009 UFL Championship Game.
Some other notable NFL Week 17 performances by UFL players included:
New England Patriots defensive end ERIC MOORE (Florida 2010) started at right outside linebacker, and had three total tackles, a forced fumble and a pass defensed in a 38-7 home win over the Miami Dolphins.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver MICHEAL SPURLOCK (Florida 2009) returned three kickoffs for 108 yards, returned a punt for four yards and threw an incomplete pass in a 23-13 win at the New Orleans Saints.
New York Jets safety EMANUEL COOK (Hartford 2010) had a solo defensive tackle, a solo special teams tackle, a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry in a 38-7 home win over the Buffalo Bills.
New York Giants wide receiver MICHAEL CLAYTON (Omaha 2010) caught two passes for 19 yards in a 17-14 win at the Washington Redskins.
Minnesota Vikings running back LORENZO BOOKER (Hartford 2010) returned five kickoffs for 122 yards and caught a pass for six yards in a 20-13 loss at the Detroit Lions.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive end SHAUN SMITH (Las Vegas 2009) started at left defensive end, and had six total tackles in a 31-10 home loss to the Oakland Raiders.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback RICHARD BARTEL (Sacramento 2010) was 16-for-28 for 150 yards and an interception in a little more than a quarter in a 38-7 loss at the San Francisco 49ers.
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback GERARD LAWSON (Hartford 2010) had a recovered fumble and two kickoff returns for 48 yards in a 14-13 home loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
Cleveland Browns cornerback COYE FRANCIES (Las Vegas 2010) had three total tackles in a 41-9 home loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Bills tackle ERIK PEARS (Omaha 2010) started at right tackle in a 38-7 loss to the Jets.
United Football League Stories from January 3, 2011
- Rhodes Helps Colts Win Division Title, Bryant Perfect For Home-Field Earning Falcons - UFL 1
- Omaha Nighthawks Make Coaching Change - Omaha Nighthawks
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