Sold-Out Crowd In Omaha Awaits Hartford Colonials
September 22, 2010 - United Football League (UFL 1)
Hartford Colonials News Release
The Hartford Colonials will encounter a tough road test Friday night, Sept. 24, as the team travels to Nebraska to take on the Omaha Nighthawks at 24,000-seat Rosenblatt Stadium. Kickoff is 8 pm EST.
The United Football League has announced the game as a sellout, the first in the two-year old history of the league. So the Colonials anticipate playing in a hostile environment against the Nighthawks, led by former Boston College Coach Jeff Jagodzinski. It will be the first game for the UFL expansion franchise.
"I would say they have the advantage because we have not seen them play," Colonials Head Coach Chris Palmer said. "We've shown our cards, they have not shown their cards."
The Colonials are coming off a dominating performance in the season opener last week, defeating Sacramento 27-10 before a crowd of 14,384 at Rentschler Field. The turnout was the largest for a UFL regular season game.
The Colonials offense totaled a UFL-record 448 yards. Quarterback Josh McCown completed 11 of 19 passes for 265 yards and threw three touchdown passes, earning UFL Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Colonials running back Andre Dixon had a team-high 94 yards rushing on 21 carries and the Colonials gained 180 yards on the ground. Lorenzo Booker ran for 51 yards on nine carries and turned a short screen pass from McCown into an 80-yard touchdown early in the second half to make it 27-0.
The Colonials defense, led by defensive end Maurice Fontain and cornerback Ryan Palmer, held Sacramento to 201 total yards and limited the Mountain Lions to a mere 35 yards rushing on 20 carries. During the first half, Sacramento's offense had just 58 yards and went 3-and-out on six of eight possessions and the Colonials pressured quarterback Daunte Culpepper throughout the game.
"Players did a great job offensively, defensively and on special teams. The block punt was big," Coach Palmer said. "I thought our defense ran to the ball and played their defensive responsibilities well. Offensively, we executed pretty well there. I was happy with that. But like any coach, there's room for improvement."
Hartford's defense will be tested by Omaha's offense, led veteran quarterback Jeff Garcia and running back Ahman Green. The Nighthawks also feature former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett.
Garcia, a four-time NFL Pro Bowl QB, is making his UFL debut at age 40. In 125 NFL regular season games (116 starts) with several teams, most notably the 49ers, Garcia's resume includes 161 touchdown passes and 25,537 passing yards.
Green is the Packers' all-time leading rusher and, like Garcia, has been selected to four Pro Bowls. Green has amassed 9,025 yards rushing and 60 touchdowns in 12 NFL seasons.
"As I look at their defensive roster, I played with and against a lot of those guys," McCown said. "They are a veteran group that is different than what we faced last week. Execution and assignment wise, they will be on top of that because that's what a veteran player does."
The game will be broadcast on HDNet, a network carried on DirecTV, Dish Network and AT&T U-verse. Fans also can view the game live at www.ufl-football.com
The Colonials have a bye next week and return to action Oct. 9 against Florida at Rentschler Field at 3 pm. For tickets, call 860-913-2300 or visit www.ufl-football.com.
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United Football League Stories from September 22, 2010
- Hartford Colonials Q&A with Head Coach Chris Palmer and QB Josh McCown - Hartford Colonials
- Sold-Out Crowd In Omaha Awaits Hartford Colonials - Hartford Colonials
- Colonials Sign Connecticut Native - Hartford Colonials
- Rhodes Looking to Take Shirt off Culpepper's Back - Florida Tuskers
- FanFest Activities Build Game-Day Atmosphere in Sacramento - Sacramento Mountain Lions
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