Tuskers Beat Omaha

Published on November 5, 2010 under United Football League (UFL 1)
Florida Tuskers News Release


ORLANDO, FL - After his team struggled offensively for the third time in four games two weeks ago against Sacramento, Florida Tuskers head coach Jay Gruden told his team it was time to start having fun and to quit playing tight.

They apparently took the suggestion to heart. Back-up quarterback Chris Greisen, making his first UFL start, threw for 215 yards and a pair of touchdowns and running back Dominic Rhodes ran for club record 111 yards and another score as the Tuskers routed Omaha, 31-14, before 9,203 fans at the Florida Citrus Bowl.

The victory evened Florida record at 3-3 and moved them into second place in the United Football League on a tie-breaker over Omaha, who fell to 3-3. Wins in their final two games of the season will send the Tuskers back to the UFL Championship game.

"For the first time in a long time, we played with the consistency," Head Coach Jay Gruden said. "For a first start, Chris Greisen played almost a perfect game. After we built the 31-0 lead we went into a conservative mode by design but overall I was very happy with offense, defense and special teams."

Greisen completed 23 of 31 passes on the day. He kept several plays alive by moving in the pocket, something that Gruden felt was a key to the game. "Chris isn't the fastest quarterback ever, but there's a lot of great quarterbacks that aren't particularly fast. He moved around enough to buy some time and that was a huge factor."

The play of Rhodes was also impressive. In becoming the first Tuskers back to break 100-yards rushing, Rhodes did it on just 11 carries. He added 22 yards on a screen pass and accounted for 152 all-purpose yards.

Gruden told his team that it could not afford to look forward to the rematch with Omaha in two weeks. "The only thing we need to look forward to is next Thursday's game with Hartford," Gruden said. "Their offense has been on fire lately and three of their four losses have come in the closing moments. Hartford is going to present a huge challenge."

Omaha travels to Sacramento last week. Should both teams win, the Florida at Omaha game on Nov. 19 will determine who goes to the title game. "We're back in the picture, but it's just the first step," Gruden added.

Florida got things moving on their second possession. Behind the running of Rhodes, the Tuskers went on a 11-play, 68-yard drive that ended on a 2-yard pass from Greisen to Huey Whitaker to give Florida a 7-0 lead at the 2:40 mark of the first quarter.

Florida upped the lead to 14-0 when Greisen hit Calvin Russell on a 26-yard touchdown pass at the 6:55 mark of the second. The Tuskers drove 80 yard on the drive on 12 plays, eating up more than six minutes.

The Tuskers threatened right before halftime, driving inside the 15-yard line, but on a third and 10-play, Greisen under-threw his receiver and Jermaine Phillips intercepted in the end zone to end the drive. Still, the Tuskers managed to dominate the half. They out-gained the Nighthawks 210 yards to 55 and led in first downs 12 to 5, as well holding the ball for nine minutes more than Omaha.

Florida picked up in third quarter where they left off at the half. After holding the Nighthawks on their first possession, the Tuskers made it 21-0 with a four-play, 74-yard drive that included a 65-yard touchdown run by Rhodes.

Keiwan Ratliff put the game away on the next possession, stepping in front of a Jeff Garcia pass and returning it 29-yards for a touchdown to make it a 28-0 game. Kicker Nick Novak made a 42-yard field goal in the final minute of the third quarter to up the lead to 31-0.

Omaha finally got on the board in the fourth quarter. Back-up quarterback Matt Gutierrez hit Jeb Putzier on 2-yard pass on a fourth and goal to cut it to 31-7 at the 11:11 mark of the fourth quarter.

The Nighthawks would then score one of the most bizarre touchdowns in league history. Faced with a fourth and goal from the 13, Gutierrez was intercepted in the end zone by Terrance Melton. While trying to return the interception, Melton lost control of the ball in the end zone and WR Robert Ferguson recovered it for a touchdown.

For the contest, the Tuskers outgained the Nighthawks, 353-267. Gutierrez finished the game with 188 yards on 17 of 34 passing.

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United Football League Stories from November 5, 2010


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