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Tuskers Look For Regular Season Series Sweep Against Defending Champs

September 27, 2010 - United Football League (UFL 1)
Florida Tuskers News Release


Game: 3

Las Vegas at Orlando

Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium

Thursday, September 30

Kickoff: 6 p.m. (EDT)

TV: VERSUS

Radio: WYGM (740 AM)

2010 Tuskers Schedule

Date Opponent Time/Score

9/18 at Las Vegas W, 27-20

9/25 at Sacramento L, 20-24

9/30 LAS VEGAS 6 p.m.

10/9 at Hartford 3 p.m.

10/21 SACRAMENTO 7 p.m.

11/5 OMAHA 8 p.m.

11/11 HARTFORD 7 p.m.

11/19 at Omaha 8:30 p.m.

2010 UFL Standings

Team W-L Pct.

Omaha 1-0 1.000

Florida 1-1 .500

Sacramento 1-1 .000

Hartford 1-1 .500

Las Vegas 0-1 .000

This Week's Games

Las Vegas at Orlando (9/30)

Sacramento at Omaha (10/2)

Hartford, Bye

Last Week's Results

Omaha 27, Hartford 26

Sacramento 24, Orlando 20

THE GAME

The Florida Tuskers (1-1) look to complete a regular season series sweep against the defending UFL Champions this week, when they open the home portion of their 2010 schedule on Thursday night with a contest against the Las Vegas Locomotives (0-1). Game time is 6 p.m. at the Florida Citrus Bowl. Fan Fest inside the stadium opens at 4:30 p.m.; with entertainment by special halftime guest "4 2 Five," an Orlando-based A cappella group. The game can be seen on VERSUS Network and will also be broadcast live on WYGM (740 The Game) with Marc Daniels and Gary Parris on the call.

THE SERIES

Although the league is only in its third week of its second season of operation, a fairly extensive history already exists between these two teams. In 2009, they met three times, including twice in the regular season. The Tuskers would sweep the regular season series, beating the Locomotives by a 29-15 count in Las Vegas back on Oct. 14 and taking a 27-24 decision in an Oct. 30 game that was played at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. The Tuskers would conclude the regular season with a perfect 6-0 record; while Las Vegas would finish with a 4-2 mark. The two teams would meet in the first UFL Championship Game, where Las Vegas would record a 20-17 upset win in overtime to claim the title. The two teams opened the 2010 season in Las Vegas on Sept. 18, with the Tuskers once against winning - this time by a 27-20 count.

Series Results (Florida Leads 3-1)

10/14/09 at Las Vegas W, 29-15 Bollinger throws for 310 yards, 3 TD

10/30/09 at Florida

* W, 27-24 Matt Bryant's 40-yard FG wins it

11/27/10 at Las Vegas*

* L, 20-17 Nick Turbull's INT sets up FG in OT

9/30/10 at Las Vegas W, 27-20 Bollinger, Defense lead the way

*game played at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg **UFL Championship Game

LAST TIME THEY MET

After falling behind 10-0 after one quarter, the Florida Tuskers rallied to take a 27-20 season-opening road win over the Las Vegas Locomotives back on Sept. 18. The Locomotives jumped on top early, when Ted Lehman stepped in front of a Brooks Bollinger pass on Florida's second series and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown. A pair of Dominic Rhodes' touchdowns in the second quarter, along with an UFL-record 54-yard field goal by Nick Novak, gave the Tuskers a 17-10 lead at the half. A Bob Rome 1-yard touchdown reception tied the game midway through the third quarter, but the Tuskers took the lead for good six minutes later on Novak's second field goal of the game. With time running down in the third period, Bollinger would connect with Calvin Russell on a 68-yard touchdown pass to give the Tuskers a 27-17 lead. The Tuskers defense, led by linebacker Odell Thurman, recorded several big stops in the fourth quarter to preserve the victory.

THEY SAID IT

"There's no question this is developing into a big rivalry. There are several reasons for it, including the fact that we are going to be playing them for a fifth time and the league has only been in operation for a little over a year. I also think that when they won the championship, it was sort of like they forgot that we won the two regular season games and then we won again a week ago. But what can you do? They won the one that counted the most, so we have to just sit back and take it. Obviously we have a strong sense of needing to finish the job this year."

--Quarterback Brooks Bollinger on playing Las Vegas

TUSKERS DROP FIRST REGULAR SEASON GAME IN LEAGUE HISTORY

The Florida Tuskers' 20-24 loss to Sacramento last Saturday marked the first time in franchise history that the team lost a regular season game. Florida blitzed through the 2009 season with a perfect 6-0 mark and took the first game of the 2010 season before finally losing on the road to Daunte Culpepper and his Sacramento Mountain Lions. "We led for most of the game and obviously had our chances to put them away," Tuskers Head Coach Jay Gruden said. "But the bottom line is that we did not do the things we needed to do in the end. In the world of professional football, it is not realistic to think we would go undefeated forever. But this one hurts and now we have to figure a way to right our ship." Here is how the second-year UFL franchises have fared since the 2009 premiere season:

Florida Tuskers 7-1 .875

Las Vegas 4-3 .571

Sacramento/California 3-5 .375

Hartford/New York 1-7 .125

IT JUST DOESN'T HAPPEN OFTEN

Although the 2009 edition of the Florida Tuskers failed to capture the title, they did manage to accomplish something few professional football teams have ever achieved, an undefeated regular season. Counting all versions of the All-American Football League, National Football League, American Football League, Continental Football League, United States Football League, World League of American Football, NFL-Europe, the Arena Football League, the XFL and now the United Football League, we have listed the teams that have went untied and unbeaten in a regular season. It is interesting to note that only four of the eight teams went on to win a league championship, three went on to win playoff game(s) and complete a perfect season, while the 1937 Los Angeles Bulldogs competed in a league with no post-season.

Year Team Final Results

2009 Florida Tuskers (UFL) Lost to Las Vegas in Championship game

2007 New England Patriots (NFL) Lost to New York Giants in Super Bowl

1972 Miami Dolphins (NFL) Win Super Bowl

1948 Cleveland Browns (All American) Won All-American Football Conference Championship

1948 Calagary Stampeders (CFL) 12-0, won Grey Cup, Perfect Season

1942 Chicago Bears (NFL) Lost to Washington Redskins in Championship Game

1937 Los Angeles Bulldogs (American) 16-0, winning all eight games in second American Football League

1934 Chicago Bears (NFL) Lost to New York Giants in Championship Game

BOLINGER HITS 300 FOR THIRD STRAIGHT

For the third consecutive game, Tuskers quarterback Brooks Bollinger has thrown for 300 yards in a single game. Against the Mountain Lions, Bollinger completed 23 of 41 passes (56%) for a career high 328 yards and one touchdown. It marked the fifth time in eight UFL starts that Brooks has surpassed the 300-yard mark in passing. Those games included:

10/14/2009 vs. Las Vegas 24-32 310 Yards 9/18/2010 vs. Las Vegas 23-40 308 Yards

10/30/2009 vs. Las Vegas 22-35 323 Yards 9/25/2010 vs. Sacramento 23-41 328 Yards*

11/27/2009 vs. Las Vegas 22-45 306 Yards *UFL career High

LAST WEEK: TUSKERS LOSE IN FINAL SECONDS

Daunte Culpepper hit Rod Windsor on a 33-yard touchdown pass with 37 seconds remaining to lead the Sacramento Mountains to a 24-20 win over the Florida Tuskers. It was the first regular season loss for the Tuskers in franchise history. "We had our chances and didn't take advantage of it," Tuskers head coach Jay Gruden said. "We all had a hand in this one and now we have to rebound from it and get ready to play Las Vegas in a very short week." With the score tied at 17-17, the Tuskers took over on their own 24 and drove the ball 75-yards down to the Mountain Lions' 1-yard line. But three plays netted a -11 yards and the Tuskers were forced to settle for a Nick Novak 30-yard field goal to take a 20-17 lead. Culpepper was outstanding on the game's final drive. After converting a fourth and two with a quarterback sneak, he completed passes of 13 and 8 yards to set up the game-winning touchdown pass with just 37 seconds remaining.

GRUDEN PART II: CALL HIM LORD OF RINGS

Although Jay Gruden, who served as the Tuskers offensive coordinator, failed to win a title in 2009, the first-year head coach has an outstanding reputation for coming up big in championship games. In his six seasons as quarterback of the Arena Football League's Tampa franchise, Gruden captured championships in 1991, 1993, 1995 and 1996. In his first three seasons as Head Coach of the Orlando Predators, Gruden led the team to three straight title games and championships in 1998 and 2000. In his first season with the Bucs, he was a part of Tampa Bay's first and only Super Bowl championship team as he served as an offensive assistant. That gives Gruden seven championship rings in 26 professional seasons or one title in every 3.71 seasons. Gruden also reached championship games with the Predators (1999 and 2005) and with the Tuskers in 2009. As a player or a coach, Gruden's teams have only missed the playoffs four times in 26 seasons.

STILL LOOKING FOR A POSSIBLE FIRST?

When linebackers Arnold Harrison and Tony Taylor made the Tuskers' 52-man roster, they joined a linebacker corps that included team-captain Odell Thurman. That gives Florida a trio of former University of Georgia linebackers. Although that in itself is unique, it's interesting to note that all three played at UGA together in 2003 and 2004. The question now is that if all three get on the field at the same time, would that mark the first time in professional football history where three former linebackers who played for the same college team at the same time have appeared as teammates and played at the same time for the same professional team? Last week, all three saw action but were not on the field at the same time.

TUSKERS A LITTLE DINGED FROM PHYSICAL GAME

Saturday's game with the Mountain Lions was tough both mentally and physically for the Tuskers. Not only did the Tuskers lose for the first time in a regular season game but they were also dinged up physically. Several players, including starting defensive end Patrick Chukwurah (hip flexor), LB Tim McGarigle (head), and RB Maurice Hicks (hamstring) were listed as doubtful for Thursday on the team's first injury report of the week.

SHORT WEEKS TOUGH ON PLAYERS AND COACHES

With games being played on Thursday-Saturday, the UFL schedule often presents some tough challenges for coaches and players. This week's schedule is a prime example. The Tuskers played in Sacramento on Saturday night, flew cross country and landed in Orlando at 11 a.m. Sunday morning. That gives the team just three days to prepare for defending league champion Las Vegas on Thursday night.

THEY SAID IT

"It really makes for a short week of preparation. You can't really practice like you want to, because you have to give the players a chance to heal and get their legs back. Having two cross country trips and three games in 12 days - including two against the defending league championis really a brutal schedule. Still, it is what it is, and we are telling our players you can't use it as an excuse."

-- Head Coach Jay Gruden on getting ready for a short week

BIG PLAYS THE DIFFERENCE

In its brief UFL history, the Tuskers have prided themselves on not giving up many big plays. In its season opening win against Las Vegas, the team only gave up one play of 25 yards or longer. In its nine previous games, the Tuskers have only allowed nine plays of 25 or more yards - an average of one play per game. Things were different against Sacramento, however, as the Tuskers defense allowed five plays of 25 yards or more - including four in the second half.

Tuskers Used 49

Florida used 49 of 50 eligible players during the Sacramento game. Only back-up QB Chris Greisen did not see action. LB Weston Dacus and WR Jayson Foster were the inactive players on Saturday with both recuperating from injuries.

HANKTON BECOMING GO TO GUY

After just two games, it is becoming apparent that wide receiver Cortez Hankton is rapidly becoming quarterback Brooks Bollinger's "Go-To Guy." Hankton went over the 100-yard mark in receptions on Saturday night, snagging six balls for 110 yards and a touchdown. For the season, Hankton now leads the Tuskers in receptions (12), yards (206) and receiving average (17.1) through two games. Hankton's 110 receiving yards marked the third 100-yard receiving game in Tuskers history and was the second most in Tuskers's history.

100-Yard Receiving Games for the Tuskers

10/22/09 Taye Biddle vs. California 5-133

9/25/10 Cortez Hankton vs. Sacramento 6-110

10/14/09 Taye Biddle vs. Las Vegas 7-107

KICKING GAME SOLID

Both punter Ken Parrish and kicker Nick Novak have a few things in common. First, both players were signed during the final days of training camp. Parrish was fourth punter the Tuskers had looked at in training camp; while Novak was the second kicker brought to camp. Both arrived in the final week. The other thing they have in common is both have performed extremely well in the Tuskers first two games. Parrish is averaging an impressive 45.0 yards per punt (9-405) and has dropped four of his nine punts inside the 20. Novak is a perfect 5-5 on extra points and is 4-6 on field goals (66.7%). His field goals have included a league record 54-yard FG against Las Vegas and a 48-yard FG against Sacramento. His only two misses included a 48-yard wide left against Las Vegas and a FG that was blocked against the Locomotives on a protection breakdown.

TUSKERS QUICK HITTERS

*After being hit for 11 penalties for 154 yards against Las Vegas in the season opener, the Florida Tuskers cleaned up their act considerably last week, being whistled for six infractions for 56 yards.

*Quarterback Brooks Bollinger was drafted as a shortstop twice but never considered it an option as a professional athlete. "Something that looks good on the resume," Bollinger said. "I think I was picked somewhere in the 40th round both years."

*After converting 8 of 17 third down plays (47%) against Las Vegas in the season opener, the Tuskers were just 3 of 14 against Las Vegas (21.4%) against Sacramento on Saturday night.

*In Saturday's loss to Sacramento, the Tuskers were outgained in total offense (412-387) by the Mountain Lions. That marked just the second time in nine UFL starts that the Tuskers were out-gained by an opponent. The California Redwoods outgained the Tuskers (346-309) back on Nov. 19,2009 - a game that the Tuskers won 34-27.

*The Tuskers have done a good job of controlling the ball this season, holding the ball for 5:47 longer than opponents this season. But that is just part of a trend that is developing with Jay Gruden's offenses. In eight regular season games, the Tuskers have held the ball longer than opponents in six of those contests and hold an all-time possession lead of + 25:09 over opponents.

THE IFs

If the Florida Tuskers defeat the Las Vegas Locomotives on Thursday night, It

Would give the Tuskers a 2-1 record and drop Las Vegas to 0-2

Would give Jay Gruden a record of 2-1 as an outdoor professional coach

Would give the Tuskers an 8-1 overall record in regular season UFL games

Would give the Tuskers an 8-2 UFL record in all games played

Would give the Tuskers a season sweep against Las Vegas

Would give the Tuskers a 4-1 series lead against Las Vegas

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