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Tuskers Must Beat Omaha for Trip to UFL Championship

November 16, 2010 - United Football League (UFL 1)
Florida Tuskers News Release


Game: 8

Florida at Omaha

Rosenblatt Stadium, Omaha, NE

Friday, November 18, 2010

Toe-To-Leather: 8:30 p.m. (EDT)

TV: HD NET

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 L, 17-20

10/9 at Hartford W, 33-20

10/21 SACRAMENTO L, 17-21

11/5 OMAHA W, 31-14

11/11 HARTFORD W, 41-17

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

2010 UFL Standings

Team W-L Pct.

Las Vegas 5-2 .714

Florida 4-3 .571

Sacramento 4-4 .500

Omaha 3-4 .428

Hartford 2-5 .286

This Week's Games

Orlando at Omaha (11/19)

Las Vegas at Hartford (11/2)

Last Week's Results

Florida 41, Hartford 7

Sacramento 41, Omaha 3

THE GAME

After two "must-wins" over Omaha and Hartford, the Florida Tuskers (4-3) can earn a spot in the UFL Championship game with a win at Omaha (3-4) on Friday night at historic Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha. A win would put the Tuskers in the title game for a second consecutive year against the defending champion Las Vegas Locomotives, who clinched a spot two weeks ago with their fifth win of the season. A loss would end the Tuskers season at 4-4. Florida put itself in position to make it back to the title game with an impressive 41-7 win over Hartford last Thursday. Following last Saturday's loss against Sacramento, the Nighthawks were eliminated from championship game consideration regardless of what happens on Friday. An Omaha victory creates a three-way tie between Florida, Sacramento and Omaha for second place, with Sacramento winning based on a 3-1 head -to-head record with the other two teams.

THE SERIES

A 2010 expansion team, the Tuskers and Nighthawks have met just once and that was in Orlando just two weeks ago, where the Tuskers jumped out to a 31-0 first half lead and cruised to a 31-14 win in the Florida Citrus Bowl. 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. "For the first time in a long time, we played with some consistency in all phases of the game," 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 are a lot of great quarterbacks that aren't particularly fast. He moved around enough to buy some time and that was a huge factor," Gruden added. The play of Rhodes was also impressive. In picking up his second 100-yard rushing game of his UFL career, Rhodes did it on just 11 carries. He added 22 yards on a screen pass and accounted for 152 all-purpose yards.

LAST TIME OUT: TUSKERS WHIP HARTFORD

The Florida Tuskers took advantage of four Hartford turnovers to score a United Football League record 38 points in the first half on their way to 41-7 win over the Colonials. In outgaining Hartford 285-120 in the first half, the Tuskers did little wrong - scoring on six of eight possessions. "There's not much to say," Tuskers head coach Jay Gruden said. "It's tough to point out any one group or individual. Our running backs played well, our offensive line played well, good work from the wide receivers, quarterback, defensive line, linebackers and defensive backs. Heck, even our kicker made a couple of bombs tonight."

But perhaps more than anything it was the Tuskers defense that stood out. Playing without three key starters who were hurt a week ago, Florida's defense forced five turnovers, picked up six sacks, and knocked down six passes in allowing just 242 yards. Only a fourth down scramble for a touchdown kept the Tuskers from recording the first shutout in UFL history. "It really starts up front," Gruden said. "For a second straight week, our opponents were having trouble running the ball. That forced them into second and long and third and long situations which are a lot easier to defend."

TUSKERS WIN COMES SHORT HANDED

Florida was able to post a big win on Thursday night, despite once again having to play a game short-handed. Two key starters on defense (DE Patrick Chukurwah and LB Odell Thurman) and two key starters on offense (Guard Adrien Clarke and WR Cortez Hankton) did not dress for the game, leaving the Tuskers with only 48 players in uniform. But that has been the modus operandi for the Tuskers for the entire season. Consider the following: Counting last week's game, the Tuskers have had 10 defensive starters or key reserves miss a total of 35 games. The tally: Safety JR Reed (ankle-6 games), DE Eric Powell (ankle-6 games), DE Patrick Chukurwah (biceps tear/hip flexor-2 games), CB Fahkir Brown (neck-4 games), LB Weston Dacus (hamstring-5 games), DE Chris Harrington (knee-4 games), Tim McGarigle (concussion, thumb-4 games), DT Langston Moore (biceps tear-3 games), and LB Anthony Schlegel (shoulder-2 game), Odell Thurman (knee-1 game).

DOMINATING THE FIRST HALF

In the last two wins, the Tuskers have dominated the first halfoutscoring opponents 69-0. The totals included a 31-0 lead over Omaha on Nov. 5 and a 38-0 lead over Hartford on Nov. 11. The Tuskers have now outscored opponents 116-40 in the first half of games this season.

ADD AND ADJUST

Florida has put itself in position to earn a spot in the UFL Championship game by its uncanny ability to bring in new players to replace injured players without missing a beat. On the defensive side of the ball, DB Keiwan Ratliff, LB J Leman, DL Claude Wroten, DE Eric Moore, DB Nate Salley, DE Darion Scott, DB Keith Tribble and LB/DE Darryl Blackstock are just a few examples of players that came in during the season and have made significant contributions. Head Coach Jay Gruden deflects much of the credit to defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan and Player Personnel Director Bret Munsey for the Tuskers success in this area. "With such a short season, it's important to not only find a good player but the right player for an injury replacement," Gruden said. "Chuck and Bret have done a great job in this area. Several times we have brought in players who have played for Chuck before and know his system. Other times it's a matter of finding the right player to fill in. We have been fortunate to bring in some guys that have picked up our system quickly. It doesn't do any good to find a great athlete if he's running around out there out of position all the time."

STOPPING THE RUN /RUNNING THE ROCK

One reason for the Tuskers success the last two weeks have been the team's both stop the run and being able to run the rock. Florida limited Hartford to just 51 yards on 20 carries and held Omaha to just 46 yards on 13 carries. For the two games, opponents have gained just 97 yards on the ground on 33 attempts, an average of less than three yards a carry. Facing two of the top running backs in the league, the Tuskers held Hartford's Lorenzo Booker to just 15 yards on seven carries and limited Omaha's Ahman Green to 16 yards on five totes. In those same two games, the Tuskers have rushed for more than 300 yards - averaging more than 5.0 yards per carry (63-317).

TUSKERS DEFENSE TAKES ANOTHER HIT; LOSE STARTING CORNER

The Florida Tuskers defense took another hit on Tuesday, when the team learned that starting cornerback DeJaun Tribble would miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. Tribble has a torn meniscus, which will require surgery. He was placed on the team's injured reserve list.

Tribble, a mid-season replacement, played in the last four games for the Tuskers. His stats have included 9.5 tackles with an interception, a tackle-for-loss and one pass defense. He becomes the 11th defensive starter or key reserve on the Tuskers team to go down with injury. Those players have missed 35 games so far.

On Tuesday, the Tuskers also placed WR Huey Whitaker (sprained MCL) on injured reserve. Whitaker has played in all nine games this season with five catches for 38 yards and one score. He also contributed on special teams with a tackle and fumble recovery.

To replace Tribble on the roster, the Tuskers resigned cornerback Corey Small - who is making his starting his third stint this season with the Tuskers. A former standout at Florida Atlantic, Small was among the last players cut in Florida Tuskers training camp. He resigned with the team prior to Hartford game (10/9) and appeared on the active roster for one week before being released.

Whitaker's spot on the roster will be filled by former Tampa Bay Bucs wide receiver Brian Clark. A seasoned veteran with four years of NFL experience, the 6-3, 205-lb. Clark spent two seasons with the Denver Broncos and two years with the Bucs. He played in 34 NFL games, recording 11 receptions for 100 yards to go with a 21.9 average on 34 kickoff returns. He also had 18 special teams tackles and a blocked punt.

Clark played two seasons at NC State (2004-05), where he emerged as a deep threat. In his senior season, he averaged more than 21 yards a reception (25-537) and scored six touchdowns. For his career, he had 43 receptions for 748 yards and nine scores.

Both Clark and Small are expected to be in uniform for the Tuskers season finale this Friday night in Omaha.

TUSKERS EARLY WEEK INJURY REPORT

DB DeJaun Tribble Knee Out

WR Huey Whitaker Knee Out

DE Patrick Chukwurah Arm/Hip Questionable

LB Tim McGargile Thumb Probable

OL Adrian Clarke Knee Questionable

WR Cortez Hankton Shoulder Questionable

LB Odell Thurmond Knee Questionable

HIGH SCORING TUSKERS

Florida's 38 points in the first half of last week's game set a record for the most points in a half in a UFL regular season game, while the Tuskers 41 points was the most this season in the UFL. Before Sacramento laid a 41-3 beat down on Omaha this past Saturday night, the Tuskers were the only team in the UFL to score 30 or more points this season. Still, the Tuskers have scored three of the four highest point totals this season and six of the ten highest point totals in UFL history.

Single Game Points, 2010

41, Florida Tuskers vs. Hartford (Nov. 11, 2010)

41, Sacramento vs. Omaha (Nov. 14, 2010)

33, Florida Tuskers vs. Hartford (Oct. 9, 2010)

31, Florida Tuskers vs. Omaha (Nov. 5, 2010)

Most Points, Single Game in League History

41, Florida Tuskers vs. Hartford (Nov. 11, 2010)

41, Sacramento vs. Omaha (Nov. 14. 2010)

41, Las Vegas vs. New York (Nov. 4, 2009)

41, Las Vegas vs New York (Nov. 20, 2009)

35, Florida Tuskers vs. New York (Oct. 10, 2009)

34, Florida Tuskers vs. California (Oct. 22, 2009)

34, Florida Tuskers vs. California (Nov. 19, 2009)

33, Florida Tuskers vs. Hartford (Oct. 9, 2010)

31, Florida Tuskers vs. Omaha (Nov. 5, 2010)

30, Las Vegas vs. California (Oct. 8, 2009)

TUSKERS CHASING THIRD DOWN BLUES

From Week 2 of the regular season (at Sacramento 9/25) through Week 6 (vs. Sacramento 10/21), the Tuskers struggled on third down plays. In fact, Florida converted just 22% of its third down plays (11 of 50), while going 1-3 in that stretch. In its last two wins, the Tuskers have been a lot better on that front, converting 15 of 26 third down plays for 57.8%. When the Florida converts 40% or more on third downs it is 3-0, but is 1-3 when converting less than 40%. Tuskers on third down this season:

At Las Vegas 8-17 47.5% W

At Sacramento 3-14 21.4% L

Las Vegas 3-11 27.3% L

At Hartford 3-14 21.4% W

Sacramento 2-11 18.2% L

Omaha 10-15 66.7% W

Hartford 5-11 45.4% W

RHODES MAKING BID FOR MVP AWARD

With one game left in the regular season, running back Dominic Rhodes has been making enough of a wave to garner some attention for league MVP honors. Through seven games, Rhodes has rushed for a league-leading 495 yards, including three 100-yard games. Rhodes has also scored a league-leading 10 touchdowns, six more than anyone else in the UFL. To date, Rhodes owns five of the top seven rushing games in Tuskers's franchise history, including the top three games.

TUSKERS TOP SINGLE GAME RUSHING HIGHS

Player No.-Yards Avg. Opponent Date

Dominic Rhodes 11-111 10.1 Omaha 11.5.10

Dominic Rhodes 20-103 5.2 Hartford 10.9.10

Dominic Rhodes 20-102 5.1 Hartford 11.11.10

Tatum Bell 15-70 4.7 New York 10.10.09

Tatum Bell 20-65 3.3 Las Vegas 10.30.09

Dominic Rhodes 18-60 3.3 Sacramento 10.21.10

Dominic Rhodes 11-59 5.4 Las Vegas 9.30.10

SPREADING IT AROUND

In his first UFL start against Omaha two weeks ago, QB Chris Greisen completed passes to 11 different receivers. The trend continued last week against Hartford, as Greisen hit 10 different players with passes. For the two games, Greisen has completed 40 of 54 passes (74%) for 452 yards, 4 touchdowns and just two interceptions.

RAZOR THIN MARGIN BETWEEN VICTORY AND DEFEAT

Although the Tuskers are 4-3 on the season, one could make the argument that the team could just as easily be 7-0 at this point in the season. Consider the following:

*Florida had 4th quarter leads in all three of its losses

*Opponents had to convert 4th down plays on its game-winning drive three times

*Florida 20-17 loss to Las Vegas on Sept. 30 came on a field goal on the game's final play

Had the team stopped the fourth down plays, the Tuskers most likely would have won both Sacramento games. With the score tied at 17-17, the Tuskers failed to convert on a third and three play, and the subsequent punt set up Las Vegas on its game-winning drive.

RHODES LEADS UFL IN SCORING

Through six games this season, Tuskers running back Dominic Rhodes leads the UFL in touchdowns with 10. With one regular season games to go, Rhodes has already broken the league touchdown record of 5 (Cory Ross, California). Rhodes' 495 rushing yards is already a Florida Tuskers season record, breaking Tatum Bell's 2009 mark of 277 yards in six games. Rhodes is also tied with Tuskers kicker Nick Novak for the league scoring title with 60 points.

SACK MACHINE

With five quarterback sacks against Omaha, the Tuskers now have now taken over the league lead in that category with 23. DE Patrick Chukurwah and DE Joe Clermond are tied for first place in the category with 5.5 each.

NOVAK HOT

Florida Tuskers kicker Nick Novak has been all but automatic since joining the team right before the start of the regular season. In seven games, Novak has hit 13 of 16 field goal attempts (81.3%). Including extra points, Novak has made his last 23 kicks and has hit his last eight field goal attempts. Novak has not missed a kick of any type since his 43-yard field goal attempt against Las Vegas on Sept. 30 sailed wide left. Novak is tied with Tuskers running back Dominic Rhodes for the league lead in scoring with 60 points. In addition to being 13 of 16 on field goals, Novak is a perfect 21 of 21 on point after attempts.

FIELD GOALS 1-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50+ Total

Novak,Nick 0-0 3-3 3-3 6-9 1-1 13-16

DEFENSE SCORES AGAIN

One week after Keiwan Ratliff became the first player in Florida history to return an interception for touchdown when he stepped in front of a Jeff Garcia pass and returned it 29 yards for a touchdown, linebacker Terrance Melton became the second defensive player to score this year for the Tuskers when he picked up a fumble and rumbled 70 yards for a touchdown last week against Hartford.

TUSKERS/UFL ANYTHING BUT MINOR LEAGUE

While many UFL coaches, players and administrators often cringe when casual football fans use the phrase "minor league" or "semi-professional" to describe any brand of football that is not the NFL, it helps to sometimes look at the facts to show just how impressive the playing resumes are for UFL players. Here some eye-opening facts concerning the Florida Tuskers current 52-man roster:

50 of 52 Tuskers players have been through at least one NFL training camp

41 of 52 Tuskers players have been on an NFL active roster

37 of 52 Tuskers players have played in NFL games

27 of 52 Tuskers players have played in 10 or more NFL games

23 of 52 Tuskers players have played in 20 or more NFL games

21 of 52 Tuskers players have made NFL starts

18 of 52 Tuskers players have played in 30 or more NFL games

14 of 52 Tuskers players have played in 40 or more NFL games

9 of 52 Tuskers players have played in 50 or more NFL games

The Tuskers 52 current players have played in more than 1,400 NFL games and have made close to 500 Starts

The Tuskers offensive line (excluding tight ends) has played in 224 NFL Games and made 139 starts

EXPERIENCE PART II

Here are some more NFL facts in figures concerning the Florida Tuskers 2010 roster

TE Jermaine Wiggins has played in the most NFL games (105)

OL Shane Olivea has made the most NFL starts (57)

QB Brooks Bollinger has passed for 2,256 yards and 9 TDs in NFL games

RB Dominic Rhodes has 3,114 NFL Rushing Yards, 1021 receiving yards, 3,122 kickoff return

Yards, 7272 all-purpose yards and has scored 32 touchdowns

DB Keiwan Ratliff has 145 total tackles, 4 interceptions and 9 PD in 73 NFL games

LB Odell Thurman has 98 tackles and 5 Interceptions in 16 NFL games

DE Darrion Scott had 128 tackles and 10 quarterback sacks in 48 NFL games

DT Grady Jackson has 359 tackles, 35.5 sacks, and 129 NFL starts in 185 career games played

RHODES ZEROES IN ON RUSHING TITLE

Although Cory Ross made it a race with a 125-yard effort against Omaha on Saturday night, the Tuskers' Dominic Rhodes has all but locked up the 2010 UFL rushing title. Through seven games, Rhodes leads all rushers with 495 yards. Ross, who ended his regular season with 435 yards will finish at least 60 yards behind Rhodes; while Hartford's Lorenzo Booker has 410 yards. That leaves only Booker, Dede Dorsey (394) and Marcel Shipp (306) within striking range of Rhodes. Booker trails Rhodes by 85 yards, Dorsey trails by 101 yards and Shipp trails by 189 yards with one game remaining.

TUSKERS FACED WITH POTENTIALLY LONG ROAD TRIP

In UFL, as is customary with most professional football leagues, it is customary for the road team to travel the day before the game and return home via charter immediately after the game. That could change this week for the Tuskers. A victory over Omaha, would put Florida in the championship game against Las Vegas. Omaha has already been pre-selected as the site of this year's UFL championship game. With the Tuskers already in that city, and with a week-long package of festivities surrounding the game, Florida is scheduled to remain in Omaha for the entire week leading up to the game. "Right now, we're not even thinking about that," Head Coach Jay Gruden said. "We are not going to be looking ahead. We have a big game this week with Omaha and that's where our attention is going to be."



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