Tuskers Roll Colonials, 41-7

Published on November 11, 2010 under United Football League (UFL 1)
Florida Tuskers News Release


ORLANDO, FLA. - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11 - 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.

The win pushed the Tuskers to 4-3 on the season and kept the team alive for a second consecutive UFL Championship game appearance. If the Tuskers defeat Omaha in next Friday season finale, the team will qualify for the championship game. Hartford, 2-5, was eliminated from title game consideration.

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 p 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."

For the second straight week, the Tuskers built huge leads in the first half. The 38-0 first half lead tonight came on the heels of a 31-0 lead the Tuskers took into halftime last week against Omaha. Orlando had outscored its last two opponents by a 72-21. It was a huge turnaround after the team that lost three of its first five and had given up 84 points.

"We were sitting at 2-3 and I think we were all a little disappointed it," Gruden added. "But we also knew that three wins in a row would get us back to the championship game. We now have that chance next week against Omaha to get there."

The Tuskers jumped out early in the game, taking an early 14-0 lead. Florida grabbed a 7-0 lead at the 11:46 mark, when Dominic Rhodes capped a five-play, 68-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run. An interception by Tony Taylor set the Tuskers up deep in Hartford's territory one minute later, but a Rhodes fumble gave it back to the Colonials.

Ron Perrilloux then replaced McCown and drove the Colonials the length of the field, but Tory Harrison was hit in the backfield and fumbled and Terrance Melton picked it up and rumbled 70 yards for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead.

The Tuskers upped the lead to 17-0 on a 39-yard Nick Novak field goal on the first play of the second quarter.

Florida would then take a 24-0 lead. Simeon Castille intercepted Perrilloux and returned it 30 yards to the Hartford 21. Two plays later, Greisen hit Chas Gessner in the flat and Gessner took it the distance for a touchdown.

The Tuskers would then build a 31-0 lead on their next possession. After a roughing the quarterback penalty on a third and 22 play gave the Tuskers an automatic first down, Rhodes broke four tackles on a sensational 30-yard run for his second score of the game.

Florida would then complete the first half onslaught, operating the two-minute drill to perfection - moving 75 yards on eight plays for the score. Gessner capped the drive with his second touchdown reception of the game, this time connecting from Greisen on a 7-yard pass.

Novak's 44-yard field goal at the 4:41 mark of the third period would up the lead to 41-0 and give the Tuskers a tie for the most points in a UFL game.

Perrilloux finally put the Colonials on the board with 34 seconds remaining in the third quarter. Dropping back to pass on a fourth down play, Perrilloux avoided the rush and carried the ball in from 12-yard out to cut the gap to 41-7.

The Tuskers now face the Omaha Nighthawks, 3-3, who play Sacramento tomorrow night. An Omaha win will set up a Friday, Nov. 18 showdown with the Tuskers with the winner claiming a spot in the UFL title game against Las Vegas, 5-2.

Tuskers Notes: Florida was forced to play the game short-handed...starters DE Patrick Chukurwah, OG Adrien Clarke; LB Odell Thurman and WR Cortez Hankton all missed the game with injuries, meaning the Tuskers only dressed 48 of the 50 allowed players for the game...the Tuskers 38 points was a first half record...the Tuskers players will have treatment and film tomorrow before getting Saturday and Sunday off...the team will begin preparations for Omaha with a Monday practice at the Citrus Bowl...Rhodes two touchdowns in the first half, gave him a league leading 10 for the season...Rhodes also reached 100 yards for the third time with season, gaining 102 yards on 20 carries...Florida held the league's leading rusher, Lorenzo Booker, to just 15 yards on seven carries.

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