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Tuskers Take On Mountain Lions In Quest For Western Sweep

September 23, 2010 - United Football League (UFL 1)
Florida Tuskers News Release


Game: 2

Orlando at Sacramento

Stadium

Saturday, Sept. 25. 2010

Kickoff: 11 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 11 p.m.

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.

Florida 1-0 1.000

Hartford 1-0 1.000

Omaha 0-0 .000

Las Vegas 0-1 .000

Sacramento 0-1 .000

This Week's Games

Omaha at Hartford (9/24)

Orlando at Sacramento (9/25)

Las Vegas, Bye

Last Week's Results

Orlando 27, Las Vegas 20

Hartford 27, Sacramento 10

Omaha Bye

THE GAME

The Florida Tuskers (1-0) look to remain undefeated when they travel to California this weekend to take on the Sacramento Mountain Lions (0-1). Toe-to-leather time is 11:07 p.m. and the game can be seen on VERSUS beginning at 11 p.m. WGYM (740 The Game) will broadcast the contest live with David Baumann and Gary Paris on the call beginning at 10:30 p.m. Florida will be looking to complete a sweep a two-game Western swing, having defeated the Locomotives in Las Vegas (27-20) in last week's season opener.

THE SERIES

The Mountain Lions played last year as the California Redwoods. The Tuskers defeated the Redwoods twice last season, winning handily in Orlando by a 34-7 mark back on Oct. 22 and by overcoming a 27-20 deficit in the 4th quarter to post a 34-27 win in San Francisco on Nov. 19. In the first game, Taye Biddle caught five passes for 133 yards and Brooks Bollinger threw for 232 yards and three scores to lead the Tuskers to a blowout win; while the Tuskers defense collected five turnovers - including four interceptions. Overall, the Tuskers allowed just 198 total yards. The rematch in California was a lot more competitive, as the Redwoods took a 27-20 lead with 8:25 to go in the third quarter and held that lead until Michael Pittman scored the go-ahead touchdown with just six minutes remaining.

Series Results (Florida Leads 2-0)

Oct. 22 at Florida 34, California 7 Florida outgains California 378-198 in total yards

Nov. 19 Florida 34, at California 27 Pittman's 1-yd. run with 6 minutes left wins it

LAST TIME THEY MET

The Tuskers were tied or led for most of the first half, before the Redwoods took a 24-20 lead with a 17 seconds remaining in the half on a 7-yard touchdown pass from Shane Boyd to Nate Lawrie. A Parker Douglass 26-yard field goal upped the lead t0 27-20 heading into the fourth quarter. But the Tuskers would rally for two, 4th quarter touchdowns. Brooks Bollinger directed a 63-yard scoring drive that was capped off by a Jayson Foster 5-yard touchdown reception at the 14:54 mark to tie the game at 27. Later in the game, California was driving for a potential game-winning score when Darrius Vinnett stepped in front of a Boyd pass, made an interception and returned it 58-yards to the California 8-yard line. From there, the Tuskers gave the ball three straight times to Michael Pittman, who pounded the ball into the end zone on his third try for the game-winner. The Redwoods last chance ended when linebacker Quinton Culberson forced a Boyd fumble and Tuskers defensive lineman Josh Cooper recovered on the Florida 44. From there, the Tuskers ran out the clock to finish the regular season with a perfect 6-0 record.

TUSKERS MAKE ROSTER MOVES AFTER WIN

After Saturday's 27-20 season opening win, the Florida Tuskers made several roster moves on Tuesday. Most notably, the Tuskers placed starting strong side safety JR Reed and defensive end Eric Powell on the injured reserve list and then waived defensive tackle Antwon Burton. Both Reed and Powell suffered ankle injuries during the game. They will be eligible to return to the active roster in four weeks. Reed played well in the season opener, recording two tackles and helping lead a Tusker defense that allowed just 186 total yards and 132 passing yards in the victory. He injured his ankle in the second half and tried to return to the field but left for good one play later.

With the open roster spots, the Tuskers announced the signings defensive lineman Darion Scott, defensive back Nate Salley and defensive lineman Claude Wroten. Wroten, 6-2, 295, played last season for the Florida Tuskers where he recorded 12 tackles with three pass defenses, two quarterback sacks and two forced fumbles. A 2006 NFL third round draft pick of St. Louis, Wroten played three seasons with the Rams (2006-08), where he appeared in 26 games with 24 tackles and 1.5 quarterback sacks. Salley was a 4th round draft pick of the Carolina Panthers out of Ohio State in 2006. He spent three years in the Panthers organization, where he recorded 11 tackles in 24 career games. Scott played last season for the Tuskers, where he recorded 14 tackles and 3.5 quarterback sacks. In April, Scott was signed with the Washington Redskins and was waived during training camp. A former third round pick of the Minnesota Vikings (2004), Scott played four seasons with the Vikings, where he played in 48 games and made 28 starts. His career stats include 128 tackles with 9.5 quarterback sacks, six pass defenses and two forced fumbles.

LAST WEEK: TUSKERS OPEN WITH AN IMPRESSIVE WIN

After falling behind 10-0, the Tuskers rallied to record an impressive 27-20 season-opening win over the Las Vegas Locomotives on Saturday night. Brooks Bollinger led the way offensively with 308 passing yards and a pair of touchdowns; while linebacker Odell Thurman spearheaded a defense that allowed just 233 yards of total offense. Despite out-gaining the Locomotives offensively, 389-233, Head Coach Jay Gruden was not overly impressed with his offense. "We have to get a lot better," Gruden said. "We missed a lot of opportunities out there and were sloppy at times." Penalties were also an issue as the Tuskers were flagged 11 times for 154 yards. Many of those penalties kept drives alive for the Locomotives. Still, Gruden said he will gladly take the win. "Las Vegas is a great team and they are well coached. To travel across country, deal with the time zone changes, have a bunch of penalties and still come away with a win against a quality opponent is an accomplishment."

IT'S A RECORD

New Tuskers kicker Nick Novak turned some heads in the final seconds of the first half when he successfully connected on a 54-yard field goal to five the Tuskers a 17-10 lead at halftime. Novak's kick was not only a new Florida Tuskers record but also set a new UFL mark. For the game, Novak was two of four, hitting from 54 and 24 yards; while missing 46 in the first quarter and having a 42-yard attempt late in the game blocked. Novak did hit all three of his extra points to account for nine points in the win. For his efforts, Novak was selected "UFL Special Teams Player of the Week."

LB ODELL THURMAN COMES UP HUGE

In Florida's 2009 run to a perfect 6-0 regular season record, linebacker Odell Thurman gained a reputation for coming up with big plays at big times. The leader of the Tuskers defense picked up where he left off last season, recording five tackles with an interception, a pass defense, and a forced fumble. Both big plays came at crucial points in the game. In the third quarter, Thurman separated both the ball and the helmet from Locomotive wide receiver Andrae Thurman on a vicious hit. Tim McGarigle recovered the fumble to set up a Tuskers' field goal. With Florida clinging to a 27-20 lead, Odell helped preserve the win with a late interception in the 4th quarter. "I said all along that Odell Thurman's one of the best linebackers I have seen at any level of professional football and he certainly showed that tonight," Jay Gruden said in his post-game press conference.

GRUDEN WINS OPENER, TUSKERS REMAIN UNBEATEN IN UFL REGULAR SEASON GAMES

Saturday night's win over Las Vegas gave Tuskers head coach Jay Gruden his first win as an outdoor professional football head coach. Gruden, who registered a 93-61 mark as head coach of the Orlando Predators in the Arena Football League (1998-01; 2004-08), became head coach of the Florida Tuskers in March when Jim Haslett resigned to become defensive coordinator of the Washington Redskins. Gruden served as offensive coordinator of the Tuskers last season, where he directed the UFL's top ranked offense to a 6-0 regular season record. As a players, assistant coach, offensive coordinator, and head coach, Gruden has been a part of 230 professional football wins. With his first victory, the Tuskers have remained undefeated in regular season play in the UFL, with a 7-0 record. Here is the chart for regular season wins (2009-2010)

Florida Tuskers 7-0 1.000

Las Vegas 4-3 .571

Sacramento/California 2-5 .286

Hartford/New York 1-6 .142

Omaha 0-0 .000

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.

BOLLINGER CONTINUES RUN OF 300

By completing 22 of 38 passes for 308 yards last week, Tuskers quarterback Brooks Bollinger continued his impressive play against the Las Vegas. In four career games (three regular season games, one playoff) against the Locomotives, Bollinger has thrown for 300 or more yards all four times while recording a 3-1 record. He will have a chance to continue the streak in the near future, as he is scheduled to face the Locomotives again on Sept. 30 in Florida's home opener. About the only down side of Bollinger's performance has been the fact that five of Bollinger's seven career interceptions (8 games total) have come against the Locomotives. A chart of how the former University of Wisconsin star has fared against the Locomotives:

Date A-C-I Pct. Yards TDs Result

9/18/2010 37-22-1 59.5% 308 2 W, 27-20

11/27/2009 45-22-2 48.9% 306 2 L, 17-20 (ot)*

10/30/2009 35-22-1 62.8% 323 2 W, 27-24

10/14/2009 32-24-0 75.0% 310 3 W, 29-15

Totals 149-90-5 60.1% 1247 10 3-1

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, Harrison and Thurman played at the same time, but Taylor just contributed on special teams.

TUSKERS ROSTER FEATURES NFL EXPERIENCE

When you ask some football fans about the United Football League, you may here some disparaging remarks like "the league for wannabes," "minor league" or even "semi-pro." Nothing could be further from the truth, especially as it concerns the Florida Tuskers. All told, the current Florida Tuskers' roster of 52 players have logged 148 years of service and have played in 1,349 NFL games, an average of 2.8 years and 26 games played! Here are the numbers on the Tuskers opening day roster:

Category # of Tuskers Players Percentage of Players

Players with some type of NFL Experience 50 of 52 96.1%

Players who appeared on NFL practice/active Roster 46 of 52 88.5%

Players who have played in at least one NFL game 38 of 52 73.1%

Players who have played in at least 16 NFL games 25 of 52 48.7%

Players who have played in at least 32 NFL games 20 of 52 38.7%

Players who have played in at least 50 NFL games 11 of 52 21.2%

TWO TRUE ROOKIES PLAYED

With the vast majority of the Florida Tuskers roster made up of players with NFL experience (50 of 52), it is interesting to note that the Tuskers played two true rookies on Saturday night. James Develin spent the 2009 football season playing defensive end for Brown University, while Galen Stone played tight end for Saginaw Valley State. Both Develin and Stone saw extensive action on Saturday night, with Stone catching one pass for nine yards.

TUSKERS QUICK HITTERS

*Coming into the 2010 season, Florida Tuskers head coach Jay Gruden said that he hoped to use the speed of WR Calvin Russell to "stretch" the opposing team's defense. It worked against Las Vegas as quarterback Brooks Bollinger hit Russell on a 68-yard touchdown pass. The play marked the longest pass completion in Florida Tuskers history and was Bollinger's fourth pass that went for 50 or more yards in his UFL career. For the game, Russell averaged 32.0 yards on three receptions.

*Florida's 11 penalties for 154 yards last week easily eclipsed team records for the most penalties and most penalty yards against the Tuskers. The old team mark was six for 51 yards in 29-15 win over the Locomotives on 10/14/09. Interestingly enough, the Tuskers hold the record for the fewest penalties in a game, when they were not called for a single infraction in an Oct. 10, 2009 win over the New York Sentinels.

*DB Simeon Castille's wife Haley Hunt is a professional recording artist. Featured on the 2007 Madden Football video game, Hunt recorded the song "Don't Stop Runnin." An Orlando native, Haley at one time worked as a nanny for head coach Jay Gruden in the early 2000s. Castille comes from a football-pedigreed family. His father Jeremiah was a long-time NFL defensive back best remembered for stripping Ernest Byner of the football at the goal line to prevent a game-clinching touchdown in the 1987 AFC Championship Game (played in January of 1988). Simeon's brother Tim is a fullback for the Kansas City Chiefs. Castille played extensively on Saturday night, coming up with a huge play with a 4th quarter interception in the Tuskers end zone.

THEY SAID IT

"I'm excited because I get to play against one of my good friends, Daunte Culpepper. We have a little wager going, if we win I get his jersey and if he wins he gets my jersey so we're all excited about this game and I can't wait to go to Sacramento to get it on with them." - Running back Dominic Rhodes"We've got our work cut out for us having to come back out to the west coast next week. The personality of our offense is taking whatever they give us. On (Saturday) Las Vegas gave us the pass and I had a few of them I'd like to have back but I just have to come back and try to play better next week." - Quarterback Brooks Bollinger



United Football League Stories from September 23, 2010


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