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Week 1: Florida Tuskers at Las Vegas Locomotives

September 13, 2010 - United Football League (UFL 1)
Florida Tuskers News Release


The Florida Tuskers will open up their second season of play in the United Football League when they travel to Sam Boyd Stadium to take on the Las Vegas Locomotives. Toe-to-leather time is 11 p.m. (EDT). The game will be broadcast nationally on HD NET and will re-air in a condensed form on Florida Tuskers Rewind at 12 midnight on Sept. 22 and then again at 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 23 on Bright House Sports Network. The Tuskers will also broadcast the game back to the Central Florida area on WYGM (740 The Game). David Baumann will call the play-by-play with former Florida State and NFL player Gary Paris on color.

Although the league is only in its second season, a fairly extensive history already exists between the two teams. In 2009, the teams met three times, including twice in the regular season. The Tuskers would win 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.

Series Results (Florida Leads 2-1)

Oct. 14 at Las Vegas W, 29-15 Bollinger throws for 310 yards, 3 TD

Oct. 30 at Florida

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

Nov. 27 at Las Vegas*

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

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

LAST TIME

As mentioned above, the two teams met in the inaugural UFL Championship Game on November 27, 2010 at Sam Boyd Stadium. Florida struck first, grabbing a 7-0 lead on an 8-yard touchdown pass from Brooks Bollinger to Marcus Maxwell at the 5:13 mark of the first period. A Graham Gano' 46-yard field goal with four seconds to go in the second period cut the Florida lead to 7-3 at the half. Las Vegas would grab their first lead of the night on De De Dorsey's 38-yard touchdown run but Frank Murphy's 10-yard touchdown reception gave the Tuskers a 14-10 lead at the 10:28 mark of the fourth quarter. Las Vegas would grab the lead again, this time on a 1-yard run by Dorsey; but the Tuskers would send the game to overtime when Matt Bryant connected on a 27-yard field goal with 2:10 remaining. In overtime, Florida's first possession ended when a Bollinger pass was tipped and picked off by Nick Trufant at the Tuskers 14-yard line. One play later, Gano booted it a 33-yard field goal to give the Locomotives a 20-17 win. For the game, Bollinger completed 22 of 45 passes for 306 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Maxwell had five catches for 80 yards and Michael Pittman added six catches for 77 yards.

GRUDEN'S FIRST GAME

Saturday's season opener will mark the first game for Florida Tuskers head coach Jay Gruden as a professional football head coach in the outdoor game. Gruden's outdoor professional experience includes seven seasons (2002-08) with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he served as an offensive assistant under his brother, Jon Gruden. Jay also served as offensive coordinator for the Florida Tuskers last season, where helped pace Florida to a perfect 6-0 regular season, while leading the UFL's most potent offense. This is not Gruden's first rodeo as a head coach, however. From 1998-2001 he served as head coach of the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League and after taking two seasons off to return to the playing field, he rejoined the Predators as head coach and held that post from 2004-08. In seven seasons as head coach of the Predators, Gruden led the team to four championship games (1998, 1999, 2000,2005) and won a pair of ArenaBowl Championships (1998, 2000). Under Gruden, Orlando never failed to make the playoffs and posted an overall record of 93-61 (.604 winning percentage). Counting his years with the Bucs, Predators, Tuskers and Nashville Kats (offensive coordinator 1997), Jay Gruden has been a part of 160 professional football coaching wins as either a head coach or assistant.

CALL HIM LORD OF RINGS

Although Gruden and the Tuskers failed to win a title in 2009, the first-year head coach has an outstanding reputation of 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. 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 has only missed the playoffs four times in 26 seasons.

2009 MVP BOLLINGER POSTED BIG NUMBERS AGAINST LOCOS

Tuskers quarterback Brooks Bollinger, who was named the UFL's Most Valuable Player in its premiere season, posted some huge numbers against Las Vegas last season. In three games, Bollinger completed 68 of 112 passes (60.7%) for 939 yards and seven touchdowns. Bollinger threw for 300 or more yards in all three games and will take a 6-1 record as a starting quarterback in the UFL into this weekend's game.

STANDING OUT IN CROWD

At 6-0, 190-lbs., Calvin Russell does not necessary standout in a crowd in a literal sense, but he sure did figuratively in Atlanta this past June. Russell was one of more than 400 players that signed up and attended the Tuskers Free Agent Tryout Camp in Atlanta back on June 26. Russell had an outstanding workout and was invited to Tuskers training camp, where he not only made the team's final 52-man roster, but is slated to start at wide receiver. Russell was a standout football and track star at Tuskegee University (2002-05). In football, he grabbed 64 passes for 1,205 yards and seven touchdowns in three seasons. As a senior, he earned first team All-SIAC honors with 42 catches for 668 yards and five touchdowns. Russell helped spearhead the Golden Tigers to a 31-4 record in his three seasons. In track, he lettered four years and competed in the 100, 200 and 4 x 100-meter relay. As a junior, he anchored the relay team that qualified for the NCAA championships. After going to camp with the Green Bay Packers in 2006, Russell spent one season in the Arena Football League with Columbus. With the Destroyers, Russell caught 74 passes for 1,020 yards and 11 touchdowns. "Calvin is a prime example of why we do open tryouts," Head Coach Jay Gruden said. "There are a lot of outstanding football players that just need a chance or a second chance to be seen. Not only did Calvin earn an invitation to training camp but he parlayed it into a starting opportunity."

COULD IT BE A 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 linebackers that includes three 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?

FORMER TUSKERS HEAD COACH SUCCESSFUL IN WEEK ONE NFL DEBUT

Former Tuskers head coach Jim Haslett, who was responsible for hiring Jay Gruden as offensive coordinator last season and recommended Jay for the head coach job when he resigned to become defensive coordinator of the Washington Redskins, had a successful debut in his new position on Saturday night. Under Haslett's direction, the Redskins defense allowed just one touchdown in Washington's 13-7 win over Dallas on Sunday night. NBC Al Michaels called the Redskins win the "beginning of the Haslett Era in Washington."

FLORIDA TO FEATURE THREE-HEADED MONSTER AT RUNNING BACK

Counting all players, the Florida Tuskers return less than four percent of their rushing attack from last season. Florida rushed for 651 yards in 2009, and the only returning players who contributed to that total are quarterback Brooks Bollinger (3 yards) and WR Jayson Foster (12 yards). Still, head coach Jay Gruden is confident the Tuskers running game will be in good hands this season. For starters, the Tuskers signed three players with significant NFL experience in Dominic Rhodes, Aveion Cason and Maurice Hicks. The emergence of Rhodes and Cason resulted in the Tuskers cutting last year's leading rusher Tatum Bell (71 Attempts-377 yards-3 Touchdowns) during training camp. Although Rhodes won the training camp battle to be the starter, Gruden says the Tuskers will use all three players extensively during the season. "They all bring something different to the table," Gruden said. "While any of them could be a feature back, I think you'll see that all three will get a lot on touches each week." The trio have combined for more than 4,500 rushing yards and 2,100 receiving yards in the National Football League. Here are the NFL numbers for the three players:

Player NFL Years Rush-Yards TD Rec-Yards TD

Dominic Rhodes 8 (Colts, Raiders) 777-3,114 26 146-1021 4

Aveion Cason 8 (Lions, Rams, Cowboys) 126-562 3 64-655 2

Maurice Hicks 6 (Bears, 49ers, Vikings) 205-869 6 55-434 1

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, as the chart below indicates:

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%

All told, the current Florida Tuskers roster of 52 players have logged 148 years of service and have played in 1,353 NFL games, an average of 2.8 years and 26 games played!

NOT YOU, THE OTHER GUY

Defensive lineman McKinley Boykin was a little bit put out and confused when a young coaching intern appeared at his door on "cut-down day" and requested that he turn in his playbook to Coach Gruden. After all, Boykin started all seven games for the Tuskers in 2009, was one of 20 players placed on the team's protective list in the off-season, and was coming off a solid training camp where he was running with the first team. Turns out the assistant was being sent to notify Boykin's roommate, but got confused when Boykin was the only one in the room.

COMING OUT FROM THE INDOORS

Both back-up quarterback Chris Greisen and wide receiver Huey Whittaker were late getting into training camp this year after playing in the Arena Football League during the 2010 season. Both put together incredible seasons in the indoor version of the game. Greisen played for the Milwaukee Iron in threw for more than 5,100 yards and 107 touchdowns. Whittaker played for the champion Seattle Shock, catching 144 passes for 1653 yards and 37 touchdowns.

TUSKERS QUICK HITTERS

*The 2010 Florida Tuskers feature two true professional football rookies on their roster. Tight End Galen Hall was a senior at Saginaw Valley State last year; while James Develin was a starting linebacker at Brown University. Both Develin and Hall were considered long shots to make the Tuskers roster during training camp.

*Like father like sonJoey Gruden, the son of Tuskers head coach Jay Gruden, is currently the starting junior varsity quarterback for Olympia High School. Jay was a standout quarterback for the University of Louisville and played professionally for both the Tampa Bay Storm and Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League.

*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 was also 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 known 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). The fumble set up "The Drive" which sent Denver to the Super Bowl. Simeon's brother Tim is a fullback for the Kansas City Chiefs.

*Former NFL standout Joe Theismann will be a guest of the Florida Tuskers and UFL at Saturday's opener in Las Vegas.

*WR Chas Gessner holds the distinction of being a two-sport collegiate All-American. In addition to being a star wide receiver, Gessner earned All-America honors on the lacrosse field and was actually drafted professionally by the National Lacrosse League.

*The Tuskers have two players that are natives of our 50th state. Both Enoka Lucas and Bryan Save were born in Hawaii.

*Defensive backs coach Bill Bradley and offensive line assistant Jerry Sisemore were teammates together with the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1970s.

*Defensive tackle Bryan Save is an avid outdoorsman that has hunted wild boar in Texas.

*Although he has taken part in numerous training camps and has played indoor in the Arena Football League, Torrin Tucker is expected to see his first regular season outdoor professional action this weekend for the first time since 2005 when he played on the offensive line for the Dallas Cowboys.

2010 FLORIDA TUSKERS PRONOUNCIATION GUIDE

Brooks BOLLINGER Bal-lin-ger

McKinley BOYKIN BOY-kin

FAHKIR Brown Fah-KEER

AVEION Cason AVE-eon

Patrick CHUKWURAH Chuck-WERE-uh

Joe CLERMOND CLAIR-mond

HERANA-DEZ Jones Her-nan-dez

ENOKA Lucas E-no-kah

Tim McGARIGLE Mc-gargle

Shane OLIVEA OH-liv-e-a

Jason POCIASK POZ-E-ak

KEIWAN Ratliff KEY-Whan

Bryan SAVE Sah-VAY

Anthony SCHELEGEL SHLAY-gul

Michael TOUDOUZE Tah-dues

Darrius VINNETT Va-NET

2010 Tuskers Depth Chart

Offense

QB: 8 Brooks Bollinger 12 Chris Greisen

FB: 38 JD Runnels 40 James Develin

RB: 33 Dominic Rhodes 28 Aveion Cason 43 Maurice Hicks

WR: 88 Calvin Russell 18 Jayson Foster 19 Chas Gessner

LT: 73 Torrin Tuckers 71 Michael Toudouze

LG: 66 Anthony Davis 79 Chris Denman

C: 58 Enoka Lucas 72 Kyle Young

RG: 63 Adrien Clarke

RT: 75 Seth Wand 70 Shane Olivea

TE: 85 Jermaine Wiggins 80 Jason Pociask 84 Galen Stone

WR: 81 Cortez Hankton 19 Maurice Price 15 Huey Whittaker

Defense:

LE: 91 Eric Powell 98 Chris Harrington

DT: 68 McKinley Boykin 93 Antwon Burton

DT: 98 Bryan Save 74 Langston Moore

RE: 56 Patrick Chukwurah 53 Joe Clermond

SLB: 55 Terrance Melton 97 Arnold Harrison

MLB: 59 Tim McGarigle 51 Anthony Schlegel 50 Tony Taylor

WLB: 52 Odell Thurman 57 Weston Dacus

LCB: 43 Fahkir Brown 26 Simeon Castille

FS: 23 Jerome Carter 44 Hernan-Daze Jones

SS: 32 JR Reed 29 Keith Davis

RCB: 24 Darrius Vinnett 20 Keiwan Ratliff 31 David Irons

Specialists

P: 13 Ken Parrish

K: 9 Nick Novak

LS: 49 Ryan Senser

Coaching Staff Notable Information

Head Coach Jay Gruden Brother of former NFL Coach Jon Gruden gets 1st head coaching job in outdoor game

Defensive Coordinator Chuck Bresnahan Former Defensive Coordinator with Raiders was US Naval Academy grad

Running Backs Coach Kurt Beatherd Son of former Charger GM Bobby Beatherd, Kurt worked with Ron Zook at Illinois

Offensive Line Coach Bill Laveroni Forty-plus years experience includes six seasons with Seattle SeaHawks

Offensive Line Assistant Jerry Sisemore Long-time NFL veteran was former number one draft pick

Wide Receiver Coach Ike Hilliard Hero of Gators 1996 National Championship played 12 years in NFL

Tight Ends Coach Robert McFarland Former SF Austin Head Coach has ties to University of Central Florida

Defensive Line Coach Kerry Locklin Former All-America tight end was defensive line coach for NY Jets last year

Defensive Backs Coach Bill Bradley All-pro for Eagles led NFL in interceptions in back-to-back seasons (1971-72)

Player Personnel Director Bret Munsey Head coach of 2008 AFL champion Philadelphia

Special Teams Assistant Al Roberts Has 18 years experience as an NFL assistant coach

Special Teams Assistant Jim Lanford Consultant for Eagles, Titans, Bears

Quality Control Defense Fred Pagac Jr. Former Ohio State star helps with linebackers and is son of NFL player

Quality Control Offense James MacPherson Was quarterback in Arena Football League and former Wake Forest Star

Director Football Operations Diane Clarke May be only female DOF in professional football

#8 QB BROOKS BOLLINGER 6-1 205 Wisconsin Acq: Protected List 2nd UFL Season

PREVIOUSLY: The reigning UFL Motorola Season MVP returns for a second year at the helm of the Florida Tuskers' attack after leading the league in virtually every passing category in 2009. Brooks completed 121 of 179 attempts for 1,518 yards, good for a league-high 14 touchdowns and just 3 interceptions in 2009. 2010 SEASON:

#68 DL McKINLEY BOYKIN 6-1 289 Ole Miss Acq: Protected List 2nd UFL Season

PREVIOUSLY: Started six games and UFL Championship contest for Tuskers, posting 13 tackles with 0.5 quarterback sacks. 2010 SEASON:

#34 CB FAHKIR BROWN 5-11 192 Grambling Acq: Protected List 2nd UFL Season

PREVIOUSLY: Started all six regular season games for the Tuskers in 2009, recording 18 tackles and 1 interception. 2010 SEASON:

#93 DL ANTWON BURTON 6-3 310 Temple Acq: 2010 Free Agent UFL Rookie

PREVIOUSLY: Signed with the Tuskers after going to camp with the Carolina Panthers in 2009. 2010 SEASON:

#23 FS JEROME CARTER 5-11 219 Florida State Acq: Protected List 2nd UFL Season

PREVIOUSLY: Played in all six games for Tuskers, making five starts. Recorded 24 total tackles with a pair of interceptions in the regular season. 2010 SEASON:

#28 RB AVEION CASON 5-11 215 Illinois State Acq: 2010 Free Agent UFL Rookie

PREVIOUSLY: Was out of professional football in 2009 after spending six seasons in the National Football League with four different teams. 2010 SEASON:

#26 CB SIMEON CASTILLE 6-0 195 Alabama Acq: 2010 Free Agent UFL Rookie

PREVIOUSLY: Spent the majority of the 2009 campaign with the San Diego Chargers (NFL), where he played in one game.

2010 SEASON:

#56 DE PATRICK CHUKWURAH 6-1 250 Wyoming Acq: Protected List 2nd UFL Season

PREVIOUSLY: Returns as starting defensive end for Tuskers. Patrick recorded 20 tackles with one TFL and a league-leading three quarterback sacks. 2010 SEASON:

#63 RG ADRIEN CLARKE 6-5 330 Ohio State Acq: '10 UFL Draft (6th R) UFL Rookie

PREVIOUSLY: Experienced NFL player selected by the Tuskers in the 6th round of 2010 UFL Draft, Adrien was out of professional football in 2009. 2010 SEASON:

#53 DE JOE CLERMOND 6-2 250 Pittsburgh Acq: 2010 Free Agent UFL Rookie

PREVIOUSLY: Spent 2009 campaign with Chicago Bears, where he was released in pre-season but re-signed to team's practice squad, where he spent majority of season. 2010 SEASON:

#57 LB WESTON DACUS 6-1 232 Arkansas Acq: '10 UFL Draft (1st R) UFL Rookie

PREVIOUSLY: Weston was selected by the Florida Tuskers in the first round of the UFL draft after being among the last cuts of the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2009 NFL season. 2010 SEASON:

#68 LG ANTHONY DAVIS 6-4 322 Virginia Tech Acq: Protected List 2nd UFL Season

PREVIOUSLY: Anthony Davis returns for second season after being Tuskers starter at left guard for entire 2009 campaign. 2010 SEASON:

#29 SS KEITH DAVIS 5-11 205 Sam Houston Acq: 2010 Free Agent UFL Rookie

PREVIOUSLY: Keith was out of professional football in 2009 after spending six seasons in the NFL, mainly for the Dallas Cowboy organization. 2010 SEASON:

#79 LG CHRIS DENMAN 6-6 315 Fresno State Acq: 2010 Free Agent UFL Rookie

PREVIOUSLY: Chris did not play professional football in 2009 after spending time in 2008 season with Tampa Bay Bucs and Buffalo Bills. 2010 SEASON:

#40 FB JAMES DEVELIN 6-3 260 Brown Acq: 2010 Free Agent UFL Rookie

PREVIOUSLY: A true professional football rookie, Develin was a standout linebacker at Brown University from 2006-09. 2010 SEASON:

#18 WR JAYSON FOSTER 5-7 175 Georgia Southern Acq: Protected List 2nd UFL Season

PREVIOUSLY: Jayson is the Tuskers leading returning receiver from a season ago, where he caught 17 passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns. 2010 SEASON:

#19 WR CHAS GESSNER 6-5 218 Brown Acq: Protected List 2nd UFL Season

PREVIOUSLY: Chas spent last season with the Florida Tuskers, catching eight passes for 98 yards and a pair of touchdowns in starting role. Gessner missed final three games and UFL championship after suffering shoulder injury (10/22). 2010 SEASON:

#14 QB CHRIS GREISEN 6-3 220 NW Missouri St. Acq: 2010 Free Agent 2nd UFL Season

PREVIOUSLY: Re-signed with Tuskers after spending 2009 with team as back-upmost recently played in spring for Milwaukee Iron of Arena Football League, throwing for more than 5,100 yards and 107 touchdowns in earning league MVP honors in 2010. 2010 SEASON:

#81 WR CORTEZ HANKTON 6-0 200 Texas Southern Acq: '10 UFL Draft (8th R) 2nd UFL Season

PREVIOUSLY: Cortez played for New York Sentinels (now Hartford Colonials) last season, grabbing 11 passes for 144 yards. He was selected by the Tuskers in the 2010 UFL Draft after he was left unprotected by the Colonials franchise. 2010 SEASON:

#98 DE CHRIS HARRINGTON 6-5 260 Texas A&M Acq: 2010 Free Agent UFL Rookie

PREVIOUSLY: Chris was a late free agent pick-up by the Florida Tuskers, signing with team on Sept. 8, 2010 after being one of the final cuts of the Tennessee Titansappeared in three games with Jacksonville Jaguars in 2009, making two tackles. 2010 SEASON:

#97 LB ARNOLD HARRISON 6-3 241 Georgia Acq: `10 UFL Draft (2nd R) UFL Rookie

PREVIOUSLY: NFL-experienced linebacker, Arnold was selected in the 2nd Round of the 2010 UFL Draft by the Tuskers after appearing in four games with the Cleveland Browns during the 2009 NFL campaign. 2010 SEASON:

#43 RB MAURICE HICKS 5-11 205 North Carolina A&T Acq: 2010 Free Agent UFL Rookie

PREVIOUSLY: NFL-experienced running back, Maurice was out of professional football in 2009 after spending time with the Minnesota Vikings the previous year. 2010 SEASON:

#31 CB DAVID IRONS 5-10 197 Auburn Acq: 2010 Free Agent UFL Rookie

PREVIOUSLY: Went to camp with the Atlanta Falcons last season, where he was released in late-July, Irons was a former Falcons draft selection and played in 20 games during the 2007-08 seasons. 2010 SEASON:

#44 FS HERNANA-DAZE JONES 5-11 206 Indiana Acq: 2010 Free Agent UFL Rookie

PREVIOUSLY: Signed with the Tuskers after spending time in the 2010 off-season with the Arizona Cardinals, Hernana-Daze Jones was with New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints in 2009, where he spent time on the Saints active roster. 2010 SEASON:

#58 C ENOKA LUCAS 6-2 302 Oregon Acq: Protected List 2nd UFL Season

PREVIOUSLY: Returning started at center. Lucas anchored an offensive line that was considered one best overall unit in UFL last season. 2010 SEASON:

#59 LB TIM McGARIGLE 6-0 240 Northwestern Acq: Protected List 2nd UFL Season

PREVIOUSLY: Tim returns for a second season after leading Tuskers in total tackles (34), solo tackles (21) and assists (13) last season. McGarigle also had a quarterback sack and forced a pair of fumbles for Florida's defense. 2010 SEASON:

#55 LB TERRANCE MELTON 6-1 235 Rice Acq: Protected List 2nd UFL Season

PREVIOUSLY: Terrance returns for a second UFL season, after recording 7 total tackles and a forced fumble in a back-up role last season. 2010 SEASON:

#74 DT LANGSTON MOORE 6-1 305 South Carolina Acq: '10 Free Agent UFL Rookie

PREVIOUSLY: Another outstanding pick-up by the Tuskers, was signed as a free agent in 2010 after spending 2009 season in Cincinnati Bengals organization. 2010 SEASON:

#9 K NICK NOVAK 6-0 198 Maryland Acq: '10 Free Agent UFL Rookie

PREVIOUSLY: Nick was signed by Tuskers just prior to start of 2010 UFL regular season after being waived by the San Diego Chargers. Novak last appeared in a professional regular season game as a kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2008 NFL campaign. 2010 SEASON:

#70 RT SHANE OLIVEA 6-4 325 Ohio State Acq: '10 Free Agent UFL Rookie

PREVIOUSLY: Shane was out of professional football in 2009, after spending time with New York Giants during 2008 campaign. 2010 SEASON:

#13 P KEN PARRISH 6-1 210 East Stroudsburg Acq: '10 Free Agent UFL Rookie

PREVIOUSLY: Ken was the third punter that Tuskers brought to training camp in 2010 after he was released by the Philadelphia Eagles during training camp this past August. Parrish spent time in training camp with both the New York Jets and Eagles in 2009. 2010 SEASON:

#80 TE JASON POCIASK 6-3 259 Wisconsin Acq: '10 Free Agent UFL Rookie

PREVIOUSLY: Florida acquired Pociask's UFL rights prior to opening of training camp but Jason elected to sign free agent deal with Dallas Cowboys. He was released just prior to end of training camp and reported to Tuskers in final week of UFL training camp and earned spot on roster. 2010 SEASON:

#91 DE ERIC POWELL 6-3 284 Florida State Acq: '10 Free Agent 2nd UFL Season

PREVIOUSLY: Returns to Tuskers as a free agent after team did not place him on protected list after 2009 season. Eric played in all six regular season games, recording eight tackles. 2010 SEASON:

#17 WR MAURICE PRICE 6-1 200 Charleston Southern Acq: '10 Free Agent UFL Rookie

PREVIOUSLY: Price begins first season in UFL after signing with Tuskers as a free agent. Well-traveled in 2009, Price went to training camp with San Francisco 49ers, played in the CFL for Calgary and spent time on Baltimore Ravens practice squad. 2010 SEASON:

#20 CB KEIWAN RATLIFF 5-11 188 Florida Acq: '10 Free Agent UFL Rookie

PREVIOUSLY: A late arrival to UFL training camp as he was being shopped around the NFL by his agent, Keiwan Ratliff stepped into Tuskers training camp in final week to earn spot on roster. Ratliff played in eight games for Pittsburgh Steelers in 2009. 2010 SEASON:

#32 SS JR REED 5-11 202 South Florida Acq: '10 Free Agent UFL Rookie

PREVIOUSLY: JR Reed spent the 2009 season as a graduate assistant football coach for the South Florida Bulls. Reed last played professional football for the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Jets in 2008. 2010 SEASON:

#33 RB DOMINIC RHODES 5-9 205 Midwestern State Acq: '10 Free Agent UFL Rookie

PREVIOUSLY: Key free-agent signing by the Tuskers, Dominic went to camp with Buffalo Bills in 2009. Rhodes last played for Indianapolis Colts in 2008, accounting for 840 all-purpose yards and scoring 9 touchdowns. 2010 SEASON:

#38 FB JD RUNNELS 5-11 237 Oklahoma Acq: '10 Free Agent UFL Rookie

PREVIOUSLY: NFL-experienced fullback who spent 2009 pre-season with Cincinnati Bengal, JD Runnels won starting fullback job in training camp. 2010 SEASON:

#88 WR CALVIN RUSSELL 6-0 190 Tuskegee Acq: '10 Free Agent UFL Rookie

PREVIOUSLY: Calvin Did not play professional football in 2009. Russell earned invitation to training camp and won starting job with Tuskers after impressing coaches at a free agent tryout camp in Atlanta this past June. 2010 SEASON:

#98 DT BRYAN SAVE 6-1 289 Colorado State Acq: '10 Free Agent 2nd NFL Season

PREVIOUSLY: Was snagged by the Tuskers as a 2010 Free Agent after Hartford Colonials (formerly New York Sentinels) left him unprotected. Save recorded 17 totals tackles and 1.5 QS in UFL last season. 2010 SEASON:

#51 LB ANTHONY SCHLEGEL 6-1 243 Ohio State Acq: '10 Free Agent 2nd UFL Season

PREVIOUSLY: Re-upped with Tuskers after playing for Florida in 2009, Anthony recorded 9 total tackles last season. 2010 SEASON:

#49 LS RYAN SENSER 6-2 242 Ohio Acq: '10 Free Agent UFL Rookie

PREVIOUSLY: A long snapper specialist, Ryan signed with Tuskers in off-season after spending 2009 training camp with Seattle SeaHawks (NFL). 2010 SEASON:

#84 TE GALEN STONE 6-2 235 Saginaw Valley State Acq: '10 Free Agent UFL Rookie

PREVIOUSLY: A true professional rookie, Stone was a standout tight end for Saginaw Valley State (MI) from 2006-09. Galen impressed Tuskers coaches during training camp with athleticism, leading team to release veteran tight end Keith Heinrich during training camp. 2010 SEASON:

#50 LB TONY TAYLOR 6-0 237 Georgia Acq: '10 Free Agent UFL Rookie

PREVIOUSLY: Veteran NFL linebacker, Tony went to camp with the Seattle SeaHawks last season after spending two years in the Atlanta Falcons organization. 2010 SEASON:

#52 LB ODELL THURMAN 6-0 235 Georgia Acq: Protected List UFL Rookie

PREVIOUSLY: One of Tuskers team captains in 2010, Thurman recorded 20 totals tackles last season, starting all 6 regular season games. A major playmaker, Thurman has 2 pass defenses, a forced fumble and an interception. 2010 SEASON:

#71 LT MICHAEL TOUDOUZE 6-6 303 Texas Christian Acq: '10 Free Agent 2nd UFL Season

PREVIOUSLY: Spent time briefly on New York Sentinels (now Hartford Colonials) roster in 2009...UFL rights acquired by Tuskers prior to start of training camp, but Michael ended up signing with Tennessee Titans, where he was one of team's final pre-season cuts. Toudouze rejoined Tuskers in final week of training camp. 2010 SEASON:

#73 TORRIN TUCKER 6-6 315 Southern Mississippi Acq: '10 Free Agent UFL Rookie

PREVIOUSLY: Torrin did not play professional football in 2009. He played outdoor professional football with Houston Texans in 2008. 2010 SEASON:

#24 DB DARRIUS VINNETT 5-9 180 Arkansas Acq: '10 Free Agent 2nd UFL Season

PREVIOUSLY: Re-signed with Florida Tuskers after recording 13 total tackles with team-leading 5 pass defenses in 2009. 2010 SEASON:

#75 RT SETH WAND 6-7 340 NW Missouri St. Acq: Protected List 2nd UFL Season

PREVIOUSLY: Returning for second season as Florida Tuskers starting right tackle. 2010 SEASON:

#15 WR HUEY WHITTAKER 6-5 220 South Florida Acq: '10 Free Agent UFL Rookie

PREVIOUSLY: Late addition to Florida Tuskers training camp, Huey came on strong to win roster spot. Huey spent 2010 AFL season with Seattle Shock, catching 144 passes for 1,653 yards in 37 touchdowns in leading that team to championship. Whittaker went to training camp with New York Jets in 2009. 2010 SEASON:

#85 TE JERMAINE WIGGINS 6-2 270 Georgia Acq: Protected List 2nd UFL Season

PREVIOUSLY: Returns as Tuskers starting tight end in 2010, Wiggins caught 12 passes for 115 yards while helping anchor one of UFL's top offensive lines. 2010 SEASON:

#72 C KYLE YOUNG 6-4 315 Fresno State Acq: '10 Free Agent UFL Rookie

PREVIOUSLY: Young earned spot on Tuskers roster after impressing coaching staff in brief training camp appearance. Kyle played the 2010 Arena Football League season with the Arizona Rattlers.

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United Football League Stories from September 13, 2010


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