UFL Championship Game First Half Recap

Las Vegas Locomotives take the field behind Jim Fassel, sporting tweaked uniforms with black lettering for extra readability.

The Florida Tuskers receive the kickoff, and an early sack on Bollinger pushes the Tuskers back deep on 2nd down. However, a long 2nd down pass and a big 3rd down conversion keep the drive alive, but a batted pass and a rushed attempt in quick succession on the renewed downs forces a punt.

The Locos fail to develop offense on their first drive, and a Losman sack on 3rd down forces a quick punt.

With the ball back in the possession of the undefeated “hogs”, Brooks Bollinger leads an air assault, followed by a 15 yard dash by Foster that leads the team into the red zone for the first time. After a rushed pass into the endzone, Losman connects down the middle with DeMarcus Maxwell, who proceeds to “dunk” the ball into the goal post, hanging on and bending the posts to the left side. Despite the delay of game, Florida draws first blood and takes the 7-0 lead.

Despite a dislocated pinky finger (surgery scheduled for Monday), ensuing drive Losman and company convert on 3rd and one on a clutch 2 yard rush. Quickly following, a 17 yard connection from Losman to Perry takes the team across midfield to the 48.

On a big 3rd and 4, the Locos pull off another conversion via a Losman-to-Samie Parker laser, putting the Locos into the red zone for the first time. At the 25 yard line, a sharp shovel pass to DeDe Dorsey on the ensuing play results in a 17 yard gain.

An immediate air attack from Losman to TE Adam Bergen results in a 7 yard gain and puts the ball just outside the endzone. However, Marcel Shipp attempts to dive for the goal, and fumbles the football on the 1 yard line. Tuskers recover.

Shipp’s error proves but a momentary setback for Las Vegas, due to a strong defensive stand and a heads up, diving batted pass by Spurlock forces a Tuskers 3 and out.

The Locos begin the ensuing drive with a first down pass to Adam Bergen. An incomplete pass sets up what appears to be an interception pass from Losman that is bobbled and then caught by Florida in miraculous fashion, but a flag and offsides call on the Tuskers provide the Locomotives with another chance to power down the field. However, on a 3rd and long 16 yard conversion to Samie Parker, Losman goes down hard, and stays down. After a TO, #8 Tim Rattay enters the game at quarterback, but ineffective offense leads to a failed field goal attempt by Graham Gano.

A Tatum Bell 2 yard run and resulting sack on Bollinger by the Locos’ Tony Parish does little to faze the Tuskers, who complete a 16 yard conversion pass to Foster. After a false start penalty on the next 3rd down, Michael Pittman turns a screen pass into a 17 yard gain and moves the chains on 3rd and 11.

The Tuskers again face 3rd down, but after an offensive holding call that repeats 3rd down on the 33, the Locos’ fast pressure results in an incomplete on 3rd and 18. Field goal attempt by Florida hooks wide left.

Losman returns. TE Madsen bobbles the ball off a pass to the right sideline, resulting in an apparent fumble and turnover. Locos coach Jim Fassel challenges the play, citing that Madsen was out of bounds while still touching the ball, effectively grounding it. The call on the field is reversed and the Locos retain possession.

Dexter Jackson jumps the route and nearly intercepts Losman’s pass, and the Locos punt.

Pittman starts off for the Tuskers with a back-to-back run and reception for a first down. Bell is denied a first down on his dash, just short of the line. Tuskers immediately fumble forward past the first down on the following play and recover, but the ball is returned to the spot of the fumble due to the under-two-minutes-to-go rule. Tuskers punt.

Losman is sacked and loses 11 yards, setting up a quick punt. On the special teams play, Las Vegas’ Scobey leads with his head on the tackle and stays down on the field. Stunned, Scobey eventually walks off of his own volition with 41 seconds left in the half.

Incomplete, deep pass from Bollinger to Biddle, gunning for a late half score. On 2nd down, Bollinger looks again for Biddle, but the football tips off Biddle’s outstretched hands and the Locos intercept and cross midfield.

Losman immediately finds Samie Parker down the middle for first down. Losman misses deep in the end zone, leading his man too far. Locos line up for the FG to end the half, and this time Gano comes through.

Halftime: Florida Tuskers 7, Las Vegas Locomotives 3