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2009 UFL season

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2009 United Football League season
Regular season
DurationOctober 8, 2009 – November 20, 2009
2009 UFL Championship Game
DateNovember 27, 2009
SiteSam Boyd Stadium,Whitney, Nevada
ChampionLas Vegas Locomotives
Runner-upFlorida Tuskers

The2009 United Football League season—referred to by the professionalAmerican footballleague as theUFL Premiere Season—was the inaugural season of theUnited Football League.The regular season featured 4 teams playing 6 games each (twice against each of the other teams), and both began and ended atSam Boyd StadiuminLas Vegas.Sam Boyd Stadium was the site of the2009 UFL Championship Gameon November 27, a game that saw the Locomotives defeat the previously unbeatenFlorida Tuskers20–17 in overtime.

Pre-season and off-field preparations

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Preparations for theUFLPremiere Season kicked off in the summer with player signings and adraft.Training camps for the players began on September 9 inCasa Grande, Arizonafor the Western teams and September 10 inOrlando, Floridafor the Eastern teams.[1]

The league announced its game schedule in the first week of August, a schedule that features games in teams' primary cities as well as secondary sites (a few of which are potential future UFL homes). Certain game sites were not finalized, however, and changes were made both before the schedule's release and after play had begun:

  • The season opener, originally planned forSan Francisco,was played instead inLas Vegas.
  • James M. Shuart StadiuminHempstead, New Yorkwas considered a probable game venue before the schedule's release, but the league did not set a game for that site until moving the New York Sentinels' November 4 home game that was originally set forCiti FieldinFlushing,a move that was announced on October 22.
  • Sacramento'sHornet StadiumandSan Jose'sSpartan Stadiumwere also mentioned as potential playing venues. The league did not choose Hornet Stadium for a site in 2009, and did not set a game for Spartan Stadium until moving the Redwoods' November 14 home game fromAT&T Park,a move also announced on October 22. (The Redwoods would relocate permanently to Sacramento in 2010.)
  • The November 20th regular season finale, originally set forHome Depot Centerin theLos Angeles area,a candidate for UFL expansion in 2010,[2]was moved back toSam Boyd Stadium,the Las Vegas Locomotives' regular home. It was the first of the in-season venue change announcements made by the league, which publicized the change during week 2 of the season.[3]
  • Secondary market games were played as scheduled atTropicana FieldinSt. Petersburg,where Florida defeated Las Vegas on October 30, andRentschler FieldinHartford,where the Tuskers defeated New York on November 12. (The New York Sentinels moved to Hartford following the 2009 season.)[2]

During the week of August 10, the four team names and their uniform jerseys were revealed. Each of the uniforms (and the team logos and helmets that were unveiled on October 2)[4]incorporated the UFL's signature color scheme into their designs, including silver (primary color for the Las Vegas Locomotives), blue (Florida Tuskers), black (New York Sentinels), and lime green and white (California Redwoods). Each of the team jerseys had the same design template, complete with a horizontal arc across the top front that resembles the arc on the UFL's logo.

Regular season

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The Florida Tuskers (right) against the Las Vegas Locomotives (left) atTropicana Fieldon October 30

The UFL launched play on October 8, 2009, with the Las Vegas Locomotives defeating the California Redwoods 30–17 at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas. Locos' kickerGraham Gano's33-yard field goal with 3:20 remaining in the 1st quarter were the first points in league history, while a 5-yard run by Redwoods' quarterbackShane Boydwas the league's first touchdown. The Locos, who trailed 14–3 at one point in the 2nd quarter, rallied for the win via 2 touchdown passes by quarterbackJ. P. Losman.

The top team during the regular season was theFlorida Tuskers;with a roster of players including quarterbackBrooks Bollingerand receiverTaye Biddle,the Tuskers finished the season with a perfect 6–0 record, officially securing a berth in theUFL Championship Gamewith an October 30 win overLas Vegas.[5]The Locomotives clinched 2nd place and the other title game spot with a November 14 win over California.[6]

Attendance

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Sparsely attended games were a noticeable part of the UFL's regular season, with announced crowds ranging from as low as 4,312 for California's November 14 home game in San Jose[7]to as high as 18,187 for the October 8 inaugural game in Las Vegas,[8](though media observers at the game suggested the actual in-house attendance for that first game was considerably less).[9][10]The twelve regular-season contests drew a total of 116,132 fans, or an average of 9,678 a game. Florida led the league in average attendance (13,225), while California (5,836) and New York (6,637), hampered in part by shifts in game sites and competing in major markets with an NFL presence, brought up the rear in attendance average. Further, two New York home games were held the same nights as Games 2 and 6 of the2009 World Series,featuring theNew York Yankees.[11]Other factors—including the lack of aseason ticketpackage, large-scale college football in Florida, the death of UConn football playerJasper HowardandTim Lincecum'sCy Young Awardpress conference just prior to a Redwoods home game—hampered attendance severely.[12]

Though Florida Tuskers' coachJim Haslettwas among those expressing some disappointment[13]in the league's marketing approach for the season (a possible cause of low attendance), league commissionerMichael Huyghuewas among league and team executives who countered that rather than heavily marketing the UFL, the league's premiere season was meant to be a "dress rehearsal" -- start small, promote modestly, emphasize quality of product, and take the results and lessons learned from the season in determining the league's plans for 2010 and beyond.[2][14][15][16]

Chart

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Team Wk 1 Wk 2 Wk 3 Wk 4 Wk 5 Wk 6 Wk 7 Total Avg
California Redwoods 6,341 4,312 6,837 17,490 5,830
Florida Tuskers 11,203 12,021 11,354 34,578 11,526
Las Vegas Locomotives 18,187 12,160 13,306 43,653 14,551
New York Sentinels 10,818 4,392 5,201 20,411 6,804
League total 29,390 18,501 12,021 22,172 4,392 9,513 20,143 116,132
League avg 14,695 9,251 12,021 11,086 4,392 4,757 10,072 9,678

Team schedules

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Win Loss

California Redwoods

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Week Date Kickoff Opponent Results Game site Attendance TV
Final score Team record
1 Thursday, October 8 9:00 p.m.ET atLas Vegas Locomotives L17–30 0–1 Sam Boyd Stadium 18,187 Versus
2 Saturday, October 17 9:00 p.m. ET New York Sentinels W24–7 1–1 AT&T Park 6,341 HDNet
3 Thursday, October 22 7:00 p.m. ET atFlorida Tuskers L7–34 1–2 Citrus Bowl 12,021 Versus
4 Thursday, October 29 7:00 p.m. ET at New York Sentinels W20–13 2–2 Giants Stadium 10,818 Versus
5 Bye
6 Saturday, November 14 9:00 p.m. ET Las Vegas Locomotives L10–16 2–3 Spartan Stadium 4,312 HDNet
7 Thursday, November 19 9:00 p.m. ET Florida Tuskers L27–34 2–4 AT&T Park 6,837 Versus


Florida Tuskers

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Week Date Kickoff Opponent Results Game site Attendance TV
Final score Team record
1 Saturday, October 10 7:00 p.m.ET New York Sentinels W35–13 1–0 Citrus Bowl 11,203 HDNet
2 Wednesday, October 14 9:00 p.m. ET atLas Vegas Locomotives W29–15 2–0 Sam Boyd Stadium 12,160 Versus
3 Thursday, October 22 7:00 p.m. ET California Redwoods W34–7 3–0 Citrus Bowl 12,021 Versus
4 Friday, October 30 7:00 p.m. ET Las Vegas Locomotives W27–24 4–0 Tropicana Field 11,354 HDNet
5 Bye
6 Thursday, November 12 7:00 p.m. ET at New York Sentinels W24–6 5–0 Rentschler Field 5,201 Versus
7 Thursday, November 19 9:00 p.m. ET at California Redwoods W34–27 6–0 AT&T Park 6,837 Versus


Las Vegas Locomotives

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Week Date Kickoff Opponent Results Game site Attendance TV
Final score Team record
1 Thursday, October 8 9:00 p.m.ET California Redwoods W30–17 1–0 Sam Boyd Stadium 18,187 Versus
2 Wednesday, October 14 9:00 p.m. ET Florida Tuskers L15–29 1–1 Sam Boyd Stadium 12,160 Versus
3 Bye
4 Friday, October 30 7:00 p.m. ET at Florida Tuskers L24–27 1–2 Tropicana Field 11,354 HDNet
5 Wednesday, November 4 7:00 p.m. ET atNew York Sentinels W41–10 2–2 James M. Shuart Stadium 4,392 Versus
6 Saturday, November 14 9:00 p.m. ET at California Redwoods W16–10 3–2 Spartan Stadium 4,312 HDNet
7 Friday, November 20 9:00 p.m. ET New York Sentinels W41–7 4–2 Sam Boyd Stadium 13,306 HDNet

New York Sentinels

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Week Date Kickoff Opponent Results Game site Attendance TV
Final score Team record
1 Saturday, October 10 7:00 p.m.ET atFlorida Tuskers L13–35 0–1 Citrus Bowl 11,203 HDNet
2 Saturday, October 17 9:00 p.m. ET atCalifornia Redwoods L7–24 0–2 AT&T Park 6,341 HDNet
3 Bye
4 Thursday, October 29 7:00 p.m. ET California Redwoods L13–20 0–3 Giants Stadium 10,818 Versus
5 Wednesday, November 4 7:00 p.m. ET Las Vegas Locomotives L10–41 0–4 James M. Shuart Stadium 4,392 Versus
6 Thursday, November 12 7:00 p.m. ET Florida Tuskers L6–24 0–5 Rentschler Field 5,201 Versus
7 Friday, November 20 9:00 p.m. ET at Las Vegas Locomotives L7–41 0–6 Sam Boyd Stadium 13,306 HDNet

Standings

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United Football League
W L T PCT PF PA STK
y-Florida Tuskers 6 0 0 1.000 183 92 W6
y-Las Vegas Locomotives 4 2 0 .667 167 100 W3
California Redwoods 2 4 0 .333 105 134 L2
New York Sentinels 0 6 0 .000 56 185 L6

y-denotes team advanced to2009 UFL championship game

Championship game

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The UFL's Premiere Season concluded on November 27, 2009 (one day afterThanksgiving) with the championship game atSam Boyd Stadiumin Las Vegas. The matchup between theFlorida TuskersandLas Vegas Locomotiveswas dominated by defense until the 4th quarter, when a total of 24 points were scored, highlighted by 2 touchdown runs by Locos running backDeDe Dorsey.A 33-yard field goal byGraham Ganoin overtime (the first overtime game in UFL history) gave Las Vegas the championship (and denied Florida an undefeated season) by a 20–17 score. The final score of the game was set up by a Locos takeaway deep in Tusker territory on Florida's first overtime possession.

Date Kickoff Teams Final score Game site Attendance TV
Friday, November 27 3:00 p.m. ET Las Vegas Locomotives vs. Florida Tuskers Las Vegas, 20–17 (OT) Sam Boyd Stadium 14,801 Versus

Statistics and awards

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Statistical leaders

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Note:Statistical numbers cover both the regular season and Championship Game

Team[17]
Points scored Florida Tuskers (234)
Total yards gained Florida Tuskers (2,604)
Rushing yards Las Vegas Locomotives (761)
Passing yards Florida Tuskers (1,898)
Fewest points allowed Las Vegas Locomotives (117)
Fewest total yards allowed California Redwoods (1,766)
Fewest rushing yards allowed California Redwoods (496)
Fewest passing yards allowed New York Sentinels (1,187)
Individual[18]
Scoring Graham Gano,Las Vegas (59 points)
Touchdowns DeDe Dorsey,Las Vegas (6 TDs)
Most field goals made Graham Gano,Las Vegas (13 FGs in 16 attempts)
Rushing yards Cory Ross,California (462)
Passing touchdowns Brooks Bollinger,Florida (16 TDs)
Passing yards Brooks Bollinger,Florida (1,825)
Pass receptions Taye Biddle,Florida (30)
Pass receiving yards Taye Biddle,Florida (525)
Punt returns Willie Andrews,Florida (14 returns for 164 yards, 11.7 yard average)
Kickoff returns B. J. Sams,California (22 returns for 375 yards, 17.0 yard average)
Interceptions Nick Turnbull,Las Vegas (3)
Punting Danny Baugher,Las Vegas (30 punts for 1,301 yards, 43.4 yard average)
Tackles Teddy Lehman,Las Vegas (43.5)
Sacks Darrion Scott,Florida (3.5)

Awards

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See also

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References

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  1. ^"Training Camp Details".United Football League.2009-09-09. Archived fromthe originalon December 11, 2009.Retrieved2009-11-27.
  2. ^abcDoyle, Paul (2009-11-12)."Rentschler Field Hosts UFL Game Tonight".Hartford Courant.Retrieved2009-11-27.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^Keefer, Case (2009-10-15)."Notebook: Tuskers QB Brooks Bollinger an early standout".Las Vegas Sun.Archivedfrom the original on 17 October 2009.Retrieved2009-11-27.
  4. ^"United Football League Reveals Team Logos for 'Premiere' Season".Yahoo! Finance.2009-10-02. Archived fromthe originalon 2009-10-09.Retrieved2009-11-27.
  5. ^Henry, Chris (2009-10-31)."Tuskers clinch spot in UFL title game with win at the Trop".Orlando Sentinel.Archivedfrom the original on 1 November 2009.Retrieved2009-11-27.
  6. ^"Las Vegas Locos Clinch Spot in UFL Championship Game with 16-10 Victory Over California Redwoods".United Football League.2009-11-15. Archived fromthe originalon 19 November 2009.Retrieved15 November2009.
  7. ^"Game Book: Las Vegas Locomotives vs. California Redwoods"(PDF).2009-11-14.Retrieved15 November2009.[dead link]
  8. ^"Game Book:California Redwoods vs. Las Vegas Locomotives"(PDF).2009-10-08.Retrieved31 October2009.[dead link]
  9. ^Carp, Steve (2009-10-09)."Locomotives ride late surge".Las Vegas Review-Journal.Archivedfrom the original on 12 October 2009.Retrieved2009-11-27.
  10. ^Keefer, Case (2009-10-09)."Las Vegas Locomotives win inaugural UFL game".Las Vegas Sun.Archivedfrom the original on 12 November 2009.Retrieved2009-11-27.
  11. ^Carp, Steve (2009-11-26)."Locos remain part of league's future".Las Vegas Review-Journal.Archivedfrom the original on 29 November 2009.Retrieved2009-11-27.
  12. ^The Hard Knocks of the United Football LeagueArchivedJanuary 16, 2010, at theWayback Machine,UFL.com.
  13. ^Hays, Chris (2009-10-10)."Q&A with Florida Tuskers head coach Jim Haslett".Orlando Sentinel.Archivedfrom the original on 20 October 2009.Retrieved2009-11-27.
  14. ^Smith, Joe (30 October 2009)."United Football League enjoys a deep talent pool and camaraderie, but attendance disappoints".St. Petersburg Times.Archived fromthe originalon 3 December 2009.Retrieved27 November2009.
  15. ^Nichols, Steve (2009-10-30)."Big vision for small league".WTVT.Retrieved2009-11-27.
  16. ^Keefer, Case (2009-11-25)."UFL's first season served as" dress rehearsal ".Las Vegas Sun.Archivedfrom the original on 1 December 2009.Retrieved2009-11-27.
  17. ^"UFL Stats: Team".United Football League.Archived fromthe originalon October 28, 2009.Retrieved2009-12-02.
  18. ^"UFL Stats: Player".United Football League.Archived fromthe originalon January 4, 2010.Retrieved2009-12-02.
  19. ^"United Football League announces season-end awards".United Football League.2009-12-02. Archived fromthe originalon December 11, 2009.Retrieved2009-12-02.
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