4th Quarter, 1:45, Florida, 33-20: On the first play following the turnover on downs, Dominic Rhodes continues an impressive day by pounding home a 16-yard touchdown run for Florida giving them the 13-point lead.
4th Quarter, 1:50, Florida, 26-20: Patrick Chukwurah strikes again. On fourth-and-20, Chukwurah got to McCown again, a play that will likely end this one and any hopes of a Hartford comeback.
4th Quarter, 1:58, Florida, 26-20: Patrick Chukwurah may have just sealed it up for Florida. On third down, the defensive lineman was able to get to McCown, dragging him down for a crucial sack.
Hartford's looking at a fourth-and-long following the two minute warning and you have to think they'll go for it.
4th Quarter, 2:29, Florida, 26-20: Dominic Rhodes is a name football fans may remember. The running back hasn't played in the NFL since 2008, but he's running today like he wants to be back.
Rhodes was an insturmental part of a long, clock-eating drive for Florida that just ended in another field goal.
Rhodes has 83 yards on 18 carries as the Tuskers extend their lead to six with 2:29 to play.
4th Quarter, 5:14, Florida, 23-20: In a strange turn of events, Florida has converted two consecutive third down conversions. They're marching down the field into Hartford territory with just over five to play.
4th Quarter, 8:58, Florida, 23-20: One thing to keep in mind down the stretch in this one. Florida will be going into the wind for the rest of regulation.
Hartford just showed how much more effective their passing game can be when they have the wind at their back. Not only that, the wind would obviously aid any potential game-tying field goals.
Something worth keeping in mind.
4th Quarter, 9:11, Florida, 23-20: The way Josh McCown has played this season, you can't give him too many chances. He just took advantage of one though.
On 4th-and-goal from the 3-yard line, McCown scrambled to his right, before being caught by a defender. Just as he was about to go down, McCown let it go into the end zone and Ronnie Ghent.
Ghent went up and grabbed it coming down with the touchdown that puts Hartford right back into it.
4th Quarter, 10:56, Florida, 23-13: Another long pass for Hartford leads to pass interference that gives the ball to Hartford at the Tusker 4.
4th Quarter, 11:30, Florida, 23-13: We mentioned something in the first half about Hartford going downfield at some point, and that some point was just now. Josh McCown hit Patrick Carter for a 41-yard gain and the Hartford takes it down to the 21 of Florida.
4th Quarter, 12:00, Florida, 23-13: Punt No. 6 for Florida gives the ball right back to Hartford. The Tuskers are keeping Hartford in this one, but the Colonials haven't really been able to make them pay yet. This possession would be a good time to start.
4th Quarter, 13:34, Florida, 23-13: Hartford's offense has been a far cry from what it was the first two weeks of the season. They've struggled to find any real rhythym on that side of the ball, evidenced by another punt.
The four turnovers and six penalties for 105 yards aren't helping their case, either.
3rd Quarter, 0:58, Florida, 23-13: On a day like this, a 10-point lead could be considered commanding. Florida now has a 10-point lead after Brooks Bollinger found a wide-open Jermaine Wiggins in the corner of the endzone.
As good as Hartford's offense has been and as much as Florida's defense has struggled this season, nothing today has proven that.
Hartford will need to break out of this offensive funk if they want to avoid falling below .500.
3rd Quarter, 1:06, Florida, 16-13: A 33-yard pass interference penalty puts Florida in golden position with the ball all the way down to the Hartford 3.
3rd Quarter, 2:37, Florida, 16-13: Brooks Bollinger's third-down pass falls incomplete — a phrase that will just not go away — and the Tuskers settle for the field goal.
That could be a huge missed opportunity for Florida. They've had chances all day, and really none better than that one following the fumble.
You can only kick field goals for so long, and with an offense like Hartford's you don't want to give them too many chances.
3rd Quarter, 6:40, 13-13: This has not been Ryan Perriloux's best day. After fumbling a handoff early in the first half, the quarterback fumbled while scrambling. This time, though, it cost the Colonials.
Florida recoverd the fumble on the Hartford 19.
You've got to wonder how long this rotating quarterbacks business will continue if Perriloux keeps making costly mistakes like that.
3rd Quarter, 6:00, 13-13: Right on cue, Ryan Perriloux returns to the Hartford huddle as Chris Palmer continues to showcase both quarterbacks.
3rd Quarter, 6:30, 13-13: As much trouble as Hartford has had on special teams, Florida has been just as bad or worse on third down. Another failed conversion leads to yet another Tusker punt.
3rd Quarter, 7:30, 13-13: Special teams continues to be an adventure for Hartford. Punter Jy Bond just had a very forgettable punt, one that will give Florida possession inside of Hartford territory.
3rd Quarter, 9:39, 13-13: Brooks Bollinger looks frustrated that his team can't get in the endzone, but he'll settle for points, regardless. Their drive stalls in Hartford territory, but a field goal from Nick Novak ties this game at 13.
3rd Quarter, 11:59, Hartford 13-10: Hartford can't make the turnover stand up, they're forced to a three-and-out.
3rd Quarter, 13:39, Hartford 13-10: Maruice Mountain ends what looked to be a promising Florida drive in a heartbeat. The Hartford defensive end came flying around the corner for a strip-sack of Brooks Bollinger.
Hartford recovered and takes over at their own 21.
Halftime, Hartford, 13-10: Hartford holds the lead in virtually every offensive category, but only leads by three at recess. The biggest reason? Turnovers. Florida will get the ball when the second half resumes.
2nd Quarter, 0:00, Hartford, 13-10: McCown hit Taurus Johnson for a highlight-reel catch that got Hartford deep into Florida territory, but time ran out on the Colonials and they have to settle for the three-point halftime lead.
2nd Quarter, 0:34, Hartford, 13-10: Florida is forced to punt again and Florida gets one of the friendliest bounces you'll ever see.
The ball hit at about the 25 and bounced all the way back to the 40.
The Colonials have under a minute, one time out and a strong wind behind them to work with before half.
2nd Quarter, 2:13, Hartford, 13-10: Just like that, Hartford responds, with an interception of their own. This one, though, went for a touchdown.
Gerard Lawson returned a Brooks Bollinger pass for a touchdown and Hartford takes the lead with just a couple of minutes to play in the first half.
2nd Quarter, 2:50, Florida, 10-6: On the first play of the drive, Josh McCown throws his first interception of the season giving it right back to Florida.
2nd Quarter, 3:01, Florida, 10-6: The Hartford defense, outside of the penalties, has been pretty impressive this afternoon. They just forced another punt and will try to cash in before the half ends with the ball inside Florida territory.
2nd Quarter, 3:34, Florida, 10-6: Hartford has 170 yards of offense. And only six points to show for it. The Colonials add another field goal, cutting the lead to four.
2nd Quarter, 4:54, Florida, 10-3: Or not. The referees deem McBride down, Hartford keeps the ball and they'll have it at the Florida 16.
2nd Quarter, 4:54, Florida, 10-3: Shaheer McBride's fumble is being reviewed. Ruling on the field was a fumble, and while it's close, don't see enough evidence there to overturn it.
2nd Quarter, 4:54, Florida, 10-3: Uncharacteristically sloppy play contiunes for Hartford. This time, it's a Shaheer McBride fumble after a long completion from McCown. The Tuskers pick it up in their endzone for the touchback.
Avelon Cason scored his first touchdown of the season, a 1-yard TD run giving the Tuskers their first lead.
The score was set up by an 11-yard reception by former Patriots tight end Jermaine Wiggins.
2nd Quarter, 8:24, 3-3: Rough drive for Ryan Perriloux and the Colonials ends in another punt. Safe to say McCown will take the field for next Hartford possession.
2nd Quarter, 10:03, 3-3: Despite another gift from Hartford, the Florida drive ends, for the second time, after three plays.
The Tuskers punt it away and Hartford will take over close to midfield.
Quarterback Ryan Perriloux, former LSU Tiger, comes on the field to open the drive at least for the Colonials.
2nd Quarter, 11:58, 3-3: Another failed third down for Florida is followed by another bad mistake by Hartford special teams.
This time, it's a neutral zone infraction on Hartford defensive end Derek Walker.
Walker jumped the punt snap — on 4th-and-4 no less — and the drive will continue.
2nd Quarter, 12:00, 3-3: Great play by Kenny Ingram stepping up to stop a draw on third down. Chalk it up as another failed third down conversion for Florida.
End 1st Quarter, 3-3: The first quarter comes to an end with a stalled drive for Hartford.
Good coaching move by Florida coach Jay Gruden, brother of John Gruden.
Gruden called timeout with a second to play in the first quarter, making Hartford punt with the wind in their face rather than giving them an opportunity to attempt a wind-aided field goal.
McCown's numbers have been impressive — to an extent — but it's been a lot of short and intermediate passes. He's 5 of 8, yes, but it's only for 43 yards.
Wouldn't be surprised if they take a shot downfield at some point soon.
1st Quarter, 3:00 3-3: Florida can't make the special teams gift stand up and they're forced to settle for a field goal.
1st Quarter, 4:40 Hartford 3-0: The opening drive problems that have plagued the Tuskers this season continue, but another special teams miscue for Hartford proves costly.
Syndric Steptoe muffed the punt and Huey Whitaker was there to jump on it for the Tuskers at the Hartford 23.
1st Quarter, 5:50 Hartford 3-0: Brooks Bollinger and the Florida offense take the field, and almost leave it just as soon. A Ryan Palmer pass interference call extends the Tusker drive, though.
1st Quarter, 7:00 Hartford 3-0: Josh McCown's only incompletion on the opening drive stalls the Hartrford drive at the Florida 2-yard line and the Colonials settle for a field goal.
McCown attemtped to hook up with receiver Markee White on a fade rout to the corner of the endzone, but White couldn't come down with it in bounds.
The incompletion led to a Taylor Mahlhaff field goal that capped off a 94-yard drive. Disappointing for Hartford they couldn't get six there, but a good first drive nonetheless.
1st Quarter,9:00 0-0: The Hartford offense, particularly Josh McCown looks good early on.
Despite the rough field position to start the drive, McCown has the Colonials inside the Florida 20-yard line.
1st Quarter,12:26 0-0: There are reasons the Tuskers aren't on the same pace they were of last season's 6-0 regular season.
Add 15-yard roughing the passer penalties on a third-down stop to the list.
1st Quarter, 14:00 0-0: Following a special teams gaffe, the Colonials receive the opening kick at their own 3-yard line. Yikes.
2:50 p.m.: As we're literally moments away from kickoff in Hartford, there's at least one ex-Patriot on the field this week.
Former Pats tight end Jermaine Wiggins, a native of East Boston, makes a homecoming of sorts today.
He'll be starting at tight end for the Tuskers.
2:30 p.m.: There's still about 30 minutes to kick off, but it's hard not to be at least intrigued by this afternoon's matchup.
Today's matchup features two quarterbacks who have simply had their way with opposing defense.
Former Jets quarterback Brooks Bollinger is under center for Florida, coming off of an MVP season last year. All he's done this season through two games is throw for over 800 yards for an offense that's put up a bunch of points.
The Tuskers, though, are giving up points at an alarming rate, the biggest reason for their 1-2 start. Enter Hartford quarterback Josh McCown. The UFL's leader in passer rating is enjoying a strong start and if Florida's defense doesn't show up again, McCown may be in for another field day.
Either way, today looks like it could be a shootout in Hartford.
8 a.m.: The Hartford Colonials are back in action after a week away from the field, as they'll host the Florida Tuskers at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Conn. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.
Though the Colonials suffered a heartbreaking, last-second loss in Week 2 at Omaha, home was very kind to them in their first home game, when they beat Daunte Culpepper and the Sacramento Mountain Lions by 17 points.
Their 1-1 record has the Colonials in the middle of the pack in the UFL, while the 1-2 Tuskers have some work to do. They've lost two straight, but those games were decided by four points and three points. This one should be a close one.
Check back with the live blog leading up to kickoff for the latest news, and stay with us throughout the game.
