For the second time in as many years, the Las Vegas Locomotives are UFL champions.
In a rematch of the UFL’s inaugural championship game a season ago, the Locos took on and defeated the Florida Tuskers 23-20 Saturday at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Neb. The game went down to the wire for the second straight year as well, as Las Vegas was unable to secure its victory until the last play of the game, when Locos defensive end Alfred Malone blocked Tuskers kicker Nick Novack’s 45-yard field goal attempt as time expired.
"It was a team effort on the block, I was the one who got the hand on it," Malone said. "It was a great feeling when I felt it.
"[Novack] had kicked a low one earlier today. We just got a great push and blocked it," said Locos receiver Tab Perry. "We rushed the field. Champions."
One week after struggling badly against the Hartford Colonials, Locos quarterback Chase Clement won the game’s MVP honors, throwing for 247 yards and two touchdowns. The victory was Clement’s first as a professional starter.
"This team’s always been resilient," said Locomotives coach Jim Fassell. "I’m so proud of these guys. They battled and battled."
Florida quarterback Chris Greisen has a solid day as well; completing 24 of 48 passes for 346 yards and running for the team’s only two touchdowns, but was ultimately unable to lead his team to victory. Still, Tuskers coach Jay Gruden said he was proud of his team’s effort.
"Overall, it was a heck of game," Gruden said. "We knew it would be. Every yard we got, we earned."
