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Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Mountain Lions pounce early and often
by Ron Nabity, published on November 14, 2010 at 9:56 PM
Storyline: Sporting Events
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The Sacramento Mountain Lions gave themselves one last chance at the UFL championship by trouncing the Omaha Nighthawks in front of a packed stadium Saturday night. Attendance was estimated at 20,000.
The Lions won 41-3 by dominating the game on both sides of the ball and played their "best game of the year" according to Sacramento coach Dennis Green.
The Sacramento offense set the pace on their opening play with a 59-yard Daunte Culpepper pass to Taye Biddle. Before the Nighthawks could finish back peddling they were behind by a touchdown.
Many fans were looking forward to seeing Omaha quarterback Jeff Garcia in action. Unfortunately they (and the former San Francisco QB) had to wait a little longer. Omaha fumbled the kickoff and Sacramento took possession of the ball on the Nighthawks' 25-yard line. After a 36-yard field goal by kicker Fabrizio Scaccia, Sacramento led 10-0. The first quarter still had 12:05 left.
Sacramento scored at least one touchdown in each quarter and played earnestly up to the end scoring their last touchdown with 1:12 left on the clock.
The Mountain Lions defense held the Nighthawks to just 202 total yards for the night. Garcia was sacked four times and completed 11 of 22 passing attempts. The only Omaha score came on a 28-yard field goal by Jeff Wolfert in the second quarter.
The 41-3 victory is the largest winning spread in UFL history. Another record was set for the longest run from scrimmage when Cory Ross carried the ball 75 yards for a third-quarter touchdown, his second of the evening.
Fans were not left out of the action. The pre-game Fan Fest included performances by several bands and the Grant High School Drumline and Pacerettes. A Tailgate Challenge gave fans a chance to show off their tailgating skills with prizes awarded for Best Food, Best Mountain Lions Theme and Most Original Tailgate. The stadium parking lots were filled with sizzling barbeques, music, beer pong tables and plenty of decorations.
After the game, players from both teams mixed with fans, signing autographs and taking photographs.
The Mountain Lions won't know their championship game status until the end of the week. The outcome of Friday's game between the Omaha Nighthawks and the Florida Tuskers will determine which team plays Las Vegas in the UFL Championship game on November 27. If Omaha wins the game, Sacramento will play in the championship. If Florida wins, they will earn the spot.
Suddenly, Sacramento has become Omaha's biggest fan.
Photos by Ron Nabity
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