Locos get date with Florida in UFL final

Locomotives coach Jim Fassel never minces words when he calls his players together at the end of practice. His closing message this week was as no-nonsense as it gets.

"We're gonna win this (expletive) league!" Fassel declared, drawing an approving roar from the UFL's first-place team and defending champion.

The Locos (5-2) can win the United Football League regular-season title today at Hartford, Conn., with a victory over the last-place Colonials (2-5).

That would achieve Las Vegas' first goal, but not its biggest one. That opportunity will come in the second UFL championship game against the Florida Tuskers (5-3) at 9 a.m. PST next Saturday at Omaha, Neb.

The game will be a rematch of the first UFL final, won by the Locos in overtime, 20-17, at Sam Boyd Stadium. The Tuskers earned a spot in the final Friday with their third straight victory, 27-10 over host Omaha.

Las Vegas and Florida played each other twice in the first three weeks this season, each winning on the road. The Tuskers won the opener 27-20, with the Locos answering two weeks later, 20-17, at Orlando, Fla.

The Locos' incentive today is all about next week, because they don't want to limp into the final on a two-game skid, having lost to Sacramento, 27-24, on Nov. 6. They would like to regain their momentum coming off a bye week in which Fassel called off all team activities.

"We're not used to losing," running back DeDe Dorsey said. "Winning keeps you in a rhythm, and you want to have that rhythm going into the championship game."

Quarterback Chase Clement, who gets his first start today, said a victory would set a better tone in final-week practices.

"You want to feel good about yourself and what you're doing," he said. "That's what winning does for a team."

Clement knows he will probably play a key role in today's outcome. If he plays well, minimizes his mistakes and moves the offense efficiently, he will probably start the championship game, too. If he struggles, it will leave Fassel with uncertainty at the position entering the biggest game of the year.

"Ball protection is going to be critical," Clement said. "I can't be turning it over and asking our defense to bail me out."

Fassel said the players returned from the week off in good form.

"We've had a great week of practice," he said. "We've had a lot of energy, and they've responded the way I hoped they would. They've been professional. As a coach, you can't ask for more."

Dorsey said the week off helped players re-energize for the final push.

"Everyone's fresh," he said. "A lot of guys were pretty banged up, myself included. A week off without having to hit someone can really benefit a player. ... I could see it the way we've practiced this week. Everything's sharp. Everyone's into it."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.