Locos hope to turn table on Tuskers

Thanks to the United Football League's six-game schedule, the Las Vegas Locomotives won't have to wait long to try to avenge their lone loss.

Sixteen days after they were thrashed by Florida 29-15 at Sam Boyd Stadium, the Locos try to turn the tables on the Tuskers tonight at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., and keep pace in the race to play in the inaugural UFL championship game Nov. 27 in Las Vegas.

Tonight begins a three-game make-or-break road trip over the next 16 days. Following tonight, the Locos head to New York for a Wednesday game against the Sentinels at Hofstra University.

The trip concludes Nov. 14 in San Jose vs. the California Redwoods.

"We've only had two games," coach Jim Fassel said. "We did a lot of good things in the first game and a lot of bad things in the second game. The hard thing for us is that this is like preseason, but we don't have the luxury to have a preseason. Every game counts, and we can't afford to get behind the eight-ball."

At 1-1, Las Vegas sits in second place in the four-team UFL. Florida leads at 3-0, so the Tuskers are in good shape in terms of returning to Sam Boyd Stadium next month.

Fassel said the team's mistake-ridden performance of Oct. 14 is fixable and the Locos should have everyone available tonight. Receiver Andrae Thurman, who missed the first meeting with Florida with a lower leg injury, is listed as probable and will play.

The only injury issue for the Locos is defensive end Eric Henderson (ankle), who is listed as questionable.

"We've got a few guys nicked up but, overall, we're in good shape," Fassel said. "We need to compete better. We didn't do a good job from an emotional standpoint.

"But this team has a lot of pride. They've practiced well, and I expect a much better effort."

The Locos need to do a better job of finishing off drives, which, in turn, would address tonight's other problem: Tuskers quarterback Brooks Bollinger, who carved up the Locos with 306 yards passing and three touchdowns in the teams' prior meeting.

Sustaining drives not only will help in generating more points, it will limit Bollinger's time on the field.

"We're moving the ball," Fassel said. "But mistakes are hurting us. Whether it's a fumble, a penalty, we have to clean it up and we have to block better.''

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