Locos turn to defense to help out new quarterback

The Locomotives have lost their starting quarterback, but they have an impressive insurance policy: the best defense in the United Football League.

First-place Las Vegas (3-1) carries on without injured Tim Rattay against the last-place Hartford Colonials (1-3) today at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Backup Drew Willy makes his first start in place of Rattay, who is out for the season after suffering a ruptured right Achilles tendon late in a 26-3 victory at Sacramento last week.

The Locos' chances of success with Willy could be greatly aided by a defensive unit that has allowed only 57 points -- 14.3 per game -- through the first half of the UFL season.

"They've stepped up and made big plays all year," coach Jim Fassel said. "We're getting good pressure on the quarterback, and our coverage in the secondary has tightened up."

Locos defenders know the better they play, the less pressure there will be on Willy.

"As a defensive unit, we look to step it up every week," linebacker Ed Hartwell said. "Our philosophy is no matter who our quarterback is, we want to do our job and give him great field position to work with and give the offense the best chance to score."

Linebacker Brandon Moore said: "When you lose a player of (Rattay's) caliber, you feel like you have to do more to make up for the loss. But (Willy) has worked real hard, and we have complete confidence in him."

The Locos' defense has had to deal with injuries as well. Free safety Nick Turnbull, one of the team's best tacklers, was lost for the season to a knee injury in Week 1. Defensive tackle Ross Kolodziej hurt his foot last week and is out for four weeks.

"Losing (Turnbull) was big," Moore said. "He's so productive. But Lewis Baker and Trey Young have stepped in and done a great job."

Hartwell said the defense didn't unravel when it lost Turnbull because it's a tight unit.

"I think our chemistry is good," he said. "Everyone on our defense is a leader. Everyone does extra studying and takes great pride in what we do."

Moore said: "Everyone is on the same page. We have a lot of guys back from last year who know what it takes to win, and that's big. We've got everyone running to the football and eliminating the big play."

The Locos' defensive play is impressive considering that UFL rules are geared to generate scoring and protect quarterbacks. There is a limit on how many players can blitz, and quarterbacks can essentially ground the ball with impunity.

Fassel said he knew the Locos' defense would be good. But allowing a league-low 14 points per game?

"The players we brought back from last year, they set the tone," Fassel said. "And the new guys we brought in, they fit right in with what we're doing. I think that's been the key."

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