Locos aim to remain sharp for title game
Regular-season finale has no bearing on standings
There was no preseason for the United Football League when play began Oct. 8. But with the regular season concluding tonight, there might be one preseason game after all.
Or at least have the appearance of being one.
The Locomotives have clinched a spot in the inaugural UFL championship game Nov. 27 at Sam Boyd Stadium against the Florida Tuskers. Tonight's final regular-season game against the New York Sentinels has no consequences on the standings. The 3-2 Locos are locked in as the second-place team, and the 0-5 Sentinels will finish last.
Yet Las Vegas coach Jim Fassel has a dilemma on his hands. He doesn't want to risk any of his star players getting injured in a meaningless game and not have them available for the UFL title contest. On the other hand, the Locos have won consecutive games, and Fassel has to be careful not to lose the momentum his team has generated the past two weeks.
"Our goal is to improve every week and to win every game we play," Fassel said Thursday. "With that said, I want to play everyone on this team. So I'm going to play the starters a half and collectively pull people out. When I put any of our guys in the game, I have confidence they can help us win a game. We've got some young linebackers I'd like to see play."
Fassel said the Locos didn't play their best in last week's 16-10 win over California, but he loved the way they found a way to win the game.
"They showed me something the way they battled and hung in there," he said.
? NOTES -- Anyone who purchases a ticket to tonight's game will receive a free ticket for the UFL title game, which kicks off at noon. ... The Locos placed defensive tackle Wendell Bryant on injured reserve and added defensive tackle Shaun Smith to the roster. Smith played in the NFL for Dallas, Arizona, New Orleans, Cincinnati and, most recently, Cleveland.
NEW YORK VS. LAS VEGAS
WHEN: 6 p.m. today
WHERE: Sam Boyd Stadium
LINE: Locomotives -13; total 41
Regular-season finale has no bearing on standings
There was no preseason for the United Football League when play began Oct. 8. But with the regular season concluding tonight, there might be one preseason game after all.
Or at least have the appearance of being one.
The Locomotives have clinched a spot in the inaugural UFL championship game Nov. 27 at Sam Boyd Stadium against the Florida Tuskers. Tonight's final regular-season game against the New York Sentinels has no consequences on the standings. The 3-2 Locos are locked in as the second-place team, and the 0-5 Sentinels will finish last.
Yet Las Vegas coach Jim Fassel has a dilemma on his hands. He doesn't want to risk any of his star players getting injured in a meaningless game and not have them available for the UFL title contest. On the other hand, the Locos have won consecutive games, and Fassel has to be careful not to lose the momentum his team has generated the past two weeks.
"Our goal is to improve every week and to win every game we play," Fassel said Thursday. "With that said, I want to play everyone on this team. So I'm going to play the starters a half and collectively pull people out. When I put any of our guys in the game, I have confidence they can help us win a game. We've got some young linebackers I'd like to see play."
Fassel said the Locos didn't play their best in last week's 16-10 win over California, but he loved the way they found a way to win the game.
"They showed me something the way they battled and hung in there," he said.
? NOTES -- Anyone who purchases a ticket to tonight's game will receive a free ticket for the UFL title game, which kicks off at noon. ... The Locos placed defensive tackle Wendell Bryant on injured reserve and added defensive tackle Shaun Smith to the roster. Smith played in the NFL for Dallas, Arizona, New Orleans, Cincinnati and, most recently, Cleveland.
NEW YORK VS. LAS VEGAS
WHEN: 6 p.m. today
WHERE: Sam Boyd Stadium
LINE: Locomotives -13; total 41
