Sacramento's Nate Lawrie (84) carries the ball as Florida's Anthony Schlegel (51) closes in during the Lions 21-17 win over the Tuskers Oct. 21 in Florida. Photo by Andrew Bershaw

MOUNTAIN LIONS DEFEAT

FLORIDA TUSKERS 21-17

Special to Sacramento Sports News

    ORLANDO, Florida (Oct. 21, 2010) - Drives, defense and drama made Daunte Culpepper’s return to the Florida Citrus Bowl even more memorable Thursday.
    Who else but Culpepper, playing in his collegiate stadium for the first time since 1999, to score the Sacramento Mountain Lions’ go-ahead touchdown on a 10-yard quarterback draw with two minutes remaining that gave Sacramento a 21-17 victory over the Florida Tuskers before 10,066 in UFL action.
    Sacramento (2-3) snapped a three-game losing streak with its second fourth-quarter comeback victory over the Tuskers (2-3) this season.
    The Mountain Lions’ 71-yard drive came after Culpepper gave up an interception to Florida linebacker Tony Taylor, whose 32-yard return to the Sacramento 5-yard line set up Dominic Rhodes’ second touchdown of the night, giving Florida a 17-12 lead with 8:34 remaining.
    “We were in position to win the game and we made the most of the opportunity,” said Culpepper. “This was probably a great game to watch if you were a fan, but when you’re in it. … it’s a game of ups and down and you’re trying to stay on an even keel.

    Culpepper finished 31 of 49 for 259 yards and one touchdown. In the first half, he orchestrated a 97-yard scoring march that resulted in his six-yard pass to Marcus Maxwell that both cut it to 10-7 and revitalized Sacramento’s offense. Before that, the Mountain Lions failed to get a first down on their first five possessions.

       “Once he got in his rhythm, Daunte was OK,” said Sacramento coach Dennis Green. “We went no-huddle and let him go with the things he was comfortable with. It made a lot of difference.”
    While Culpepper’s heroics stole the show, Sacramento’s defense came into play.
    Andrew Sendejo recovered two fumbles and registered an interception, stopping two Florida scoring drives. Maurice Crum sacked Florida QB Brooks Bollinger for a third-quarter safety that made it 10-9, and the Tuskers managed just 179 total yards.
    “We had a lot of guys rallying to ball on defense,” Green said. “We feel good where we are. There was a lot of heavy hitting on both sides.
    Sacramento’s first lead of the game came on a Fabrizio Scaccia 27-yard field with 11:28 after a botched Tusker fake punt gave the Mountain Lions the ball at the Florida 23.
    Scaccia added three insurance points with 33 seconds left on a 39-yard field goal after Marcus McCauley picked off Tuskers backup Chris Griessen.
    Cory Ross had a monster day for the Lions, leading the team both in rushing (70 yards on 25 carries) and receiving (10 for 88). Nate Lawrie added eight catches for 58 yards.
    Florida used its early defensive dominance and the rushing of Rhodes (18 carries for 60 yards) for a 10-0 lead.
    Rhodes’ 3-yard run with 1:37 remaining in the first quarter capped off an 8-play, 68-yard drive, of which he gained 39.
    Florida scored first on a 48-yard Nick Novak field goal with 10:13 remaining in the opening period.
    The Tuskers got a huge break when Weston Dacus recovered an Aaron Woods fumbled punt at the Sacramento 23, but the Mountain Lion defense responded when Sendeio picked off Bollinger to end to the threat.
    Bollinger finished with a season-low 102 yards passing.
    “We struggled on offense and it starts with the play calling,” said Florida coach Jay Gruden. The first five game our offense has not been up to par and that’s on my shoulders. I have to make this work.”

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