Locomotives beat New York, have shot at championship game

By Case Keefer (contact)

Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009 | 8:10 p.m.

Despite their best player sitting out with an injury, the Las Vegas Locomotives chugged right over the New York Sentinels Wednesday in a 41-10 blowout victory.

Las Vegas scored on its first five possessions in New York. Quarterback J.P. Losman led the offense with 277 yards and two touchdowns on 27-for-37 passing.

“We just wanted to let them know we are going to come out here and not hold anything back,” Losman said on the Versus telecast of the game.

Las Vegas did it all without DeDe Dorsey, the team’s leading rusher and receiver.

Dorsey turned his ankle in Saturday’s game at Florida and sat out Wednesday as a precaution.

“I figured tonight I should rest it a little bit, so then I can come back at 100 percent and play in the rest of these games,” Dorsey said.

The Locomotives (2-2) will certainly need Dorsey for their next game. They play the California Redwoods (2-2) on Nov. 14 in San Jose, Calif., for the chance to clinch a spot in the UFL Championship Game against the Florida Tuskers.

“That championship game is where we want to be,” Las Vegas coach Jim Fassel told his team as they ran out on the field before the game. “Tonight starts it.”

Las Vegas wasted no time against New York. Nine minutes into the game, running back Marcel Shipp bruised his way into the end zone from one-yard to cap off an 80-yard drive.

“That was one of our best drives of the year,” Losman said. “Guys have got to get used to that. We’ve got to keep it going.”

Shipp added a second touchdown run in the second quarter.

Las Vegas running back Josh Scobey also stood out. Rushing and receiving combined, Scobey had a total of 87 yards and one touchdown.

The Locomotives’ depth in the backfield seemed to help them get by without Dorsey.

“Any time the backs have success, I’m happy,” Dorsey said. “I hope we keep it up.”

At the beginning of the season, it appeared Shipp and Scobey would split carries. But the team signed Dorsey after the Cincinnati Bengals cut him.

That sent Scobey down to third string on the depth chart. Scobey only carried the ball twice all season before Wednesday’s game.

After Scobey scored his touchdown in the fourth quarter, Fassel pulled him aside and praised him for his attitude.

“I told you you’d get your chance,” Fassel said to Scobey.