Locomotives cruise past Sentinels, look forward to championship

By Case Keefer (contact)

Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009 | 12:33 a.m.

Locomotives coach Jim Fassel wanted his team to play a complete game Friday night in preparation for their appearance in the UFL Championship Game next week.

Fassel got that and a lot more in Las Vegas’ 41-7 rout of the New York Sentinels.

“What was most important to me was we didn’t come out and play a sloppy game,” Fassel said. “I was on them hard all week and they responded as they always have all year. We just made things happen tonight.”

The Locomotives won the game without the services of starting quarterback J.P. Losman, who rested a broken finger. Losman should be fine to play in next Friday’s championship game against the Florida Tuskers.

NFL veteran Tim Rattay started in place of Losman and had no problems directing the offense. Rattay went 10-for-21 for 97 yards and two touchdowns.

The Locomotives scored their first points when Josh Scobey returned a blocked punt for a touchdown. Las Vegas capitalized on two other New York turnovers as well with two fumble returns for touchdowns.

Running back DeDe Dorsey added 74 all-purpose yards and a touchdown in front of an announced crowd of 13,306 at Sam Boyd Stadium.

“The crowd support was awesome,” Fassel said. “I hope next week they really get the feel of what we are doing and create a lot of noise when Florida has the ball because it makes it hard.”

Even without Losman, Las Vegas’ dominant performance was not entirely unexpected. The Locomotives previously beat the Sentinels 41-10 in New York.

The Sentinels finish the season without a victory at 0-6. The Locomotives improved to 4-2.

Las Vegas’ two losses were both to Florida. The Locomotives have looked forward to getting another shot at the Tuskers in the championship game.

Everyone is expecting a battle in that game.

“We did a lot of good things tonight. But we have a much tougher task next Friday,” Fassel said. “If you really want to move forward and be good, win or lose, you’ve got to have a short memory. We have got to feel good about this one tonight and tomorrow morning wake up and forget about it.”