UFL Notebook: Fans all aboard for Locomotives

By Case Keefer (contact)

Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009 | 11:49 p.m.

Fan reaction

Anyone who doubted Las Vegas could show fan spirit for the Locomotives must have not seen the row directly behind the home team’s bench.

Five friends dressed up in full train conductor gear — overalls, conductor caps and bandanas — cheered on the Locomotives.

Justin Dorman, 26, said the group heard about the team on the radio and had to check out the game.

“At first, I thought the Locomotives was kind of dumb, but it ended up being pretty awesome,” Dorman said. “What’s more awesome than being a train conductor?”

At halftime, Dorman said he was enjoying the game and would consider attending future home games.

“It’s not quite to the level it needs to be, but it’s the first game,” Dorman said. “I’ll give it some more chances.”

His friend and fellow conductor Ryan Deneau was also optimistic. “I think they’re doing well with it as long as it keeps growing and keeps getting better,” he said.

Subtle differences

UFL officials didn’t hide the fact that they modeled the league’s game after the NFL.

Thursday’s game, however, exposed a number of breaks from tradition. Most notably, some of the colors were changed.

Yardage sticks and markers were lime green. The challenge flag was blue. Referees wore red shirts without any stripes.

As far as rules go, the most apparent difference was that the UFL has no penalty for intentional grounding. Although it was not a factor in Thursday’s game, the UFL will also give both teams a possession in overtime instead of the sudden-death system used by the NFL.

Casey Flair suits up after all

Last week, UNLV graduate Casey Flair thought he would not play for the Locomotives in their season opener.

Las Vegas assigned Flair to the practice squad, which meant he would not be on the active roster for games. That changed Monday.

“Monday night, they called and told me they would activate me for this game,” Flair said. “It’s been a journey, and now I’ve got to keep working.”

Flair played sparingly, but he said he was pleased with the UFL’s first game.

“I think we came out and proved this is a legitimate league and there are legitimate players,” Flair said. “It’s going to be exciting football. It’s not just going to be guys running around like some other leagues that have come around.”

Losman miscues

Although quarterback J.P. Losman compiled impressive numbers for Las Vegas, he was not perfect.

He overthrew a couple of open receivers and fumbled on two consecutive plays in the first quarter. Las Vegas recovered the first fumble, but California scooped up the second one and got the ball at the 30-yard line.

California took advantage of the field position as Cory Ross scored on a four-yard touchdown three plays later.

“Ball security is the first thing that is jumping out of my head,” Losman said. “With the fumble, I just want to clean that up. That should just not happen.”