Redwoods Debut at Home, Beat Sentinels

The home debut for the California Redwoods came in front of a small gathering. Their coach, however, was excited for those that were in attendance.

Cory Ross ran for 121 yards and a touchdown as Dennis Green's Redwoods secured the first win in franchise history, a 24-7 triumph over the New York Sentinels in Saturday's final game of Week 2 in the UFL.

"It's great to play at home and get a win," Green said of the game played at AT&T Park in front of a crowd of 6,341, the smallest number through four games. "It's off to a good start for us. We played much better defense, similar to how we started defensively last week.

"Pretty good feeling of urgency on defense. Offensively, we sputtered a lot. Sometimes, we looked OK, sometimes not so good. But we did take advantage of some points there."

Former NFL starter Mike McMahon, making his first UFL start, had a TD pass and survived two interceptions for California, which outscored New York, 17-0, in the second half to pull away for the win.

McMahon took over for last week's starter Shane Boyd. California also changed its receiving corps, a move that Green said was aimed at avoiding a second straight disappointing performance.

"We didn't throw the ball very well last week at all," the coach said, referring to a 30-17 loss to Las Vegas in the UFL's first ever game on Oct. 8.

"I don't make excuses for football players -- everybody's got to produce. Three of the receivers that played in that game are gone, and I decided that we should change the quarterback also. And hopefully it will work for us(the rest of the season)."

For one night, it certainly did.

After the teams traded possessions in the third quarter, the Redwoods returned a short punt to the Sentinels' 39-yard line. California then snapped the 7-7 tie with a 1-yard run over the right side by Ross.

The score was set up by an acrobatic catch by Doug Gabriel near the goal line, which originally was ruled a touchdown, but New York coach Ted Cottrell challenged the spot, resulting in the call being overturned. The Redwoods scored on the next play.

California added a field goal and the first career TD from reserve running back John David Washington to provide the final margin.

Quinn Gray tossed a TD to running back Chris Barclay for the Sentinels, who have lost their first two games.

"I thought we needed a boost," Cottrell said. "I was hoping (Gray) would have a longer time with the ball, the switch was made but they kept the ball away from us. He just didn't have a lot of time. I hope that Quinn finds a rhythm. We will stick with him next week, I just hope he finds a rhythm. Looking back, he settles in pretty good."

The UFL, for its part, is trying to settle in as well. Cottrell may be the league's biggest fan.

"It's a good brand of football," the coach said. "I hope more people watch and become UFL fans. There's hard tackles, hits, nice runs and catches. If you're a true football fan tune in, check us out. The league is giving a great opportunity to the young players to showcase their skills and live out their dream."

Green, previewing his team's matchup with the undefeated Florida Tuskers on Thursday, spoke highly of the UFL's talent, especially of that on the league's most prolific team.

"Florida is a solid team – they're a fabulous team," he said. "They've got 10 players that have been in the Super Bowl and 40 players that have been in the NFL. Tatum Bell, Michael Pittman – those guys can really run the ball.

"... Las Vegas is an explosive team – they've got excellent backs and receivers, very strong defensively. California and New York -- we're younger and, as a result of that, we're not quite there, but I think both of us will improve enough to get there."