Yard Dogs' Offense No-Show In Loss To Buffalo

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Yard Dogs' Offense No-Show In Loss To Buffalo

Brian Sandler

Story Created: Aug 17, 2008 at 1:47 AM EST

Story Updated: Aug 17, 2008 at 1:53 AM EST


UTICA, N.Y. -- The fireworks show after the game was great. The show that preceeded it, not so much.

The Utica Yard Dogs' offense was nowhere to be found save for one play in their home re-opener Saturday night against Buffalo at D'Alessandro Stadium, as they lost an ugly game 22-6.

The game was highly hyped after Utica's home opener three weeks ago was suspended by severe storms, but the display put on by the U'Dogs was frustrating and, at times, dismaying. Utica failed to get a first down for most of the first half, and had negative rushing yards in the half, as well.

Buffalo was just as bad early on, highlighted by four-possession sequence of blocked punt, lost fumble, interception, and missed field goal. But the missed field goal turned into a 1st and Goal at the Utica 5-yard line thanks to a roughing-the-holder penalty, and the Gladiators capitalized with the first of two straight touchdowns for a 13-0 lead.

After the visitors stretched it to 15-0 with a safety in the third, Utica momentarily made a game of it early in the fourth when running back Alex Heath scored on a 55-yard run, cutting the score to 15-6. But the Gladiators played keep-away the rest of the way, grinding out a long touchdown drive to seal the game.

The loss drops the U'Dogs to 2-3 on the season and sends them into back-to-back bye weeks with a lot of work to be done. Their next game is September 6th at home against Glove Cities.

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