FORMER WAKE FOREST STAR BRIAN KUKLICK TO GET FIRST PRO START
News Courtesy of the Orlando Rage
ORLANDO (23 March 2001) — Orlando Rage quarterback Jeff Brohm saw his 2001 XFL season officially come to a halt on Thursday when the team announced the he would undergo surgery on Monday.
Brohm separated his right shoulder on Sunday during the first play of the second quarter in a 30-6 loss to the Los Angeles Xtreme. Preliminary on-field diagnosis was a grade two separation that would sideline him two to four weeks.
But a Tuesday MRI disclosed that Brohm suffered grade three acromio-clavicular separation — a tear of the ligament that holds the collarbone to the scapula. Rage team physician Dr. Tom Winters referred Brohm to Dr. Lemak at the HEALTHSOUTH facility in Birmingham, Alabama for a second opinion. Dr. Lemak confirmed the diagnosis and will perform the surgery on Monday.
Heading into last week’s game, Brohm was the top-rated passer in the XFL with a 103 rating and had led the Rage to six consecutive wins to open the season. He finishes the year with 69 completions in 199 attempts (58.3%) for 993 yards, nine touchdowns and just three interceptions.
“It obviously hurts any team to lose its starting quarterback,” Rage Head Coach Galen Hall said. “Jeff was our team leader on offense and played a big role in our 6-0 start. But injuries are an unfortunate part of the game that you can’t control. We will regroup and get ready to play with Brian Kuklick as our starter.”
Kuklick saw significant playing time in two games this season. When Brohm suffered a mild concussion against Memphis on March 4, Kuklick played well in the final three quarters in leading the Rage to a 21-19 win. He completed 17 of 24 passes for 229 yards and ran for a touchdown in the loss to Los Angeles, but he also threw three interceptions.
“Brian has played well this year,” Hall added. “He’ll make some mistakes, but he’s going to make some plays too. We have all the confidence in the world that we can win with Brian at the helm.”
Orlando, 6-1, can clinch the Eastern Division title with a win this week over the New York / New Jersey Hitmen. Game time is 4 p.m. on Sunday at the Florida Citrus Bowl. Tickets are priced from $17 to $35 and are available at all TICKETMASTER outlets, the Orlando Rage Box Office (450 S. Orange Ave.), and at the stadium on game day. The game will be broadcast nationally on TNN.
