NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Former Drake standout punter Ryan Horvath has signed a contract with the New York Sentinels of the newly formed United Football League.

The UFL will play its regular season games on Thursday and Friday evenings in the fall, with the first regular season game kicking off in October and the Championship Game scheduled for Thanksgiving weekend. Other teams in the UFL are Las Vegas, Orlando and San Francisco.

"I think a new professional football league is a great idea because there are so many talented players out there and the NFL has such a limited amount of roster spots available," said Horvath.  "I am excited to be a part of the New York Sentinels franchise and I look forward to getting back out onto the field.

"It's a great honor for me to be able to participate in the inaugural season of the UFL and I think this will be a great opportunity for me."

Horvath was a four-time first-team All-Pioneer Football League selection at Drake from 2002-05.

He still owns five Drake records, including punting yardage in career (8,108 yards) and punting yardage in season (2,555 in 2003).

New York will open its season facing the Florida Tuskers this Saturday (Oct. 10) in Orlando, Fla.

Ted Cottrell, a longtime defensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings, is the head coach for New York.

VERSUS, a national sports network in more than 75 million homes, will air the League's “Premiere” season beginning this Thursday (Oct. 8).