Rush hope to get on winning track against divisional rivals
April 3, 2013 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Chicago Rush News Release
The Rush (0-2) head to San Antonio (0-1) for their first road game of the 2013 season this Friday at 7:30 pm. Coming off a second consecutive loss at Allstate Arena, the Rush look to bounce back from their first 0-2 start since 2006.
The Rush fell to the Spokane Shock this past Sunday, 76-61. Defense was the name of the game once again and the Rush could not take the Shock offense off the field, as Spokane scored on every possession of the game. So far on the season, the Shock have scored on all of their 21 drives.
Meeting up with the Talons may be the matchup the Rush desperately need to turn the beginning of the season around. The Rush defense faced off against Talons quarterback John Dutton in the final game of 2012 in Cleveland. Dutton completed just nine of twenty passes for 137 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions before getting pulled. In just one week so far this season, Dutton has thrown two interceptions. He replaces future Hall-of-Famer Aaron Garcia, who has moved on to the San Jose SaberCats.
San Antonio had a bye week following a heartbreaking loss to the SaberCats in week one. The Talons took a five point lead with 52 seconds remaining in the game, but could not hold on, falling 47-42. San Antonio finished the game with three interceptions and two sacks; their defense looks to continue its playmaking abilities from 2012 when they finished second league-wide in sacks.
Defensively, third and fourth down has become an issue for the Rush defensive unit. Last week, the momentum was close to turning Chicago's way, as the Shock had a fourth down with 15 yards to go late in the game. However, Spokane quarterback Erik Meyer was able to turn it into a touchdown despite the pocket collapsing around him. Iowa was five for seven on third down opportunities in week one.
The other side of the ball may be the biggest step up for the Rush in week three. The first two weeks have seen improvement across the board for the offense, including a twenty point increase from the offensive battery of Carson Coffman, Reggie Gray, Rodney Wright and JJ Payne. Coffman, who went 23 of 28 with six touchdowns and two interceptions in week one turned his production up, throwing for 294 yards, seven touchdowns, and no interceptions against the Shock.
The Rush are looking to avenge bitter losses to the Talons, who won both games in 2012 by a combined eight points. The April 28th matchup was the beginning of an eleven-game winning streak for the Talons, who went on to win the division in their inaugural season in San Antonio.
Following this week's matchup, the Rush will return home to play the Pittsburgh Power on April 14 at 3:00 pm at the Allstate Arena. This will mark the first time in history that the Rush play Pittsburgh.
Arena Football League Stories from April 3, 2013
- Predators Announce Child Abuse Prevention Night - Orlando Predators
- Coaches' Poll Top Two Poised for CBS Sports Network Showdown - AFL
- Rush hope to get on winning track against divisional rivals - Chicago Rush
- Shock seek to continue success in last of three game road stint - Spokane Shock
- Jacksonville looks to continue hot start in Saturday trip to Cleveland - Jacksonville Sharks
- Utah Looks to Rebound against Tampa Bay in Week 3 - Utah Blaze
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