Beckett.com AFL Collectible Player of the Week
June 15, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
According to the "experts," Matt D'Orazio wasn't even supposed to be at ArenaBowl XX, much less winning its Offensive Player of the Game Award. But since he was, and since he did, he also took home the season's final Beckett.com AFL Collectible Player of the Week nod.
To say the least, D'Orazio spearheaded one of the most improbable postseason runs in AFL history by leading the underdog Rush to four straight victories away from home. Clearly, though, he saved his best for last.
In Sunday's riveting 69-61 triumph over Orlando in ArenaBowl XX, D'Orazio completed 26-of-36 passes (72.2 percent) for 250 yards and six touchdowns. He also ran for 13 yards and two more touchdowns. To be sure, it was a near-flawless performance from the journeyman veteran out of Ohio's Otterbein College, and a perfect ending to a Rush season that seemed all but lost after a 4-8 start.
D'Orazio's athleticism and mobility -- which helped him finish fifth in the league in rushing during the regular season -- kept Orlando's fierce pass rush at bay all day, and bought D'Orazio enough time to make play . . . after play . . . after play. He helped build leads of 10-0 and 48-28, helped overcome deficits of 21-17 and 28-24 and calmly directed two touchdown drives in the final two minutes to fend off a furious Orlando rally.
It was merely another in a long line of gritty playoff performances for D'Orazio and the Rush, whose four-game, miracle-month march to immortality -- featuring upset wins over Nashville, Colorado, San Jose and, finally, Orlando -- surprised just about everybody. Except D'Orazio.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 15, 2006
- Rush places All-Rookie lineman Khreem Smith on exempt list - Chicago Rush
- SaberCats award winners announced - San Jose SaberCats
- Rush ArenaBowl celebration moved to Allstate Arena - Chicago Rush
- Beckett.com AFL Collectible Player of the Week - AFL I
- ArenaBowl XX odds and ends - AFL I
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