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Chicago Rush game notes

April 13, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release


The Quick Facts
TV: None
Radio: WCFJ 1470 AM ... Tom Dore, John Jurkovic
Overall Series Record: San Jose leads 2-0
Last Meeting: March 9, 2003. San Jose 71, Rush 49
Coaches (regular season records):
Mike Hohensee (75-66 — 11th season)
Darren Arbet (60-21 — 6th season)
Officials: Craig Wrolstad (Referee), Rick Lowe (Umpire), Dale Newhouse (Head Linesman), Rusty Baynes (Line Judge), Scott Helverson (Back Judge)

2004 Chicago Rush Schedule
February 8 Grand Rapids* W 50-30 15,552
February 14 @ New York W 56-54 10,720
February 22 Colorado* W 65-35 15,406
February 29 @ Indiana* W 49-46 12,198
March 7 @ Philadelphia L 47-53 17,597
March 14 BYE
March 21 Orlando W 58-15 14,552
March 28 Detroit* L 71-72 14,837
April 4 @ Las Vegas W 57-55 10,310
April 11 Tampa Bay W 51-36 11,412
April 16 @ San Jose 9:30 p.m.
April 25 Los Angeles 2 p.m. NBC
May 2 @ Detroit * 2 p.m. NBC
May 8 @ Grand Rapids* 6:30 p.m.
May 16 Dallas 2 p.m. NBC
May 23 Indiana* 2 p.m. NBC
May 30 @ Colorado* 3 p.m. NBC

*Central Division Game ... All times Central


American Conference — Central Division
2004 Standings
W-L-T PF PA Division
RUSH 7-2-0 504 396 3-1-0
Colorado 7-3-0 460 474 2-2-0
Indiana 5-5-0 489 420 2-2-0
Detroit 4-5-0 434 451 2-2-0
Grand Rapids 1-8-0 327 473 1-3-0


BIGGEST GAME OF THE YEAR: In the AFL's top game of the weekend, the Rush heads to San Jose to take on the SaberCats. Both teams are 7-2 and the winner of the game will take a big step toward controlling its destiny for home-field advantage in the playoffs. The Rush enters the game on a high after defeating the defending ArenaBowl champion Tampa Bay Storm 51-36, while San Jose suffered its second defeat of the season, 58-54, in Dallas Saturday night.

THIRD TIME A CHARM?: The Rush has had little luck in its two meetings with San Jose, with interceptions playing a key role in both Rush losses. Two years ago in San Jose the Rush and SaberCats hooked up in one of the 2002 season's most-exciting games. With less than 1:30 to play and the Rush trailing 67-62, SaberCats WR/DB Omarr Smith intercepted a Billy Dicken pass at the San Jose 16-yard line. Then, on the game's next play, San Jose QB Mark Grieb hit Smith with a 34-yard touchdown pass to give the SaberCats a 74-62 lead and put the game out of reach.

Last year at Allstate Arena with Dicken out with a broken jaw, the Rush fell behind 43-20 early in the third quarter. After mounting a furious comeback, the Rush cut the lead to 43-35 and was driving. On the first play of the fourth quarter Rush offensive specialist Antonio Chatman attempted an option pass that was intercepted by WR/DB James Roe. San Jose scored four plays later, taking the wind out of the comeback, and cruised to a 71-49 win.

LOOKING FOR HISTORY TO REPEAT ITSELF: The last time the SaberCats lost two games in a row was April 6 and April 12, 2003. Interestingly, San Jose lost the first game in its losing streak on the road at Dallas, before returning home only to lose to Detroit. The Rush is hoping that history repeats itself and San Jose's loss at Dallas last week is the start of another two-game losing streak.

PLAYOFF SEEDINGS TAKING SHAPE: With its win Sunday against Tampa Bay, the Rush is tied with San Jose and New Orleans for the best record in the AFL.

Here is a look at the current seedings:
Team W L
Chicago 7 2
New Orleans 7 2
San Jose 7 2
Colorado 7 3
Austin 6 3
Dallas 6 3
Los Angeles 5 4
New York 5 4
=========================
Arizona 5 5
Indiana 5 5
HOHENSEE GETS 80TH: Rush head coach Mike Hohensee became just the fourth head coach in AFL history to win 80 career games, reaching the mark with the team's 51-36 win over Tampa Bay. Hohensee, in his 11th season as a head coach in the AFL, was hired as the first coach in Rush history on September 26, 2000. He
 has a regular season record of 75-66 (including a
31-22 mark with the Rush) ... has a career 5-7 mark in the postseason.
 has led the Rush to three-consecutive playoff berths and a 2002 Central Division title.
 is 0-6 all-time against San Jose.

All-Time Winningest AFL Coaches
Including Postseason
Coach Team Wins This Week
Tim Marcum Tampa Bay 161 vs. Austin
Danny White Arizona 128 vs. Dallas
Perry Moss 86
Mike Hohensee Rush 80 at San Jose
Michael Trigg Philadelphia 77 at Carolina
John Gregory Carolina 73 vs. Philadelphia

McMILLEN ECLIPSES 1,000: Rush FB Bob McMillen took a first quarter handoff from Raymond Philyaw Sunday and rushed seven yards for a first down. In the process he became just the fifth player in AFL history to rush for 1,000 career yards. McMillen, second in the AFL with 150 yards this year, has set a Rush record for rushing yards in a season, breaking Jamie McGourty's team record of 122 yards set last year. In addition, McMillen has 55 career rushing touchdowns, which ranks him 6th on the AFL's all-time list. Earlier this season, McMillen became the first player in AFL history to rush for 100 or more yards in six-consecutive seasons.

AFL Rushing Leaders:
Player Team G Att. Yards Avg. Long TD
Curran NO 9 44 194 4.4 29 13
McMillen Chi 9 44 150 3.4 9 12
Moye-Moore Orl 6 29 144 5.0 15 6
Thomas Geo 9 28 139 5.0 17 7

GROUND GAME: As a team the Rush has gained 269 yards and scored 31 touchdowns on the ground this season. With seven games remaining the Rush should easily break its team record of 333 rushing yards in a season and is on pace to break the league single-season record of 47 rushing touchdowns, set last year by the San Jose SaberCats.

BETTER AFTER THE BREAK: The Rush reached the midpoint of its season with a 6-2 record – the best record at the midpoint of a season in the team's four-year history. In each of the past two seasons the Rush has improved in the second half of the season. Here is a look at the team's record in the first and second halves of the past three seasons:

First Half Second Half Final Record
2001 4-3 3-4 7-7
2002 4-3 5-2 9-5
2003 3-5 5-3 8-8
2004 6-2 1-0 ?
TURNOVER TURNAROUND: Last season the Rush struggled with turnovers, giving the ball away 31 times during the season. This year, however, the Rush only has turned the ball over six times in nine games. The Rush ranks second in the AFL in fewest turnovers and second in turnover ratio, with a +11 differential for the season.

MOLDEN FOR ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Rush WR/LB Etu Molden has emerged as one of the league's leading candidates for Rookie of the Year honors. He is the team's leading receiver and has been named Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Game in back-to-back weeks. For the season, Molden leads all rookies in receptions with 48, while ranking second in receiving yards and third in receiving TDs.

Here is how Molden stacks up against the league's other top rookie receivers:

AFL Rookie Receiving Leaders:
Player Team G Rec. Yards Avg TD
Molden Chi 9 48 647 13.5 12
Fontaine Aus 6 44 786 17.9 17
Hines Ind 10 43 574 13.3 9
Sippio Dal 9 39 644 16.5 19
Hill Det 8 39 513 13.2 10

Molden also does the job on defense, recording 15.5 tackles and two interceptions this season.

PHIL-YEAH!: Rush QB Raymond Philyaw saw his streak of 199 consecutive passes without an interception come to an end in Chicago's win in Las Vegas on April 4. For the season, Philyaw only has thrown two picks, second fewest in the AFL behind LA's Tony Graziani.

On the season Philyaw has completed 149 of 231 passes for 1,952 yards and 32 touchdowns. He also has rushed for a career-high nine touchdowns this season.

GRIEB VS. PHILYAW: San Jose QB Mark Grieb and Philyaw rank first and third, respectively, in the AFL in passer rating. Here is a comparison of their 2004 passing numbers:

Comp Att Yds. TD Int Rating
Grieb 181 239 2,315 44 3 139.9
Philyaw 149 231 1,952 32 2 122.1

SPECIAL TEAMS DO IT AGAIN: For the third-consecutive week, the Rush special teams blocked an extra-point attempt, scooped up the ball and returned it for two points. Against Tampa Bay it was lineman James Baron who blocked the kick and defensive specialist Corey Sawyer who returned it for the conversion. Overall the special teams have blocked six extra-point attempts this season – three by John Moyer, and three by James Baron.

Also, in the team's first nine games the Rush has returned four kickoffs for touchdowns, two by Kareem Larrimore and one each by DeJuan Alfonzo and Etu Molden. Last season the Rush returned seven kickoffs for touchdowns.

SAWYER ANCHORS SECONDARY: Defensive specialist Corey Sawyer had a fantastic game Sunday against his former teammates. Sawyer recorded six tackles and had an interception that keyed Chicago's third-quarter surge. Sawyer heads into this week's game as Chicago's leader in tackles (45.5) and passes defended (15). He also ranks among the league leaders in tackles (12th) and passes defended (T-4th).

SACK ATTACK: The Rush defense continues to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks, recording 14 sacks this season – second most in the AFL (Orlando 18). John Moyer leads the Rush with four sacks, with James Baron close behind with three. The Rush team record for sacks in a season is 19 (2003).

Here are Chicago's season and career sack leaders:
Player Season Player Career
John Moyer 9.0 (2003) John Moyer 17.0
Anthony Hutch 5.5 (2001) James Baron 10.0
John Moyer 4.0 (2004) Anthony Hutch 6.5
John Moyer 4.0 (2002) Riley Kleinhesselink 5.0
James Baron 4.0 (2003) Jamie McGourty 4.5
Tony Henderson 4.0 (2001) Tony Henderson 4.0
James Baron 3.0 (2004)
James Baron 3.0 (2002)

PROTECT THAT QB: In addition to putting pressure on opposing QBs, Chicago leads the AFL in fewest sacks allowed, giving up only three QB sacks this season. In 2002 the Rush led the league, allowing only three QB sacks all season. Last season, the Rush ranked fifth in the AFL, giving up 12 sacks.

RED ZONE SUCCESS: The Rush offense, thanks to its ability to mix the run and the pass, has excelled in the red zone this season. The Rush offense ranks second in the AFL in red-zone efficiency, scoring touchdowns on 45 of its 51 possessions inside the 10.

MILLIGAN IN THE MIX: Defensive specialist Hamin Milligan made his Rush debut against Tampa Bay, recording 3.5 tackles and one pass broken up. Milligan, acquired in a trade with New Orleans April 5, was Arizona's top defensive back this season, recording 33 tackles, two interceptions and six passes broken up in six games before being released. He was claimed by New Orleans, but did not appear in a game with the VooDoo.

GETTING HEALTHY: Perhaps the most amazing part of Chicago's 7-2 record is the fact that the Rush has had success while being hit with a series of serious injuries this season. Rush lineman Riley Kleinhesselink missed last week's game against Tampa Bay with a knee injury, becoming the latest Rush player to miss time this year due to injury.

Here is a rundown of Chicago's other main injuries this season:
 DS Malcom Moore suffered an open fracture of the left tibia and fibula March 21 while breaking up a pass intended for Orlando receiver Sean Riley. Moore underwent successful surgery to insert a stabilizing rod and will miss the remainder of the season.
 FB/LB Levelle Brown separated his right shoulder in the first quarter of the team's March 21st game against Orlando. He was placed on IR March 26 and is expected to miss between four and six weeks.
 WR/DB Donnie Caldwell suffered a torn ACL in his right knee in the team's Week 3 win vs. Colorado. He underwent successful surgery and is out for the season.
 WR/DB Josh Phillips suffered a shoulder injury February 14 at New York and was placed on IR February 19. He is out indefinitely.
 Defensive specialist Greg Williams missed five games after undergoing surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon in his hand.
 FB/LB Jamie McGourty missed two games with a sprained ankle suffered in the team's loss at Philadelphia.
 Former DS Kareem Larrimore missed one game with a sprained ankle.
 Offensive specialist Jeremy McDaniel missed one game with a groin injury.

TOPPING THE CENTURY MARK: Lineman James Baron has played in 109 consecutive regular season AFL games, having never missed a game in his seven-year career. Including postseason, Baron's consecutive game streak stands at 122 games.

Baron has played in more AFL games than any other Rush player. Next on the Rush list for AFL regular season service are Bob McMillen (104), John Moyer (73), John Sikora (69), Frank Moore (68) and Jamie McGourty (60).

TALE OF THE TAPE:
Chicago Category (Rank) San Jose
9 Games 9
56.0 (3) Scoring Offense 59.6 (1)
44.0 (4) Scoring Defense 50.6 (11)
251.7 (13) Total Offense 273.2 (5)
245.1 (4) Total Defense 284.8 (18)
45-51, 88.2% Red Zone Offense 33-45, 73.3%
30-38, 78.9% Red Zone Defense 31-44, 70.5%
221.8 (16) Pass Offense 251.8 (7)
216.1 (2) Pass Defense 277.3 (18)
29.9 (3) Rushing Offense 21.4 (7)
29.0 (16) Rushing Defense 7.4 (1)
504 (5) Scoring 536 (1)
72 (9) Scoring (Kicking) 80 (5)
51-988-4 Kickoff Returns 48-1,143-4
19.4 Kick Return Average 23.8
53-988-4 Combined Returns 55-1,265-4
18.6 Combined Return Average 23.4
+11 (2) Turnover Margin +3 (T-5)
6-12, 50% Field Goals 5-9, 55.6%
54-63, 85.7% PAT Kicking 65-76, 85.5%
14-63 Sacks By 9-52
3-23 (1) Sacks Against 13-85
24-42, 57.1% Third Down Conversion 18-41, 43.9%
5-7, 71.4% Fourth Down Conversion 9-12, 75.0%
85-514 Penalties (#-Yards) 74-458
74-410 Opp. Penalties (#-Yards) 52-277
Bold – Leads League

INDIVIDUAL LEAGUE LEADERS: The following Rush players are among the 2004 AFL league leaders.

Raymond Philyaw: average gain (2nd—8.45 yards), passer rating (3rd—122.1), completion percentage (7th—64.5), interceptions thrown (T-2nd—2), rushing touchdowns (5th—9), fumble recoveries (T-4th—3), fourth-quarter passing (1st—141.1)

Lindsay Fleshman: interceptions (T-3rd—3), interception returns for touchdown (T-3rd—1)

Keith Gispert: field goal percentage (min. 10 att.) (5th—60, 6-12), scoring (kickers) (7th—72 points), touchbacks on kickoffs (T-4th—20)

Bob McMillen: rushing yards (2nd—150), rushing attempts (T-1st—44), rushing touchdowns (3rd—12), fumble recoveries (T-4th—3)

John Moyer: sacks (T-4th—4.0)

Etu Molden: interceptions (T-8th-2)

James Baron: sacks (T-7th—3.0)

Corey Sawyer: passes defended (T-4th – 15), interceptions (T-8th—2)

*Hamin Milligan: interceptions (T-8th—2)
*including stats from Arizona

RUSH GAME AWARD WINNERS: The following Rush players have won individual game awards for their play this season:

Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Game:
Raymond Philyaw (2/8 vs. Grand Rapids, 2/22 vs. Colorado)
Lindsay Fleshman (2/14 @ New York)
Jeremy McDaniel (3/21 vs. Orlando)
Etu Molden (4/4 @ Las Vegas, 4/11 vs. Tampa Bay)

ADT Defensive Player of the Game:
Corey Sawyer (2/8 vs. Grand Rapids, 4/11 vs. Tampa Bay)
Donnie Caldwell (2/14 @ New York)
John Moyer (2/22 vs. Colorado, 4/4 @ Las Vegas)
James Baron (3/21 vs. Orlando)
Lindsay Fleshman (3/28 vs. Detroit)

U.S. Army Ironman of the Game:
Lindsay Fleshman (2/8 vs. Grand Rapids, 3/28 vs. Detroit)
DeJuan Alfonzo (2/14 @ New York)
Jamie McGourty (2/22 vs. Colorado)
Kareem Larrimore (2/29 @ Indiana)
Bob McMillen (3/21 vs. Orlando, 4/11 vs. Tampa Bay)

AFL WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS: The following Rush players have won AFL weekly awards for their play this season:

ADT Defensive Player of the Week:
John Moyer (2/22 vs. Colorado)
Bob McMillen (3/21 vs. Orlando)

AFL MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS: The following Rush players have won AFL monthly awards for their play this season:

ADT Defensive Player of the Month:
John Moyer (February)

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