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Chicago Rush game notes

May 4, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release


The Quick Facts
TV: None
Radio: ESPN 1000 ... Tom Dore, John Jurkovic
Overall Series Record: Tied 4-4
Streaks: Chicago has won two in a row vs. Grand Rapids
Last Meeting: Feb. 8, 2004 – Rush 50, Rampage 30
Coaches (regular season records):
Mike Hohensee (76-68 — 11th season)
Rick Frazier (24-33 — 5th season)
Officials: Bill LeMonnier (Referee), Rick Podraza (Umpire), Allen Baynes (Head Linesman), James Mello (Line Judge), Billy Beckett (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 L 43-51 12,147
April 25 Los Angeles L 35-71 13,927
May 2 @ Detroit * W 57-40 9,804
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
Colorado 9-4-0 636 596 3-2
RUSH 8-4-0 639 558 4-1
Indiana 6-7-0 637 575 3-2
Detroit 4-8-0 563 630 2-3
Grand Rapids 1-11-0 433 649 1-5

MICHIGAN BOUND PART II: After winning in Detroit last Sunday, the Rush returns to Michigan this week for a Central Division battle with Grand Rapids Saturday night. The Rush is looking to sweep the season series from the Rampage, having defeated Grand Rapids 50-30 on opening day at Allstate Arena. A win this week would tie the team's franchise record for wins in a season (9) set in 2002 when the Rush went 9-5, won the Central Division and advanced to the AFL semifinals.

In the February 8 opener against Grand Rapids the Rush defense recorded three sacks and forced three turnovers while holding the Rampage to just 92 passing yards and 107 total yards.

Offensively, the Rush scored on its first seven possessions, and eight of 10 overall. QB Raymond Philyaw completed 16 of 24 passes for 235 yards and two TDs. Philyaw also carried the ball seven times for 13 yards and three scores.

SALISBURY SPARKS RUSH IN DETROIT: Back-up QB Chad Salisbury, filling in for an injured Raymond Philyaw, completed 19 of 32 passes for 216 yards and four touchdowns, leading the Rush to a 57-40 win in Detroit Sunday. Salisbury did not throw any interceptions and added a rushing touchdown in the win. WR/LB DeJuan Alfonzo caught two touchdown passes, intercepted his first pass of the season and recovered a key on-side kick that helped preserve the win.

PHILYAW STILL RECOVERING: Rush starting QB Raymond Philyaw continues to recover from the sprained MCL in his right knee suffered in the second quarter of the team's April 25 game vs. Los Angeles. He missed last week's game at Detroit, but could return this week at Grand Rapids.

INJURY PROBLEMS CONTINUE: In addition to Philyaw's injury the Rush played Detroit without starting WR/LB Lindsay Fleshman and starting defensive specialist Corey Sawyer. Fleshman injured his hamstring late in Chicago's game at San Jose and has missed the team's last two games. Sawyer injured his ankle against Los Angeles.

Here is a rundown of Chicago's other main injuries this season:
8 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.
8 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.
8 Defensive specialist Greg Williams missed five games after undergoing surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon in his hand.
8 OL/DL Riley Kleinhesselink missed three games with a quad injury suffered at Las Vegas
8 FB/LB Jamie McGourty missed two games with a sprained ankle suffered in the team's loss at Philadelphia.
8 Offensive specialist Jeremy McDaniel missed one game with a groin injury.

PLAYOFF SEEDINGS TAKING SHAPE: With just four weeks remaining in the regular season, 10 of the AFL's 19 teams have .500 or better records. With the top 8 teams making the playoffs, the Rush – currently in fourth place overall – is in good position to qualify for the postseason for the fourth-consecutive year.

Here is a look at the current seedings:

Team W L
San Jose 10 2
New Orleans 9 3
Colorado 9 4
Chicago 8 4
Arizona 8 5
Austin 7 5
New York 7 5
Los Angeles 7 5
Dallas 6 6
Orlando 6 6

Key games this week: San Jose at Arizona, Dallas at Austin and Orlando at New Orleans

IN GOOD COMPANY: Since entering the league in 2001, the Rush has been one of the most consistent teams in the league, appearing in the playoffs in each of its three seasons in the AFL. In fact, over the past three-plus seasons, only four teams have won more games than Chicago. Here are the AFL's best records since 2001:

San Jose 45-11
Arizona 37-20
Tampa Bay 34-23
Orlando 33-23
Chicago 32-24
Los Angeles 31-25

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 2-2 ?

GROUND GAME: As a team the Rush has gained a franchise-record 362 yards and scored 35 touchdowns on the ground this season. With five games remaining the Rush has an outside chance to break the league single-season record of 47 rushing touchdowns, set last year by the San Jose SaberCats.

McMILLEN ENJOYING CAREER YEAR: Rush FB Bob McMillen is enjoying one of the best years of his career. McMillen, second in the AFL with a career-high 197 rushing 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 57 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 and became just the fifth player in AFL history to rush for 1,000 career yards.

AFL Rushing Leaders:
Player Team G Att. Yards Avg. Long TD
Curran NO 12 61 272 4.5 29 17
McMillen Chi 12 53 197 3.7 18 14
Avery GR 10 37 182 4.9 20 5
Moye-Moore Orl 8 42 179 4.3 15 6
McPherson Ind 11 51 161 3.2 27 15

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 with 76 receptions for 966 yards and 17 touchdowns. Molden also has added three rushing touchdowns and one kick return TD this season. Molden leads all rookies in receptions 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 12 76 966 12.7 17
Fontaine Aus 9 62 997 15.9 21
Hines Ind 13 58 762 13.1 12
Sippio Dal 12 53 855 16.1 25

Molden also does the job on defense, recording 21.5 tackles and two interceptions this season.

ALFONZO PICKS UP SLACK: DeJuan Alfonzo, playing WR/LB Sunday for an injured Lindsay Fleshman, had perhaps the best all-around game of his Rush career earning the game's ADT Defensive Player of the Game and the U.S. Army Ironman of the Game awards. Alfonzo caught four passes for 39 yards and two touchdowns on offense, while recording 6.5 tackles, two passes broken up and an interception on defense. Alfonzo also made his presence felt on defense, recovering a key on-side kick with 1:30 remaining in the game.

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 10 times in 12 games. The Rush ranks second in the AFL in fewest turnovers behind Los Angeles and fourth in turnover ratio, with a +11 differential for the season.

JUMPIN' JACKS: As a team, Chicago's 12 interceptions rank the team fourth in the AFL. Interestingly, seven of the team's 12 interceptions have come from its Jack linebackers – Lindsay Fleshman (3), Etu Molden (1) DeJuan Alfonzo (1) and Levelle Brown (1).

SACK ATTACK: The Rush defense continues to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks, recording 18 sacks this season – second most in the AFL (Orlando 21). John Moyer leads the Rush with six sacks, with James Baron and Jamie McGourty 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 19.0
John Moyer 6.0 (2004) James Baron 10.0
Anthony Hutch 5.5 (2001) Anthony Hutch 6.5
John Moyer 4.0 (2002) Jamie McGourty 5.5
James Baron 4.0 (2003) Riley Kleinhesselink 5.0
Tony Henderson 4.0 (2001) Tony Henderson 4.0
James Baron 3.0 (2004)
James Baron 3.0 (2002)
Jamie McGourty 3.0 (2004)

PROTECT THAT QB: In addition to putting pressure on opposing QBs, Chicago ranks second in the AFL in fewest sacks allowed, giving up only four 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.

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
8 has a regular season record of 76-68 (including a
32-24 mark with the Rush) ... has a career 5-7 mark in the postseason.
8 has led the Rush to three-consecutive playoff berths and a 2002 Central Division title.
8 is 4-4 vs. the Rampage.

All-Time Winningest AFL Coaches
Including Postseason
Coach Team Wins This Week
Tim Marcum Tampa Bay 164 vs. Los Angeles
Danny White Arizona 131 vs. San Jose
Perry Moss 86
Mike Hohensee Rush 81 at Grand Rapids
Michael Trigg Philadelphia 78 vs. Las Vegas
John Gregory 73

TRULY SPECIAL TEAMS: The Rush special teams have blocked seven kicks this season – six extra-point attempts and one field goal attempt. John Moyer and James Baron have each blocked three PAT attempts this year, while Frank Moore gets credit for the blocked field goal. Three of the six blocked PATs have been scooped up by the Rush and returned for two points.

Also, in the team's first 12 games the Rush has returned four kickoffs for touchdowns – the second most in the AFL. Last season the Rush tied for the league lead, returning seven kickoffs for touchdowns.

1-2 PUNCH: John Moyer and James Baron might be the best pair of linemen in the AFL. Moyer ranks third in the AFL with six sacks, while Baron is tied for 12th with three. In addition, the pair has combined to block six PAT attempts this year (three each), three of which have been scooped up by the Rush and returned for two points. Baron also leads the league in forced fumbles with four.

MOYER SET TO MOVE INTO TOP 10: John Moyer is poised to add his name to the list of the AFL's all-time sack leaders. Moyer, with 24 career sacks, needs just one more sack to move into 10th place in AFL history. Teammate James Baron already is on the all-time list, in fourth place with 36.5 career sacks.

SAWYER ANCHORS SECONDARY: Defensive specialist Corey Sawyer is the team's leader in the secondary. Despite missing two games this year due to injury, Sawyer is Chicago's leader in tackles (57) and passes defended (15). He also ranks among the league leaders in tackles (13th) and passes defended (7th).

TOPPING THE CENTURY MARK: Lineman James Baron has played in 112 consecutive regular season AFL games, having never missed a game in his seven-year career. Including postseason, Baron's consecutive game streak stands at 125 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 (107), John Moyer (76), John Sikora (72), Frank Moore (71) and Jamie McGourty (63).

JARRETT ADDED TO PRACTICE SQUAD: The Rush added rookie WR/DB Vaughn Jarrett to its practice squad this week. Jarrett began the season with San Jose, but was released March 4.

RUSH PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
Practice for the week of May 3:
Tuesday, May 4 – Players Off
Wednesday, May 5 – 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Thursday, May 6 – 10:30 a.m. to noon
Friday, May 7 – 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

All practices will be held at the team's Palatine practice facility, Soccer Enterprise, with the exception of Friday's walk-thru, which will be held at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids.







TALE OF THE TAPE:
Chicago Category Grand Rapids
12 Games 12
53.3 (4) Scoring Offense 36.1 (14)
47.1 (6) Scoring Defense 52.1 (19)
250.6 (15) Total Offense 225.7 (19)
258.2 (6) Total Defense 269.0 (13)
51-61, 83.6% Red Zone Offense 31-45, 68.9%
37-49, 75.5% Red Zone Defense 36-53, 67.9%
220.4 (17) Pass Offense 200.3 (19)
229.3 (3) Pass Defense 252.3 (14)
30.2 (3) Rushing Offense 25.3 (6)
28.8 (17) Rushing Defense 16.8 (7)
639 (5) Scoring 433 (19)
99 (7) Scoring (Kicking) 67 (19)
71-1,309-4 Kickoff Returns 73-1,608-5
18.4 Kick Return Average 22.0
73-1,309-4 Combined Returns 81-1,781-5
17.9 Combined Return Average 22.0
+11 (4) Turnover Margin -19 (19)
10-16, 62.5% Field Goals 6-28, 21.4%
69-81, 85.1% PAT Kicking 49-58, 84.5%
18-91 Sacks By 9-47
4-32 Sacks Against 16-107
34-62, 54.8% Third Down Conversion 40-85, 47.1%
8-12, 66.7% Fourth Down Conversion 5-16, 31.3%
118-701 Penalties (#-Yards) 95-543
99-579 Opp. Penalties (#-Yards) 81-546

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

Raymond Philyaw: average gain (5th—8.16 yards), passer rating (4th—119.7), completion percentage (7th—64.6), interceptions thrown (T-2nd—4), rushing touchdowns (T-5th—9), fumble recoveries (T-11th—3), fourth-quarter passing (3rd —128.2)

Lindsay Fleshman: interceptions (T-8th—3), interception returns for touchdown (T-3rd—1)

Keith Gispert: field goal percentage (min. 10 att.) (2nd—62.5, 10-16), scoring (kickers) (7th—99 points), touchbacks on kickoffs (T-4th —26)

Bob McMillen: rushing yards (2nd—197), rushing attempts (2nd—53), rushing touchdowns (3rd—14), fumble recoveries (T-11th—3)

John Moyer: sacks (3rd—6.0), tackles for loss (T-11th — 2)

Etu Molden: receptions (9th — 76), receiving yards (12th —966), yards from scrimmage (12th—979), scoring-non-kickers (12th—132)

James Baron: sacks (T-12th—3.0), forced fumbles (T-1st – 4)

Corey Sawyer: tackles (13th – 57), passes defended (T-7th – 13)

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)
Chad Salisbury (5/2 @ Detroit)

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)
DeJuan Alfonzo (5/2 @ 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, 5/2 @ Detroit)
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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