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Chicago Rush game notes

May 12, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release


The Quick Facts
TV: NBC...Bob Papa, Ray Bentley, Mark Schanowski
Radio: WCKG, 105.9 FM ... Tom Dore, John Jurkovic
Overall Series Record: 2-2
Streaks: Dallas has won two in a row
Last Meeting: April 20, 2003, Dallas 60, Rush 54 OT
Coaches (regular season records):
Mike Hohensee (77-68 — 11th season)
Will McClay (6-7 — 1st season)
Officials: Tom McCabe (Referee), Matt Jordan (Umpire), Neil Brunner (Head Linesman), Bob McElwee (Line Judge), Joe Duncan (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* W 63-35 7,188
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 9-4-0 702 593 5-1
Colorado 9-4-0 636 596 3-2
Indiana 7-7-0 705 634 3-2
Detroit 4-9-0 622 698 2-3
Grand Rapids 1-12-0 468 712 1-6

DESPERADOS HEAD TO CHICAGO: The Rush looks to clinch its fourth-consecutive playoff berth this week as it returns home to Allstate Arena to host the Dallas Desperados. Last week Chicago won its ninth game of the season, equaling its regular season record for wins in a season set in 2002. After beginning the season 5-1, Dallas has lost three in a row and six of its last seven games.

RUSH-DESPERADOS SERIES EVEN AT TWO: If the series history between Chicago and Dallas is any indication, this week's game could be heading for overtime. In fact, the last two times these teams have met in the regular season at Allstate Arena, overtime has been the result.

Last season, Dallas swept two games from the Rush, winning 46-38 in Dallas and then 60-54 in Chicago when Rush WR/LB Lindsay Fleshman fumbled on the Dallas 1-yard line early in overtime. After recovering the fumble Dallas needed just two plays to score the game-winning TD when QB Jim Kubiak hit WR Andy McCullough with a 37-yard touchdown pass.

In 2002 the Rush defeated Dallas 58-52 in OT when Dallas missed a 29-yard field goal at the end of regulation that would have won the game. Rush QB Billy Dicken then hit Cornelius Bonner with a 27-yard pass for the win.

Just three weeks later, in August 2002, Dallas returned to Chicago for an AFL quarterfinal playoff game, with the Rush notching a decisive 60-47 win.

PHILYAW RETURNS IN RUSH WIN: QB Raymond Philyaw returned to action last week in Grand Rapids after missing one game with a sprained MCL in his right knee. Philyaw completed 15 of 17 passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns in the team's 63-35 win. On the ground Chicago rushed for 61 yards and six touchdowns, tying an AFL record for rushing TDs in a game. The Rush defense helped give the offense field position, recording two sacks, forcing two interceptions, blocking two kicks and recovering a kickoff off of the net in the game.

RECORD-SETTING GROUND GAME: As a team the Rush has gained a franchise-record 423 yards and scored 41 touchdowns on the ground this season. With three games remaining the Rush is on pace to break the AFL single-season record of 47 rushing touchdowns, set last year by the San Jose SaberCats.

McMILLEN ENJOYING CAREER YEAR: Individually, Rush FB Bob McMillen is enjoying the best year of his career. McMillen, second in the AFL with a career-high 232 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 61 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 13 67 276 4.1 29 18
McMillen Chi 13 62 232 3.7 18 18
McPherson Ind 12 57 225 3.9 37 18
Avery GR 11 39 188 4.8 20 5
Thomas Geo 12 41 185 4.5 17 9
Moye-Moore Orl 8 42 179 4.3 15 6

MOLDEN FOR ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Rush WR/LB Etu Molden is one of the league's leading candidates for Rookie of the Year honors. He is the team's leading receiver with 83 receptions for 1,034 yards and 19 touchdowns. Molden also has added four rushing touchdowns and one kick return TD this season. Molden ranks ninth in the AFL in receptions and 11th in scoring. Among rookies, Molden ranks first in receptions and 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 13 83 1,034 12.5 19
Hines Ind 14 68 928 13.6 16
Fontaine Aus 10 66 1,034 15.7 21
Sippio Dal 13 56 889 15.9 25

Molden also does the job on defense, recording 22.5 tackles and two interceptions this season.

PLAYOFF SEEDINGS TAKING SHAPE: With just three weeks remaining in the regular season, the Rush has climbed into second place in the AFL's overall standings. The Rush is tied with both Colorado and New Orleans, but by virtue of the tie-breakers, is in position to get the AFL's number two seed in the postseason.

Here is a look at the current seedings:

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

Key games this week: Colorado at Indiana, Orlando at Austin, Los Angeles at New York

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 45-12
Arizona 38-20
Tampa Bay 35-23
Orlando 34-23
Chicago 33-24
Los Angeles 31-25

MOYER CLIMBS INTO TOP 10 ALL-TIME: John Moyer recorded his seventh sack of the season last week, tying him for second in the AFL this season and moving him into a tie for ninth place in AFL history with 25 career sacks. As a team the Rush has set a team record with 20 sacks this season.

Here are Chicago's season and career sack leaders:
Player Season Player Career
John Moyer 9.0 (2003) John Moyer 20.0
John Moyer 7.0 (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)

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

PROTECT THAT QB: In addition to putting pressure on opposing QBs, Chicago is tied for the AFL lead 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.

STILL NOT 100 PERCENT: Although QB Raymond Philyaw and WR/LB Lindsay Fleshman returned to action last week in Grand Rapids, starting defensive specialist Corey Sawyer missed his second-consecutive game with an ankle injury sustained against Los Angeles. Sawyer also missed one game earlier in the season with a neck injury.

Here is a recap of Chicago's main injuries this season:
- QB Raymond Philyaw missed one game after suffering a sprained MCL in his right knee April 25 against Los Angeles.
- WR/LB Lindsay Fleshman missed two games with a hamstring injury sustained April 16 in San Jose.
- 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.
- 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.
- Defensive specialist Greg Williams missed five games after undergoing surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon in his hand.
- OL/DL Riley Kleinhesselink missed three games with a quad injury suffered at Las Vegas
- FB/LB Jamie McGourty missed two games with a sprained ankle suffered in the team's loss at Philadelphia.
- Offensive specialist Jeremy McDaniel missed one game with a groin injury.

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 3-2 ?

SPECIAL TEAMS GET TWO MORE: The Rush special teams blocked two more kicks last week, giving them nine blocked kicks this season – seven extra-point attempts and two field goal attempts. John Moyer has blocked three PAT attempts and one field goal attempt, James Baron has blocked three PAT attempts, Frank Moore has blocked one field goal and Colin Greczek has a blocked PAT. Three of the seven blocked PATs have been scooped up by the Rush and returned for two points.

Also, the Rush has returned four kickoffs for touchdowns this season. Last season the Rush tied for the league lead, returning seven kickoffs for touchdowns.

MILLIGAN, ALFONZO MAKING IMPACT: DS Hamin Milligan and WR/DB DeJuan Alfonzo each grabbed interceptions last week in Grand Rapids. It was Milligan's first interception as a member of the Rush, and third overall this season. Alfonzo's pick was his second interception of the season. The Rush is tied for fourth in the AFL with 14 interceptions this year.

SALISBURY SOLID IN RELIEF: Back-up quarterback Chad Salisbury has proved to be an ample replacement for Raymond Philyaw. Salisbury split time with Philyaw last week in Grand Rapids, completing four of six passes for 45 yards and a touchdown. For the season Salisbury has taken snaps in six games, completing 42 of 66 passes for 438 yards and eight touchdowns. Salisbury also has rushed for two scores and has not thrown an interception this season.

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 13 games. The Rush ranks second in the AFL in fewest turnovers behind Los Angeles and second in turnover ratio, with a +14 differential for the season.

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 77-68 (including a
33-24 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 2-2 vs. Dallas.

All-Time Winningest AFL Coaches
Including Postseason
Coach Team Wins This Week
Tim Marcum Tampa Bay 165 Bye
Danny White Arizona 132 at Detroit
Perry Moss 86
Mike Hohensee Rush 82 vs. Dallas
Michael Trigg Philadelphia 78 vs. Carolina
John Gregory 73

TOPPING THE CENTURY MARK: Lineman James Baron has played in 113 consecutive regular season AFL games, having never missed a game in his seven-year career. Including postseason, Baron's consecutive game streak stands at 126 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 (108), John Moyer (77), John Sikora (73), Frank Moore (72) and Jamie McGourty (64).

RUSH PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
Practice for the week of May 10:
Tuesday, May 11 – Players Off
Wednesday, May 12 – 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 13 – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Friday, May 14 – 10:30 a.m. to noon
Saturday, May 15 – 11 a.m. to noon

Wednesday and Thursday's practices will be held outdoors (weather permitting) at Goebbert School in Arlington Heights. Friday's practice will be held at the team's Palatine practice facility, Soccer Enterprise. Saturday's walk-thru will be held at Allstate Arena.

TALE OF THE TAPE:
Chicago Category Dallas
13 Games 13
54.0 (4) Scoring Offense 48.3 (11)
47.1 (6) Scoring Defense 52.1 (19)
251.5 (14) Total Offense 265.6 (8)
250.2 (4) Total Defense 260.8 (7)
59-69, 85.5% Red Zone Offense 40-52, 76.9%
41-54, 75.9% Red Zone Defense 46-58, 79.3%
218.9 (18) Pass Offense 249.0 (9)
222.5 (2) Pass Defense 238.5 (9)
32.5 (3) Rushing Offense 16.6 (12)
27.7 (T-15) Rushing Defense 22.4 (12)
702 (6) Scoring 628 (11)
108 (T-6) Scoring (Kicking) 88 (15)
76-1,422-4 Kickoff Returns 88-1,745-5
18.7 Kick Return Average 19.8
79-1,433-4 Combined Returns 102-1,990-6
18.1 Combined Return Average 19.5
+14 (2) Turnover Margin -12 (16)
10-17, 58.8% Field Goals 6-21, 28.6%
78-90, 86.7% PAT Kicking 70-83, 84.3%
20-102 Sacks By 17-74
4-32 Sacks Against 17-97
39-67, 58.2% Third Down Conversion 35-76, 46.1%
8-12, 66.7% Fourth Down Conversion 10-16, 62.5%
123-741 Penalties (#-Yards) 132-788
105-620 Opp. Penalties (#-Yards) 90-557

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

Raymond Philyaw: average gain (3rd—8.22 yards), passer rating (4th—121.1), completion percentage (2nd—66.0), interceptions thrown (T-1st—4), rushing touchdowns (T-6th—9), fumble recoveries (T-11th—3), fourth-quarter passing (2nd —128.2)

Lindsay Fleshman: interceptions (T-9th—3), interception returns for touchdown (T-3rd—1)

Keith Gispert: field goal percentage (min. 10 att.) (4th—58.8, 10-17), scoring (kickers) (T-6th—108 points), touchbacks on kickoffs (T-5th —28)

Bob McMillen: rushing yards (2nd—232), rushing attempts (2nd—62), rushing touchdowns (T-1st—18), fumble recoveries (T-11th—3)

John Moyer: sacks (T-2nd—7.0)

Etu Molden: receptions (9th — 83), receiving yards (T-10th —1,034), yards from scrimmage (10th—1,051), scoring-non-kickers (11th—150)

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

Corey Sawyer: passes defended (T-9th – 13)

*Hamin Milligan: passes defended (T-10th—12)
*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, 5/8 @ Grand Rapids)
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, 5/8 @ Grand Rapids)
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, 5/8 @ Grand Rapids)

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)



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 12, 2004


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