Chicago Rush game notes

Published on June 2, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release


The Quick Facts
TV: NBC...Allen Bestwick, Charles Davis, Marty Snider
Radio: ESPN 1000...Tom Dore, John Jurkovic
Overall Series Record: Rush leads 3-2 (2-2 regular season, 1-0 postseason)
Last Meeting: March 21, 2004 – Rush 58, Orlando 15
Coaches (regular season, postseason records):
Mike Hohensee (79-69, 5-7 — 11th season)
Jay Gruden (44-28, 8-2 — 5th season)
Officials: Bill LeMonnier (Referee), Jeff Carr (Umpire), Bill Ward (Head Linesman), Dennis Lipski (Line Judge), Rob Vernatchi (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 W 45-41 13,071
May 23 Indiana* W 53-37 14,399
May 30 @ Colorado* L 47-56 13,670
June 6 y-Orlando 2 p.m. NBC

*Central Division Game ... All times Central
y- AFL Playoffs

American Conference — Central Division
2004 Final Standings
W-L-T PF PA Division
RUSH 11-5-0 847 727 6-2
Colorado 11-5-0 793 744 5-3
Indiana 8-8-0 801 743 5-3
Detroit 5-11-0 761 854 2-5
Grand Rapids 1-15-0 527 807 1-6

RUSH ENTERS AFL PLAYOFFS AS THIRD-SEED: The Chicago Rush begins its quest for the 2004 ArenaBowl championship as the AFL's third-seeded team and will host the sixth-seeded Orlando Predators, Sunday at Allstate Arena. The Central Division champions enter the playoffs on the heels of a 56-47 loss to Colorado last week, while the Predators earned their spot when emergency kicker Jason Wells booted a 30-yard field goal with no time remaining to give Orlando a 52-50 win at Los Angeles.

Here's a look at this week's AFL quarterfinal playoff games:

(7) Tampa Bay at (2) San Jose, Saturday, June 5
(8) Los Angeles at (1) Arizona, Sunday, June 6
(6) Orlando at (3) Chicago, Sunday, June 6
(5) Colorado at (4) New Orleans, Sunday, June 6

The AFL semifinals will take place Saturday, June 12 and Sunday, June 13.
The ArenaBowl will be held Sunday, June 27, at the home field of the highest remaining seed.

RUSH DEFENSE KEY TO MARCH ROUT OF ORLANDO: When the Rush met Orlando at Allstate Arena in March, Chicago's defense forced six turnovers and recorded a team-record seven sacks en route to a 58-15 win. After scoring on its first possession of the game, the Rush held Orlando scoreless for nearly 50 minutes before allowing a fourth-quarter touchdown. It was the widest margin of victory in Rush team history.

RUSH HAS PLAYOFF HISTORY WITH ORLANDO: This week's Chicago-Orlando playoff match-up will be the second playoff game between the two teams. The Rush earned the franchise's first playoff victory, and became the lowest-seeded team in AFL history to win a playoff game, with a 41-26 victory over the sixth-seeded and defending-champion Predators on July 27, 2001. The 11th-seeded Rush intercepted three passes – two by WR/DB Dameon Porter – and Rush QB Billy Dicken completed 15 of 20 passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns in the win.

Chicago has qualified for the playoffs in each of its four seasons in the league, posting a 2-3 record in five postseason games. The Rush is 1-0 at home in the playoffs and 1-3 on the road all-time.

Here is a look at Chicago's all-time playoff results:

2001: W 41-26 at Orlando (Wild Card Round)
L 53-21 at Grand Rapids (Quarterfinal)

2002: W 60-47 vs. Dallas (Quarterfinal)
L 46-35 at Arizona (Semifinal)

2003: L 48-45 at New York (Wild Card Round)

NUMBER THREE SEED: The number three seed has compiled a 15-13 all-time record in the AFL playoffs, including 2002 when the Rush was the number three seed and advanced to the AFL semifinals before losing to Arizona. The third seed, however, has an undefeated 3-0 record in the ArenaBowl with the 1993 Arizona Rattlers, 1994 Tampa Bay Storm and 1999 Albany Firebirds each winning the title from the number three seed. The Firebirds are the only number three seed to ever host an ArenaBowl.

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES IN 2004: The 2004 regular season featured some outstanding individual and team performances with Rush players leading the AFL in several categories.
- Lineman John Moyer led the AFL in sacks with a career-high 10 and moved into ninth place on the AFL's all-time sack list with 28.
- FB/LB Bob McMillen led the AFL in rushing touchdowns with 22. McMillen finished the season second in the AFL in rushing with a career-high 285 yards.
- 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.
- The Rush offense set an AFL record with 49 rushing touchdowns.
- Rookie WR/LB Etu Molden led all AFL rookies in receptions and receiving yards and finished second among rookies in scoring.
- Mike Hohensee became just the fourth head coach in AFL history to win 80 career games, and needs just three more wins to become the third-winningest coach in AFL history.
- Chicago's 11 regular season wins marked the most for a Hohensee coached team. Hohensee won 10 regular season games in both 1994 and 1996 as the head coach of the Albany Firebirds.

MOYER NAMED FIRST TEAM ALL-ARENA: For the second-consecutive season, Rush lineman John Moyer has been named First Team All-Arena. The Lineman of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year candidate led the AFL with 10 sacks and also recorded a career-high 31 tackles, blocked four kicks, recovered three fumbles and intercepted a pass. Moyer was selected by his teammates as Chicago's Lineman of the Year after the 2002 and 2003 seasons. He was named Second Team All-Arena in 2002 and First Team last season.

MOLDEN NAMED TO ALL-ROOKIE TEAM: WR/LB Etu Molden was named to the AFL's All-Rookie team, the Arena Football League announced Tuesday. Molden, one of the league's leading candidates for Rookie of the Year honors, was Chicago's leading receiver, catching 101 passes for 1,280 yards and scoring 32 touchdowns. Molden led all rookies in receptions and receiving yards, and finished the season ranked eighth in the AFL in receptions, receiving yards and scoring (198 points). Molden also contributed on defense, recording 25.5 tackles and two interceptions.

RECORD-SETTING GROUND GAME: As a team the Rush gained a franchise-record 518 yards and scored an AFL record 49 touchdowns on the ground this season. Bob McMillen led the Rush attack with 285 yards and 22 touchdowns, while Jamie McGourty rushed for 99 yards and five TDs. Quarterback Raymond Philyaw added a running threat at QB, scoring a career-high 11 touchdowns on the ground.

MOYER IN 9TH PLACE ALL-TIME: John Moyer finished the season with a career-high 10 sacks. He ranks ninth in AFL history with 28 career sacks, needing just two more to pass Joe March for eighth place. As a team the Rush set a team record with 23 sacks this season.

Here are Chicago's season and career sack leaders:
Player Season Player Career
John Moyer 10.0 (2004) John Moyer 22.0
John Moyer 9.0 (2003) 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 led the AFL with 10 sacks, while Baron finished the season with three. In addition, Baron finished the year with five forced fumbles and the pair combined to block six PAT attempts (three each). Three of the blocks were scooped up by the Rush and returned for two points. Moyer also blocked a field goal attempt 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 turned the ball over 13 times. The Rush tied with Los Angeles for the AFL lead in turnover margin with a +15 differential and ranked second behind LA in the AFL in fewest turnovers.

GISPERT NEARLY PERFECT IN MAY: Rush kicker Keith Gispert enjoyed kicking during the month of May. In the team's five games during May, Gispert converted 32 of 34 extra point attempts – including 27 in a row – and five of his eight field goal attempts. Dating back to April 25, Gispert converted 37 of his last 39 extra point attempts.

SPECIAL SPECIAL TEAMS: The Rush special teams enjoyed a solid season, blocking nine kicks during the regular season – seven extra-point attempts and two field goal attempts. Rush lineman John Moyer blocked four (three PAT and one FG); James Baron blocked three (all PAT); Frank Moore blocked one field goal and Colin Greczek blocked a PAT. Three of the seven blocked extra points were scooped up by the Rush and returned for two points.

Also, the Rush returned five kickoffs for touchdowns this season. In 2003 the Rush tied for the league lead, returning seven kickoffs for touchdowns.

PROTECT THAT QB: In addition to putting pressure on opposing QBs, Chicago's line only gave up five sacks all 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 LOOKING FOR THIRD PLACE ALL-TIME: Rush head coach Mike Hohensee needs just three more wins to become the third-winningest coach in AFL history. Earlier this season, 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 79-69 (including a
35-25 mark with the Rush).
- has a career 5-7 mark in the postseason.
- has led the Rush to four-consecutive playoff berths and two Central Division titles (2002 and 2004).
- is 5-7 all-time vs. Orlando, 3-2 as head coach of the Rush.

All-Time Winningest AFL Coaches
Including Postseason
Coach Team Wins This Week
Tim Marcum Tampa Bay 167 at San Jose
Danny White Arizona 134 vs. Los Angeles
Perry Moss 86
Mike Hohensee Rush 84 vs. Orlando
Michael Trigg Philadelphia 78
John Gregory 73

IRONMAN BARON: This week's game will mark the 130th consecutive game in Rush Lineman James Baron's career. Baron has never missed a game in his eight-year AFL career, playing in 116 regular season and 13 postseason games during the past eight seasons.

TARVER, LEVERSON RELEASED: Wednesday the Rush released WR/DBs Hurley Tarver and Luke Leverson. Tarver played in 11 games, recording 18.0 tackles and three passes broken up. He also added four receptions for 34 yards. Leverson, originally signed May 16, did not appear in a game for the Rush this season.

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, 5/23 vs. Indiana)
Etu Molden (4/4 @ Las Vegas, 4/11 vs. Tampa Bay)
Chad Salisbury (5/2 @ Detroit)
Keith Gispert (5/16 vs. Dallas)

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, 5/16 vs. Dallas, 5/23 vs. Indiana)
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, 5/16 vs. Dallas)
Kareem Larrimore (2/29 @ Indiana)
Bob McMillen (3/21 vs. Orlando, 4/11 vs. Tampa Bay, 5/8 @ Grand Rapids)
Etu Molden (5/23 vs. Indiana)

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, 5/16 vs. Dallas)
Bob McMillen (3/21 vs. Orlando)

U.S. Army Ironman of the Week:
Etu Molden (5/23 vs. Indiana)

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)

Rookie of the Month:
Etu Molden (April)

TALE OF THE TAPE:
Chicago Category Orlando
16 Games 16
52.9 (5) Scoring Offense 48.6 (12)
45.4 (3) Scoring Defense 43.1 (1)
247.3 (18) Total Offense 258.1 (13)
252.1 (3) Total Defense 233.9 (1)
72-83, 86.7% Red Zone Offense 51-69, 73.9%
52-66, 78.8% Red Zone Defense 48-67, 71.6%
214.9 (18) Pass Offense 223.1 (16)
226.4 (3) Pass Defense 218.1 (2)
32.4 (3) Rushing Offense 35.0 (2)
25.8 (15) Rushing Defense 15.8 (4)
847 (5) Scoring 777 (12)
131 (T-4) Scoring (Kicking) 143 (2)
92-1,720-5 Kickoff Returns 84-1,339-3
18.7 Kick Return Average 15.9
97-1,795-5 Combined Returns 90-1,400-3
18.5 Combined Return Average 15.6
+15 (1) Turnover Margin +4 (T-9)
12-22, 54.5% Field Goals 20-27, 74.1%
95-108, 88.0% PAT Kicking 83-91, 91.2%
23-133 Sacks By 35-185
6-53 Sacks Against 21-90
53-92, 57.6% Third Down Conversion 42-94, 44.7%
9-19, 56.3% Fourth Down Conversion 9-25, 36.0%
153-940 Penalties (#-Yards) 128-727
136-819 Opp. Penalties (#-Yards) 110-656

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

Raymond Philyaw: average gain (7th—7.85 yards), passer rating (7th—116.8), completion percentage (8th—63.5), interceptions thrown (1st—4), rushing touchdowns (9th—11), fourth-quarter passing (4th —121.3), third-and-one rushing (T-1st—4-4)

Lindsay Fleshman: interceptions (T-18th—3), interception returns for touchdown (T-3rd—1)

Keith Gispert: field goal percentage (min. 15 att.) (4th—54.5, 12-22), scoring (kickers) (T-4th—131 points), touchbacks on kickoffs (5th —33)

Bob McMillen: rushing yards (2nd—285), rushing attempts (2nd—79), rushing touchdowns (1st—22)

John Moyer: sacks (1st—10.0)

Etu Molden: receptions (8th — 101), receiving yards (8th —1,280), yards from scrimmage (8th—1,302), scoring-non-kickers (8th—198), first downs (7th—78), third down receiving (T-6th—17 rec.)

James Baron: sacks (T-18th—3.0), forced fumbles (T-3rd – 4)

Jamie McGourty: sacks (T-18th—3.0), third-and-one rushing (T-1st—5-5)

Corey Sawyer: passes defended (T-13th – 14)

Jeremy McDaniel: third down receiving (T-11th—15 rec.)

*Hamin Milligan: passes defended (T-10th—16), interceptions (T-8th—4)
*including stats from Arizona

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 2, 2004


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