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Chicago Rush game notes

June 9, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release


The Quick Facts
TV: NBC...Bob Papa, Ray Bentley, Marty Snider
Radio: ESPN 1000...Tom Dore, John Jurkovic
Overall Series Record: San Jose leads 3-0
Last Meeting: April 16, 2004 – San Jose 51, Rush 43
Coaches (regular season, postseason records):
Mike Hohensee (79-69, 6-7 — 11th season)
Darren Arbet (64-24, 7-3 — 6th season)
Officials: Steve Pamon (Referee), Paul King (Umpire), Tim Podraza (Head Linesman), Kent Payne (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* 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 W 59-49 13,171
June 12 y-@ San Jose 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 ADVANCES TO AFL SEMIFINALS: The third-seeded Rush advanced to the AFL semifinals for the second time in its four-year history with a 59-49 victory over the sixth-seeded Orlando Predators Sunday at Allstate Arena. QB Raymond Philyaw completed 20 of 26 passes for 203 yards and four touchdowns, and FB/LB Bob McMillen added two rushing touchdowns and an interception to help key the victory. The Rush defense pressured Orlando QB Joe Hamilton all afternoon, recording four sacks and two interceptions in the win.

With the victory the Rush travels to San Jose to play the second-seeded SaberCats in the semifinals Saturday afternoon. The top-seeded Arizona Rattlers will host the fifth-seeded Colorado Crush in the AFL's other semifinal.

The ArenaBowl will be held Sunday, June 27, at the home field of the highest remaining seed.

Semifinals Schedule:
(3) Chicago at (2) San Jose, Saturday, June 12
(5) Colorado at (1) Arizona, Sunday, June 13

Quarterfinals Results:
(1) Arizona 59, (8) Los Angeles 42
(2) San Jose 56, (7) Tampa Bay 52
(3) Chicago 59, (6) Orlando 49
(5) Colorado 47, (4) New Orleans 44

RUSH LOOKS FOR FIRST WIN VS. SAN JOSE: The Rush is seeking its first-ever victory over the SaberCats, after losing to San Jose in each of the last three seasons. Interceptions have been the key to all three of Chicago's regular season losses, including earlier this season. When the two teams met in April, it looked like the Rush would finally get a win over the SaberCats, but with less than five minutes remaining and the Rush leading 43-37, San Jose mounted its comeback. Chicago was driving for another score when San Jose DS Omarr Smith intercepted a Raymond Philyaw pass. San Jose capitalized, marching down the field and scoring a TD to take a 44-43 lead with one minute remaining. The SaberCats then recovered the ensuing on-side kick and scored two plays later, giving the SaberCats a 51-43 victory.

Two years ago in San Jose, it also was Smith who intercepted a Billy Dicken pass at the San Jose 16-yard line with less than 1:30 to play and the Rush trailing 67-62. 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.

In 2003 at Allstate Arena, 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, and cruised to a 71-49 win.

RUSH ALSO IN SEMIFINALS IN 2002: This year's trip to the semifinals is the second in team history, with the first coming in 2002. Two seasons ago the Rush went 9-5 during the regular season, won the Central Division and defeated Dallas in the quarterfinals to advance to the AFL semifinals. Unfortunately, Chicago's drive to the ArenaBowl ended in the Arizona desert as the second-seeded Rattlers defeated the third-seeded Rush 46-35 to advance to the championship. Only five players who played in that game remain on the Rush roster – James Baron, Lindsay Fleshman, Anthony Ladd, Jamie McGourty and John Moyer.

NUMBER THREE SEED: The number three seed now has a 16-13 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.

NUMBER TWO VS. NUMBER THREE: During the AFL playoffs, the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds have met seven times since 1992. The third seed has won twice (1993, 1994), while the second seed has won five times (1992, 1996, 2001, 2002 and 2003). Before 1992 only four teams made the playoffs, so the second and third seeds met each year in the semifinals.

#2 vs. #3 Results (since 1992):
Year Teams Score
1992 #2 Detroit vs. #3 Dallas 57-14
1993 #3 Tampa Bay at #2 Orlando 55-52
1994 #3 Arizona at #2 Albany 40-33
1996 #2 Tampa Bay vs. #3 Arizona 55-54
2001 #2 Nashville at #3 San Jose 71-47
2002 #2 Arizona vs. #3 Chicago 46-35
2003 #2 Tampa Bay vs. #3 Orlando 60-50

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 LINEMAN OF THE YEAR: Rush lineman John Moyer was named AFL Lineman of the Year, the AFL announced Tuesday. Moyer, named to the AFL's First Team All-Arena and All-Ironman teams last week, led the AFL with 10 sacks and also recorded a career-high 31 tackles, blocked four kicks, recovered three fumbles and intercepted a pass. With his 10 sacks this season, Moyer increased his career total to 28, moving him into ninth place on the AFL's all-time sack list. The six-year veteran was a finalist for the 2003 Lineman of the Year award and also was named First Team All-Arena in 2003 and Second Team All-Arena in 2002.

McMILLEN NAMED IRONMAN OF THE WEEK: Rush FB/LB Bob McMillen was named U.S. Army Ironman of the Week for his performance Sunday in Chicago's 59-49 AFL quarterfinal win over Orlando, the Arena Football League announced this week.

McMillen had an impact on both sides of the ball, rushing five times for 24 yards and two touchdowns; catching one pass for nine yards; recording 2.5 tackles; and intercepting a Joe Hamilton pass on Orlando's first possession of the game.

Last week, McMillen was named to the AFL's All-Ironman team. McMillen enjoyed the best season of his AFL career, finishing second in the AFL in rushing with a career-high 285 yards and leading the AFL in rushing touchdowns with a career-high 22. He 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. On defense, McMillen finished the year with 26 tackles and one sack.

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.

MOLDEN, GISPERT HONORED: Rush WR/LB Etu Molden and kicker Keith Gispert were named the Arena Football League's May Rookie of the Month and May Kicker of the Month, respectively. Molden, who also won the Rookie of the Month award for April, caught 34 passes for 430 yards and seven touchdowns during the month, helping the Rush to a 4-1 record in May. Molden also added three rushing touchdowns, a 57-yard kick return for a touchdown and recovered a fumble for a TD in the team's five May games.

Gispert enjoyed his best month as a professional in May, converting 32 of 34 extra-point attempts, including a string of 27 in a row, and five of nine field goal attempts. Gispert also helped the Rush offense get three extra possessions during the month, when three of his kickoffs bounced off the iron and were recovered by Chicago.

McGOURTY, ALFONZO PROVIDE SPARK: After missing time with injuries Rush FB/LB Jamie McGourty and WR/DB DeJuan Alfonzo returned to the lineup in a big way Sunday. McGourty, who missed the team's final regular season game in Colorado with a foot injury, recorded 5.5 tackles and a sack and was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game in the quarterfinal win over Orlando. McGourty also carried the ball four times for eight yards and a touchdown in the game.

Alfonzo returned to the lineup Sunday as well after missing the final three regular season games with a broken hand. Alfonzo recorded 1.5 tackles and a key fourth-quarter interception at the Orlando two-yard line that set up a Rush touchdown and increased Chicago's lead to 50-35 with just over 11 minutes to play in the game.

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. The Rush continued its ground attack in the quarterfinals against Orlando, rushing for 33 yards and three TDs.

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.
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.

IRONMAN BARON: This week's game will mark the 131st -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 14 postseason games during the past eight seasons.

HOHENSEE LOOKING FOR THIRD PLACE ALL-TIME: Rush head coach Mike Hohensee needs just two 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 6-7 mark in the postseason.
- has led the Rush to four-consecutive playoff berths and two Central Division titles (2002 and 2004).
- is 0-7 in his career vs. San Jose

All-Time Winningest AFL Coaches
Including Postseason
Coach Team Wins This Week
Tim Marcum Tampa Bay 167
Danny White Arizona 135 vs. Colorado
Perry Moss 86
Mike Hohensee Rush 85 at San Jose
Michael Trigg Philadelphia 78

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. Sunday against Orlando the Rush forced two turnovers, while only committing one.

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 nine field goal attempts. Gispert continued his success into the month of June, connecting on six of seven PAT attempts and all three of his field goal attempts in Chicago's quarterfinal win against Orlando. Dating back to April 25, Gispert has converted 43 of his last 46 extra point attempts and eight of 12 field goal 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.

RUSH GAME AWARD WINNERS: The following Rush players have won individual game awards 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)
Bob McMillen (6/6 vs. Orlando)

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)
Jamie McGourty (6/6 vs. Orlando)

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 and 6/6 vs. Orlando)
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)
Bob McMillen (6/6 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 (Feb.)
Rookie of the Month: Etu Molden (April, May)
Kicker of the Month: Keith Gispert (May)

INDIVIDUAL LEAGUE LEADERS: The following players finished the regular season among the 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

TALE OF THE TAPE (Using Regular Season Stats):
Chicago Category San Jose
16 Games 16
52.9 (5) Scoring Offense 55.3 (2)
45.4 (3) Scoring Defense 47.1 (7)
247.3 (18) Total Offense 275.9 (3)
252.1 (3) Total Defense 270.9 (14)
72-83, 86.7% Red Zone Offense 62-80, 77.5%
52-66, 78.8% Red Zone Defense 47-67, 70.1%
214.9 (18) Pass Offense 255.3 (5)
226.4 (3) Pass Defense 258.6 (18)
32.4 (3) Rushing Offense 20.6 (9)
25.8 (15) Rushing Defense 12.4 (1)
847 (5) Scoring 885 (2)
131 (T-4) Scoring (Kicking) 114 (13)
92-1,720-5 Kickoff Returns 80-1,650-4
18.7 Kick Return Average 20.6
97-1,795-5 Combined Returns 88-1,834-4
18.5 Combined Return Average 20.8
+15 (1) Turnover Margin +10 (5)
12-22, 54.5% Field Goals 7-15, 46.7%
95-108, 88.0% PAT Kicking 106-123, 86.2%
23-133 Sacks By 14-64
6-53 Sacks Against 22-130
53-92, 57.6% Third Down Conversion 39-80, 48.8%
9-19, 56.3% Fourth Down Conversion 14-24, 58.3%
153-940 Penalties (#-Yards) 130-839
136-819 Opp. Penalties (#-Yards) 102-600

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