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Chicago Rush game notes

March 30, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release


The Quick Facts
TV: FSN...Bob Wischusen, Jesse Palmer, Deb Kaufman
Radio: WCKG, 105.9 FM ... Tom Dore, James "Big Cat" Williams, Sharon Jackson
Overall Series Record: 2-2 (Rush leads 2-1 in regular season, NY leads 1-0 in postseason)
Last Meeting: February 14, 2004, Rush 56, New York 54
Coaches (regular season records):
Mike Hohensee (83-73 — 12th season)
Weylan Harding (6-2 — 1st season)
Officials: Dennis Lipski (Referee), Rick Nelson (Umpire), Rusty Baynes (Head Linesman), Darrel Leftwich (Line Judge), Rich Wilborn (Back Judge)

2005 Chicago Rush Schedule
January 30 @ Dallas L (OT), 65-66 11,229
February 6 Philadelphia W, 51-41 16,036
February 13 @ Colorado* W, 51-48 16,620
February 19 @ Columbus L, 39-52 17,171
February 25 Orlando L, 35-48 14,126
March 6 Nashville* W, 45-38 15,881
March 13 @ Grand Rapids* W, 48-45 8,110
March 20 New Orleans L (OT), 40-46 13,614
March 27 BYE
April 2 @ New York 6 p.m. FSN
April 10 San Jose Noon NBC
April 17 Colorado* Noon NBC
April 23 @ Los Angeles 9:30 p.m. FSN
May 1 Las Vegas Noon NBC
May 7 @ Arizona 9 p.m. FSN
May 15 Grand Rapids* Noon NBC
May 22 @ Nashville* 2 p.m. NBC

*Central Division Game ... All times Central


American Conference — Central Division
2005 Standings
W-L-T PF PA Division
Colorado 6-2-0 448 385 2-1
RUSH 4-4-0 374 384 3-0
Grand Rapids 1-6-0 405 514 0-2
Nashville 1-6-0 318 393 0-2


RUSH BACK AFTER A BREAK: After a week to rest, the Rush returns to action this Saturday night against the Eastern Division-leading New York Dragons. The Dragons, who at 6-2 are tied for the league's second-best record, enter the game on the heels of a 56-55 come-from-behind win at Columbus last week. In the win former Rush DS DaShane Dennis intercepted a Columbus pass with 30 seconds remaining to help seal the victory.

TOUGH PATH AHEAD: The second half of the season does not get off to an easy start for the Rush, as the team's next five games are against opponents (New York, San Jose, Colorado, Los Angeles and Las Vegas) with a 27-14 combined record. By contrast, the combined record of Chicago's first eight opponents this season is 31-37.

RUSH FALLS TO VOODOO'S SPELL: The Rush saw its two-game winning streak come to an end with a 46-40 overtime loss to the New Orleans VooDoo at Allstate Arena March 20. Trailing 33-28 at the half, the Rush defense shut out New Orleans in the third quarter, and Chicago took a 40-33 lead with 10:49 remaining in the game. However, the Rush did not score again and Andy Kelly led two touchdown drives – one to force overtime and one in OT to give the VooDoo the victory.

OT NOT KIND: The Rush has struggled in overtime in 2005, falling in both of its chances this year. The Rush lost the season opener in Dallas, 66-65, when Etu Molden's game-winning two-point conversion attempt fell one-yard short of the end zone. Against New Orleans, Rush QB Raymond Philyaw threw his only interception of the game on Chicago's first possession in OT, and VooDoo QB Andy Kelly capitalized, leading New Orleans on a 47-yard drive for the game-winning TD.

LIFE BEFORE AND AFTER A BYE: There is both good news and bad news for the Rush when it comes to a bye week during the season. The bad news is that the Rush is 0-3 in games preceding bye weeks. The good news, however, is the Rush is 2-1 in games after bye weeks. In 2001 the Rush opened its season with a bye week, before losing at Oklahoma in its first game of the season. In 2002 and 2004 the Rush lost its game immediately preceding its bye week only to respond with convincing victories after the week off.

Here is a look at how the Rush has fared before and after its bye weeks:

Year Before Bye After Bye
2001 No game L, 44-45 @ Oklahoma
2002 L, 41-51 vs. Indiana W, 60-47 vs. Dallas
2004 L, 47-53 @ Philadelphia W, 58-15 vs. Orlando
2005 L, 40-46 vs. New Orleans ?

RUSH-DRAGONS HISTORY: Chicago and New York have split four exciting games in the past three seasons, with three of the four being decided by three points or less.

Last season, the Rush and Dragons engaged in an old-fashioned AFL shootout, with each team scoring eight touchdowns. The difference in the game, however, occurred when Rush lineman James Baron blocked a NY extra point attempt with 3:09 remaining, giving the Rush a 49-48 lead. The Rush scored on its next possession, raising its lead to eight, 56-48. When the Dragons scored with 26 seconds to play, the eight-point deficit forced New York to attempt a two-point conversion, but Aaron Garcia's pass fell incomplete and Chicago held on for a 56-54 win.

Here is a look at the Rush-Dragons Series Results:
2002: Rush 55, Dragons 45 (June 30 @ Chicago)
2003: Dragons 54, Rush 51 (March 23 @ Chicago)
Dragons 48, Rush 45 (May 25 @ New York)*
2004: Rush 56, Dragons 54 (February 14 @ New York)
*AFL playoffs

BETTER AFTER THE BREAK?: The Rush reached the midpoint of its season with a 4-4 record. Here is a look at the team's record in the first and second halves of the past four 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 5-3 11-5
2005 4-4 ? ?

PHILYAW RETURNS IN LOSS TO VOODOO: Starting QB Raymond Philyaw returned to action March 20 against New Orleans after missing the previous two games with a sprained MCL in his right knee. Philyaw looked sharp, completing 23 of 32 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns, but his one mistake of the game – an interception in overtime – gave New Orleans the ball and, ultimately, the victory. In six games this season, Philyaw has completed 139 of 207 passes for 1,562 yards and 26 touchdowns. However, Philyaw has thrown six interceptions this season, two more than he threw in 15 games in 2004.

THE OLD MAN CAN STILL PLAY: Backup QB Todd Hammel has played in three games this season (including two starts), while filling in for an injured Raymond Philyaw. Hammel has shown that after 14 years he still can throw the ball, completing 46 of 63 passes for 647 yards and 12 touchdowns and posting a passer rating of 125.5. He is 2-0 as a starter this year and was named Offensive Player of the Game after completing 21 of 25 passes for 348 yards and six touchdowns and leading the Rush to a 48-45 win in Grand Rapids March 13.

COSTLY TURNOVERS: Last season the Rush was one of the best teams in the AFL at taking care of the ball. The Rush only turned the ball over 15 times all season, and finished the year tied for the lead in turnover margin (+15). This year, however, the Rush already has equaled its 2004 turnover amount, turning the ball over 15 times in the season's first eight. The Rush has forced just 11 turnovers, and ranks 13th in the AFL with a –4 turnover margin.

DOUGLAS RETURN ADDS SPARK: Offensive specialist Henry Douglas, who returned to the lineup March 13 after missing two games with a groin injury, has picked right up where he left off prior to his injury. In the two games since his return, Douglas has caught 12 passes for 165 yards and three touchdowns and returned 14 kicks for 285 yards and a touchdown. Despite missing two and a half games this year, Douglas still ranks fifth in the AFL in all-purpose yards with 1,233.

MOLDEN STREAKING: WR/LB Etu Molden played some of his best football during the month of March. In three games during the month, Molden caught 22 passes for 284 yards and five touchdowns. He also rushed for a TD, recorded 6.5 tackles and an interception. He was named U.S. Army Ironman of the Game in back-to-back weeks against Nashville March 6 and Grand Rapids March 13. Molden leads the team in receptions (56), and receiving yards (650) and has scored 18 touchdowns this season, ranking ninth in the AFL in scoring with 108 points.

CAREER YEAR ON BOTH SIDES FOR SHAW: Given an opportunity to play for the first time in his five-year AFL career, WR/DB Russell Shaw is making the most of his opportunity. Through eight games, Shaw already has set career-highs by catching 29 passes for 365 yards. In addition, Shaw has recorded career-highs on defense with 23.5 tackles, five passes broken up and two interceptions.

MCMILLEN AIMS FOR TOP SPOT ALL-TIME: Rush FB/LB Bob McMillen rushed for 10 yards vs. New Orleans, giving him 1,243 for his career and moving him into second place all-time, passing Andre Bowden (1,241). Les Barley is the AFL's all-time leading rusher with 1,382 career yards. If McMillen averages 17.5 yards per game over the season's final eight weeks, he will finish the season as the league's all-time leading rusher.

FB=MC2: Perhaps the deepest position on the Rush roster is FB/LB, with AFL veterans Bob McMillen and Jamie McGourty manning the duties.

- McMillen is the first player in AFL history to rush for 100 or more yards in six-consecutive seasons and just the fifth player in AFL history to rush for 1,000 career yards. He is playing in his 11th season in the AFL, ranking 2nd in AFL history in rushing yards (1,243) and 5th in rushing touchdowns (68). McMillen enjoyed the best year of his career in 2004, rushing for a career-high 285 yards and 22 TDs.

- McGourty is the last original member of the Rush. In his six-year career, McGourty has rushed for 463 yards and scored 40 touchdowns. McGourty also ranks fourth in Rush history in sacks, with 5.5.

HOWARD HITTIN' HARD: Rookie defensive specialist Todd Howard has played in three games since being activated from injured reserve March 4. Howard has been the team's leading tackler over those three games, recording 21 tackles, one interception and five passes broken up. He has been named ADT Defensive Player of the Game twice – March 6 against Nashville and March 13 at Grand Rapids.

KICKIN' KEITH: Rush kicker Keith Gispert continues to be one of the AFL's most consistent kickers. Through the season's midpoint, Gispert has connected on 41 of 46 extra point attempts, including 23 of his last 24, and seven of 10 field goal attempts. Last season Gispert connected on 95 of 108 PAT attempts and 12 of 22 field goal attempts.

BLOCK THAT KICK: March 6 against Nashville, lineman John Moyer blocked his second kick of the season, and seventh since the start of the 2004 season – a Gary Kral extra-point attempt on the final play of the first half. In the season opener against Dallas, Moyer blocked a Carlos Martinez 22-yard field goal attempt – also on the final play of the first half. In 2004 the Rush special teams blocked nine kicks – two field goals and seven extra points.

300-YARD PASSERS: VooDoo quarterback Andy Kelly passed for 311 yards against the Rush defense on March 20 – marking the second time this season a quarterback has passed for more than 300 yards against the Rush.

Dragons' QB Aaron Garcia is one of four other men who have passed for more than 300 yards against the Rush, accomplishing the feat in both 2002 and 2003.

Rush opponent's 300-yard passing games:
Player Date Yards
Clint Stoerner 1/30/05 @ Dallas 398
Clint Dolezel 7/7/01 @ Grand Rapids 342
Aaron Garcia 3/23/03 vs. New York 339
Clint Dolezel 5/4/02 vs. Grand Rapids 321
Clint Dolezel 3/29/03 @ Grand Rapids 317
Andy Kelly 3/20/05 vs. New Orleans 311
Andy Kelly 3/28/04 vs. Detroit 306
Donnie Davis 5/18/02 vs. Georgia 304
Aaron Garcia 6/30/02 vs. New York 303

HOHENSEE NOW IN 3RD PLACE ALL-TIME: With Chicago's 51-48 win in Colorado February 13, Rush head coach Mike Hohensee moved into sole possession of third place on the AFL's all-time wins list. Hohensee, in his 12th 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 83-73 (including a
39-29 mark with the Rush).

- has a career 6-8 mark in the postseason.

- has led the Rush to four-consecutive playoff berths and two Central Division titles (2002 and 2004).

- is 2-2 vs. the Dragons

All-Time Winningest AFL Coaches
Including Postseason
Coach Team Wins This Week
Tim Marcum Tampa Bay 171
Danny White 141
Mike Hohensee Rush 89 @ New York
Perry Moss 86
Mike Dailey Colorado 81 vs. Las Vegas
Michael Trigg 80

MOYER 8TH ALL-TIME: Rush lineman John Moyer recorded his third sack of the season February 25 against Orlando. The sack was Moyer's 31st of his career and 26th as a member of the Rush. This season Moyer has moved past Joe March into eighth place all-time. Next up for Moyer is San Jose's Joe Jacobs with 32.5 career sacks. Moyer holds both the Rush season and career records for sacks.

Here are Chicago's season and career sack leaders:
Player Season Player Career
John Moyer 10.0 (2004) John Moyer 26.0
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
John Moyer 3.0 (2005)
James Baron 3.0 (2004)
James Baron 3.0 (2002)
Jamie McGourty 3.0 (2004)

THE OLD GUYS: In addition to the six rookies on the Rush roster, team also features many players with a wealth of AFL experience. Todd Hammel leads all Rush players with 149 career games, followed by Bob McMillen (119), John Moyer (88), John Sikora (84) and Frank Moore (83).

FAMILIAR FACES: The New York roster features several players familiar to Chicago Rush fans.

- OL/DL Chad Pegues was signed by the Rush in October 2004 to replace James Baron who was traded to Nashville. Pegues played in two games this season and recorded 1.5 tackles before being released February 17.

- OL/DL John Thomas was a rookie with the Rush in 2004, playing in nine games and recording 4.0 tackles and one sack. He was a free agent after the 2004 season and chose to sign with New York.

- Defensive specialist DaShane Dennis began the 2004 season on Chicago's practice squad. He was promoted to the team's 24-man roster and made his AFL debut February 14 at New York, but sprained his knee in the game. He was on injured reserve from February 19 through March 31 before being activated and released.

TAYLOR SIGNED, McCALL ON IR: Tuesday the Rush promoted lineman Gladston Taylor from its practice squad, signing him to the team's 24-man active roster. To make room for Taylor, the Rush placed OL/DL Jon McCall on injured reserve. Taylor played in three games for the Austin Wranglers in 2004, recording 4.0 tackles. He attended training camp with the Rush this season and has spent the entire year on Chicago's practice squad.

INJURY REPORT: The following players appeared on this week's injury report to the AFL.
Out – Tony Lukins (ankle), Carlos Wright (quad), Johnathan Taylor (elbow), Jon McCall (finger)
Questionable – Jamie McGourty (toe)
Probable – Jeroid Johnson (hip)


TALE OF THE TAPE:
Chicago Category New York
8 Games 8
46.8 (13) Scoring Offense 54.0 (6)
48.0 (6) Scoring Defense 48.6 (9)
298.3 (5) Total Offense 261.0 (16)
296.1 (11) Total Defense 305.6 (13)
33-41, 80.5% Red Zone Offense 25-37, 67.6%
28-35, 80.0% Red Zone Defense 38-50, 76.0%
273.1 (5) Pass Offense 247.1 (13)
268.6 (11) Pass Defense 282.4 (13)
25.1 (6) Rushing Offense 13.9 (13)
27.5 (13) Rushing Defense 23.3 (11)
374 (14) Scoring 432 (8)
62 (9) Scoring (Kicking) 60 (11)
47-817-2 Kickoff Returns 41-859-6
17.4 Kick Return Average 21.0
5-60-0 Missed Field Goal Returns 4-125-1
12.0 Missed FG Return Avg. 31.2
-4, (13) Turnover Margin +11, (1)
7-10, 70.0% Field Goals 3-10, 30.0%
41-46, 89.1% PAT Kicking 51-61, 83.6%
5-22 yards Sacks By 4-23 yards
4-24 Sacks Against 12-74
24-46, 52.2% Third Down Conversion 19-38, 50.0%
4-10, 40.0% Fourth Down Conversion 1-7, 14.3%
70-420 Penalties (#-Yards) 82-462
63-431 Opp. Penalties (#-Yards) 75-546
BOLD – AFL Leader

INDIVIDUAL LEAGUE LEADERS: The following Rush players are among the 2005 AFL league leaders:

Henry Douglas: kickoff returns (4th—29), kickoff return yards (3rd—631), all-purpose yards (6th—1,233)

Keith Gispert: scoring (kicking) (8th—62 points), field goals made (T-4th—7), field goal percentage (2nd—70.0), PAT percentage (10th—89.2), PAT attempts (10th—46)

Todd Hammel: passing yards per attempt (1st—10.3), passing yards per catch (2nd—14.1), pass completion percentage (1st—73.0), fourth quarter passing (5th—120.1)

Jeroid Johnson: passes defended (T-8th—9), tackles (12th—44.5)

Jamie McGourty: fumbles recovered (T-7th—2)

Bob McMillen: rushing attempts (T-7th—30), rushing yards (7th—93)

Etu Molden: scoring (T-9th —108 points), touchdowns (T-9th—18), receptions (T-9th—56), interceptions (T-9th—2), first downs (T-6th—40)

John Moyer: sacks (T-7th –3.0), tackles for loss (T-5th—5.0), fumbles forced (T-4th—2)

Raymond Philyaw: completion percentage (4th—67.1)

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

Offensive Player of the Game:
Raymond Philyaw (2/6 vs. Philadelphia)
Henry Douglas (2/13 @ Colorado)
Etu Molden (3/6 vs. Nashville)
Todd Hammel (3/13 @ Grand Rapids)

ADT Defensive Player of the Game:
Russell Shaw (2/6 vs. Philadelphia)
Todd Howard (3/6 vs. Nashville, 3/13 @ Grand Rapids)
Jeroid Johnson (3/20 vs. New Orleans)

U.S. Army Ironman of the Game:
Henry Douglas (1/30 @ Dallas)
John Moyer (2/6 vs. Philadelphia)
Etu Molden (3/6 vs. Nashville, 3/13 @ Grand Rapids)
Bob McMillen (3/20 vs. New Orleans)

RUSH PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
Practice for the week of March 14:
Monday, March 28 – 12:35 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Tuesday, March 29 – 8:35 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
Wednesday, March 30 – 8:35 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
Thursday, March 31 – 8:35 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
Friday, April 1 – 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. in NY

All practices this week will be held at the team's Hoffman Estates practice facility, Poplar Creek Sports Centre.

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