Chicago Rush game notes
January 31, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
The Quick Facts
TV: FSN ... Dan McLaughlin, Gary Reasons, Brent Stover
Radio: WCKG, 105.9 FM ... Tom Dore, James "Big Cat" Williams,
Overall Series Record: Chicago leads 3-2 (3-1 regular season, 0-1 postseason)
Last Meeting: April 2, 2005, Rush 44, Dragons 43
Coaches (regular season, postseason records):
Mike Hohensee (88-77, 7-9 - 13th season)
Weylan Harding (10-6, 0-1 - 2nd season)
Officials: Pat Garvey (Referee), Paul King (Umpire), Mike McCabe (Head Linesman), Wayne Mackie (Line Judge), Keith Washington (Back Judge)
2006 Chicago Rush Schedule
January 29 @ Colorado* L, 65-56 14,832
February 3 New York 7:30 p.m. FSN
February 12 Nashville* 2 p.m.
February 18 @ Los Angeles 9:30 p.m.
February 26 San Jose Noon
March 5 Dallas 11 a.m.
March 10 Colorado* 7:30 p.m.
March 17 @ Nashville* 7 p.m.
March 26 Grand Rapids* 2 p.m.
April 2 @ Orlando 11 a.m.
April 9 @ Philadelphia Noon
April 15 @ Arizona 9 p.m.
April 23 Las Vegas 3 p.m.
April 29 @ Georgia 6 p.m.
May 6 Utah 7 p.m.
May 13 @ Grand Rapids* 6:30 p.m.
* Central Division game
American Conference - Central Division
2006 Standings
W-L-T PF PA Division
Colorado 1-0-0 65 56 1-0
Nashville 1-0-0 57 28 0-0
RUSH 0-1-0 56 65 0-1
Grand Rapids 0-1-0 30 53 0-0
WELCOME HOME: After falling to the ArenaBowl champion Crush 65-56 last week in Colorado, the Rush returns home to Allstate Arena to host the New York Dragons Friday night. New York enters the game also in search of its first win of the season, having lost 57-28 to Nashville last week in New York.
RUSH-DRAGONS HISTORY: Chicago holds a 3-2 series lead over New York, having won three of the four regular season games against the Dragons, including last season's 44-43 win in New York. Chicago-New York games always seem to be close, with each of the last four meetings being decided by three points or less.
Last season, the Rush held on for a thrilling one-point victory in New York in a game that turned Chicago's season around. Leading 44-43 with less than one minute to play, the Rush turned the ball over on downs at the Dragons' 12-yard line. The Chicago defense, however, rose to the occasion, forcing New York quarterback Aaron Garcia into four-consecutive incomplete passes - the last three of which were knocked away by Rush DB Charles Pauley - and the Rush held on for a one point victory. Rush QB Raymond Philyaw completed 21 of 32 passes for 248 yards and four touchdowns in the win, including 11 completions and two touchdowns to offensive specialist Henry Douglas. The win was the first of three in a row for Chicago, which helped thrust the team back into the Central Division race.
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)
2005: Rush 44, Dragons 43 (April 2 @ New York)
*AFL playoffs
HEARTBREAK AGAIN IN COLORADO: Crush QB John Dutton hit OS Damian Harrell in the front corner of the end zone with one second remaining in the game, giving Colorado a 63-56 lead and an eventual 65-56 victory over the Rush Sunday at Pepsi Center.
It was the second-consecutive time the Crush pulled out a last-second victory over the Rush. Last June, the Crush defeated Chicago 49-43 in overtime in the American Conference Final to advance to ArenaBowl XIX.
Down 56-42 with six minutes to play, Rush QB Matt D'Orazio hit WR/LB Etu Molden for a five-yard touchdown to bring the Rush within eight, 56-48. Then, after a Russell Shaw interception gave Chicago the ball back on its 1-yard line, D'Orazio led the team on a 49-yard drive punctuated with his own 1-yard TD run. After C.J. Johnson caught the conversion pass, the Rush had tied the score at 56-56 with 47 seconds remaining.
However, 47 seconds was two seconds too much as Dutton marched his team right back down the field for the game winning score.
On the final play, Rush return man Russell Shaw was tackled in the end zone for a safety, giving Colorado its final margin of victory.
HOME OPENERS: The Rush is 4-1 in its five home openers, losing only to Orlando in 2003. After opening last season with a 66-65 overtime loss at Dallas, the Rush returned home to knock off Philadelphia 51-41.
RUSH VS. EAST: The Rush has fared well in its history against Eastern Division teams, posting a 10-4 record in its 14 regular season games vs. the East. Last year the Rush was 2-2 vs. the East, with wins over New York and Philadelphia.
IN GOOD COMPANY: Since entering the league in 2001, the Rush has been one of the most consistent teams in the league, making the playoffs in each of its five seasons and advancing to the AFL semifinals three times. In fact, over the past five seasons, only four teams have won more regular season games than Chicago.
Here are the AFL's best records since 2001:
San Jose 55-22
Arizona 47-30
Orlando 47-30
Tampa Bay 47-30
Chicago 44-33
Los Angeles 44-33
WHO CAN KICK?: The Rush lost kicker Keith Gispert to a pulled abductor muscle during pregame warmups Sunday in Colorado, forcing head coach Mike Hohensee to walk into the locker room looking for volunteers to kick. After an on-field tryout 90 minutes before kickoff, the Rush decided to use backup quarterback Michael Bishop and defensive specialist Todd Howard to handle kickoffs during the game. The Rush also tried using Howard as its kicker on extra point attempts but after two early attempts failed, decided to go for the two-point conversion after its TDs the rest of the game.
In case Gispert is out for an extended time, the Rush will look to add a kicker to its roster before the end of the week.
TURNOVERS TELL THE STORY: In 2004, the Rush tied Los Angeles for the AFL lead in turnover margin (+15) en route to an 11-5 record and a Central Division title. Last year, however, the Rush fell to 9-7 in part because of a -6 turnover ratio. Only Grand Rapids and Columbus, who combined to win just six games in 2005, had worse turnover margins than the Rush.
NEW MAN UNDER CENTER: In his first start in a Rush uniform, QB Matt D'Orazio connected on 22 of 32 passes for 265 yards and five touchdowns Sunday at Colorado. He also ran the ball 10 times for 19 yards and three TDs.
But it might have been his composure that was most impressive. D'Orazio converted four-of-four fourth-down plays and led the Rush back from a 56-42 fourth quarter deficit to tie the game at 56-56 with just 47 seconds remaining.
D'Orazio vs. New York: As the Columbus QB last year, D'Orazio started one game vs. New York, a 56-44 road loss May 7. Here is D'Orazio's stat line from the game:
Comp Att Pct. Yds. TD Int Rating
14 23 60.9% 219 3 0 125.1
Brief D'Orazio Bio - Prior to 2006 he spent four seasons in the AFL with Milwaukee, Buffalo and Columbus, but only played in 16 career games, with 13 of them coming last season. Entering the year he had connected on 206 of 326 passes for 2,308 yards, 40 touchdowns and seven interceptions and had carried the ball 49 times for 178 yards and seven touchdowns.
McMILLEN NAMED ONE OF AFL'S TOP 20: As part of the league's celebration of its 20th season, Rush FB/LB Bob McMillen was named one of the AFL's 20 Greatest Players of all-time. McMillen rushed for 178 yards last year, giving him 1,328 for his career. He is the only player in AFL history to rush for 100 or more yards in seven-consecutive seasons and currently sits in second place all-time on the league's career rushing list. Les Barley is the AFL's all-time leading rusher with 1,382 career yards.
Last week, McMillen carried the ball five times for 22 yards, bringing his career total to 1,350 yards, just 32 shy of the AFL record.
The AFL's All-Time Rushing list
Player Seasons Team Yards
Les Barley 1992-2001 - 1,382
Bob McMillen 1995-present Chicago 1,350
Bo Kelly 1996-present Arizona 1,249
Andre Bowden 1991-2004 - 1,241
McMILLEN THIRD IN RUSHING TDs: Bob McMillen finished the 2005 season with nine rushing touchdowns - the second highest single-season total of his career. McMillen has 74 career rushing touchdowns, ranking him in third place all-time behind Barry Wagner (125) and Andre Bowden (93).
PAIR OF JACKS: With the combination of Etu Molden and Cornelius White, the Rush might have the best pair of "Jack" linebackers in the AFL. Both Molden and White were named to the AFL's All-Ironman team last season and both played a big role in the team's season opener in Colorado.
Molden again was the team's leading receiver, catching seven passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns, while White caught two TD passes of his own and recorded two tackles and a pass broken up.
MOLDEN BREAKS CHATMAN RECORDS: Rush WR/LB Etu Molden caught seven passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns Sunday in Colorado, moving him past former offensive specialist Antonio Chatman for franchise records for career receptions and total touchdowns. Molden needs just 161 yards and three receiving touchdowns to break Chatman's records for receiving yards and receiving TDs as well.
Molden led the Rush in all receiving categories in both 2004 and 2005, catching 96 passes for 1,158 yards and 25 touchdowns last year. Overall, Molden scored 30 TDs in 2005 (25 receiving, 4 rushing, 1 return).
Career Numbers Chatman Molden
Games 30 32
Receptions 197 204
Yards 2,676 2,516
Receiving TDs 52 50
Total TDs 62 64
JOHN MOYER 8TH ALL-TIME IN SACKS: Rush lineman John Moyer recorded six sacks in 2005, giving him 34 for his career - including 29 as a member of the Rush. Moyer enters the 2006 season in eighth place on the AFL's all-time list for career sacks.
In fact, in the four years Moyer has been with Chicago no player has recorded more sacks than the Rush star.
Here is a look at the AFL's leaders in sacks since 2002:
1. John Moyer - 29
2. EJ Burt - 24
3. B.J. Cohen - 23
4. Tom Briggs - 21
5. Silas Demary - 20.5
6. Jermaine Smith - 19.5
Here are Chicago's season and career sack leaders:
Player Season Player Career
John Moyer 10.0 (2004) John Moyer 29.0
John Moyer 9.0 (2003) James Baron 10.0
John Moyer 6.0 (2005) Anthony Hutch 6.5
Anthony Hutch 5.5 (2001) Jamie McGourty 5.5
John Moyer 4.0 (2002) Riley Kleinhesselink 5.0
James Baron 4.0 (2003) Tony Henderson 4.0
Tony Henderson 4.0 (2001)
James Baron 3.0 (2004)
James Baron 3.0 (2002)
Jamie McGourty 3.0 (2004)
MOYER NOT JUST A PASS RUSHER: Everyone knows that Moyer is one of the game's best pass rushers, recording 27.5 tackles and six sacks last year, but what makes Moyer special is his ability to excel on offense and special teams in addition to defense. One of the best pass protectors in the AFL, Moyer only has allowed one sack in the past two seasons. His footwork and hands have made him a dangerous receiver as well, catching eight passes for 34 yards and six touchdowns in 2005. On special teams, Moyer blocked four kicks last season, and nine dating back to the start of the 2004 season.
COLUMBUS CONNECTION: Three of the 11 new players on the Rush roster - QB Matt D'Orazio, OL/DL Curtis Eason and WR/LB Cornelius White - come to Chicago after spending last season as starters in Columbus. D'Orazio was the Destroyers' starting QB, Eason one of the team's starting linemen and White the top WR/LB.
White was named to the AFL's All-Ironman team after catching a career-high 91 passes for 1,135 yards and 22 touchdowns and recording 42 tackles - his most since the 2000 season.
PROTECT THAT QB: The Rush offensive line again was one of the best in the league in 2005, allowing only eight sacks all year - tied with New Orleans for fourth-fewest. Austin led the league, allowing only four sacks all season. Since the start of the 2004 season, the Rush has allowed 13 sacks. Ten AFL teams gave up 13 or more sacks in 2005 alone.
NO SOPHOMORE SLUMP: Offensive specialist C.J. Johnson has made the most of his playing opportunities at the end of the 2005 season. After only playing in one of the team's first 12 games, the rookie worked his way into the lineup in each of Chicago's final four regular season games. Johnson finished the year by catching 26 passes for 390 yards and nine touchdowns. He also has added a rushing touchdown and 17 kick returns for 285 yards and was named Offensive Player of the Game for his effort against Grand Rapids May 15 when he caught 9 passes for 175 yards and four touchdowns. In his playoff debut, Johnson was the team's leading receiver, catching 19 passes for 272 yards. He scored six TDs (five receiving, one rushing) and returned eight kicks for 164 yards.
Last week in Colorado, Johnson caught four passes for 41 yards.
HOHENSEE LOOKING TO TOP CENTURY MARK: Rush head coach Mike Hohensee is the third-winningest coach in AFL history. Beginning his 13th season, Hohensee is the only head coach in Chicago Rush history. He originally was hired on September 26, 2000. He
8 has a regular season record of 88-77 (including a
44-33 mark with the Rush).
8 has a career 7-9 mark in the postseason.
8 has led the Rush to five-consecutive playoff berths and two Central Division titles (2002 and 2004).
8 is 3-2 all-time vs. New York.
All-Time Winningest AFL Coaches
Including Postseason
Coach Team Wins This Week
Tim Marcum Tampa Bay 176 @Grand Rapids
Danny White Utah 142 vs Dallas.
Mike Hohensee Rush 95 vs. New York
Mike Dailey Colorado 89 @ Georgia
Perry Moss 86
Darren Arbet San Jose 82 @ Las Vegas
COWDREY JOINS STAFF: At the conclusion of the 2005 season, assistant coach Dave Witthun left the team to join Darren Arbet's staff in San Jose. Witthun was replaced by Bruce Cowdrey, who joined the team after spending six of the previous seven seasons as a head coach in Peoria (af2, UIFL and IFL), compiling a 66-35 career record and winning the IFL Gold Cup title in 2002 and the af2 ArenaCup title in 2002. Cowdrey is the team's FB/LBs coach and special teams coordinator.
LET'S WIN IN REGULATION: The Rush is 2-4 all-time in games decided in overtime, including 0-3 in 2005. The Rush lost in overtime to Dallas and New Orleans during the 2005 regular season and again in OT to Colorado in the playoffs.
CHICAGO CONNECTION: New York defensive specialist DaShane Dennis played for the Rush in 2004. Ironically, Dennis made his AFL debut February 14, 2004 at New York and was injured in the game. It was his only appearance in a Rush uniform that season.
2005 RUSH BY THE NUMBERS: Here is a breakdown of how the Rush fared in certain situations in 2005 (including postseason):
Site: Home 5-3 Road 5-5
Time: Day 9-4 Night 1-4
Opponents: vs. American Conf. 8-4
vs. Central 5-2 vs. West 3-2
vs. National Conf. 2-4
vs. East 2-2 vs. South 0-2
vs. 2005 playoff teams 5-3
BACK FOR MORE: The Rush begins the season with 16 players on its 24-man active roster or Injured Reserve that played with the team during the 2005 season. They are:
-QB Asad Abdul-Khaliq
-WR/LB DeJuan Alfonzo
-OL/DL DJ Bleisath
-FB/LB Charlie Cook
-OS Henry Douglas
-K Keith Gispert
-DS Todd Howard
-OS CJ Johnson
-DS Tony Lukins
FB/LB Bob McMillen
WR/LB Etu Molden
OL/DL Frank Moore
OL/DL John Moyer
WR/DB Russell Shaw
OL/DL John Sikora
WR/LB Carlos Wright
JOINING THE PARTY: Eleven new players have joined the squad for the 2006 season:
-QB Michael Bishop (with Grand Rapids in 2005)
-FB/LB Levelle Brown (Nashville)
-WR/DB Woody Dantzler (Rookie)
-QB Matt D'Orazio (Columbus)
-OL/DL Curtis Eason (Columbus)
-OL/DL Tango McCauley (Rookie)
-WR/DB Marcus Moore (Rookie)
-WR/DB Dennison Robinson (Grand Rapids)
-OL/DL Khreem Smith (Rookie, Memphis af2)
-OL/DL Joe Peters (Rookie, af2)
-WR/LB Cornelius White (Columbus)
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: The following 14 players were with the Rush at the conclusion of last season, but are not back for the 2006 season.
-OL/DL Colin Greczek - retired
-QB Todd Hammel - released
-DS Jeroid Johnson - released, signed with Orlando
-OL/DL Jon McCall - free agent, signed with Kansas City
-WR/LB Jeremy McDaniel - free agent, still unsigned
-FB/LB Jamie McGourty - retired
-WR/DB Charles Pauley - free agent, signed w/ San Jose
-QB Raymond Philyaw - currently unsigned
-OL/DL Scott Pospisil -Utah selection in expansion draft
-OL/DL Gladston Taylor - released, still unsigned
-OL/DL Johnathan Taylor - released, still unsigned
-OL/DL John Thomas - released, still unsigned
-WR/DB Greg Williams - released, still unsigned
-FB/LB Casey Urlacher - retired
TALE OF THE TAPE
Chicago Category New York
1 Games 1
56 (5) Scoring Offense 28 (18)
65 Scoring Defense 57
317 (3) Total Offense 241 (13)
295 (14) Total Defense 296 (15)
5-5 100% Red Zone Offense 4-7 57.1%
4-4 100% Red Zone Defense 3-5 60%
262 (7) Pass Offense 227 (14)
291 (17) Pass Defense 254 (10)
55 (1) Rushing Offense 14 (10)
4 (3) Rushing Defense 42(15)
56 (5) Scoring 28 (18)
0 (18) Scoring (Kicking) 4
7-105-0 Kickoff Returns 7-100-0
15.0 Kick Return Average 14.3
0 Missed Field Goal Returns 0
0 Missed FG Return Avg. 0
0 (7t) Turnover Margin -2 (15t)
0-0 Field Goals 0-0
0-1, 0% PAT Kicking 4-4, 100%
0 Sacks By 0
1-3 Sacks Against 7-43
4-8, 50% Third Down Conversion 4-9, 44.4%
4-4, 100% Fourth Down Conversion 1-3, 33.3%
1-5 Penalties (#-Yards) 5-22
4-11 Opp. Penalties (#-Yards) 6-36
BOLD - AFL Leader
INDIVIDUAL LEAGUE LEADERS: The following Rush players are among the 2006 AFL league leaders:
Matt D'Orazio: QB Rating (1st - 132.9 rating), scoring (2nd - 20 points), rushing yards (7th - 19 yards)
Henry Douglas: all-purpose yards (2nd - 201 yards)
Bob McMillen: rushing yards (5th-22 yards),
Tony Lukins: passes defended (T-2nd - 3)
INJURY REPORT: The following players appeared on this week's injury report to the AFL.
Out - Levelle Brown (right shoulder dislocation), Charlie Cook (sternum) Keith Gispert (groin strain) and Marcus Moore (groin).
Probable -DeJuan Alfonzo (Achilles tendonitis) Bob McMillen (bruised ribs)
RUSH PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
Practice for the week of January 30:
Monday, January 30 - Players Off
Tuesday, January 31- 12:20 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Wednesday, February 1 - 9:50 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, February 2 - 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Allstate Arena
All practices this week will be held at the team's Hoffman Estates practice facility, Poplar Creek Sports Centre, except Thursday's walk-thru which will be held at Allstate Arena.
AFL CAREER LEADERS
JOHN MOYER
Career Sacks
Player Team 2006 Career
Sam Hernandez SJ 0 59.0
Sylvester Bembery - - 43.0
Tom Briggs AUS 0 40.0
Robert Stewart - - 39.5
James Baron NASH 0 39.5
Joe Jacobs SJ 1.5 37.0
Andre Bowden - 36.0
John Moyer CHI 0 34.0
BOB McMILLEN
Career Rushing Yards
Player Team 2006 Career
Les Barley - - 1,382
Bob McMillen CHI 22 1,350
Bo Kelly ARZ -2 1,249
Andre Bowden - - 1,241
Chad Dukes PHL 3 1,126
Leroy Thompson CMB 25 1,024
Barry Wagner SJ 0 851
Major Harris - - 832
BOB McMILLEN
Career Rushing Touchdowns
Player Team 2006 Career
Barry Wagner SJ 0 125
Andre Bowden - - 93
Bob McMillen CHI 0 74
Les Barley - - 71
Bo Kelly ARZ 0 71
Chris Ryan PHL 0 66
Leroy Thompson CMB 0 65
Todd Hammel - - 64
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