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Chicago Rush game notes

February 8, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release


The Quick Facts
TV: Comcast Sports Net ...Dave Eanet, Dan Jiggetts
Radio: WCKG, 105.9 FM ... Tom Dore, James "Big Cat" Williams,
Overall Series Record: Chicago leads 2-0
Streaks: Chicago has won two in a row
Last Meeting: May 22, 2005, Rush 45, Kats 21
Coaches (regular season, postseason records):
Mike Hohensee (88-78, 7-9 - 13th season)
Pat Sperduto (35-24-1, 5-3 - 5th season)
Officials: Bill Athan (Referee), Matt Jordan (Umpire), Tim Podraza (Head Linesman), Tom Symonette (Line Judge), Greg Wilson (Back Judge)

2006 Chicago Rush Schedule
January 29 @ Colorado* L, 65-56 14,832
February 3 New York L, 51-47 14,947
February 12 Nashville* 2 p.m. Comcast
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 2-0-0 126 115 1-0
Nashville 2-0-0 110 75 0-0
RUSH 0-2-0 103 116 0-1
Grand Rapids 0-2-0 73 104 0-0

LOOKING FOR A WIN: The Rush enters this week's home game against the Nashville Kats looking for its first win of the season. The Rush dropped its home opener to the New York Dragons, 51-47, last Friday, falling to 0-2 on the year. It is only the second time in team history that the Rush has started a season 0-2. The only other time was in 2003, when the team opened 0-3, before finishing the season 8-8.

After finishing the 2005 season 6-9-1, the Nashville Kats enter this week's game undefeated with two dominating victories - a 57-28 win over New York in Week 1 and a 53-27 win vs. Columbus last week.

HEARTBREAK HITS ALLSTATE ARENA: After falling to the Colorado Crush with one second remaining in Week 1, the Rush didn't think it could get any worse. However, the Rush suffered another heartbreak defeat in Week 2, losing to the New York Dragons on the game's final play. Trailing 44-33 with 6:42 remaining, the Rush battled back to take a 47-44 lead. With 48 seconds left, NY QB Aaron Garcia hit Mike Horacek with a 13-yard TD pass to regain the lead 51-47. Rush QB Matt D'Orazio led the Rush down to the Dragons 1-yard line with nine seconds remaining. On the game's final play, D'Orazio scrambled left and dove into the end zone as time expired for the apparent game-winning touchdown. However, the officials ruled that the Rush had committed a block in the back on the play, wiping out the TD and giving NY the win.

RUSH SWEEPS KATS IN 2005: The Rush swept the season series from the expansion Nashville Kats in 2005, winning 45-38 at Allstate Arena in March and 45-21 in Nashville in the regular season finale May 22.

Here is a recap of the two games:
March 6, 2005 - QB Todd Hammel started for the Rush for an ailing Raymond Philyaw and completed 20 of 31 passes for 223 yards and five touchdowns as the Rush snapped a two-game losing streak with a 45-38 win. The Rush defense stepped up to force two turnovers and record four defensive stops as Chicago built a 21-point fourth quarter lead before hanging on for the victory.

May 22, 2005 - The Rush defense was dominant, forcing eight stops and holding Nashville to just seven points in the game's final 43 minutes, as Chicago ended its two game losing streak by knocking off the Kats 45-21 in Nashville. Rush DS Tony Lukins led all players with eight tackles, and the Rush defense batted down eight passes in the win.

STREAK BREAKERS?: The Rush suffered through two two-game losing streaks in 2005, but snapped both streaks with wins over Nashville. In its history the Rush has only had two losing streaks of three games or more - a three game losing streak to open the 2003 season and a four game losing streak in 2001.
LAST PLAY BLUES: Dating back to the American Conference final in Colorado last season, the Rush has lost three games in a row on the final play. In two of those three games, the Rush actually scored the winning touchdown before having the play wiped away due to a penalty. Last June in Colorado, Rush FB Bob McMillen scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime only to have it nullified by an offsides penalty. The Rush lost on the next possession when Colorado QB John Dutton connected with Andy McCullough for the winning score.

In Week 1 of the 2006 season, the Rush and Crush were tied at 56-56 and appeared headed for OT again when Colorado scored the game-winning touchdown with just one second remaining.

Last week against New York, Rush QB Matt D'Orazio scrambled left and dove into the end zone as time expired for an apparent game-winning touchdown, giving the Rush a 53-51 win. However, the officials ruled that the Rush had committed a block in the back on the play, wiping out the TD and giving NY the 51-47 victory.

RUSH ADDS DEPTH IN SECONDARY: Tuesday, the Rush traded offensive specialist Henry Douglas to the Columbus Destroyers in exchange for WR/DB Jeremy Unertl (you-NER-tuhl).

Unertl (6-1, 210, Wisconsin-LaCrosse) is entering his third year in the AFL, after originally being signed by the Las Vegas Gladiators in 2004. He played in six games as a rookie with Las Vegas in 2004 and split the 2005 season between Las Vegas and Columbus, playing seven games for the Gladiators and five for the Destroyers. In his career he has recorded 64.5 tackles, two interceptions and five passes broken up, and caught 14 passes for 108 yards and three touchdowns.

Douglas heads to Ohio after spending slightly more than one season in Chicago. He joined the Rush in 2005 after spending his 2004 rookie season in Los Angeles. Douglas was the team's second-leading receiver in 2005, catching 87 passes for 1,019 yards and 17 touchdowns in 12 games. He also returned 63 kicks for 1,221 yards and three touchdowns. In two games this season, Douglas was again the team's second leading receiver, with 11 receptions for 113 yards and two TDs.

KICKER CAROUSEL: The Rush lost kicker Keith Gispert to a pulled abductor muscle during pregame warmups Week 1 in Colorado, forcing head coach Mike Hohensee to use backup quarterback Michael Bishop and defensive specialist Todd Howard to handle kickoffs during the game. The Rush then signed Steve Azar to handle the kicking duties for Week 2, but after Azar was just 3 for 5 on PAT attempts and missed his only field goal try vs. New York, he was released. The Rush expects to sign another kicker in time for this week's game.

HOME COOKIN': The Rush has a 27-15 all-time record at Allstate Arena (including postseason) and is 12-7 at home since the start of the 2004 season.

OWNING THE DIVISION: Although the Rush is 0-1 in 2006 against Central Division opponents, the squad finished the 2005 regular season 5-1 in division games, including 2-0 vs. Nashville. The Rush has dominated its division opponents the past two plus seasons, going 11-4 vs. the Central since the start of 2004.

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. This season the Rush has turned it over three times in two games and has a -1 turnover ratio.

WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN: Rush lineman John Moyer actually got his start in the Arena Football League with the Nashville Kats. After graduating from Eastern Illinois University, Moyer was on a trip around the United States with a high school friend when he received a call from Kats head coach Pat Sperduto inviting him to Kats training camp in 1999. Moyer cut his trip short, spent one month getting back into shape and headed to Nashville. Although he was released after just four days with the Kats, Sperduto called the Florida Bobcats and recommended they sign Moyer. Moyer played three seasons (1999-2001) with the Bobcats before being selected by Chicago with its first pick (6th overall) in the 2002 dispersal draft.

NEW MAN UNDER CENTER: New Rush QB Matt D'Orazio has been solid in his first two games under center for the Rush. In his first game, D'Orazio connected on 22 of 32 passes for 265 yards and five touchdowns at Colorado. He also ran the ball 10 times for 19 yards and three TDs.

Against New York D'Orazio completed 24 of 35 passes for 251 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. He also carried the ball eight times for 10 yards and a TD.

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.

D'ORAZIO GREAT IN CLUTCH: Rush QB Matt D'Orazio is at his best when it counts the most. Through two games D'Orazio leads all AFL quarterbacks in fourth quarter passing. D'Orazio has completed 16 of 18 passes for 159 yards and three touchdowns in the fourth quarter this year for a QB rating of 143.1. In addition, D'Orazio is 4 of 5 on fourth down conversions this 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. In two games this season, the Rush has allowed just one sack.

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. In his 12th season, McMillen ranks second on the AFL's all-time rushing list, is tied for third all-time in rushing attempts and ranks third all-time in rushing touchdowns. He has won two ArenaBowl championships (1997 with Arizona and 2002 with San Jose) and is the only player in AFL history to rush for 100 or more yards in seven-consecutive seasons.

This season, McMillen has carried the ball eight times for 34 yards, bringing his career total to 1,362 yards, just 21 shy of the AFL record.

The AFL's All-Time Rushing Yards list
Player Seasons Team Yards
Les Barley 1992-2001 - 1,382
Bob McMillen 1995-present Chicago 1,362
Bo Kelly 1996-present Arizona 1,251
Andre Bowden 1991-2004 - 1,241

The AFL's All-Time Rushing Attempts list
Player Seasons Team Attempts
Andre Bowden 1991-2004 - 438
Les Barley 1992-2001 - 425
Bo Kelly 1996-present Arizona 420
Bob McMillen 1995-present Chicago 420

The AFL's All-Time Rushing Touchdowns list
Player Seasons Team Rushing TDs
Barry Wagner 1992-present San Jose 125
Andre Bowden 1991-2004 - 93
Bob McMillen 1995-present Chicago 74
Les Barley 1992-2001 - 71
Bo Kelly 1996-present Arizona 69

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 have started strong this season.

Molden again is the team's leading receiver, catching 12 passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns, while White has caught five passes for 61 yards and two TDs. On Defense, each player has recorded two tackles, while White has added a pass broken up.

MOLDEN BREAKS CHATMAN RECORDS: Rush WR/LB Etu Molden has moved past former offensive specialist Antonio Chatman for franchise records for career receptions and total touchdowns. Molden needs just 114 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 33
Receptions 197 209
Yards 2,676 2,562
Receiving TDs 52 50
Total TDs 62 64

JOHN MOYER 8TH ALL-TIME IN SACKS: Rush lineman John Moyer combined with FB/LB Bob McMillen on a sack of Aaron Garcia last week vs. New York, bringing his career total to 34.5 - including 29.5 as a member of the Rush. Moyer is currently in eighth place on the AFL's all-time list for career sacks and needs just two more sacks to pass Andre Bowden for seventh place.

Here are Chicago's season and career sack leaders:
Player Season Player Career
John Moyer 10.0 (2004) John Moyer 29.5
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) Bob McMillen 4.5
Tony Henderson 4.0 (2001) Tony Henderson 4.0
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 10 passes for 48 yards and eight touchdowns since the start of the 2005 season. On special teams, Moyer blocked four kicks in 2005, and nine dating back to the start of the 2004 season.

BIG DAY FOR ROOKIE SMITH: Rush rookie lineman Khreem Smith enjoyed a big day last week against NY. The 2005 af2 Lineman of the Year was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game after recording 3.0 tackles, his first career sack, a pass broken up and a forced fumble in the game. Last season Smith helped lead Memphis to the ArenaCup title with 19 regular season sacks.

COLUMBUS CONNECTION: The Rush now has four players on its roster that played in Columbus last year - QB Matt D'Orazio, OL/DL Curtis Eason, WR/DB Jeremy Unertl and WR/LB Cornelius White. D'Orazio was the Destroyers' starting QB, Eason one of the team's starting linemen, Unertl one of the team's WR/DBs 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.

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

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 88-78 (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 2-1 all-time vs. New York, including 2-0 as head coach of the Rush.
All-Time Winningest AFL Coaches
Including Postseason
Coach Team Wins This Week
Tim Marcum Tampa Bay 176 vs. Georgia
Danny White Utah 142 @ Columbus
Mike Hohensee Rush 95 vs. Nashville
Mike Dailey Colorado 90 vs. Las Vegas
Perry Moss 86
Darren Arbet San Jose 82 @ Arizona

BAD MEMORIES OF STOERNER: In the 2005 season opener against the Rush, Dallas QB Clint Stoerner completed 26 of 40 passes for 398 yards and six touchdowns in leading the Desperados to a 66-65 overtime win over Chicago. The 398 yards are the most ever allowed by the Rush defense.

Stoerner went on to enjoy a great season, shattering AFL rookie records for attempts (506), completions (322), passing yards (3,918) and passing touchdowns (77) on his way to being named to the league's All-Rookie team.

After Dallas signed free agent Clint Dolezel in the off-season, the Desperados traded Stoerner to Nashville.

300-YARD PASSERS: Nashville QB Clint Stoerner passed for 398 yards against the Rush defense when he was with Dallas last year - the most ever by an opposing QB. Stoerner is one of six different quarterbacks to pass for more than 300 yards against the Rush, joining Donnie Davis, Clint Dolezel, Aaron Garcia Mark Grieb and Andy Kelly.

Rush opponent's 300-yard passing games:
Player Date Yards
Clint Stoerner 1/30/05 @ Dallas 398
Mark Grieb 4/10/05 vs. San Jose 368
Clint Dolezel 5/1/05 vs. Las Vegas 355
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
Andy Kelly 3/20/05 vs. New Orleans 311
Clint Dolezel 3/29/03 @ Grand Rapids 317
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
FAMILIAR FACES: The Kats have two players on their roster who are very familiar to Chicago Rush fans. Lineman James Baron (2002-2004) and WR/DB Cornelius Bonner (2001-2003) both spent three seasons in Rush blue. Baron recorded 10 sacks in his time in Chicago and was a part of the 2002 and 2004 Central Division title teams that reached the AFL semifinals, while Bonner still ranks fourth on the Rush career receptions list with 131.

TALE OF THE TAPE
Chicago Category Nashville
2 Games 2
51.5 (6) Scoring Offense 55.0 (4)
58.0 (17) Scoring Defense 27.5 (1)
300 (4) Total Offense 270 (9)
253.5 (8) Total Defense 207.5 (3)
8-10 80% Red Zone Offense 7-10, 70%
6-6 100% Red Zone Defense 6-12 50%
258 (7) Pass Offense 245.5 (10)
253.5 (10) Pass Defense 197.7 (5)
42.0 (2) Rushing Offense 24.5 (6)
9.5 (2t) Rushing Defense 10.0 (5)
103 (6) Scoring 110 (4)
3 (18) Scoring (Kicking) 24 (3)
13-209-0 Kickoff Returns 7-139-0
16.1 (11) Kick Return Average 19.9 (5)
0 Missed Field Goal Returns 0
0 Missed FG Return Avg. 0
-1 (8t) Turnover Margin +5 (1)
0-1 Field Goals 0-0
3-6, 50% PAT Kicking 4-4, 100%
4 (3) Sacks By 7 (1)
1-3 Sacks Against-Yards 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 (7th - 112.5 rating), scoring (7th - 28 points), rushing yards (T-6th - 33 yards)

Bob McMillen: rushing yards (5th-34 yards), sacks (T-4th - 1.5)

RUSH GAME AWARD WINNERS: The following Rush players have won individual game awards for their play this season:
ADT Defensive Player of the Game:
Khreem Smith (2/3 vs. New York)

Ironman of the Game:
Bob McMillen (2/3 vs. New York)

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)

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