Chicago Rush game notes
March 8, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
The Quick Facts
TV: OLN ...Ari Wolfe, Charles Davis, Mitch Robinson
Radio: WCKG, 105.9 FM...Dan Bernstein, James "Big Cat" Williams
Overall Series Record: Chicago leads 4-3 (4-2 regular season, 0-1 postseason)
Last Meeting: January 29, 2006, Colorado 65, Rush 56
Streaks: Colorado has won two in a row
Coaches (regular season, postseason records):
Mike Hohensee (91-79, 7-9 - 13th season)
Mike Dailey (84-54, 9-5 - 10th season)
Officials: Steve Pamon (Referee), Wes Fritz (Umpire), Neil Brunner (Head Linesman), R.G. Detillier (Line Judge), Tony Lombardo (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* W, 56-55 (OT) 12,663
February 18 @ Los Angeles W, 65-46 12,554
February 26 San Jose W, 54-48 (OT) 12,950
March 5 Dallas L, 59-42 13,503
March 10 Colorado* 7:30 p.m. OLN
March 17 @ Nashville* 7 p.m. FSN
March 26 Grand Rapids* 2 p.m. FSN
April 2 @ Orlando 11 a.m. NBC
April 9 @ Philadelphia Noon NBC
April 15 @ Arizona 9 p.m. OLN
April 23 Las Vegas 3 p.m. CSN
April 29 @ Georgia 6 p.m. CSN
May 6 Utah 7 p.m. FSN
May 13 @ Grand Rapids* 3 p.m. OLN
* Central Division game
American Conference - Central Division
2006 Standings
W-L-T PF PA Division
Colorado 5-1-0 341 320 2-1
Nashville 4-2-0 319 229 2-1
RUSH 3-3-0 320 324 1-1
Grand Rapids 2-4-0 290 310 0-2
HERE COME THE CHAMPS: The defending ArenaBowl champion Colorado Crush visits Allstate Arena this week boasting a 5-1 record and sole possession of first place in the AFL's Central Division after knocking off Grand Rapids last week 66-54. John Elway's team has been the best in the league over the past three seasons, sporting a league-best 30-13 overall record since the start of the 2004 season.
RIVALRY GAME: In the past three years, the Chicago-Colorado series has evolved into one of the best rivalries in the AFL. Since the start of the 2004 season the teams have met six times with each team winning three.
In the 2006 season opener January 29 at Pepsi Center, 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.
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.
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. The "Confetti Bowl" as it has come to be known, was recently selected as the 7th greatest game in AFL history.
Here is a look at the Rush-Crush All-Time Series Results:
2003: Rush 76, Colorado 58 (April 13 @ Colorado)
2004: Rush 65, Colorado 35 (February 22 @ Chicago)
Colorado 56, Rush 47 (May 30 @ Colorado)
2005: Rush 51, Colorado 48 (February 13 @ Colorado)
Rush 75, Colorado 51 (April 17 @ Chicago)
Colorado 49, Rush 43 (OT) (June 5 @ Colorado)*
2006: Colorado 65, Rush 56 (January 29 @ Colorado)
*AFL playoffs
RUSH LOSES MORE THAN GAME VS. DALLAS: The Rush suffered more than a 59-42 loss to Dallas last week at Allstate Arena, it also lost two of its best linemen to injuries. All-Arena lineman John Moyer sprained his knee late in the first half and D.J. Bleisath suffered an ankle injury early in the third quarter. Neither player returned to the game and both are expected to miss several weeks.
Trailing 28-22 at the half, the game turned against the Rush in the third quarter. After Chicago's defense forced the Desperados to settle for a 25-yard field goal on its opening possession, Rush QB Matt D'Orazio was sacked and fumbled on back-to-back Rush possessions, leading to 14 Dallas points. With 9:32 remaining in the third quarter Dallas lineman Colston Weatherington sacked D'Orazio and forced fumble near the Rush goalline. The ball bounced into the endzone where Dallas LB Duke Pettijohn recovered it for a touchdown. On Chicago's next possession it again was Weatherington who sacked D'Orazio and forced a fumble. Three plays later the Desperados scored again, extending their lead to 45-22.
FANTASTIC FINISHES: Four of Chicago's six games this season have been decided on the game's final play.
Dating back to last season's American Conference Semifinal in Colorado, five of Chicago's last seven games have been decided on the final play.
Games decided on final play:
June 5, 2005 - Colorado QB John Dutton connects with Andy McCullough on a 22-yard touchdown pass in overtime for the 49-43 win.
January 29, 2006 -Dutton hit Colorado OS Damian Harrell with an 11-yard TD pass with one-second left, breaking a 56-56 tie. After a safety on the ensuing kickoff, the Crush had handed Chicago a 65-56 defeat.
February 3, 2006 - Rush QB Matt D'Orazio's one-yard touchdown scramble as time expired was nullified by a Rush penalty, turning a 53-51 Rush win into a 51-47 loss to New York.
February 12, 2006 - D'Orazio's TD pass to CJ Johnson and two-point conversion pass to Cornelius White in overtime gave the Rush a 56-55 win over Nashville.
February 26, 2006 - D'Orazio's 12-yard TD pass to Buchie Ibeh with 11 seconds remaining forced overtime vs. San Jose. Then, after a Jeremy Unertl interception on San Jose's first possession of OT, D'Orazio's 27-yard TD pass to Cornelius White gave the Rush a 54-48 win.
TIME FOR THE DIVISION RIVALRIES: After three straight games against non-division opponents, Chicago returns to Central Division play the next three weeks. After hosting Colorado this week the Rush travels to Nashville Friday, March 17, and then returns home to play Grand Rapids Sunday, March 26.
OWNING THE DIVISION: The Rush enters this week's game 1-1 this year against Central Division opponents. The squad finished the 2005 regular season 5-1 in division games, including 2-0 vs. Colorado. The Rush has dominated its division opponents since the start of the 2004 season, going 12-4 vs. the Central Division during the span.
OVERTIME TURNAROUND: Entering the season the Rush was 2-4 all time in overtime and had lost its last three overtime games overall. This year, however, things are different as Chicago has won both times it has gone to OT. Chicago's February 12 overtime win over Nashville was the first overtime victory for the Rush since it defeated Indiana on May 18, 2003.
HOME COOKIN': The Rush has a 29-16 all-time record at Allstate Arena (including postseason) and is 14-8 at home since the start of the 2004 season.
HIGH SCORING OFFENSE: The Rush offense has scored 320 points in the season's first six weeks, an average of 53.3 points per game. Colorado leads the AFL in scoring, racking up 341 points for an average of 56.8 ppg. The Rush franchise record for points scored in a season is 847 (52.9 ppg) set during the 2004 season.
INJURIES TAKING THEIR TOLL: Last week's loss to Dallas cost the Rush two starting linemen - D.J. Bleisath and John Moyer. The pair is added to the growing list of injuries the Rush has suffered this season.
Here is a complete recap of the Rush injuries:
8 OL/DL John Moyer will be out 4-6 weeks after spraining his right knee late in the first half March 5 vs. Dallas.
8 OL/DL D.J. Bleisath will be out 6-8 weeks after suffering a sever ankle sprain early in the third quarter March 5 vs. Dallas.
8 WR/LB Etu Molden has missed the team's last three games after suffering a shoulder injury February 12 vs. Nashville.
8 DS Tony Lukins is on Injured Reserve and has missed the team's last three games after suffering ankle and hamstring injuries February 12 vs. Nashville.
8 OL/DL Curtis Eason is on Injured Reserve and has missed the team's last two games after suffering a shoulder injury February 18 at Los Angeles.
8 FB/LB Levelle Brown is on IR after he dislocated his shoulder when the team was practicing in Columbus during training camp in January.
8 Kicker Keith Gispert is on IR after he was hurt in pregame warmups prior to the season opener in Colorado.
FAMILIARITY BREEDS RESPECT: There are no secrets between the Rush and Crush, as the connections between the team's head coaches run deep.
8 Rush head coach Mike Hohensee and Crush head coach Mike Dailey are very close friends, having known each other for 20 years. The pair first met in 1985 while coaching at Montgomery Junior College in Rockville, Maryland. When Hohensee was hired as the head coach of the Washington Commandos in 1990, he brought Dailey with him as his line coach. From 1991 through 1993 the two served together as assistant coaches on the staff of the Albany Firebirds. In 1994 Hohensee was promoted to head coach, with Dailey as his assistant head coach. When Hohensee left after the 1996 season, Dailey was promoted to head coach. Dailey then hired Hohensee as his offensive coordinator for the 1998 season. As AFL head coaches the pair has squared off against each other 14 times in the regular season and once in the postseason, with Dailey leading the series 8-7.
8 In addition, three Rush players - DeJuan Alfonzo, John Sikora and Cornelius White - played for Dailey when he was the head coach of the Firebirds.
HOHENSEE EXTENDED THROUGH 2009: The Rush announced earlier this season it has extended head coach Mike Hohensee's contract through the 2009 season.
The only head coach in Rush history, Hohensee has guided Chicago to a 51-40 overall record and playoff appearances in each of the team's five seasons. During his tenure the Rush has won two Central Division titles (2002, 2004) and advanced to the AFL semifinals three times (2002, 2004, 2005).
One of only four men to be involved in the Arena Football League in each of the league's 20 seasons, Hohensee has taken his teams to the playoffs nine times and won five division titles in his 12 previous seasons as a head coach. His 98 career victories rank him third in AFL history behind Tampa Bay's Tim Marcum and Utah's Danny White.
Hohensee originally was hired on September 26, 2000. He
8 has a regular season record of 91-79 (including a
47-35 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 3-3 all-time vs. Colorado and 7-8 all-time vs. teams coached by Mike Dailey.
All-Time Winningest AFL Coaches
Including Postseason
Coach Team Wins This Week
Tim Marcum Tampa Bay 177 vs. Dallas
Danny White Utah 143 vs. Nashville
Mike Hohensee Rush 98 vs. Colorado
Mike Dailey Colorado 93 @ Chicago
Perry Moss 86
Darren Arbet San Jose 84 vs. Los Angeles
LET'S GET McMILLEN THE RECORD (PART 2): Rush FB/LB Bob McMillen took a pitch from QB Matt D'Orazio early in the third quarter February 26 vs. San Jose and rumbled two yards, giving him 1,384 for his career and breaking Les Barley's all-time rushing record. The game was stopped and McMillen was given the ball, which he handed to his son, Bobby, in the stands. Two plays later, however, McMillen was trapped behind the line of scrimmage for a loss of eight yards, dropping his career total to 1,376 and giving the record back to Barley.
As he enters this week's game vs. Colorado, McMillen needs seven yards to, once again, break the record. On the year, McMillen has carried the ball 19 times for 48 yards.
As part of the league's celebration of its 20th season, McMillen was named one of the AFL's 20 Greatest Players of all-time. In his 12th season, he ranks second on the AFL's all-time rushing list and third all-time in rushing attempts and 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.
The AFL's All-Time Rushing Yards list
Player Seasons Team Yards
Les Barley 1992-2001 - 1,382
Bob McMillen 1995-present Chicago 1,376
Bo Kelly 1996-present Arizona 1,291
Andre Bowden 1991-2004 - 1,241
The AFL's All-Time Rushing Attempts list
Player Seasons Team Attempts
Andre Bowden 1991-2004 - 438
Bo Kelly 1996-present Arizona 434
Bob McMillen 1995-present Chicago 431
Les Barley 1992-2001 - 425
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 77
Bo Kelly 1996-present Arizona 75
Les Barley 1992-2001 - 71
D'ORAZIO AMONG AFL LEADERS: Rush QB Matt D'Orazio enters this week's game against Colorado as the AFL's third ranked passer with a 123.9 rating. On the season D'Orazio has completed 136 of 193 passes for 1,561 yards and 26 touchdowns, while only throwing two interceptions. In addition, D'Orazio has attempted 149 consecutive passes without throwing an interception - just 50 passes shy of the Rush record set by Raymond Philyaw in 2004.
D'Orazio also enters this week's game ranked first in the league in rushing with 40 carries for 115 yards.
Brief D'Orazio Bio - Prior to 2006 D'Orazio 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 six games D'Orazio leads all AFL quarterbacks in fourth quarter passing. D'Orazio is 29 for 39 for 351 yards and seven TDs in the fourth quarter. In addition, D'Orazio is 7 of 10 on fourth down conversions this season, including the fourth-and-15 play in overtime February 12, against Nashville when he found CJ Johnson in the end zone for a touchdown.
JOHNSON BECOMING A HUGE THREAT: Second year offensive specialist C.J. Johnson is proving to be a threat every time he touches the ball. Johnson is the team's leading receiver, catching 40 passes for 493 yards and six touchdowns on the season, including a career-high 12 catches last week vs. Dallas. But running great routes is not the only way Johnson can hurt a defense - so far this season Johnson has attempted three passes, completing all three for touchdowns and returned a two missed field goals for TDs (50-yard return vs. Nashville and a 56-yard return vs. San Jose). His 17-yard touchdown reception on fourth-and-15 in overtime February 12, vs. Nashville might be the team's biggest catch of the season, putting the Rush in position to win the game with the ensuing two-point conversion.
THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: New Rush DS Jeremy Unertl has spent four games in a Rush uniform since his trade from Columbus and has been named ADT Defensive Player of the Game three times - February 12, vs. Nashville, February 18 at Los Angeles and February 26 vs. San Jose. In the San Jose game he recorded 4.0 tackles, one pass broken up and two crucial interceptions. It was the first multiple interception game for a Rush player since Marvin Taylor picker off two Aaron Garcia passes on June 30, 2002.
Originally signed by the Las Vegas Gladiators in 2004, Unertl (6-1, 210, Wisconsin-LaCrosse) is in his third year in the AFL. 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. Entering 2006, he has recorded 64.5 tackles, two interceptions and five passes broken up, and caught 14 passes for 108 yards and three touchdowns.
DAN THE MAN: The Rush signed kicker Dan Frantz to a one-year contract February 11, to handle the kicking duties until Keith Gispert is healthy. Frantz has done exactly what he has been asked, converting 23 of 25 extra point attempts and six of eight field goal attempts in his four games with Chicago. February 18 in Los Angeles, Frantz was 8-for-8 on PATs and 3-for-3 on field goals for 17 points, breaking Gispert's record of 15 kicking points in a game set at Detroit on May 2, 2004. Frantz's three field goals vs. LA and again vs. Dallas March 5 tied the Rush record for field goals in a game held by Gispert and David Cool.
Frantz comes to Chicago after spending the first two years of his AFL career with the San Jose SaberCats, winning an ArenaBowl title as a rookie in 2004. In San Jose, Frantz played in 31 regular season games and converted 209 of 245 PATs (85.3%) and nine of 23 field goals (39.1 %). He tore the ACL in his right knee May 14, 2005, at Arizona and missed the team's final regular season game and the playoffs last year.
KICKER CAROUSEL: Frantz is the third kicker the Rush has had under contract this season and the 15th in franchise history. The Rush lost 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.
BISHOP HOME GRIEVING: Rush backup QB Michael Bishop has missed the last two Rush games after the sudden death of his mother, Ethel Bishop, February 25. Bishop returned to Texas prior to the team's game vs. San Jose and is expected to return next week.
WRIGHT MAN FOR RETURNS: With the trade of Henry Douglas to Columbus on February 7, the Rush coaches turned to Carlos Wright to handle kickoff returns. After four games, Wright is proving to be a wise choice for the job. Last week against Dallas, Wright returned eight kicks for 169 yards. Overall, Wright has 21 kick returns on the season for 416 yards, including a 55-yard return for his first career touchdown.
PROTECT THAT QB: The Rush offensive line has given up a total of 13 sacks so far this season. The Rush line only gave up eight sacks during the entire 2005 season. The Rush record for sacks allowed is 19, set in the team's inaugural 2001 season.
UNDER PRESSURE: The Rush defensive line has been causing havoc for opposing quarterbacks early in the 2006 season. Through six games the Rush has 10 sacks -nearly as many as last season when the team finished the year with 13. Rookie Khreem Smith leads the club with 3.5 sacks and D.J. Bleisath is second with 3.0 sacks. The Rush team record for sacks in a season is 23, set during the 2004 season.
TURNOVER TURNAROUND: One of the best trends through the first quarter of the 2006 season involves Chicago's success on the turnover front. After finishing the 2004 season tied with Los Angeles for the best turnover ratio in the AFL at +15, the Rush dipped to 16th last year with a -6 ratio. Through six games this season the Rush is tied for third in the league with a +3 ratio.
ROOKIE SMITH A FORCE ON D-LINE: After winning the af2's Lineman of the Year award in 2005, Rush rookie lineman Khreem Smith is showing AFL teams his 17 sacks in 16 regular season games last year was no fluke. So far this season, Smith has caused constant problems for opposing offensive lines, registering 11.0 tackles, a team-leading 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, one pass broken up and one blocked kick.
COOK BACK HEALTHY: Rush FB/LB Charlie Cook returned to the lineup two weeks ago against San Jose after missing the first four games of the year with a fractured sternum suffered in training camp. Cook's return allowed D.J. Bleisath to move back to his natural position on the line, therefore strengthening two positions.
IT'S PRONOUNCED BOO-CHEE E-BAY: Rush rookie WR/DB Buchie Ibeh had quite an impressive debut February 26 vs. San Jose. Promoted from the practice squad the day before the game, Ibeh caught eight passes for 102 yards and three TDs and recorded 3.0 tackles against the SaberCats. He continued his great play with three more TD catches last week vs. Dallas, giving him six touchdowns in his first two AFL games.
JOHN MOYER 8TH ALL-TIME IN SACKS: Rush lineman John Moyer combined with FB/LB Bob McMillen on a sack of Aaron Garcia February 3 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) D.J. Bleisath 4.0
Khreem Smith 3.5 (2006)
D.J. Bleisath 3.0 (2006)
James Baron 3.0 (2004)
James Baron 3.0 (2002)
Jamie McGourty 3.0 (2004)
CALL MOYER MR. TOUCHDOWN: Everyone knows that Moyer is one of the game's best pass rushers, but what makes Moyer special is his ability to excel on offense and special teams in addition to defense. Moyer has proven to be a very capable receiver, catching three passes for 44 yards and three touchdowns on the season, including a 30 yard touchdown pass from Matt D'Orazio February 12, against Nashville. Dating back to last season, Moyer has caught 11 passes with eight of them going for touchdowns.
THREE JACKS: With the combination of Etu Molden, Cornelius White and DeJuan Alfonzo, the Rush might have the best trio of "Jack" linebackers in the AFL. Both Molden and White were named to the AFL's All-Ironman team in 2005 and Alfonzo always seems to make something happen when he is on the field.
White has recorded 26 receptions for 356 yards and is tied for the team lead with six touchdowns. On defense he has 15.5 tackles, 1 pass broken up, 1 fumble forced and 1 fumble recovery.
Alfonzo missed the team's first three games while nursing an Achilles injury, but returned February 18 at Los Angeles. He has caught six passes for 63 yards and scored two touchdowns, and recorded 10.5 tackles and forced two fumbles in three games.
Despite missing the last two games, Molden has 13 receptions for 137 yards and two touchdowns.
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 102 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 34
Receptions 197 210
Yards 2,676 2,575
Receiving TDs 52 50
Total TDs 62 64
TALE OF THE TAPE
Chicago Category Colorado
6 Games 6
53.3 (7) Scoring Offense 56.8 (1)
54.0 (13) Scoring Defense 53.3 (12)
292.7 (7t) Total Offense 293.3 (6)
287.2 (11t) Total Defense 280.7 (7)
25-29 86.2% Red Zone Offense 25-31, 80.6%
26-29 89.6% Red Zone Defense 23-24 95.8%
261.7 (11) Pass Offense 281.8 (4)
269.5 (13) Pass Defense 255.5 (6)
31.0 (5) Rushing Offense 11.5 (13)
17.7 (6) Rushing Defense 25.2 (15)
320 (7) Scoring 341 (1)
44 Scoring (Kicking) 49
38-641-2 Kickoff Returns 33-587-0
16.9 (10) Kick Return Average 17.8 (7)
2-106-2 Missed Field Goal Returns
53.0 Missed FG Return Avg.
+3 (3t) Turnover Margin -4 (14t)
6-9, 66.7% Field Goals 3-4, 75.0%
26-31, 83.9% PAT Kicking 40-48, 83.3%
10-55 (2) Sacks By 7-28 (7)
13-49 (17) Sacks Against 2-13 (3)
28-47, 59.6% Third Down Conversion 22-39, 56.4%
7-11, 63.6% Fourth Down Conversion 6-9, 66.7%
49-267 Penalties (#-Yards) 42-242
28-159 Opp. Penalties (#-Yards) 42-246
BOLD - AFL Leader
INDIVIDUAL LEAGUE LEADERS: The following Rush players are among the 2006 AFL league leaders:
Matt D'Orazio: QB Rating (3rd - 123.9 rating), 4th quarter passing (1st - 141.1 rating), rushing yards (1st - 115 yards)
Bob McMillen: rushing yards (T-10th - 48 yards)
Khreem Smith: sacks (4th - 3.5), forced fumbles (2nd - 3)
D.J. Bleisath: sacks (T-5th - 3)
C.J. Johnson: missed field goal returns (1st - 53.0 avg)
Carlos Wright: kickoff returns (7th - 19.8 avg.)
Jeremy Unertl: interceptions (T-5th - 4)
Cornelius White: special teams tackles (T-8th - 6.0)
Dennison Robinson: special teams tackles (T-8th - 6.0)
RUSH GAME AWARD WINNERS: The following Rush players have won individual game awards for their play this season:
Offensive Player of the Game:
Matt D'Orazio (2/12 vs. Nashville, 2/18 @ Los Angeles)
C.J. Johnson (2/26 vs. San Jose)
ADT Defensive Player of the Game:
Khreem Smith (2/3 vs. New York)
Jeremy Unertl (2/12 vs. Nashville, 2/18 @ Los Angeles, 2/26 vs. San Jose)
Ironman of the Game:
Bob McMillen (2/3 vs. New York)
John Moyer (2/12 vs. New York)
Dennison Robinson (2/18 @ Los Angeles)
INJURY REPORT: The following players appeared on this week's injury report to the AFL.
Injured Reserve - Levelle Brown (right shoulder dislocation), Curtis Eason (shoulder), Keith Gispert (groin strain) and Tony Lukins (right ankle, left hamstring)
Out - D.J. Bleisath (left ankle), John Moyer (right knee)
Questionable -Etu Molden (left shoulder)
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