Chicago Rush game notes

Published on May 3, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release


The Quick Facts
TV: Fox Sports Net ...Greg Sharpe, Gary Reasons, Brent Stover
Radio: WCKG, 105.9 FM...Tom Dore, James "Big Cat" Williams
Overall Series Record: This is the first meeting between the teams.
Coaches (regular season, postseason records):
Mike Hohensee (93-85, 7-9 - 13th season)
Danny White (127-63, 20-10 - 14th season)
Officials: Perry Havener (Referee), Tom Laverty (Umpire), Rusty Baynes (Head Linesman), David Meslow (Line Judge), Barry Anderson (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* L, 49-42 13,807
March 17 @ Nashville* L, 48-47 8,772
March 26 Grand Rapids* W, 51-44 15,228
April 2 @ Orlando L, 55-27 13,111
April 9 @ Philadelphia L, 56-55 (OT) 14,778
April 15 @ Arizona L, 61-42 11,790
April 23 Las Vegas W, 67-47 16,230
April 29 @ Georgia L, 55-20 13,087
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 10-4-0 788 737 5-1
Nashville 7-7-0 696 676 3-3
RUSH 5-9-0 671 739 2-3
Grand Rapids 5-9-0 637 748 1-4

HOME FINALE: The Rush will play its final regular season home game this Saturday evening when it hosts the expansion Utah Blaze at Allstate Arena. It will be the first meeting between the Rush and Blaze, which enters the game riding a three-game winning streak. Utah is coached by former Arizona Rattlers head coach Danny White, the AFL's second-winningest coach, who led his former team to five trips to the ArenaBowl in his 13 seasons in Arizona.

REGULAR SEASON CONCLUDES MAY 13: After Saturday's home game against Utah, the Rush will finish its regular season with a May 13 game in Grand Rapids. Kickoff for the game has been moved to 3 p.m. Central to accommodate OLN television, which will broadcast the game.

FORCE STOPS RUSH IN GEORGIA: The Rush never recovered after losing QB Matt' D'Orazio with a sprained ankle on the team's third offensive play of the game, falling to the Georgia Force 55-20 last week in Atlanta. The 35-point loss was the second-worst in team history and the 20 points was the fewest the Rush has ever scored in its six-year history.

RUSH STILL HOLDS SIXTH PLAYOFF SEED: Despite its loss last week in Georgia, The Rush still is clinging to the American Conference's sixth and final playoff spot with just two weeks remaining in the regular season. The Rush holds the tie-breaker advantage over both Las Vegas and Grand Rapids.

Six teams from each conference will make the playoffs with the four division winners each receiving a first-round bye. The best four records from the remaining teams in each conference will receive Wild Card berths.

If the playoffs were to begin this week, Colorado and San Jose would win the Central and Western Divisions, respectively, and receive first-round byes. In the first round, the Rush would travel to Arizona while Nashville would host Utah.

Here is a closer look at the American Conference standings:
AMERICAN CONFERENCE
1. xy-Colorado 10-4
2. x-San Jose 8-6
3. Arizona 7-7
4. y-Nashville 7-7
5. Utah 6-8
6. Chicago 5-9
--------------------
Las Vegas 5-9
Grand Rapids 5-9
Los Angeles 3-11
x- division leader
y- clinched playoff spot

HOME COOKIN': The Rush has a 31-17 all-time record at Allstate Arena (including postseason) and is 4-3 at home this season.
HOHENSEE GETS 100TH WIN: With Chicago's win over Las Vegas April 23, head coach Mike Hohensee finally got the 100th win of his AFL career. Hohensee is only the third head coach in AFL history with 100 career wins, joining Tampa Bay coach Tim Marcum and Utah coach Danny White.

The only head coach in Rush history, Hohensee has guided Chicago to a 53-46 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.

Earlier this season, the Rush extended Hohensee's contract through the 2009 season.

Hohensee originally was hired on September 26, 2000. He
8 has a regular season record of 93-85 (including a
49-41 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 1-9 all-time vs. Danny White, including 0-3 as coach of the Rush.

All-Time Winningest AFL Coaches
Including Postseason
Coach Team Wins This Week
Tim Marcum Tampa Bay 180 @ Columbus
Danny White Utah 147 @ Chicago
Mike Hohensee Rush 100 vs. Utah
Mike Dailey Colorado 98 @ San Jose
Darren Arbet San Jose 90 vs. Colorado

D'ORAZIO PROBABLE FOR THIS WEEK: QB Matt D'Orazio is listed as probable on this week's AFL injury report after spraining his left ankle on the team's third offensive play last week in Georgia. The injury occurred when D'Orazio was sacked by Chris Demaree on a third-and-seven play. He left the game and did not return.

D'ORAZIO AMONG AFL LEADERS: Rush QB Matt D'Orazio enters this week's game vs. Utah ranked among the league's top passers. Through 14 weeks, D'Orazio is the AFL's fourth-ranked passer with a 118.1 quarterback rating. On the season, D'Orazio has set career highs in all of his passing stats, completing 267 of 391 passes for 3,055 yards and 50 touchdowns, while only throwing five interceptions. Earlier this season, D'Orazio set a team record by attempting 231 consecutive passes without throwing an interception. His streak began February 3 vs. New York and was snapped when he was picked off in the second quarter vs. Grand Rapids on March 26.

D'Orazio also enters this week's game as the AFL leader in rushing with 56 carries for 162 yards.

D'ORAZIO GREAT IN CLUTCH: Rush QB Matt D'Orazio is at his best when it counts the most. D'Orazio ranks second in the AFL in fourth quarter passing, converting 71 of 96 attempts for 802 yards and 15 TDs in the fourth quarter for a QB rating of 133.0.

SIPPIO, UNERTL SIGN EXTENSIONS: The Rush helped solidify its future this week by signing offensive specialist Bobby Sippio and defensive specialist Jeremy Unertl to contract extensions through the 2007 and 2008 seasons, respectively.

Sippio has played in three games for the Rush since being claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay, catching 22 passes for 363 yards and nine TDs. Sippio played in nine games with the Storm before being waived, catching 55 passes for 666 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Unertl has helped solidify the Rush secondary since his trade from Columbus in February. He leads all Rush players in both tackles and interceptions, recording 63.0 tackles, seven interceptions and eight passes broken up since being inserted into the Rush secondary. He 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 - and his seven interceptions are the most by any Rush player in one season since Dameon Porter had 10 interceptions in 2002.

FAMILIAR FACES: While the Rush and Blaze have never met, four members of the Blaze roster - DS Kelvin Hunter, FB/LB Kevin Clemens and linemen Ronnie Washburn and Scott Pospisil - have ties to the Chicago Rush. Hunter played for the Rush during the 2001 season, recording 47.0 tackles and one interception. Clemens attended training camp with the Rush in 2002, while Washburn was on the team's roster for a week during the 2002 season. Pospisil played in 10 games for the Rush as a rookie in 2005 and was selected by Utah in last year's expansion draft.

In addition, former Rush OS Antonio Chatman is on Utah's exempt roster after the Blaze acquired Chatman's rights in last season's expansion draft.

DANTZLER LOOKS SHARP: Rush rookie Woody Dantzler was promoted to the active roster from the team's practice squad April 7, and made his AFL debut April 9 in Philadelphia. Like Bobby Sippio, Dantzler has had an impact on the Rush offense, catching 20 passes for 257 yards and four touchdowns in his four games.

TAYLOR BACK IN BLUE: The Rush signed defensive specialist Marvin Taylor to its roster April 13, just three days after he was released by Grand Rapids. He was immediately inserted into the lineup at defensive specialist - alongside Jeremy Unertl - and has played in three games since signing with the Rush, recording 12.5 tackles and recovering one fumble. Taylor, who played 11 games with the Rampage and recorded 49.5 tackles and three interceptions, is in his second tour of duty with the Rush after playing for Chicago in 2002 and 2003.

MOLDEN GETTING BACK IN THE GROOVE: WR/LB Etu Molden, the team's leading receiver in 2004 and 2005, missed four of the team's first nine games this season with shoulder and knee injuries. However, Molden finally is healthy and is looking like the player the Rush has come to count on. Molden equaled his season-high with 10 receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown last week in Georgia, bringing his season totals to 60 receptions for 641 yards and eight TDs.

MOLDEN RE-WRITES RUSH RECORDS: This season, Rush WR/LB Etu Molden has moved past former offensive specialist Antonio Chatman for franchise records for career receptions, career receiving yards, career receiving touchdowns and total touchdowns.

Molden, in his third year in Chicago, led the Rush in all receiving categories in both 2004 and 2005 and despite his injuries, could lead the Rush in receiving again this season.

Career Numbers Chatman Molden
Games 30 41
Receptions 197 257
Yards 2,676 3,079
Receiving TDs 52 56
Total TDs 62 70

FANTASTIC FINISHES: The 2006 Rush continues to play games that are not decided until the final play. It happened again April 9 in Philadelphia as the Rush fell to the Soul in overtime, 56-55. Backup QB Michael Bishop entered the game on third-and-goal from the Soul 1-yard line and dove into the end zone to bring the Rush to within one-point. But when Matt D'Orazio's game-winning two-point conversion attempt was intercepted by Eddie Moten in the end zone, the Soul held on for an OT victory.

Six of Chicago's 14 games this season have been decided on the game's final play.

Dating back to last season's American Conference Semifinal in Colorado, seven of Chicago's last 15 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 C.J. 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.

March 26, 2006 - D'Orazio's 14-yard TD pass to White with four seconds remaining gave the Rush a 49-44 lead over Grand Rapids. Then, after the ensuing kickoff went for a touchback, Curtis Eason sacked Rampage QB Chad Salisbury for a safety on the game's final play, giving the Rush a 51-44 victory.

April 9, 2006 - D'Orazio's game-winning two-point conversion attempt in overtime was intercepted by Philadelphia Soul DS Eddie Moten, giving the Soul a 56-55 OT win over the Rush.

GETTING HEALTHY: After missing several key players for a significant part of the first half of the season, the Rush finally is getting healthy. Only FB/LB Levelle Brown is seriously injured and out for the season.

Here is a complete recap of the current Rush injuries:
8 QB Matt D'Orazio suffered a sprained ankle last week vs. Georgia and is listed as probable for this week's game.
8 WR/DB Carlos Wright suffered a sprained right knee April 23 vs. Las Vegas and is listed as probable for this week's game.
8 WR/DB Buchie Ibeh is on IR after suffering a hamstring injury in practice.
8 DS Todd Howard is on IR after suffering a hamstring injury in practice.
8 FB/LB Levelle Brown is on IR and out for the season after he dislocated his shoulder when the team was practicing in Columbus during training camp in January. He underwent surgery March 15.

OVERTIME TURNAROUND: Entering this season, the Rush was 2-4 all time in overtime and had lost its last three overtime games overall. This year the Rush has played three overtime games - February 12 vs. Nashville, February 26 vs. San Jose and April 9 at Philadelphia - going 2-1.

ALFONZO SETS TACKLE RECORD: Rush WR/LB DeJuan Alfonzo recorded 3.5 tackles last week at Georgia, giving him 177.0 for his Rush career. This season Alfonzo has moved past former Rush DS Cedric Walker (166.5) as the team's career tackles leader.

PROTECT THAT QB: The Rush offensive line has allowed a franchise record 24 sacks this year. Coming into this season the Rush offensive line had given up a total of 13 sacks in the last two seasons combined.

UNDER PRESSURE: The Rush defensive line has recorded 16 sacks on the season, three more than the defense registered during the entire 2005 season. The Rush is tied for seventh in the AFL in sacks led by rookie Khreem Smith with 7.0.

KHREEM SMITH FOR ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Rush rookie lineman Khreem Smith is one of the leading candidates for AFL Rookie of the Year honors. Through 14 weeks Smith ranks second in the AFL in sacks with 7.0 and is tied for the league lead in forced fumbles with five. In addition to his sacks and forced fumbles, he has recorded 18.5 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, two passes broken up and one blocked kick this season.

MOYER IS CHICAGO'S ALL-TIME SACK LEADER: In his eighth AFL season, Rush lineman John Moyer has 35.5 career sacks - including 30.5 as a member of the Rush. He is currently in eighth place on the AFL's all-time list for career sacks and needs just one more sack 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 30.5
John Moyer 9.0 (2003) James Baron 10.0
Khreem Smith 7.0 (2006) Khreem Smith 7.0
John Moyer 6.0 (2005) Anthony Hutch 6.5
Anthony Hutch 5.5 (2001) Riley Kleinhesselink 5.0
John Moyer 4.0 (2002) Jamie McGourty 5.5
James Baron 4.0 (2003) D.J. Bleisath 5.0
Tony Henderson 4.0 (2001) Bob McMillen 4.5
D.J. Bleisath 4.0 (2006) Tony Henderson 4.0

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 four passes for 47 yards and three touchdowns on the season. Dating back to last season, Moyer has caught 12 passes with eight of them going for touchdowns.

McMILLEN BECOMES AFL'S TOP RUSHER: Rush FB/LB Bob McMillen became the AFL's all-time leading rusher March 17, when he rushed for four yards in the team's game at Nashville. McMillen now has 1,393 rushing yards in his 12-year career, 11 more than former record holder Les Barley.

Earlier this season, 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 first on the AFL's all-time rushing list, second all-time in rushing attempts and third 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.

The AFL's All-Time Rushing Yards list
Player Seasons Team Yards
Bob McMillen 1995-present Chicago 1,395
Les Barley 1992-2001 - 1,382
Bo Kelly 1996-present Arizona 1,319
Andre Bowden 1991-2004 - 1,241

The AFL's All-Time Rushing Attempts list
Player Seasons Team Attempts
Bo Kelly 1996-present Arizona 450
Bob McMillen 1995-present Chicago 442
Andre Bowden 1991-2004 - 438
Les Barley 1992-2001 - 425
The AFL's All-Time Rushing Touchdowns list
Player Seasons Team Rushing TDs
Barry Wagner 1992-present San Jose 126
Andre Bowden 1991-2004 - 93
Bob McMillen 1995-present Chicago 79
Bo Kelly 1996-present Arizona 76
Les Barley 1992-2001 - 71

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. Wright has proven to be not only a wise choice for the job, but the best kick return man in the league. Wright has returned 56 kickoffs for 1,278 yards and three touchdowns and leads the AFL in kickoff returns, averaging 22.8 yards per return.

TURNOVER TURNAROUND: One of the best trends 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 14 games this season the Rush is tied for sixth in the league with a +3 ratio.

D-ROB AS STEADY AS IT GETS: Rush WR/DB Dennison Robinson might be the most unsung player on the Rush roster. Signed as a free agent in the off-season, Robinson is strong in all three facets of the game - offense, defense and special teams. He is the team's second leading tackler, recording a career-high 61.5 tackles to go along with three interceptions and eight passes broken up. He ranks fifth in the AFL in special teams tackles with 14.0 and is the team's fourth-leading receiver, catching 31 passes for 271 yards and five touchdowns.

TALE OF THE TAPE
Chicago Category Utah
14 Games 14
47.9 (13) Scoring Offense 54.9 (4t)
52.8 (11) Scoring Defense 54.7 (15)
283.7 (11) Total Offense 304.3 (4)
282.9 (10) Total Defense 290.9 (13)
53-70 75.7% Red Zone Offense 62-79, 78.5%
59-67 88.1% Red Zone Defense 52-64 81.2%
260.6 (11) Pass Offense 290.4 (4)
253.1 (6) Pass Defense 278.0 (15)
23.1 (6) Rushing Offense 13.9 (14)
29.8 (18) Rushing Defense 12.9 (2)
671 (13) Scoring 768 (5)
103 (16) Scoring (Kicking) 114 (9)
93-1,717-4 Kickoff Returns 85-1,365-1
18.5 (5) Kick Return Average 15.9 (15)
9-257-3 Missed Field Goal Returns 6-67-0
28.6 (2) Missed FG Return Avg. 11.2 (15)
+3 (6t) Turnover Margin -1 (11t)
14-29, 48.3% Field Goals 7-20, 35.0%
61-71, 85.9% PAT Kicking 93-99, 93.9%
16-93 (8) Sacks By 8-44 (17)
24-115 (15) Sacks Against 25-170 (16)
50-101,49.5% Third Down Conversion 41-84, 48.8%
10-25, 40.0% Fourth Down Conversion 11-22, 50.0%
110-638 (14) Penalties (#-Yards) 95-593 (10)
76-460 (17) Opp. Penalties (#-Yards) 116-629 (6)

INDIVIDUAL LEAGUE LEADERS: The following Rush players are among the 2006 AFL league leaders:

Matt D'Orazio: QB Rating (4th - 118.1 rating), completion percentage (2nd- 68.3), 4th quarter passing (2nd - 133.2 rating), rushing yards (1st - 162 yards)

Khreem Smith: sacks (2nd - 7.0), forced fumbles (T-1st - 5)

Carlos Wright: kickoff returns (1st - 22.8 avg.)

C.J. Johnson: missed field goal returns (1st - 47.8 avg.)

Jeremy Unertl: interceptions (3rd - 8)

Dennison Robinson: special teams tackles (5th - 14.0)

Bobby Sippio: scoring (9th - 174 points)

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)
Cornelius White (3/26 vs. Grand Rapids)
Bobby Sippio (4/23 vs. Las Vegas)

ADT Defensive Player of the Game:
Khreem Smith (2/3 vs. New York, 3/10 vs. Colorado, 3/26 vs. Grand Rapids)
Jeremy Unertl (2/12 vs. Nashville, 2/18 @ Los Angeles, 2/26 vs. San Jose)
Curtis Eason (4/23 vs. Las Vegas)
Ironman of the Game:
Bob McMillen (2/3 vs. New York)
John Moyer (2/12 vs. New York)
Dennison Robinson (2/18 @ Los Angeles)
Carlos Wright (3/26 vs. Grand Rapids)
DeJuan Alfonzo (4/23 vs. Las Vegas)

INJURY REPORT: The following players appeared on this week's injury report to the AFL.

Injured Reserve - Levelle Brown (right shoulder), Curtis Eason (right shoulder strain), Todd Howard (right hamstring), Buchie Ibeh (hamstring)
Probable - Matt D'Orazio (left ankle sprain), Carlos Wright (right knee sprain)

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 3, 2006


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