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Chicago Rush game notes

May 10, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release


The Quick Facts
TV: OLN...Ari Wolfe, Charles Arbuckle, Mitch Robinson
Radio: WCKG, 105.9 FM...Tom Dore, James "Big Cat" Williams
Overall Series Record: Rush leads 7-5 (7-4 in regular season, 0-1 in postseason)
Last Meeting: March 26, 2006, Rush 51, Grand Rapids 44
Series Streaks: Chicago has won five of the last six meetings.
Coaches (regular season, postseason records):
Mike Hohensee (94-85, 7-9 - 13th season)
Sparky McEwen (9-22, 0-0 - 2nd season)
Officials: Steve Pamon (Referee), Wes Fritz (Umpire), Neil Brunner (Head Linesman), Art Lucky (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* 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 W, 84-48 16,154
May 13 @ Grand Rapids* 3 p.m. OLN
* Central Division game

American Conference - Central Division
2006 Standings
W-L-T PF PA Division
Colorado 10-5-0 844 798 5-1
Nashville 7-8-0 752 749 3-3
RUSH 6-9-0 755 787 2-3
Grand Rapids 5-10-0 675 805 1-4

PICK SIX: The Rush will look to secure its sixth-consecutive playoff berth when it finishes its 2006 regular season this Saturday afternoon in Grand Rapids. The Rush defeated the Rampage 51-44 at Allstate Arena in March, but the Rampage is a different team at home, going 7-2 in its last nine games at Van Andel Arena. Kickoff for the game has been moved to 3 p.m. Central to accommodate OLN television, which will broadcast the game.

RECORD SETTING WIN VS. UTAH: One week after setting a franchise low for points in its 55-20 loss at Georgia, the Rush set a franchise record for points scored in an 84-48 rout of the Utah Blaze last Saturday night at Allstate Arena. QB Matt D'Orazio returned from a sprained left ankle to complete 20 of 24 passes for 308 yards and 7 touchdowns, and OS Bobby Sippio caught 10 passes for a Rush record 217 yards and tied his own team record with six receiving touchdowns. The Rush defense dominated, recording two interceptions, returning two fumbles for touchdowns, recording a safety and returning a blocked Utah extra point attempt for two points to account for 18 points in the game. The win was the 50th regular season win in Rush franchise history.

Here is a list of the team records set last week:
ü Most points, game - 84
ü Most points, first half - 47
ü Most receiving yards, game - 217 (Bobby Sippio)
ü Most PATs made - 11 (Dan Frantz)
ü Best PAT performance - 11 for 11 (Dan Frantz)

Here is a list of the team records tied last week:
ü Total TDs, team - 11
ü Total TDs, individual - 6 (Bobby Sippio)
ü Receiving TDs, individual - 6 (Bobby Sippio)
ü Points scored, individual - 36 (Bobby Sippio)
ü PATs attempted - 11 (Dan Frantz)
ü Safeties, team - 3rd of the season

PLAYOFF SCENARIOS: As it enters the final week of the regular season, the Rush holds the American Conference's fifth playoff spot. Chicago can clinch its sixth-consecutive postseason appearance with a win in Grand Rapids on Saturday. However, the Rush still can qualify for the playoffs even with a loss to the Rampage. In addition, if the Rush qualifies for the postseason, the team can finish as the conference's fourth, fifth or sixth seed, depending on the outcome of other games.

Here is a look at the possibilities:
The Rush can clinch a playoff spot with -
ü A Rush win over Grand Rapids.
ü A Rush loss by less than 7 points to Grand Rapids.
ü A Las Vegas win over Los Angeles.
ü A Utah loss to Kansas City.

The Rush will clinch the fourth playoff seed with -
ü A Rush win combined with a Nashville loss.

The Rush will clinch the fifth playoff seed with -
ü A Rush win combined with a Nashville win.
ü If the Rush loses and ends in a four-way tie with Utah, Grand Rapids and Las Vegas.
ü If the Rush loses by less than seven and ends in a three-way tie with Utah and Grand Rapids.

The Rush will clinch the sixth playoff seed with -
ü If the Rush loses by less than seven and ends in a three-way tie with Las Vegas and Grand Rapids.
ü If the Rush loses by more than seven and ends in a three-way tie with Utah 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 Nashville while Arizona would host Utah.

Here is a look at the American Conference standings:
1. xy-Colorado 10-5
2. xy-San Jose 9-6
3. y-Arizona 8-7
4. y-Nashville 7-8
5. Chicago 6-9
6. Utah 6-9
--------------------
Las Vegas 5-10
Grand Rapids 5-10
z-Los Angeles 4-11

x- division leader
y- clinched playoff spot
z- eliminated from playoffs

THE LAST TIME... A Mike Hohensee-coached team did not make the playoffs was in 1999 when the expansion New England Sea Wolves went 5-9.

PLAYOFF STREAKS: If the Rush qualifies for the postseason, its six-year playoff streak will be the third longest current streak in the AFL behind Orlando (15 straight years) and San Jose (7). In addition, Mike Hohensee's streak of taking his teams to the playoffs for seven straight seasons would be tied for the second-longest consecutive streak by any AFL coach. Utah coach Danny White took his Arizona Rattlers to 12 consecutive playoff appearances before moving to Utah. He is looking to increase his streak to 13 with a playoff appearance in 2006. San Jose head coach Darren Arbet has taken his team to the playoffs for seven consecutive seasons and Orlando head coach Jay Gruden has taken his teams to six straight playoff appearances.

RUSH EARNS MARCH WIN OVER RAMPAGE: Trailing Grand Rapids 24-3 with less than 30 seconds remaining in the first half of its March 26 game at Allstate Arena, the Rush mounted the biggest comeback in team history and defeated the Rampage 51-44. Chicago went on a 33-7 run over an 18 minute stretch to take a 36-31 lead early in the fourth quarter. Grand Rapids regained its footing and took a 44-42 lead with 1:02 remaining in the game, but Rush QB Matt D'Orazio led the team on a 37-yard drive that culminated in a 14-yard TD pass to Cornelius White with just four seconds remaining, giving the Rush a 49-44 lead. Then, on the game's final play, lineman Curtis Eason sacked Rampage QB Chad Salisbury for a safety, giving the Rush a 51-44 win.

The Rush and Rampage split their series in 2005, with each team winning on the other's home field.

Overall, the Rush has won two games in a row in Grand Rapids and three of the last four games it has played at Van Andel Arena.

Here is a look at the Rush-Rampage Series Results:
2001: Grand Rapids 54, Rush 52 (May 19 @ Chicago)
Grand Rapids 79, Rush 58 (July 7 @ GR)
Grand Rapids 53, Rush 21 (August 5 @ GR)*
2002: Rush 71, Grand Rapids 59 (May 4 @ Chicago)
Rush 56, Grand Rapids 50 (July 6 @ GR)
2003: Grand Rapids 48, Rush 34 (March 29 @ GR)
Rush 54, Grand Rapids 46 (April 27 @ Chicago)
2004: Rush 50, Grand Rapids 30 (February 8 @ Chicago)
Rush 63, Grand Rapids 35 (May 8 @ GR)
2005: Rush 48, Grand Rapids 45 (March 13 @ GR)
Grand Rapids 51, Rush 40 (May 15 @ Chicago)
2006: Rush 51, Grand Rapids 44 (March 26 @ Chicago)
*AFL playoffs

DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE: In its last four games the Rush has been as up-and-down as a team can be. Chicago has looked fantastic in home wins over Las Vegas and Utah, outscoring the Western Division foes 151-95. On the other hand, the Rush has looked terrible in its last two road games, falling to Arizona and Georgia by a combined score of 116-62.

HOME COOKIN': The Rush finished the regular season with a 5-3 record at home, averaging 55.4 points per game in its eight games this year. Chicago now has a 32-16 all-time record at Allstate Arena (including postseason).

ROAD WEARY: The Rush enters this week's game at Grand Rapids with a 1-6 road record, averaging just 44.6 points per game on the road in 2006. It's the team's worst road season in its six-year history. Prior to this season, Chicago's worst road record was in its inaugural 2001 season when the team went 2-5 on the road during the regular season and 3-6 on the road including postseason. This season's lone road win came February 18 in Los Angeles when the Rush defeated the Avengers 65-46 at Staples Center. Overall, the Rush has a 22-30 road record in its six-year history (including postseason).

OWNING THE DIVISION?: After entering the 2006 season with an 11-3 record against Central Division opponents over the past two years, the Rush has fallen to 2-3 in the Central Division in 2006.

WORKING ON HIS SECOND 100: With Chicago's 67-47 win over Las Vegas April 23, head coach Mike Hohensee finally got the 100th win of his AFL career. Hohensee, who now has 101 career victories, is only the third head coach in AFL history with more than 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 54-46 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 94-85 (including a
50-41 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 7-5 all-time vs. Grand Rapids and 2-1 all-time vs. Sparky McEwen.

All-Time Winningest AFL Coaches
Including Postseason
Coach Team Wins This Week
Tim Marcum Tampa Bay 180 @ Nashville
Danny White Utah 147 vs. Kansas City
Mike Hohensee Rush 101 @ Grand Rapids
Mike Dailey Colorado 98 vs. Arizona
Darren Arbet San Jose 91 vs. Columbus

D'ORAZIO BOUNCES BACK: One week after spraining his left ankle on the game's first series, QB Matt D'Orazio was back in the lineup and having one of his best games of the season. D'Orazio completed 20 of 24 passes for 308 yards and seven touchdowns in Chicago's win over Utah. In his last two full games as QB (not including the one series at Georgia in which he was injured) D'Orazio has completed 42 of 58 passes for 617 yards and 15 touchdowns for a QB rating of 146.3.

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 15 weeks, D'Orazio is the AFL's third-ranked passer with a 122.7 quarterback rating. On the season, D'Orazio has set career highs in all of his passing stats, completing 287 of 415 passes for 3,357 yards and 57 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 ranked third in the AFL 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 796 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 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 four games for the Rush since being claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay, catching 32 passes for 580 yards and 15 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 tackles, interceptions and passes broken up, recording 69.0 tackles, eight interceptions and 11 PBUs 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 eight interceptions are the most by any Rush player in one season since Dameon Porter had 10 interceptions in 2002.

SIPPIO NAMED PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Rush offensive specialist Bobby Sippio was named AFL Offensive Player of the Week this week for his record setting performance Saturday night vs. Utah. Sippio caught 10 passes for a team record 217 yards and six touchdowns. The six receiving touchdowns tied a team record Sippio had set two weeks earlier vs. Las Vegas.

FAMILIAR FACES: Two members of the Grand Rapids squad who will take on the Rush this week used to call Chicago home. Rampage QB Chad Salisbury was the Rush backup QB in 2003 and 2004, while WR/DB Dameon Porter was a starter for Chicago from 2001-2003, winning the AFL's Ironman of the Year Award in 2001.

In addition, Rampage defensive coordinator Stan Davis was a Rush assistant coach from 2001 to 2003.

On the flip side, three members of the Rush will be returning to Van Andel Arena for the first time since leaving the Rampage. Rush QB Michael Bishop was the starting QB in Grand Rapids last year and played for the team in both 2004 and 2005. Rush WR/DB Dennison Robinson also played in Grand Rapids last season, while DS Marvin Taylor spent 11 weeks with the Rampage earlier this season.

COOKIE MONSTER: Rush FB/LB Charlie Cook had his best game of the season against Utah, winning ADT Defensive Player of the Game honors. Cook recorded 2.0 sacks, knocked down a pass at the line, forced a fumble which led to a safety, and recovered a fumble which he returned 26 yards for a touchdown. Cook also had one rush for seven yards on offense.

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 24 passes for 294 yards and five touchdowns in his five 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 immediately was inserted into the lineup at defensive specialist - alongside Jeremy Unertl - and has played in four games since signing with the Rush, recording 21.0 tackles, one interception, one pass broken up and one fumble recovered. 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 is currently the team's second-leading receiver and has 63 receptions for 665 yards and nine TDs this season.

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 42
Receptions 197 260
Yards 2,676 3,103
Receiving TDs 52 57
Total TDs 62 71

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 15 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 16 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 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.

ASAD BACK ON ROSTER, JOHNSON RELASED: Late last week the Rush promoted QB Asad Abdul-Khaliq from the practice squad back to the 24-man active roster. To make room for Abdul-Khaliq the Rush was forced to release its leading receiver, OS C.J. Johnson. Johnson was scheduled to be a free agent at the end of the year and saw his playing time evaporate when the Rush added Bobby Sippio.

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 vs. Utah, giving him 180.5 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: Although the Rush offensive line did not give up a sack last week against Utah it 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 19 sacks on the season, six more than the defense registered during the entire 2005 season. The Rush is fourth in the AFL in sacks led by rookie Khreem Smith with 8.0.

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 15 weeks Smith ranks second in the AFL in sacks with 8.0, and leads the league lead in forced fumbles with six. In addition to his sacks and forced fumbles, he has recorded 22.0 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 8.0 (2006) Khreem Smith 8.0
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 TOPS 1,400: 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. Last week, McMillen became the first player to eclipse the 1,400 yard mark when he rushed for 11 yards against Utah. McMillen now has 78 yards rushing this season and 1,406 in his 12-year career.

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 1,406
Les Barley 1992-2001 - 1,382
Bo Kelly 1996-present Arizona 1,339
Andre Bowden 1991-2004 - 1,241

The AFL's All-Time Rushing Attempts list
Player Seasons Team Attempts
Bo Kelly 1996-present Arizona 455
Bob McMillen 1995-present Chicago 445
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 57 kickoffs for 1,295 yards and three touchdowns and leads the AFL in kickoff returns, averaging 22.7 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 15 games this season the Rush is tied for third in the league with a +7 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 63.0 tackles to go along with three interceptions and nine passes broken up. He ranks fourth in the AFL in special teams tackles with 15.0 and is the team's fourth-leading receiver, catching 35 passes for 308 yards and five touchdowns.

TALE OF THE TAPE
Chicago Category Grand Rapids
15 Games 15
50.3 (10) Scoring Offense 45.0 (17)
52.5 (10) Scoring Defense 53.3 (13)
288.9 (8) Total Offense 254.6 (17)
284.9 (9) Total Defense 277.8 (5)
56-73 76.7% Red Zone Offense 54-72, 75.0%
62-73 84.9% Red Zone Defense 59-74 79.7%
266.1 (9) Pass Offense 243.1 (15)
257.3 (6) Pass Defense 246.7 (3)
22.8 (6) Rushing Offense 11.5 (17)
27.7 (17) Rushing Defense 31.1 (18)
755 (10) Scoring 675 (17)
117 (11) Scoring (Kicking) 135 (3)
95-1,734-4 Kickoff Returns 99-1,792-2
18.3 (5) Kick Return Average 18.1 (6)
9-257-3 Missed Field Goal Returns 2-59-0
28.6 (2) Missed FG Return Avg. 29.5 (1)
+7 (3t) Turnover Margin -2 (12)
15-31, 48.4% Field Goals 20-38, 52.6%
72-82, 87.8% PAT Kicking 75-88, 85.2%
19-112 (3) Sacks By 18-94 (4)
24-115 (15) Sacks Against 12-69 (9)
53-105,50.5% Third Down Conversion 39-111,35.1%
10-25, 40.0% Fourth Down Conversion 12-27, 44.4%
117-681 (13) Penalties (#-Yards) 111-625 (9)
79-483 (18) Opp. Penalties (#-Yards) 107-647 (7)

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

Matt D'Orazio: QB Rating (3rd - 122.7 rating), completion percentage (2nd- 69.2), 4th quarter passing (2nd - 133.2 rating), rushing yards (3rd - 162 yards)

Khreem Smith: sacks (2nd - 8.0), forced fumbles (1st - 6)

Carlos Wright: kickoff returns (1st - 22.7 avg.)

Jeremy Unertl: interceptions (4th - 9)

Dennison Robinson: special teams tackles (4th - 15.0)

Bobby Sippio: scoring (6th - 210 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, 5/6 vs. Utah)

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)
Charlie Cook (5/6 vs. Utah)

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, 5/6 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 - Frank Moore (left knee sprain)

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