Chicago Rush game notes
June 6, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
The Quick Facts
TV: NBC...Tom Hammond, Pat Haden, Lewis Johnson, Marty Snider
Radio: WCKG, 105.9 FM...Tom Dore, James "Big Cat" Williams
Overall Series Record: Tied 4-4 (Rush trails 2-4 in regular season, leads 2-0 postseason)
Series Streaks: Orlando has won the last two meetings.
Last Meeting: April 2, 2006, Orlando 55, Rush 27
Coaches (regular season, postseason records):
Mike Hohensee (95-85, 10-9 - 13th season)
Jay Gruden (65-39, 11-4 - 7th season)
Officials: Steve Pamon (Referee), Al Granado (Umpire), Mike McCabe (Head Linesman), Darrel Leftwich (Line Judge), Scott Helverson (Back Judge), Tom McCabe (Alternate)
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* W, 70-47 7,280
May 21 y-@ Nashville W, 55-47 7,838
May 28 y-@ Colorado W, 63-46 13,258
June 3 y-@ San Jose W, 59-56 12,229
June 11 z-vs. Orlando 2 p.m. NBC
y-AFL Playoffs
z-ArenaBowl XX Las Vegas
* Central Division game
American Conference - Central Division
Final 2006 Standings
W-L-T PF PA Division
Colorado 11-5-0 903 833 5-1
Nashville 8-8-0 818 799 3-3
RUSH 7-9-0 825 834 3-3
Grand Rapids 5-10-0 722 875 1-5
VIVA LAS VEGAS: - After losing in the AFL semifinals three times in the last four years, the Chicago Rush finally got over the hump, defeating the San Jose SaberCats 59-56 Saturday to advance to ArenaBowl XX Las Vegas. The Rush will play the Orlando Predators in the title game. The Predators knocked off the Dallas Desperados 45-28 to win the National Conference title.
AFL PLAYOFF PICTURE: For the first time in AFL history, both road teams were winners in the AFL semifinals, as Chicago and Orlando advanced to play in ArenaBowl XX Las Vegas this weekend.
Here is a recap of the 2006 AFL playoffs:
Wild Card Round
Arizona 57, Utah 34 Georgia 72, New York 69
Chicago 55, Nashville 47 Philadelphia 52, Austin 35
Conference Semifinals
San Jose 62, Arizona 48 Chicago 63, Colorado 46
Dallas 62, Georgia 27 Orlando 31, Philadelphia 27
American Conference Final National Conference Final
Chicago 59, San Jose 56 Orlando 45, Dallas 28
ArenaBowl XX: Chicago vs. Orlando
ARENABOWL FACT: After advancing to the AFL semifinals four times, Chicago is making its first trip to the ArenaBowl. Orlando, on the other hand, has made six trips to the ArenaBowl, winning the title in 1995, 1998 and 2000.
WELCOME BACK, COACH HO: Rush head coach Mike Hohensee was the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Gladiators in ArenaBowl I. This Sunday will mark Hohensee's first trip back to the ArenaBowl since taking the snaps for Pittsburgh in 1987.
RINGS ON THEIR FINGERS: The Rush has four players on its roster who have won ArenaBowl titles in their career - Curtis Eason (2000 with Orlando), Dan Frantz (2004 - San Jose), Bob McMIllen (1997-Arizona and 2002-San Jose) and John Sikora (1999 - Albany).
STREAKING: The Rush enters this week's game with a five-game winning streak - the longest winning streak in team history.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN: This week's game in Las Vegas will be the fifth-consecutive road game for the Rush. It also will be the ninth time in the last 11 weeks that Chicago has played away from Allstate Arena. Including this week's trip, the Rush will have traveled nearly 10,000 miles and played in four different time zones since the start of its 11 game stretch on April 2.
DEFENSE KEYS ANOTHER WIN: Trailing 42-39 at the start of the fourth quarter Saturday at San Jose, the Rush opened the final period by moving 42 yards for a touchdown to take a 45-42 lead on a DeJuan Alfonzo three-yard touchdown reception with 12:09 remaining.
Next, the Rush defense made one of its biggest stands of the season when it held San Jose on downs to get the offense the ball back at midfield with 8:25 left. The key plays in the series came on third and fourth downs, when Jeremy Unertl and Russell Shaw broke up passes to stop the SaberCat drive.
It took the Rush offense just two plays and 50 seconds to capitalize as QB Matt D'Orazio first hit OS Bobby Sippio with a nine-yard reception, and then found Sippio again with a 17-yarder for a TD to give the Rush a 52-42 lead, before holding on for a 59-56 win.
The defense also came up big in the first half, helping the Rush overcome an early 11-point deficit.
After falling behind 21-10 early in the second quarter, Rush WR/LB DeJuan Alfonzo picked up a San Jose kickoff after it went through the hands of Chicago kick returner Carlos Wright and returned it 51 yards for a touchdown, narrowing the gap to 21-16.
The Rush defense then kept the momentum going as lineman John Moyer beat Albrey Battle and sacked San Jose QB Mark Grieb, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Curtis Eason.
The Rush scored four plays later, as D'Orazio dove in from the 1-yard line to put Chicago back in front 22-21.
TURNOVERS BIG IN RUSH WINS: During Chicago's five-game winning streak, the Rush defense has forced six fumbles, intercepted eight passes, recorded nine sacks and recovered a kickoff off of the net. The 15 turnovers have translated into 84 Rush points.
The defensive pressure continues a trend from the regular season in which the Rush finished third in the league with a +10 turnover ratio.
50 IS THE MAGIC NUMBER: Kevin McKenzie's 58-yard kickoff return for a touchdown with 27 seconds remaining in last week's American Conference final gave the SaberCats 56 points, marking the first time since April 29 the Rush defense had given up more than 50 points in a game. In Chicago's previous four games, the defense had allowed an average of just 47 points per game. This year the Rush is 8-2 when the defense gives up less than 50 points (including postseason).
ON A ROLL: Including last week's playoff win in San Jose, the Rush enters this week's game at San Jose as winners of six of its last seven games. In its six wins, the Rush has averaged more than 66 points a game and outscored its opponents 398-291.
PLAYOFF EXPERIENCE: The Rush enters the game with 139 games of postseason experience. Rush FB/LB Bob McMillen leads all Rush players with 22 career playoff games.
PLAYOFF CONSISTENCY: Chicago and Orlando are two of only three AFL teams (San Jose) which have qualified for the AFL playoffs in each of the past six seasons.
Here is a look at Chicago's all-time playoff results:
2001: W, 41-26 at Orlando (Wild Card Round)
L, 53-21 at Grand Rapids (Quarterfinal)
2002: W, 60-47 vs. Dallas (Quarterfinal)
L, 46-35 at Arizona (Semifinal)
2003: L, 48-45 at New York (Wild Card Round)
2004: W, 59-49 vs. Orlando (Quarterfinal)
L, 49-35 at San Jose (Semifinal)
2005: W, 52-45 at Los Angeles (Quarterfinal)
L, 49-43 (OT) at Colorado (Semifinal)
2006: W, 55-47 at Nashville (Wild Card Round)
W, 63-46 at Colorado (Quarterfinals)
W, 59-56 at San Jose (Semifinals)
PLAYOFF STREAKS: Chicago's six-year playoff streak is 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 is tied for the second-longest consecutive streak by any AFL coach. Danny White led the Blaze to the playoffs in his first year on the Utah sidelines after taking his Arizona Rattlers to 12 consecutive playoff appearances. 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 FALLS IN ORLANDO IN APRIL: The Rush suffered its one of its worst defeats of the season April 2 in Orlando, falling to the Predators 55-27 in a game that was decided in the second and third quarters.
After holding a 14-7 lead after 15 minutes of play, Chicago went five-consecutive possessions without scoring a touchdown. During the span the Rush was stopped on downs three times and was forced to kick two field goals, allowing Orlando to go on a 41-6 run.
In the third quarter alone, Chicago was outscored 20-0, turning an Orlando 28-20 halftime lead into a 48-20 rout heading into the fourth quarter.
However, the Rush played the game without two of its top linemen - John Moyer and D.J. Bleisath - who both missed the game with injuries.
FAMILIAR FACES: Three Orlando players - defensive specialist Jeroid Johnson, WR/LB Jerrian James and lineman Jim Sodano - have ties to the Rush organization.
Johnson spent the 2005 season in Chicago and finished the year as the team's leading tackler, recording 73.0 tackles, 13 passes broken up and two forced fumbles. He was released in the off-season in a salary cap move and signed with Orlando.
James and Sodano attended training camp with the Rush in 2004 and 2005, respectively, but both were released when the team made its final cuts for the season.
RUSH 2-0 VS. ORLANDO IN PLAYOFFS: While the overall series is tied 4-4, the Rush is 2-0 against Orlando in the playoffs. In the team's first-ever playoff game in July 2001, the Rush traveled to Orlando and defeated the defending champion Predators 41-26. Then, in 2004 at Allstate Arena the Rush defeated Orlando 59-49 in an AFL quarterfinal game.
Here is a look at the Chicago-Orlando Series Results:
2001: Chicago 55, Orlando 41 (July 21 @ Chicago)
Chicago 41, Orlando 26 (July 27 @ Orlando)*
2002: Orlando 49, Chicago 38 (April 26 @ Orlando)
2003: Orlando 47, Chicago 35 (February 2 @ Chicago)
2004: Chicago 58, Orlando 15 (March 21 @ Chicago)
Chicago 59, Orlando 49 (June 6 @ Chicago)*
2005: Orlando 48, Chicago 35 (February 25 @ Chicago)
2006: Orlando 55, Chicago 27 (April 2, @ Orlando)
*AFL playoffs
HAMILTON vs. RUSH: Orlando QB Joe Hamilton had a great game when the teams played earlier this year. Hamilton completed 14 of 19 passes for 177 yards and five touchdowns, and he rushed for 40 yards and two TDs on his way to earning Offensive Player of the Game honors.
Here are Hamilton's career numbers against Chicago:
G Comp Att Pct. Yds. TD Int Rating
4 54 83 65.1% 728 12 4 108.9
He also has carried the ball 13 times for 89 yards and 4 TDs.
CALL HIM MR. IRONMAN: Rush WR/LB DeJuan Alfonzo is enjoying the best stretch of his AFL career. Since May 1 Alfonzo has been named to the AFL's All-Ironman team, been named Ironman of the Game four times, and selected as the AFL's Ironman of the Week twice.
Just three days after being named to the AFL's All-Ironman team May 18, Alfonzo showed why the honor was justified in the team's playoff opener at Nashville. When Rush WR/LB Etu Molden was injured on the game's first play from scrimmage, Alfonzo was asked to play every snap on offense and defense for the rest of the game - an amazing 91 of 92 plays. Alfonzo responded by recording 6.0 tackles and one pass broken up on defense; catching four passes for 62 yards and two touchdowns on offense; and serving as the holder as kicker Dan Frantz converted all seven of his extra point attempts and two of his three field goal attempts.
May 28 in Colorado, Alfonzo caught seven passes for 63 yards and two touchdowns, recorded 3.0 tackles, and recovered two fumbles - one of which he returned 20 yards for a TD.
Last week in San Jose, Alfonzo caught three passes for 25 yards and a touchdown, recorded 3.5 tackles and returned a kickoff 51 yards for a TD.
Alfonzo is one of the team's best all-around players. He finished the year with 20 receptions for 213 yards and five touchdowns in 13 games. On defense he added 50.0 tackles, a safety, two passes broken up and two fumble recoveries - including one that he returned for a team-record 46-yard touchdown. Alfonzo also returned two onside kickoffs for touchdowns, scored three two-point conversions and served as the team's main holder on extra points and field goals.
TALK ABOUT A HOT QB: Rush QB Matt D'Orazio closed the regular season as one of the AFL's hottest quarterbacks. In Chicago's final three regular season wins D'Orazio completed 60 of 86 passes (69.8%) for 806 yards and 21 touchdowns without throwing an interception. His QB rating during the stretch was 137.7. D'Orazio has continued his hot play in the playoffs, completing 62 of 99 passes for 742 yards and 15 touchdowns, while only throwing one interception. D'Orazio also has rushed for 59 yards and three TDs in the playoffs.
PLAYOFF DEBUTS: Six Rush players - Woody Dantzler, Matt D'Orazio, Joe Peters, Bobby Sippio, Khreem Smith and Jeremy Unertl made their AFL playoff debuts in Chicago's Wild Card win at Nashville on May 21. Here is a recap of their inaugural postseason performances:
8 Dantzler - caught a 16-yard TD pass and recorded 2.5 tackles.
8 D'Orazio - completed 21 of 28 passes for 276 yards and five touchdowns...also rushed for 30 yards and a TD.
8 Peters - recorded 0.5 tackles.
8 Sippio - Caught six passes for 100 yards and one TD.
8 Smith - recorded 3.5 tackles and 2.0 sacks.
8 Unertl - had 6.0 tackles, one interception and three passes broken up.
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 TO ROAD WARRIORS: The Rush finished the regular season with a 2-6 road record. It's the team's worst road season in its six-year history. However, the Rush has turned its fortunes around in the playoffs, going 3-0 on the road. Overall, the Rush has a 25-30 road record in its six-year history (including postseason).
HIGH SCORING OFFENSE: The Rush offense scored 825 points during the 2006 regular season for an average of 51.6 points per game. The offensive output was just 22 points shy of the team record of 847 points (52.9 ppg) set in 2004.
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 105 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 58-46 overall record and playoff appearances in each of the team's six seasons. During his tenure, the Rush has won two Central Division titles (2002, 2004) and advanced to the AFL semifinals four times (2002, 2004, 2005, 2006).
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 10 times and won five division titles in his 13 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 95-85 (including a
51-41 mark with the Rush).
8 has a career 10-9 mark in the postseason.
8 has led the Rush to six-consecutive playoff berths and two Central Division titles (2002 and 2004).
8 is 6-9 all-time vs. the Predators (4-4 as coach of Chicago).
8 is 5-3 against head coach Jay Gruden (4-2 with Chicago).
All-Time Winningest AFL Coaches
Including Postseason
Coach Team Wins This Week
Tim Marcum Tampa Bay 180
Danny White Utah 148
Mike Hohensee Rush 105 vs. Orlando
Mike Dailey Colorado 99
Darren Arbet San Jose 93
2006 RUSH BY THE NUMBERS: Here is a breakdown of how the Rush fared in certain situations during the 2006 season (including postseason):
Site: Home 5-3 Road 5-6
Time: Day 9-4 Night 1-5
Opponents: vs. American Conf. 10-4
vs. Central 5-3 vs. West 5-1
vs. National Conf. 0-5
vs. East 0-3 vs. South 0-2
vs. 2006 playoff teams 5-9
O-FOR THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE: The Rush played its worst football this season against the National Conference, going 0-5. Conversely, the Rush finished the season 10-4 vs. the American Conference.
D'ORAZIO AMONG AFL LEADERS: Rush QB Matt D'Orazio finished the 2006 regular season ranked among the league's top passers. D'Orazio finished the year ranked second in the AFL in completion percentage (68.7%) and third in QB rating (123.4) after setting career highs in all of his passing stats. He completed 305 of 444 passes for 3,546 yards and 63 touchdowns, while only throwing five interceptions, and finished the season by attempting 99 consecutive passes without throwing an interception.
Earlier in the year, 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 finished the season ranked fifth 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 finished the season ranked second in the AFL in fourth quarter passing, converting 72 of 99 attempts for 804 yards and 16 TDs in the fourth quarter for a QB rating of 131.9.
SIPPIO, UNERTL KEYS TO PRESENT, FUTURE: The Rush helped solidify its present and future by acquiring offensive specialist Bobby Sippio and defensive specialist Jeremy Unertl this season and then signing them to contract extensions through the 2007 and 2008 seasons, respectively.
Sippio played in five regular season games for the Rush after being claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay, catching 38 passes for 654 yards and 17 TDs. He played in nine games with the Storm before being waived, catching 55 passes for 666 yards and 18 touchdowns.
In the playoffs, Sippio has caught 23 passes for 342 yards and seven touchdowns.
Unertl helped solidify the Rush secondary since his trade from Columbus in February. He led all Rush players in tackles, interceptions and passes broken up, recording 74.0 tackles, eight interceptions and 11 PBUs since being inserted into the Rush secondary. He was 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 were the most by any Rush player in one season since Dameon Porter had 10 interceptions in 2002.
Unertl has played very well in the postseason, recording 22.0 tackles, two interceptions, six passes broken up and recovering a kick off of the net for a TD. He was named Defensive Player of the Game in the team's win at San Jose.
KHREEM SMITH NAMED ALL-ROOKIE, ALL-ARENA: Rush rookie lineman Khreem Smith was named to the AFL's All-Rookie team as well as second team All-Arena, becoming the fourth Rush player in six years to be named to the All-Rookie team (Antonio Chatman, Keith Gispert and Etu Molden). Smith finished his rookie season as the AFL leader in forced fumbles (6), and ranked second in the AFL in sacks (8.0). He also recorded 22.5 tackles, two passes broken up and one blocked kick. His sack total is the third-highest single-season total in Rush history, behind John Moyer's 10 sacks in 2004 and nine in 2003.
MOLDEN RETURNS TO LINEUP AT SAN JOSE: It has been an injury-plagued season for WR/LB Etu Molden, the team's leading receiver in 2004 and 2005. Molden missed four of the team's first nine games this season with shoulder and knee injuries before coming back in the second half of the year to finish the season with a team-leading 67 receptions for 694 yards and 10 touchdowns. Molden suffered a rib contusion in the regular season finale at Grand Rapids and re-aggravated the injury on the first play of the game may 21 at Nashville. He left the game after taking the hit from Monty Montgomery and did not return. He missed the team's game at Colorado, but returned to the lineup last week in San Jose, catching three passes for 25 yards
MOLDEN RE-WRITES RUSH RECORDS: This season, Rush WR/LB Etu Molden moved past former offensive specialist Antonio Chatman for franchise records for career receptions, career receiving yards, career receiving touchdowns and total touchdowns.
Career Numbers Chatman Molden
Games 30 43
Receptions 197 264
Yards 2,676 3,132
Receiving TDs 52 58
Total TDs 62 72
UNDER PRESSURE: The Rush defensive line recorded 21 sacks during the regular season, eight more than the defense registered during the entire 2005 season, and two shy of the team-record 23 set in 2004. The Rush finished the season tied for third in the AFL in sacks.
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. Moyer also is the team's all-time leader with 6.0 playoff sacks.
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
ALFONZO SETS TACKLE RECORD: Rush WR/LB DeJuan Alfonzo recorded 6.0 tackles in the regular season finale at Grand Rapids, giving him 186.5 for his Rush career. This season Alfonzo moved past former Rush DS Cedric Walker (166.5) as the team's career tackles leader. Alfonzo also has recorded 12.0 tackles in six career postseason games.
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 played three overtime games - February 12 vs. Nashville, February 26 vs. San Jose and April 9 at Philadelphia - going 2-1.
PROTECT THAT QB: Perhaps the key to Rush victories is protecting its QB. In Chicago's seven regular season wins the team gave up a total of seven sacks and none in its last four wins of the regular season. However, in its nine losses the offensive line allowed 17 sacks. For the season the Rush allowed a franchise record 24 sacks. Coming into this season the Rush offensive line had given up a total of 13 sacks in the last two seasons combined.
In the playoffs the Rush line only has allowed two sacks in three games.
FANTASTIC FINISHES: Six of Chicago's 16 regular season games this season were decided on the game's final play.
Dating back to last season's American Conference Semifinal in Colorado, seven of Chicago's last 20 games overall 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 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.
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. McMillen finished the season with 89 yards rushing, breaking his streak of seven-consecutive 100-yard seasons. He became the first AFL player to eclipse the 1,400 yard mark and now has 1,417 for his 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 1,417
Les Barley 1992-2001 - 1,382
Bo Kelly 1996-present Arizona 1,346
Andre Bowden 1991-2004 - 1,241
The AFL's All-Time Rushing Attempts list
Player Seasons Team Attempts
Bo Kelly 1996-present Arizona 458
Bob McMillen 1995-present Chicago 449
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 80
Bo Kelly 1996-present Arizona 77
Les Barley 1992-2001 - 71
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 finished the season as the team's second leading tackler, recording a career-high 71.5 tackles to go along with five interceptions and nine passes broken up. He also tied for third in the AFL in special teams tackles with 15.5 and was the team's fourth-leading receiver, catching 36 passes for 319 yards and five touchdowns.
D-Rob has been named Defensive Player of the Game in two of the team's three playoff wins, recording 20.0 tackles, including two tackles for loss, and two interceptions in the postseason. On offense, Robinson has 13 receptions for 122 yards and two TDs.
COOKIE MONSTER: Rush FB/LB Charlie Cook finished the year healthy and playing his best football of the season. One week after winning ADT Defensive Player of the Game honors for his performance against Utah, Cook showed his strength on offense. In the season finale at Grand Rapids, Cook had three carries for 29 yards and a touchdown and caught a two-yard TD pass. He also recovered a fumble in the game.
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 one of the best kick return men in the league. Wright returned 59 kickoffs for 1,325 yards and three touchdowns and finished the season tied for second in the AFL in kickoff returns, averaging 22.5 yards per return.
DAN THE MAN: Rush kicker Dan Frantz has been a steadying influence on the kicking game in his two stints with the Rush this season. Overall, Frantz converted 51 of 54 PAT attempts and nine of 15 field goal attempts during the regular season. He finished the season by converting his last 20 one-point PATs in a row (Frantz attempted a two-point drop kick in the regular season finale at Grand Rapids).
In the playoffs, Frantz has converted 18 of 23 extra point attempts and 7-of-9 field goal attempts, including three kicksof more than 50 yards. He was named Offensive Player of the Game for his performance in Colorado.
INJURY REPORT: The following players appeared on this week's injury report to the AFL:
Injured Reserve - Levelle Brown (right shoulder), Todd Howard (right hamstring), Buchie Ibeh (hamstring), Nick Myers (right ankle sprain)
Probable - Etu Molden (rib contusion)
TALE OF THE TAPE - Regular Season Numbers
Chicago Category Orlando
16 Games 16
51.6 (7) Scoring Offense 51.0 (10)
52.1 (9t) Scoring Defense 47.5 (7)
285.4 (8) Total Offense 287.5 (7)
286.4 (11) Total Defense 285.5 (10)
61-78 78.2% Red Zone Offense 67-79, 84.8%
69-81 85.2% Red Zone Defense 62-80 77.5%
261.3 (11) Pass Offense 254.5 (13)
258.9 (6) Pass Defense 266.4 (9)
24.1 (6) Rushing Offense 33.0 (2)
27.6 (17) Rushing Defense 19.1 (6)
825 (7) Scoring 816 (10)
125 (12) Scoring (Kicking) 134 (7)
99-1,774-6 Kickoff Returns 83-1,300-0
17.9 (6) Kick Return Average 15.7 (17)
9-257-3 Missed Field Goal Returns 5-79-0
28.6 (2) Missed FG Return Avg. 15.8 (12)
+10 (3) Turnover Margin +3 (6t)
15-31, 48.4% Field Goals 14-22, 63.6%
80-91, 87.9% PAT Kicking 92-100, 92.0%
21-129 (3t) Sacks By 18-84 (6)
24-115 (15) Sacks Against 12-39 (8)
56-110,50.9% Third Down Conversion 46-95, 48.4%
11-27, 40.7% Fourth Down Conversion 11-21, 52.4%
128-740 (16) Penalties (#-Yards) 90-534 (1)
91-551 (17) Opp. Penalties (#-Yards) 108-666 (11)
INDIVIDUAL LEAGUE LEADERS: The following Rush players finished the regular season among the 2006 AFL league leaders:
Matt D'Orazio: QB Rating (3rd - 123.4 rating), completion percentage (2nd- 68.7), 4th quarter passing (2nd - 131.9 rating), rushing yards (5th - 162 yards)
Khreem Smith: sacks (2nd - 8.0), forced fumbles (1st - 6)
Carlos Wright: kickoff returns (3rd - 22.5 avg.)
Jeremy Unertl: interceptions (4th - 9), tackles (15th - 77.0)
Dennison Robinson: special teams tackles (4th - 15.0)
Bobby Sippio: scoring (6th - 222 points), receiving yards (12th - 1,320 yards)
RUSH GAME AWARD WINNERS: The following Rush players 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, 5/13 @ Grand Rapids, 5/21 @ Nashville, 6/3 @ San Jose)
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)
Dan Frantz (5/28 @ Colorado)
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, 6/3 @ San Jose)
Curtis Eason (4/23 vs. Las Vegas)
Charlie Cook (5/6 vs. Utah)
Dennison Robinson (5/13 @ Grand Rapids, 5/21 @ Nashville, 5/28 @ Colorado)
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, 5/13 @ Grand Rapids, 5/21 @ Nashville, 5/28 @ Colorado)
AFL WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS: The following Rush players won AFL weekly awards for their play this season:
Offensive Player of the Week:
Bobby Sippio - Week 15 vs. Utah
Ironman of the Week:
DeJuan Alfonzo - Wild Card Playoff Round at Nashville (5/21), Conference Semifinals at Colorado (5/28)
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 6, 2006
- Gruden to make eighth Arena Bowl appearance - AFL I
- AFL stars to compete in Arena Battle Skills Challenge - AFL I
- Chicago Rush game notes - Chicago Rush
- Beckett.com AFL Collectible Player of the Week - AFL I
- Rush offer ArenaBowl tickets - Chicago Rush
- Preds earn awards - Orlando Predators
- AFL names players of the week - AFL I
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