Chicago Rush game notes
May 17, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
The Quick Facts
TV: Comcast Sports Net ... Greg Sharpe, Ray Bentley, Brent Stover
Radio: WCKG 105.9 FM...Tom Dore, James "Big Cat" Williams
Overall Series Record: Chicago leads 5-1, (4-1 in regular season, 1-0 in postseason)
Last Meeting: April 7, 2007, Rush 66, Nashville 54
Streaks: Chicago has won two games in a row
Coaches (regular season, postseason records):
Mike Hohensee (103-87, 11-9 - 14th season)
Pat Sperduto (44-37-1, 5-4 - 6th season)
Officials: Tom McCabe (Referee), Wes Fritz (Umpire), Neil Brunner (Head Linesman), Paul Engelberts (Line Judge), Jim DeBell (Back Judge)
2007 Chicago Rush Schedule
Date Opponent Time/Score TV/Attend
March 4 @ Kansas City* L, 54-41 13,600
March 9 San Jose W, 48-45 16,201
March 18 New York W, 61-40 16,128
March 24 @ Columbus W, 55-47 16,390
April 1 Los Angeles W, 66-31 15,846
April 7 @ Nashville* W, 66-54 7,332
April 15 Bye
April 21 @ Grand Rapids* W, 75-54 10,622
April 30 Philadelphia W, 54-43 14,529
May 7 Colorado* W, 59-48 14,528
May 14 @ Dallas L, 52-48 12,518
May 19 Nashville* 7 p.m. CSN
May 26 @ Arizona 9 p.m. CSN
June 2 @ Los Angeles 9:30 p.m.
June 9 Grand Rapids* 7 p.m. CSN
June 18 @ Colorado* 9 p.m. ESPN 2
June 23 Kansas City* 7 p.m. CSN
* Central Division game
American Conference - Central Division
2007 Standings
W-L-T PF PA Division
RUSH 8-2-0 573 468 3-1
Colorado 7-4-0 550 566 4-2
Kansas City 6-4-0 522 460 2-3
Nashville 4-7-0 590 633 1-4
Grand Rapids 3-7-0 554 642 2-2
KATS COMING TO ALLSTATE ARENA: The Rush returns home to a sold out Allstate Arena Saturday night to host the Nashville Kats. Chicago looks to begin a new winning streak after seeing its franchise-record eight-game winning streak snapped last Monday night in Dallas, 52-48.
Nashville enters the game in the midst of a three-game losing streak, falling to Dallas, Grand Rapids and Colorado in the past three weeks.
Overall, Chicago has won five of the six games in the series with Nashville, including a 66-54 victory over the Kats when the teams met in Nashville April 7.
TWO GAME ROAD TRIP ON HORIZON: After Saturday's game with Nashville, the Rush hits the road for back-to-back games at Arizona and Los Angeles. The Rush has never beaten Arizona, losing all five games between the teams.
The road trip marks the first time this season that the Rush will travel on consecutive weeks, as its two-game trip earlier in the season was separated by a bye week.
DALLAS SNAPS RUSH STREAK: Dallas QB Clint Dolezel hit wide receiver Will Pettis with a three-yard touchdown pass on a fourth-and-one play to give the Desperados a 52-48 win over the Rush Monday night at American Airlines Center. The Dallas win snapped Chicago's eight-game winning streak and the fourth-down completion wiped out another thrilling comeback by the Rush.
Trailing 38-21 with 7:17 left in the third quarter, the Rush began its comeback when QB Matt D'Orazio found Rob Mager with a 27-yard TD pass to draw the Rush to 38-27.
After the Desperados recovered a Rush onside kick, Chicago got its first real break of the game.
Dolezel tried to take a page out of the Rush playbook and attempted a pass off the net in the endzone - much like the TD pass Etu Molden caught in last year's ArenaBowl.
However, instead of finding receiver Marcus Nash for a TD, Dolezel's pass was intercepted off the net by Jeremy Unertl, who returned it 21-yards to the Dallas 13-yard line.
The Rush converted the play into a touchdown when D'Orazio hit Alfonzo with a 37-yard pass to bring the Rush to 38-34.
On Dallas' next possession, DB Dennison Robinson stepped in front of a Dolezel pass at the Rush 5-yard line for an interception, which he returned 25 yards to the Dallas 20.
One play later, D'Orazio hit Alfonzo with a touchdown pass with 11:10 left in the quarter and the Rush had its first lead of the game, 41-38.
Dallas regained the lead with 6:45 remaining when Dolezel dove in from the 1-yard line, ending a Rush 20-0 run and putting the Desperados up 45-41.
But the Rush slugged right back, as D'Orazio hit Mager on a 23-yard pass to bring the ball to the Dallas 1-yard line. Bob McMillen took it from there, running it in for a touchdown and a 48-45 lead with 2:04 remaining.
Dallas then worked the final two minutes of the game perfectly, milking the clock as it moved downfield on a six-play drive, culminating in the game-winning score.
SIPPIO, ORDWAY INJURED IN DALLAS: The Rush suffered more than a defeat in Dallas Monday night, as starting wide receiver Bobby Sippio and starting defensive back Jonathan Ordway were injured in the game. Sippio sprained his left ankle in the first quarter and was used sparingly the rest of the game. Ordway suffered a tear of his left bicep early in the second quarter and did not return.
PLAYOFFS COMING INTO FOCUS: The Rush can clinch its seventh-consecutive spot in the AFL playoffs Saturday night. The Rush needs a win this week over Nashville and a Grand Rapids loss at San Jose to become the first American Conference team to clinch a playoff spot.
JOCKEYING FOR PLAYOFF POSITION: As the AFL regular season hits the home stretch, teams are beginning to jockey for playoff position. The Rush currently enjoys a one-game lead over San Jose in the conference and a 1.5 game lead over Colorado in the Central Division.
The top six teams in the conference will qualify for the playoffs, with the winners of the Central and Western Divisions receiving first round byes.
Here is a look at the American Conference standings:
d-Chicago 8-2
d-San Jose 7-3
Colorado 7-4
Kansas City 6-4
Los Angeles 5-5
Utah 5-6
Nashville 4-7
Grand Rapids 3-7
Arizona 3-8
Las Vegas 1-10
d- division leader
PLAYOFF CONSISTENCY: Chicago has never missed the playoffs, qualifying for the postseason in each of its six seasons. Orlando and San Jose are the only two AFL teams which also have made the playoffs in each of the last six seasons.
TWICE AS NICE?: Chicago's goal for the 2007 season is simple: become the first AFL team in more than a decade to repeat as champions. In fact, only two teams in the 20-year history of the Arena Football League - the Detroit Drive (1988-90) and the Tampa Bay Storm (1995-96) - have been able to accomplish the feat of repeating. Interestingly, both Detroit and Tampa Bay were coached by Tim Marcum.
THEY DON'T PLAY THEM ON PAPER: After finishing a three game-stretch against Philadelphia, Colorado and Dallas - whose combined record at the time they played the Rush was 19-7 - the Rush now enters what appears to be an easier part of its schedule.
Chicago's next four opponents - Nashville, Arizona, Los Angeles and Grand Rapids - enter Week 12 with a combined 15-27 record.
HISTORY OF SUCCESS vs. NASHVILLE: The Rush has won five of the six all-time meetings against Nashville, including a 66-54 win in the Music City on April 7. Chicago's only loss to the Kats came during the 2006 regular season, when the Rush fell 48-47 in Nashville. The game was decided on the final play, when the Rush was unable to convert a two-point conversion that would have given Chicago a win.
Here is a recap of this season's earlier meeting:
April 7, 2007 - In a sloppy, defensive struggle that saw the teams combine for seven turnovers, 26 penalties and two Nashville ejections, the Chicago Rush improved to 5-1 by outlasting the Kats 66-54 at the Gaylord Entertainment Center.
Rush wide receiver Bobby Sippio tied his own team-record with six touchdown receptions and quarterback Matt D'Orazio passed for 179 yards in the win.
Linebacker DeJuan Alfonzo had an interception and a fumble recovery, and defensive backs Jeremy Unertl and Jonathan Ordway each had interceptions as the Rush took over the game in the second quarter, eventually building an 18-point second half lead.
In fact, it could have been have been worse for Nashville, as Kats' QB Jeff Smoker had two more interceptions wiped away by penalties on the Rush.
Here is a look at the Rush-Kats All-Time Series Results:
2005: Rush 45, Nashville 38 (March 6 @ Chicago)
Rush 45, Nashville 21 (May 22 @ Nashville)
2006: Rush 56, Nashville 55 - OT (February 12 @ Chicago)
Nashville 48, Rush 47 (March 17 @ Nashville)
Rush 55, Nashville 47 (May 21, 2006 @ Nashville)*
2007: Rush 66, Nashville 54 (April 7 @ Nashville)
*AFL Playoffs
OWNING THE DIVISION: In its history, the Rush has a 27-17 regular season record against the Central Division, and has won two Central Division titles - 2002 and 2004. The Rush also is 2-1 in the postseason against its Central Division opponents.
CRAZY EIGHT: Chicago's win over Colorado on May 7 was the team's eighth of the season - one more than the Rush garnered all last year. In 2006 the Rush didn't win its eighth game of the year until Week 1 of the playoffs, a 55-47 win at Nashville. The team record for regular season wins is 11, set in 2004. Including the postseason, the team record is 12 wins, also set in 2004.
STREAKING: With its win May 7 over Colorado, the Rush has tied a team record with eight straight wins at Allstate Arena. The team's other eight game home streak came during the final two home games of the 2001 season and the first six home games in 2002.
HOME COOKIN': The Rush is 5-0 at home this season and owns a 37-16 all-time record at Allstate Arena (including postseason).
ANOTHER ALLSTATE SELLOUT: Saturday's Rush-Kats game at Allstate Arena is sold out - making the game the third sellout of the season for the Rush. Dating back to last year, the Rush has sold out five of its last eight home games. Overall, the Rush is 6-1 when Allstate Arena is sold out.
TURNOVERS THE KEY: The Rush continues to add to its league-lead in turnovers, forcing two more last week against Dallas. The Rush now has forced 33 turnovers on the season, while only giving the ball up 13 times. The Rush also leads the AFL in turnover margin at +20. The team record for takeaways in a season is 34, set in both 2002 and 2003, while the AFL record for takeaways is 49, set by the 1988 Pittsburgh Gladiators.
OFFENSE ROLLING: The Rush has scored 573 points this season and ranks fifth in the AFL in scoring offense, averaging 57.3 points per game. The team record for points in a season is 847, set in 2004 when the Rush averaged 52.9 points per game.
COMEBACK KIDS: The Rush has had four games this season in which the team erased double-digit deficits to win. In addition, despite losing in Dallas the Rush came from 17-points down to take the lead with 2 minutes remaining in the game. Here is a look at Chicago's 2007 comebacks:
8 March 18: Trailing the New York Dragons 17-7 in the second quarter, the Rush outscored NY 34-10 in the second half to win 61-40.
8 April 21: The Rush trailed 47-34 late in the third quarter in Grand Rapids before going on a 34-0 run to win 75-54.
8 April 30: The Rush trailed by 14 points at the half against Philadelphia before outscoring the Soul 34-9 in the second half en route to a 54-43 win.
8 May 7: The Rush fell behind Colorado 13-0, and trailed 33-21 late in the first half before a 35-7 run put the Rush in position for a 59-48 victory.
8 May 14: Trailing Dallas 38-21 with 7:17 remaining in the third quarter, the Rush went on a 20-0 run to take a 41-38 lead. However, Dallas scored with three seconds remaining in the game to win 52-48.
IRON-ALFONZO RETURNS: The injury to wide receiver Bobby Sippio in the first quarter of Monday's game at Dallas thrust DeJuan Alfonzo back into the role of team Ironman. In addition to playing every play on defense and special teams, Alfonzo added wide receiver duties for the rest of the game. Alfonzo finished the game with seven receptions for 88 yards and three touchdowns. He also recorded 6.5 tackles on defense.
The performance brought back memories of last season's playoff game in Nashville, when Alfonzo was forced to play both offense and defense after Etu Molden was injured on the game's first play.
ALFONZO GRASPING FOR RECORDS: Bobby Sippio isn't the only Rush player on a pace to set records this season. Rush linebacker DeJuan Alfonzo already has tied one AFL record this year and is close to reaching another.
Alfonzo has scored four defensive touchdowns this season - two on interception returns and two on fumbles recovered for TDs - equaling the AFL record for defensive touchdowns in a season held by four other players - Rashad Floyd (Colorado 2004), Greg Hopkins (LA 2002), Sedrick Robinson (Houston 2001) and Kenny McEntyre (Orlando 1999).
In addition, Alfonzo has recovered four fumbles this season - just two shy of the AFL record of six held by Andre Bowden (Tampa Bay 1999) and Antoine Worthman (Tampa Bay 2000).
Through the season's first 10 games, Alfonzo has recorded 64.0 tackles, intercepted four passes, recovered four fumbles, forced three fumbles and broken up a pass.
He currently leads the league in fumbles recovered, is tied for seventh in forced fumbles and is tied for eighth in tackles and interceptions.
SIPPIO SHINES: Despite missing most of last week's game at Dallas with a sprained ankle, Bobby Sippio continues to have a spectacular season.
Through 10 games, Sippio has set career highs with 97 receptions for 1,356 yards and 41 touchdowns. He leads the AFL in touchdowns and scoring (246 points) and ranks second in receptions and receiving yards.
SIPPIO NAMED PLAYER OF THE MONTH: Rush wide receiver Bobby Sippio was named the AFL's Player of the Month for April. Sippio helped lead the Rush to a 4-0 record in April, catching 48 passes for 774 yards and 19 touchdowns during the month. He set a team record when he recorded 252 receiving yards at Grand Rapids - the highest single-game mark in the AFL this season.
SIPPIO LOVES ALLSTATE ARENA: Rush wide receiver Bobby Sippio can't explain it, but he loves playing at Allstate Arena. In his seven home games as a member of the Rush, Sippio has caught 75 passes for 1,123 yards and 33 touchdowns. He has set the team records for receptions in a game (15) and touchdown receptions (6).
Sippio also played one game at Allstate Arena in 2004 as a member of the Dallas Desperados - catching five passes for 119 yards and two TDs.
THE SIPPIO FACTOR: Since acquiring wide receiver Bobby Sippio late in the 2006 season, the Rush is 15-4, including last season's championship run.
SIPPIO ON RECORD PACE: Midway through the season Bobby Sippio leads the league in touchdowns (41) and scoring (246 points) and is on-pace to break Damian Harrell's league records for both.
The AFL's Single Season Touchdown leaders
Player Season Team TDs
Bobby Sippio 2007 (projected) Chicago 66
Damian Harrell 2006 Colorado 61
Eddie Brown 1996 Albany 51
Barry Wagner 1997 Orlando 51
The AFL's Single Season Scoring Leaders
Player Season Team Points
Bobby Sippio 2007 (projected) Chicago 394
Damian Harrell 2006 Colorado 366
Barry Wagner 1997 Orlando 310
Eddie Brown 1996 Albany 308
HIGH FIVE: Rush receiver Bobby Sippio has caught five or more touchdown passes in a game six times this season - equaling the AFL record for five-TD games in a season. Overall, Sippio has caught five or more touchdowns in a game nine times in his Rush career. Chicago is 8-1 when Sippio catches five or more touchdowns in a game.
Here are the details on Sippio's 5+ touchdown games:
Opponent Date TDs Rush W/L
Las Vegas April 23, 2006 6 W
Utah May 6, 2006 6 W
San Jose* June 3, 2006 5 W
@ Kansas City March 4, 2007 5 L
New York March 18, 2007 5 W
Los Angeles April 1, 2007 5 W
Nashville April 7, 2007 6 W
@ Grand Rapids April 21, 2007 5 W
Colorado May 7, 2007 5 W
* AFL Playoffs
D'ORAZIO CONTINUES SOLID PLAY: Rush QB Matt D'Orazio turned in another solid performance last week in Dallas, completing 28 of 42 passes for 284 yards and five touchdowns. He also ran for six yards and a touchdown as well. In addition, D'Orazio completed the game without being sacked or throwing an interception, the first time this season he has accomplished the feat.
Since throwing an interception late in the second quarter of the team's April 21 game at Grand Rapids, D'Orazio has gone three-and-a-half games, and attempted 140-consecutive passes, without throwing an interception. D'Orazio set a Rush record last season when he attempted 231 consecutive passes without throwing an interception.
For the season D'Orazio has completed 219 of 329 passes for 2,508 yards and 53 touchdowns, while only throwing seven interceptions. He also has rushed for 86 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Earlier this year, the Rush rewarded D'Orazio with a two-year contract extension through the 2009 season.
PROUD PAPPA: Rush QB Matt D'Orazio became a father for the first time last month, as he and his wife, Nicole, welcomed a baby girl on Tuesday, April 24. Maria D'Orazio measured 20-inches and weighed six pounds, nine ounces.
WELCOME BACK, BIG FRANK: Center Frank Moore returned to the Rush lineup for the first time since ArenaBowl XX when the team activated him from Injured Reserve prior to the Colorado game on May 7. Moore had spent the entire season on IR recovering from knee surgery last July. Prior to his surgery, Moore had started at center in 72 of 73 games since joining the Rush in 2003.
Moore's return allowed veteran lineman John Sikora to shift from center to his more-natural guard position.
Prior to Moore's return, Sikora was flanked by rookies Jason Thomas and Robert Boss and the offensive line had struggled at times to protect D'Orazio.
In the eight games prior to Moore's return the Rush offensive line surrendered 16 sacks. However in the two games since Moore's return, the line has given up just one sack.
Overall, the line has given up 18 sacks this season, just six shy of the team record 24 sacks the Rush surrendered last season.
CAREER DAY FOR MAGER: Rookie wide receiver Rob Mager, signed just two days prior to the team's April 21 game in Grand Rapids, is quickly making an impact on the Rush receiving corps. Mager enjoyed the best day of his short career last week in Dallas, catching 12 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown.
In his four games in a Rush uniform, Mager has caught 31 passes for 366 yards and 4 TDs.
Mager (6-3, 205, University of Indianapolis) comes to Chicago after spending the 2005 and 2006 seasons playing for the af2's Louisville Fire. In 2006, he was named the league's Offensive Player of the Year after catching 143 passes for 1,918 yards and 54 touchdowns.
MOYER TO MAC: When linebacker D.J. Bleisath sustained an ankle injury in Week 1 at Kansas City, the Rush turned to veteran lineman John Moyer to play the Mac linebacker position. Moyer has played the position so well that his move to linebacker has become permanent.
This season Moyer has recorded 19.5 tackles, including four TFLs, broken up two passes and recovered two fumbles, not to mention providing constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
April 30 against Philadelphia, Moyer made the play of the game, deflecting a Juston Wood pass and then catching it off Curtis Eason's helmet for an interception with 3:25 remaining in the game. Moyer returned the interception 39-yards for what turned out to be the game winning touchdown. It was only Moyer's third career interception, and his first since 2004. It also was the first he ever returned for a touchdown.
DON'T FORGET MOYER ON OFFENSE: With the changes to the substitution rules this year, lineman John Moyer has found himself playing mostly defense this season. However, Moyer has taken some snaps on offense the past few games, and on April 1 vs. Los Angeles, caught his first touchdown pass of the year. Dating back to the start of the 2005 season, Moyer has caught 13 passes, 10 of which have gone for touchdowns.
HAPPY HOMECOMING: As well as the team is playing this year, nothing has made Rush linebacker John Moyer as happy as welcoming his son, Colton, home from the hospital. Born three-months premature on December 21, 2006, Colton spent the first four-and-a-half months of his life in the hospital before finally coming home on Monday, May 7. Weighing just one pound, 14 ounces at birth, Colton was a hefty nine pounds when he was released from Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
SPEED RUSH: Rush lineman E.J. Burt continues to make life difficult for opposing quarterbacks. This season Burt has recorded 13.5 tackles, five sacks, four forced fumbles and three passes broken up in the team's 10 games. Burt is tied for the league lead in forced fumbles and is tied for fifth in sacks. In addition, Rush linebacker DeJuan Alfonzo has recovered two of the fumbles for Rush touchdowns.
At the midpoint of his fifth season, Burt already has recorded 33 career sacks, and has moved into 11th place in AFL history. He also has forced 19 fumbles in his career, good for fourth on the all-time list.
SACK MACHINES: The Rush has two players - John Moyer and E.J. Burt - who rank in the top 11 in AFL history in sacks. Moyer has 34.5 career sacks - including 29.5 as a member of the Rush - and currently is in ninth place on the AFL's all-time list for career sacks. His teammate E.J. Burt is just 1.5 sacks behind, in 11th place with 33. Moyer also is the team's all-time leader with 6.0 playoff sacks.
Here are Chicago's regular season & 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
Khreem Smith 8.0 (2006) Khreem Smith 8.0
John Moyer 6.0 (2005) Anthony Hutch 6.5
Anthony Hutch 5.5 (2001) Jamie McGourty 5.5
E.J. Burt 5.0 (2007) Riley Kleinhesselink 5.0
John Moyer 4.0 (2002) E.J. Burt 5.0
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
PETERS GETS AN OPPORTUNITY: With the move of lineman John Moyer to linebacker, the door was opened for Joe Peters to start on the defensive line. Peters, in his second season with the Rush, has made the most of his opportunity, recording 17.0 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and a pass broken up. He also placed a hit on New York QB Rohan Davey March 18 that led to a Rush interception.
DAN THE MAN: Kicker Dan Frantz is having the best season of any kicker in Rush history. Through 10 games Frantz has converted 70 of 77 PAT attempts (90.9%) and seven of 18 field goal attempts goals - including a team record 56-yarder vs. San Jose.
Frantz ranks seventh in the league in scoring among kickers with 91 points and is tied for eighth in field goals made with seven.
WORKING ON HIS SECOND 100: Chicago Rush head coach Mike Hohensee is the third-winningest coach in AFL history with 114 career victories. He is one of five coaches in AFL history with 100 or more wins, joining Tampa Bay coach Tim Marcum, Utah coach Danny White, Colorado coach Mike Dailey and San Jose coach Darren Arbet in the 100-win club.
The only head coach in Rush history, Hohensee has guided Chicago to a 67-48 overall record and playoff appearances in each of the team's six seasons. In addition to winning ArenaBowl XX under Hohensee, the Rush has won two Central Division titles (2002, 2004) and advanced to the AFL semifinals four times (2002, 2004, 2005, 2006), including each of the past three seasons.
One of only four men to be involved in the Arena Football League in each of the league's 21 seasons, Hohensee:
8 has a regular season record of 103-87 (including a
59-43 mark with the Rush).
8 has a career 11-9 mark in the postseason.
8 has led the Rush to six-consecutive playoff berths and two Central Division titles (2002 and 2004).
8 is 5-2 all-time vs. Nashville.
All-Time Winningest AFL Coaches
Including Postseason
Coach Team Wins This Week
Tim Marcum Tampa Bay 183 vs. Arizona
Danny White Utah 153 vs. Las Vegas
Mike Hohensee Rush 114 vs. Nashville
Mike Dailey Colorado 106 vs. Columbus
Darren Arbet San Jose 100 vs. Grand Rapids
CHASING 1,500: Rush FB Bob McMillen gained 3 more yards last week at Dallas, giving him 60 for the season and 1,477 for his career.
McMillen, who announced he is retiring at the end of the 2007 season, is the AFL's second all-time leading rusher and needs just 23 yards to become only the second player in AFL history to rush for 1,500 career yards.
Last year, 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. Now in his 13th season, he ranks second on the AFL's all-time rushing list, second all-time in rushing attempts and fourth in rushing touchdowns. He is one of only two players (Darrin Kenney) who has won ArenaBowl championships with three different teams (1997 with Arizona, 2002 with San Jose and 2006 with Chicago).
The AFL's All-Time Rushing Yards list
Player Seasons Team Yards
Bo Kelly 1996-present Arizona 1,545
Bob McMillen 1995-present Chicago 1,477
Les Barley 1992-2001 - 1,382
Chad Dukes 1996-98, 2002, 2004-07 Austin 1,271
The AFL's All-Time Rushing Attempts list
Player Seasons Team Attempts
Bo Kelly 1996-present Arizona 525
Bob McMillen 1995-present Chicago 474
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 1992-2006 - 127
Andre Bowden 1991-2004 - 93
Bo Kelly 1996-present Arizona 87
Bob McMillen 1995-present Chicago 84
Chris Ryan 2000-2007 Grand Rapids 79
MICHNA MAKES HIS DEBUT: Rush backup QB Russ Michna made his AFL debut in the fourth quarter of the team's April 1 win over LA. On his first career pass attempt, Michna hooked up with Bobby Sippio for a 34-yard completion down to the LA 3-yard line. Two plays later, Michna dove into the end zone from the 1-yard line for his first career touchdown. The game was Michna's only action this season.
LAST LINE OF DEFENSE: The Rush starting secondary of Jeremy Unertl, Dennison Robinson and Jonathan Ordway has been called the best secondary in the AFL by Gary Horton of Scouts, Inc. In 10 games, the trio has combined for 144 tackles, 12 interceptions and 37 passes broken up.
All three rank among the league's top 10 in passes defensed.
Add rookie James Sadler to the mix and you get 162.5 tackles, 13 interceptions and 38 PBUs.
Through 10 games the Rush leads the league in pass defense rating, holding opposing quarterbacks to a passer rating of just 93.5. The defense also ranks third in the league in scoring defense, giving up just 46.8 points per game, and fourth in pass defense.
Last season Unertl and Robinson were the team's two top tacklers, combining for 145.5 tackles to go along with 13 interceptions and 21 PBUs.
Ordway, who spent the first four years of his AFL career with the Tampa Bay Storm, had signed in the off-season with the Grand Rapids Rampage, but was released at the end of training camp.
Prior to coming to Chicago, Ordway played in 45 games, recording 226.5 tackles, seven interceptions and 69 passes broken up. He was the Storm's leading tackler in 2006 and finished tied for fourth in the league with 19 passes broken up.
2007 RUSH BY THE NUMBERS: Here is a breakdown of the 2007 Rush:
Site: Home 5-0 Road 3-2
Time: Day 2-1 Night 6-1
Opponents: vs. American Conf. 5-1
vs. Central 3-1
vs. West 2-0
vs. National Conf. 3-1
vs. East 3-1
vs. South 0-0
TALE OF THE TAPE - Regular Season Numbers
Chicago Category Nashville
10 Games 11
57.3 (5) Scoring Offense 53.6 (8)
46.8 (3) Scoring Defense 57.5 (15)
265.6 (18) Total Offense 288.8 (11)
286.0 (T-6) Total Defense 281.2 (4)
43-51 84.3% Red Zone Offense 46-56, 82.1%
37-46 80.4% Red Zone Defense 51-56, 91.1%
248.2 (18) Pass Offense 268.5 (11)
262.6 (4) Pass Defense 263.5 (5)
17.4 (12) Rushing Offense 20.4 (9)
23.4 (14) Rushing Defense 17.7 (9)
573 Scoring 590
91 (8) Scoring (Kicking) 76 (16)
49-890-2 Kickoff Returns 75-1,381-1
18.2 (8) Kick Return Average 18.4 (7)
4-97-0 Missed Field Goal Returns 3-48-0
24.2 (2) Missed FG Return Avg. 16.0 (9)
+20 (1) Turnover Margin -3 (12)
7-18, 38.9 Field Goals 2-9, 22.2%
70-77, 90.9% PAT Kicking 70-79, 88.6%
9-55 (T-12) Sacks By 10-34 (T-9)
18-60 (17) Sacks Against 14-87 (13)
26-63, 41.3% Third Down Conversion 31-69, 44.9%
12-16, 75.0% Fourth Down Conversion 13-21, 61.9%
78-472 (9) Penalties (#-Yards) 102-647 (19)
88-552 (5) Opp. Penalties (#-Yards) 92-524 (6)
INDIVIDUAL LEAGUE LEADERS: The following Rush players rank among the 2007 AFL league leaders:
Matt D'Orazio: quarterback rating (6th - 119.8), fourth quarter passing (5th - 120.3)
DeJuan Alfonzo: tackles (8th - 64.0), special teams tackles (T-4th - 12.0), fumble recoveries (1st - 4), forced fumbles (T-6th - 3)
Dennison Robinson: tackles (4th - 70.0), passes defensed (6th - 13), fumble recoveries (T-4th - 3),
Bobby Sippio: scoring (1st - 246 points), touchdowns (1st - 40), receptions (2nd - 97), receiving yards (2nd - 1,356), third-down receiving (T-2nd - 15 receptions for 196 yards and 9 TDs), first downs (4th - 67)
Dan Frantz: touchbacks on kickoffs (T-2nd - 26), scoring (7th - 91 points)
Jonathan Ordway: passes defensed (T-10th - 11)
Jeremy Unertl: interceptions (T-7th - 5), passes defensed (6th - 13)
EJ Burt: sacks (T-8th - 5), forced fumbles (T-3rd - 4)
DJ Bleisath: forced fumbles (T-7th - 3)
INJURY REPORT: The following players appeared on this week's injury report to the AFL:
Injured Reserve - Demetrios Walker (hamstring), Kevin Beard (Knee), Russell Shaw (ankle), Carl Ford (left hip flexor), Woody Dantzler (groin)
Questionable - Jonathan Ordway (bicep)
RUSH GAME AWARD WINNERS: The following Rush players won individual game awards for their play this season:
Offensive Player of the Game:
Bobby Sippio - 3/9 vs. San Jose, 3/18 vs. New York, 4/1 vs. Los Angeles, 4/7 @ Nashville, 4/21 @ Grand Rapids, 4/30 vs. Philadelphia, 5/7 vs. Colorado
Matt D'Orazio - 3/24 @ Columbus
ADT Defensive Player of the Game:
Jeremy Unertl - 3/9 vs. San Jose
EJ Burt - 3/18 vs. New York
DeJuan Alfonzo - 3/24 @ Columbus, 4/7 @ Nashville
Curtis Eason - 4/1 vs. Los Angeles
James Sadler - 4/21 @ Grand Rapids
John Moyer - 4/30 vs. Philadelphia
Dennison Robinson - 5/7 vs. Colorado, 5/14 @ Dallas
Ironman of the Game:
Jonathan Ordway - 4/7 @ Nashville
DeJuan Alfonzo - 4/30 vs. Philadelphia
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 5 (4/1 vs. Los Angeles), Week 10 (5/7 vs. Colorado)
ADT Defensive Player of the Week:
DeJuan Alfonzo - Week 3 (3/18 vs. New York)
Ironman of the Week:
DeJuan Alfonzo - Week 9 (4/30 vs. Philadelphia)
AFL MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS: The following Rush players won AFL monthly awards for their play this season:
Offensive Player of the Month:
Bobby Sippio - April
ADT Defensive Player of the Month:
E.J. Burt - March
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 17, 2007
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- AFL week 12 quick hitters - AFL I
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- Arizona Rattlers game notes - Arizona Rattlers
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