Chicago Rush game notes
May 23, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
The Quick Facts
TV: Comcast Sports Net ... Glenn Parker, Dale Hellestrae, Kevin McCabe
Radio: WCKG 105.9 FM...Tom Dore, James "Big Cat" Williams
Overall Series Record: Arizona leads 5-0 (4-0 in regular season, 1-0 in postseason)
Series Streaks: Arizona has won five straight meetings
Last Meeting: April 15, 2006, Arizona 61, Rush 42
Coaches (regular season, postseason records):
Mike Hohensee (103-88, 11-9 - 14th season)
Gene Nudo (11-17, 0-0 - 2nd season)
Officials: Pat Garvey (Referee), Paul King (Umpire), Wayne Mackie (Head Linesman), Rusty Baynes (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* L, 44-27 16,142
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 8-3-0 600 512 3-2
Colorado 8-4-0 608 606 4-2
Kansas City 6-5-0 578 522 2-3
Nashville 5-7-0 634 660 2-4
Grand Rapids 3-8-0 598 711 2-2
DESERT JINX: The Rush looks to snap its two-game losing streak this week when it heads to Phoenix for a Saturday night matchup with the Arizona Rattlers. The Rush has never beaten Arizona, losing to the Rattlers once in the preseason, four times in the regular season and once in the playoffs over the past six years. All but one of the games - a 2003 regular season game - have been played in Phoenix
At 3-9, Arizona is suffering through one of its worst seasons in franchise history and enters the game on the heels of a 59-50 loss at Tampa Bay last week.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TRIP UP NEXT: After Saturday's game in the desert, the Rush continues its two-game road trip with a June 2 game in Los Angeles. In an interesting scheduling wrinkle this season, despite playing in different divisions, the game in LA will be the second half of a home-and-home series with the Avengers. The Rush defeated LA 66-54 at Allstate Arena earlier this season.
RUSH FALLS TO KATS AT ALLSTATE: The Rush has made a habit out of coming from behind to win this season, but it was Nashville that was able to garner a come-from-behind victory in front of a sold out Allstate Arena Saturday night.
After the Rush scored with 5:34 remaining in the third quarter to take a 27-23 lead, Nashville shut the door on Chicago, closing the game with a 21-0 run to win 44-27.
The point total was the fewest ever scored by the Rush in a home game and snapped the team's eight-game home winning streak.
Nashville got a lift from its power running game featuring Dan Alexander and opportune plays by the defense.
Alexander punished the Rush with 71 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries, and the Nashville defense shut out the Rush in the fourth quarter.
The Rush defense, which had forced a league-leading 33 turnovers coming into the game, only forced one against Nashville - a Jeff Smoker fumble late in the first half after a sack by John Moyer. However, the Rush could not capitalize as QB Matt D'Orazio was sacked for a safety on the very next play, leaving the Rush up by only five, 21-16, at the half.
Nashville then controlled play after the break, holding the Rush to only six points the rest of the way.
UNDERMANNED AT HOME: The Rush played last week's game against Nashville without three starters - wide receiver Bobby Sippio, lineman John Sikora and defensive back Jonathan Ordway. Sippio missed the game with a sprained ankle suffered in the first quarter of the team's May 14 game at Dallas, while Sikora was out with a hamstring injury. Ordway will miss at least four weeks with a partially torn bicep suffered in the team's loss at Dallas.
SIKORA'S STREAK ENDS: Rush lineman John Sikora saw his consecutive-game streak come to an end last week at Allstate Arena. Including postseason, Sikora had played in 89-consecutive games dating back to his 2002 season in Indiana. The Rush hopes to have Sikora back in the lineup this week in Arizona.
PLAYOFFS COMING INTO FOCUS: The Rush will have its second attempt to clinch its seventh-consecutive spot in the AFL playoffs when the team plays in Arizona Saturday night. The Rush could have clinched a playoff spot last week with a win over Nashville. This week, the Rush needs a combination of a win this week over the Rattlers and either a loss by Nashville or Utah 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 is tied with Western Division leader San Jose for the top spot in the American Conference. The Rush holds the tiebreaker over the SaberCats by virtue of Chicago's win at Allstate Arena March 9. In addition, the Rush enjoys a half-game lead, plus the tiebreaker, 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:
1. d-Chicago 8-3
2. d-San Jose 8-3
3. Colorado 8-4
4. Kansas City 6-5
5. Los Angeles 6-5
6. Nashville 5-7
Utah 5-7
Grand Rapids 3-8
Arizona 3-9
Las Vegas 2-10
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.
RUSH-RATTLERS SERIES HISTORY: Chicago's series with Arizona has been completely one-sided, with the Rattlers winning all five games by an average of 14 points. (Arizona also won a preseason game between the teams in 2001).
Here is a look at the last two games in the series:
April 15, 2006 - The Rush never recovered after being outscored 20-0 in the second quarter, eventually falling to the Arizona Rattlers 61-42 at U.S. Airways Center. With the game tied 14-14 at the start of the second quarter Chicago's offense hit the skids, scoring only two touchdowns in its next six possessions.
Meanwhile, Rattlers QB Sherdrick Bonner connected on 19 of 25 passes for 195 yards and seven touchdowns, guiding an efficient attack that scored touchdowns on its first nine possessions of the game.
During the critical stretch in the second quarter, kicker Keith Gispert missed field goal attempts of 35 and 19 yards - the second of which came with just one second remaining in the first half and was returned 50 yards for a touchdown by Rattlers DB Erin Damond, giving Arizona a 34-14 halftime lead.
The Rush seemed to steady itself and regain a little momentum in the third quarter. After QB Michael Bishop hit Woody Dantzler with a nine-yard pass to bring the Rush back within 13 points, 41-28, the Rush successfully executed an on-side kick attempt that was recovered by Jeremy Unertl at the Rush 6-yard line.
However, the Rush misfired on four-consecutive plays, turning the ball over on downs.
Arizona took over on the Rush 6-yard line and scored two plays later on a Joey Dozier two-yard run, putting the Rattlers up 48-28.
Chicago again turned the ball over on downs on its next possession and Arizona followed up with a Randy Gatewood nine-yard TD reception to take a commanding 54-28 lead.
May 6, 2005 - The Rush fell to the Rattlers 61-43 in Phoenix in a game the Rush would like to forget. Chicago fumbled its opening kickoff and then failed to recover an Arizona onside kick to open the second half, giving the Rattlers two extra possessions that led to 14 points. The Rush defense struggled as well, giving up touchdowns on Arizona's first nine possessions of the game before getting its first stop late in the fourth quarter.
Here is a look at the Rush-Rattlers Series Results:
2002: Rattlers 52, Rush 41 (May 25 @ Arizona)
Rattlers 46, Rush 35 (August 11 @ Arizona)*
2003: Rattlers 56, Rush 44 (May 11 @ Chicago)
2005: Rattlers 61, Rush 43 (May 6 @ Arizona)
2006: Rattlers 61, Rush 42 (April 15 @ Arizona)
*AFL Semifinals
GROUND ATTACK: This week's game against Arizona matches the AFL's top two rushers of all-time. Arizona fullback Bo Kelly is the AFL's all-time leader, with 1,545 career yards. Kelly took over the top spot on the leader board when he passed Chicago's Bob McMillen earlier this season. McMillen, who passed Les Barley early in 2006, held the top spot for about a year before he was caught and passed by Kelly. McMillen currently has 1,477 career yards, trailing Kelly by 68 yards.
DEBUT REMEMBERED: Perhaps the only memorable thing about Chicago's last trip to Arizona is that it marked the Rush debut of wide receiver Bobby Sippio. On his first play from scrimmage in a Rush uniform, Sippio caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from Michael Bishop to tie the score at 7-7. Sippio would go on to catch seven passes for 139 yards and three touchdowns in the game.
D'ORAZIO'S FIRST TASTE: Rush QB Matt D'Orazio will get his first taste of the Rush-Rattlers series this week. D'Orazio did not play in last year's game in Arizona, as head coach Mike Hohensee opted to start Michael Bishop at QB. While with Columbus in 2005, D'Orazio did start one game against Arizona, completing 21 of 36 passes for 272 yards and 6 touchdowns.
BACK TO THE DESERT: Rush fullback Bob McMillen began his AFL career in Arizona, playing six seasons (1995-2000) with the Rattlers and winning an ArenaBowl title in 1997.
BONNER vs. RUSH: Arizona QB Sherdrick Bonner has never lost to the Rush, passing for 1,146 yards and 30 touchdowns in his five career games against Chicago. In addition, he has never thrown an interception against the Rush, and his career passer rating against Chicago is an astounding 133.9.
Here are Bonner's career numbers against Chicago:
G Comp Att Pct. Yds. TD Int Rating
5 101 143 70.6% 1,146 30 0 133.9
CHICAGO CONNECTIONS: Arizona lineman Chad Pegues spent part of the 2004 season with the Rush, appearing in two games and recording 1.5 tackles. In addition, Rattlers FB/LB Frank Trentadue is from Chicago and played his college ball at Elmhurst College.
SHAW, BEARD ACTIVATED FROM IR: In advance of last week's against Nashville, the Rush activated DB Russell Shaw and WR Kevin Beard from Injured Reserve. To make room on its roster for the pair, the Rush placed defensive back Jonathan Ordway on IR and moved lineman Nick Myers from its active roster to its practice squad.
Shaw served as the team's kick returner, returning six kicks for 167 yards and recording 3.5 tackles and a pass broken up. In his AFL debut, Beard caught two passes for 14 yards.
FORD RELEASED: The Rush waived wide receiver Carl Ford from its Injured Reserve list on Tuesday.
OWNING THE DIVISION: In its history, the Rush has a 27-18 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.
HOME COOKIN': The Rush is 5-1 at home this season and owns a 37-17 all-time record at Allstate Arena (including postseason).
TURNOVERS THE KEY: With the fumble John Moyer forced last week against Nashville, the Rush has tied a team record by forcing 34 turnovers this season. The Rush leads the AFL in turnovers as well as turnover margin at +20. The AFL single season record for takeaways is 49, set by the 1988 Pittsburgh Gladiators.
OFFENSE ROLLING: The Rush has scored 600 points this season and ranks sixth in the AFL in scoring offense, averaging 54.5 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: Bobby Sippio's injury in the first quarter of the May 14 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 Dallas game and much of the Nashville game last week. Alfonzo has responded, catching 12 passes for 136 yards and scoring five touchdowns (3 rushing, 2 receiving) while playing offense.
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 five fumbles this season - just one 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 11 games, Alfonzo has recorded 72.5 tackles, intercepted four passes, recovered five fumbles, forced three fumbles and broken up a pass.
He currently leads the league in fumbles recovered, is tied for ninth in forced fumbles and is tied for sixth in tackles.
SIPPIO SHINES: Despite missing last week's game against Nashville with a sprained ankle, Bobby Sippio continues to have a spectacular season.
Sippio has set career highs this season with 97 receptions for 1,356 yards and 41 touchdowns. He leads the AFL in touchdowns and scoring (246 points) and ranks fourth in receptions and second in 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: With Bobby Sippio on the field in a Chicago uniform, the Rush is 15-4, including last season's championship run.
SIPPIO ON RECORD PACE: Bobby Sippio leads the league in touchdowns (41) and scoring (246 points). For most of the season he has been on-pace to break Damian Harrell's league records for both. However, Sippio's injury has slowed his pace to catch Harrell.
The AFL's Single Season Touchdown leaders
Player Season Team TDs
Damian Harrell 2006 Colorado 61
Bobby Sippio 2007 (projected) Chicago 60
Eddie Brown 1996 Albany 51
Barry Wagner 1997 Orlando 51
The AFL's Single Season Scoring Leaders
Player Season Team Points
Damian Harrell 2006 Colorado 366
Bobby Sippio 2007 (projected) Chicago 358
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 LOOKS TO BOUNCE BACK: Rush QB Matt D'Orazio passed for just 164 yards and a season-low two touchdowns last week against Nashville. In addition, after going nearly four-and-a-half games and attempting 161-consecutive passes without throwing an interception, D'Orazio was picked off by Nashville's Ahmad Hawkins in the fourth quarter of last week's game.
For the season D'Orazio has completed 240 of 359 passes for 2,672 yards and 55 touchdowns, while throwing eight interceptions. He also has rushed for 81 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 first two games since Moore's return, the line only gave up one sack.
Last week, with John Sikora out with a hamstring injury, Moore was flanked by Thomas and Boss and, again, the line struggled, giving up two more sacks, including a safety.
Overall, the line has given up 20 sacks this season, just four shy of the team record 24 sacks the Rush surrendered last season.
MAGER A MAINSTAY: Rookie wide receiver Rob Mager, signed just two days prior to the team's April 21 game in Grand Rapids, is quickly developing a rapport with QB Matt D'Orazio. Mager was the team's leading receiver last week against Nashville, catching 11 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown.
In his five games in a Rush uniform, Mager has caught 42 passes for 442 yards and 5 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 22 tackles, including a sack and four TFLs, broken up two passes, forced a fumble 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 wining 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, 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 14.5 tackles, five sacks, four forced fumbles and three passes broken up. Burt is tied for the league lead in forced fumbles. In addition, Rush linebacker DeJuan Alfonzo has recovered two of the fumbles for Rush touchdowns.
In 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 35.5 career sacks - including 30.5 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 2.5 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 18.5 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 11 games Frantz has converted 73 of 81 PAT attempts (90.1%) and seven of 19 field goal attempts goals - including a team record 56-yarder vs. San Jose.
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 67-49 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 103-88 (including a
59-44 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 1-9 all-time vs. Arizona.
All-Time Winningest AFL Coaches
Including Postseason
Coach Team Wins This Week
Tim Marcum Tampa Bay 184 @ Georgia
Danny White Utah 153 @ Orlando
Mike Hohensee Rush 114 @ Arizona
Mike Dailey Colorado 107 @ Grand Rapids
Darren Arbet San Jose 101 @ Nashville
CHASING 1,500: Rush FB Bob McMillen has gained 60 yards this season, giving him 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 477
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 81
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 secondary hopes it is deep enough to overcome the loss of Jonathan Ordway to Injured Reserve. Prior to his injury in Dallas, the trio of Ordway, Jeremy Unertl and Dennison Robinson was called the best secondary in the AFL by Gary Horton of Scouts, Inc. In Chicago's first 10 games, the group combined for 144 tackles, 12 interceptions and 37 passes broken up.
Add rookie James Sadler to the mix and the group had 162.5 tackles, 13 interceptions and 38 PBUs through the team's first 10 games.
Last week against Nashville, with Sadler and Russell Shaw splitting time in Ordway's position, the secondary recorded 23.5 tackles and two passes broken up. It was only the second game all season (Columbus) that the team did not get an interception.
Tthe Rush leads the league in pass defense rating, holding opposing quarterbacks to a passer rating of just 94.6. The defense also ranks second in the league in scoring defense, giving up just 46.5 points per game, and third 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 5-1 Road 3-2
Time: Day 2-1 Night 6-2
Opponents: vs. American Conf. 5-2
vs. Central 3-2
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 Arizona
11 Games 12
54.5 (6) Scoring Offense 56.7 (5)
46.5 (2) Scoring Defense 60.1 (16)
255.2 (18) Total Offense 324.3 (3)
286.4 (7) Total Defense 324.8 (19)
45-54 83.3% Red Zone Offense 51-59, 86.4%
40-50 80.0% Red Zone Defense 34-47, 72.3%
248.2 (18) Pass Offense 268.5 (11)
262.6 (4) Pass Defense 263.5 (5)
15.7 (12) Rushing Offense 20.7 (7)
28.5 (19) Rushing Defense 8.4 (1)
600 Scoring 680
94 (8) Scoring (Kicking) 86 (15)
55-1,057-2 Kickoff Returns 72-1,280-2
19.2 (6) Kick Return Average 17.8 (11)
4-97-0 Missed Field Goal Returns 4-87-0
24.2 (2) Missed FG Return Avg. 21.8 (3)
+20 (1) Turnover Margin -8 (T-16)
7-19, 36.8 Field Goals 5-15, 33.3%
73-81, 90.1% PAT Kicking 71-88, 80.7%
10-60 (T-11) Sacks By 7-41 (T-17)
20-72 (T-16) Sacks Against 3-14 (T-2)
28-69, 40.6% Third Down Conversion 37-74, 50.0%
12-18, 66.7% Fourth Down Conversion 12-17, 70.6%
81-485 (7) Penalties (#-Yards) 68-409 (3)
98-613 (3) Opp. Penalties (#-Yards) 105-589 (4)
Bold - leads AFL
INDIVIDUAL LEAGUE LEADERS: The following Rush players rank among the 2007 AFL league leaders:
Matt D'Orazio: quarterback rating (6th - 117.5)
DeJuan Alfonzo: tackles (T-6th - 73.0), special teams tackles (T-3rd - 14.0), fumble recoveries (1st - 5), forced fumbles (T-9th - 3)
Dennison Robinson: tackles (T-3rd - 78.5), passes defensed (T-7th - 13), fumble recoveries (T-4th - 3),
Bobby Sippio: scoring (1st - 246 points), touchdowns (1st - 40), receptions (4th - 97), receiving yards (2nd - 1,356), third-down receiving (T-3rd - 15 receptions for 196 yards and 9 TDs), first downs (5th - 67)
Dan Frantz: touchbacks on kickoffs (4th - 27), scoring (7th - 94 points)
Jeremy Unertl: interceptions (T-8th - 5), passes defensed (T-7th - 13)
EJ Burt: sacks (T-9th - 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), Woody Dantzler (groin), Jonathan Ordway (bicep)
Probable - Bobby Sippio (ankle)
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, 5/19 vs. Nashville
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 23, 2007
- Quarterbacks with a combined total of 1,594 passing TDs take centerstage on ESPN2 - AFL I
- Rattlers Celebrate Youth Football - Arizona Rattlers
- Schutt Sports Top 12 Poll - AFL I
- AFL week 13 injury report - AFL I
- Four teams look to clinch playoff births in Week 13 - AFL I
- Colorado Crush Vie For Playoff Berth This Weekend - Colorado Crush
- New York Dragons game notes - New York Dragons
- Chicago Rush game notes - Chicago Rush
- San Jose SaberCats game notes - San Jose SaberCats
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