Chicago Rush game notes
June 6, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
The Quick Facts
TV: Comcast Sports Net ... Dave Armstrong, Ray Bentley, Brent Stover
Radio: WCKG 105.9 FM...Tom Dore, James "Big Cat" Williams
Overall Series Record: Rush leads 9-5 (9-4 in regular season, 0-1 in postseason)
Series Streaks: Chicago has won three in a row and seven of the last eight meetings.
Last Meeting: April 21, 2007, Rush 75, Grand Rapids 54
Coaches (regular season, postseason records):
Mike Hohensee (104-89, 11-9 - 14th season)
Sparky McEwen (13-32, 0-0 - 3rd season)
Officials: Riley Johnson (Referee), Rick Podraza (Umpire), Jullian Mapp (Head Linesman), R.G. Detillier (Line Judge), Bud McCleskey (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 W, 53-47 9,663
June 2 @ Los Angeles L, 50-47 13,142
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 9-4-0 700 609 3-2
Kansas City 8-5-0 706 631 3-3
Colorado 8-6-0 678 715 4-3
Nashville 5-8-0 668 708 2-4
Grand Rapids 4-9-0 709 833 3-3
BACK HOME: The Rush returns home to Allstate Arena Saturday after back-to-back road games, including last week's last-second loss in Los Angeles. The Rush plays host to Grand Rapids, which comes to Chicago on the heels of a 66-53 home loss to Kansas City - a game in which the Rampage led 43-27 late in the third quarter before being outscored 39-10 in the final 23 minutes of the game.
When the teams met earlier this season in Grand Rapids, the Rush scored a season-high 75 points en route to a 75-54 win over the Rampage.
FINISHING KICK HAS CENTRAL THEME: The Rush closes the 2007 regular season with three-consecutive Central Division games. After this week's game against Grand Rapids, the Rush will travel to Colorado on June 18, followed by the regular season finale at Allstate Arena June 23 vs. Kansas City. If the Rush sweeps its final three games it will clinch its third Central Division title in the last seven years. Winning two of the final three would clinch at least a share of the division title.
The Rush defeated Grand Rapids and Colorado earlier this season, but lost at Kansas City in the March 4 season opener.
LAST SECOND LOSS IN LA: Los Angeles Avenger kicker Remy Hamilton kicked a 29-yard field goal on the final play of the game to give LA a 50-47 win over the Rush Saturday night at Staples Center.
The game-winning kick came after the Rush had the ball with an opportunity to win the game and could not convert.
With the game tied at 47-47, the Rush took possession on its own 5-yard line with just one minute left to play.
However, the Rush failed to get a first down, finding itself with fourth-and-two from its own 13-yard line. Rather than attempt a 52-yard field goal, the Rush went for the first down but failed to convert, giving the ball back to Los Angeles with just 23 seconds remaining.
Two plays later, Hamilton kicked the winning field goal.
The Hamilton kick erased another big comeback from Chicago. Trailing 44-33 with less than 10 minutes remaining, the Rush cut the lead to 44-39 when quarterback Matt D'Orazio hit fullback Bob McMillen with a four-yard touchdown pass. However, kicker Dan Frantz missed the extra point attempt, keeping the deficit at five.
The Rush defense managed to hold Los Angeles to a Hamilton 33-yard field goal on the ensuing possession, making the score 47-39 with 5:20 remaining in the game.
Just one minute later, a Rob Mager 20-yard touchdown reception cut the lead to 47-45, and some razzle-dazzle on a two-point conversion tied the game at 47-47. On the two-point conversion, D'Orazio pitched the ball to Mager, who turned and threw it back to D'Orazio. D'Orazio then dashed into the end zone for the tie.
The Rush defense then shut LA down on its ensuing possession, bringing on Hamilton for a 32-yard field goal attempt. But Hamilton missed the attempt wide left, setting up the final minute of play.
PLAYOFF CONSISTENCY: Chicago's May 26 win in Arizona assured the Rush a spot in the 2007 AFL playoffs. Chicago has never missed the playoffs, qualifying for the postseason in each of its seven seasons. Coming into 2007, Orlando and San Jose were the only other two AFL teams which also have made the playoffs in each of the last six seasons. San Jose already has qualified for the postseason and Orlando seems well on its way as well.
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.
JOCKEYING FOR PLAYOFF POSITION: As the AFL regular season hits the home stretch, teams are beginning to jockey for playoff position. The top six teams in the American Conference will qualify for the playoffs, with the winners of the Central and Western Divisions receiving first round byes.
Currently the Rush leads Colorado and Kansas City in the Central Division. However, the Rush trails San Jose for the best record in the conference. If Chicago and San Jose do finish the season with the same record, the Rush owns the tiebreaker over the SaberCats based on Chicago's win over San Jose in March.
Here is a look at the American Conference standings:
1. xd-San Jose 10-3
2. xd-Chicago 9-4
3. Kansas City 8-5
4. Colorado 8-6
5. Los Angeles 7-6
6. Utah 7-7
Nashville 5-8
Grand Rapids 4-9
Arizona 4-10
Las Vegas 2-11
x - clinched playoff spot
d- division leader
RUSH LOOKS TO SWEEPS RAMPAGE: The Rush enters this week's game looking to sweep the season series with Grand Rapids for the second-consecutive year. Chicago has dominated the series with Grand Rapids in recent years, winning seven of the last eight meetings, including a 75-54 win earlier this season at Van Andel Arena.
Here is a recap of this season's Rush-Rampage game:
April 21, 2007 - It took the Rush nearly three quarters to shake off the rust from its bye week, but once the team found its stride, it poured it on en route to a 75-54 road win in Grand Rapids.
Trailing 47-34 with less than five minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Rush rattled off 34-consecutive points to take a 68-47 lead with one minute remaining.
Wide receiver Bobby Sippio caught 12 passes for a team record 252 yards and five touchdowns and the Rush defense forced four more turnovers to key the win.
Linebacker DeJuan Alfonzo was responsible for two of the turnovers. First, Alfonzo started the Rush rally by forcing a Timon Marshall fumble with the Rush trailing 47-41. The Rush converted the turnover into points when Sippio took a 20-yard pass from D'Orazio, broke a couple of tackles and turned it into a 42-yard TD to tie the score at 47-47.
Then, with just 20 seconds remaining in the game, Alfonzo intercepted a Chad Salisbury pass and returned it 14 yards for a touchdown to give the Rush its final margin of victory.
In between the two Alfonzo turnovers the Rush defense twice held the Rampage on downs and benefited from rookie James Sadler's first career interception to take control of the game.
Here is a look at the Rush-Rampage Series Results:
2001: Grand Rapids 54, Rush 52 (May 19 @ Chicago)
Grand Rapids 79, Rush 58 (July 7 @ GR)
Grand Rapids 53, Rush 21 (August 5 @ GR)*
2002: Rush 71, Grand Rapids 59 (May 4 @ Chicago)
Rush 56, Grand Rapids 50 (July 6 @ GR)
2003: Grand Rapids 48, Rush 34 (March 29 @ GR)
Rush 54, Grand Rapids 46 (April 27 @ Chicago)
2004: Rush 50, Grand Rapids 30 (February 8 @ Chicago)
Rush 63, Grand Rapids 35 (May 8 @ GR)
2005: Rush 48, Grand Rapids 45 (March 13 @ GR)
Grand Rapids 51, Rush 40 (May 15 @ Chicago)
2006: Rush 51, Grand Rapids 44 (March 26 @ Chicago)
Rush 70, Grand Rapids 47 (May 13 @ GR)
2007: Rush 75, Grand Rapids 54 (April 21 @ GR)
*AFL playoffs
FAMILIAR FACES: Three members of the Rampage - QB Chad Salisbury, WR Cornelius Bonner and DB Trey Bell - have ties to the Chicago Rush organization. Salisbury was the team's backup QB in 2003 and 2004, while Bonner played for the Rush from 2001 to 2003. Bell attended training camp with the Rush this season and opened the year on the team's practice squad before being waived March 1.
GRAND RAPIDS WEST: Rush assistant coach Tony Bowick, defensive backs Jonathan Ordway and Dennison Robinson, kicker Dan Frantz and equipment manager Jeff Henderson all have spent time in Grand Rapids. Bowick had two stints with the Rampage (1998-2001, 2005) as a player before finishing the 2005 season as one of the team's assistant coaches. Ordway was signed as a free agent by Grand Rapids prior to the start of the 2007 season, but was released during training camp in a salary cap move. Robinson played for the Rampage in 2005, while Frantz spent a week on the Rampage practice squad in 2006. Henderson was the team's equipment manager from 1998-2001.
SIPPIO MISSES THIRD-CONSECUTIVE GAME: Rush wide receiver Bobby Sippio missed his third-consecutive game last week in Los Angeles, recovering from a sprained ankle. Sippio originally injured the ankle in the first quarter of the team's May 14 game at Dallas. He hopes to return to action this week against Grand Rapids
Despite missing the last three games 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 ranks second in the AFL in touchdowns and scoring (246 points) and ranks fourth in receiving yards.
THE SIPPIO FACTOR: With Bobby Sippio on the field in a Chicago uniform, the Rush is 15-4, including last season's championship run. Without Sippio this season the Rush is 1-2.
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
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.
SIKORA BACK, MOORE OUT: After seeing his consecutive games streak end at 89 May 19 against Nashville, lineman John Sikora returned to the lineup two weeks ago in Arizona. Sikora, however, was back to playing center instead of guard because Frank Moore missed the last two games with a sore knee. Moore missed the team's first eight games this year while recovering from off-season knee surgery. He returned to the lineup May 7 vs. Colorado and played three games at center, before sitting the past two weeks.
ORDWAY HOPES TO BE BACK SOON: Defensive Back Jonathan Ordway, who suffered a partial tear of his left bicep in the team's May 14 loss at Dallas, is eligible to come off the team's Injured Reserve list after this week's game against Grand Rapids. Ordway is awaiting clearance to begin practicing again.
ETU BACK IN BLUE: The Rush welcomed its all-time leading receiver, Etu Molden, back to the team last week when Molden signed a contract through the end of the season.
Molden, who was released May 30 by the Las Vegas Gladiators, spent the first three seasons of his AFL career with the Rush, before being released at the end of training camp this season.
In his three seasons in a Rush uniform, Molden caught 264 passes for 3,132 yards and scored 71 touchdowns. He was named to the league's All-Rookie team in 2004 and the All-Ironman team in 2005. Last season, despite missing four regular season games due to injury, he still led the Rush with 67 receptions.
With Las Vegas this year, Molden played in eight games, catching 61 passes for 816 yards and 12 touchdowns.
McCULLOUGH RELEASED: With the return of Etu Molden to the Rush, the team released wide receiver Andy McCullough. McCullough, who was signed prior to Week 2 of the season, played in 11 games for the Rush, catching 60 passes for 434 yards and three touchdowns.
NINE: Chicago's May 26 win at Arizona was the team's ninth of the season - two more than the Rush garnered during the entire 2006 regular season. In 2006 the Rush didn't win its ninth game of the year until Week 2 of the playoffs, a 63-46 win at Colorado. 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.
FINAL SECONDS: Two of Chicago's four losses this season have come in the final seconds of the game. The Rush lost at Dallas May 14, when QB Clint Dolezel converted a fourth-and-two-pass for a touchdown with just three seconds remaining, giving the Desperados a 52-48 win. Las week in LA, kicker Remy Hamilton kicked a field goal on the final play of the game to give the Avengers a 50-47 win over Chicago.
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: The Rush defense has set a team record, forcing 35 turnovers this season. The Rush leads the AFL in forced turnovers as well as turnover margin at +20. The AFL single season record for takeaways is 49, set by the 1988 Pittsburgh Gladiators.
Last week's game at Los Angeles was the first game this season in which the Rush defense did not force a turnover.
OFFENSE ROLLING: The Rush has scored 700 points this season and ranks ninth in the AFL in scoring offense, averaging 53.8 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 five games this season in which the team erased double-digit deficits to win. In addition, despite losing in Dallas and LA the Rush overcame double-digit deficits to either take the lead or tie 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.
8 May 26: Trailing Arizona 14-0 just seven minutes into the game, the Rush went on a 24-0 run to take a 24-14 halftime lead before holding on for a 53-47 win over the Rattlers.
8 June 2: The Rush trailed Los Angeles 44-33 with less than 10 minutes to play before tying the score at 47-47. However, Avengers kicker Remy Hamilton kicked a field goal on the final play of the game to give LA a 50-47 win.
ALFONZO NAMED IRONMAN OF THE MONTH: Rush linebacker DeJuan Alfonzo was named the Arena Football League's Ironman of the Month for his performance during May.
Due to an injury to Bobby Sippio early in the team's May 14 game at Dallas, Alfonzo was forced to play wide receiver in addition to playing defense and special teams.
While filling in for Sippio for three games in May, Alfonzo caught 19 passes for 194 yards and scored nine touchdowns (six receiving and three rushing). Defensively, Alfonzo recorded 21 tackles, a pass broken up and recovered a fumble during the month.
Last week in LA, Alfonzo caught eight passes for 51 yards and a touchdown and recorded 3.0 tackles. For the season, he has recorded 75.5 tackles, intercepted four passes, recovered five fumbles, forced three fumbles and broken up two passes.
ALFONZO GRASPING FOR RECORDS: Bobby Sippio isn't the only Rush player setting 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).
D'ORAZIO BOUNCES BACK: After passing for just 164 yards in the team's May 19 loss to Nashville, Rush QB Matt D'Orazio has posted back-to-back solid performances against Arizona and Los Angeles. D'Orazio completed 52 of 70 passes for 449 yards and 11 touchdowns in the past two games, without throwing an interception. D'Orazio's only error the past two weeks was a fumble against LA that was recovered by the Avengers for a touchdown.
For the season D'Orazio has completed 291 of 428 passes for 3,112 yards and a career-high 66 touchdowns, while throwing eight interceptions. He also has rushed for 96 yards and a career-high 11 touchdowns.
Earlier this year, the Rush rewarded D'Orazio with a two-year contract extension through the 2009 season.
D'ORAZIO vs. GRAND RAPIDS: Matt D'Orazio is 3-1 as a starter against Grand Rapids - 3-0 with Chicago, 0-1 with Columbus - passing for 1,031 yards and 20 touchdowns in his four games against the Rampage
Here are D'Orazio's career numbers against Grand Rapids:
Comp Att Pct. Yds. TD Int Rating
80 127 62.9% 1,031 20 3 118.1
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.
PROUD PAPPA II: Matt D'Orazio isn't the only new father in the Rush locker room. Lineman D.J. Bleisath and his wife, Krista, became parents for the first time Saturday, May 26, when they welcomed daughter Addison Grace. Bleisath, already in Arizona for the team's game that night, was unable to get to Atlanta to be there in person. However, he was able to be on the phone with the delivery room while his daughter was being born. Addison measured 22-inches long and weighed nine pounds-five ounces.
MAGER A MAINSTAY: Rookie wide receiver Rob Mager, signed just two days prior to the team's April 21 game in Grand Rapids, has quickly developed a rapport with QB Matt D'Orazio. Mager was the team's leading receiver again last week against Los Angeles, catching 10 passes for 125 yards and three touchdowns.
In his six games in a Rush uniform, Mager has caught 60 passes for 676 yards and 10 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.
DAN THE MAN: Kicker Dan Frantz is having the best season of any kicker in Rush history. Through 13 games Frantz has converted 82 of 92 PAT attempts (89.1%) and eight of 22 field goal attempts goals - including a team record 56-yarder vs. San Jose.
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 24 tackles, including two sacks 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.
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 16.5 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 36.5 career sacks - including 31.5 as a member of the Rush - and currently is in eighth place on the AFL's all-time list for career sacks. His teammate E.J. Burt is just 3.5 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 31.5
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 20.5 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and a pass broken up.
Peters also scored his first career touchdown last week at Los Angeles, when he entered the game as a wide receiver, took a handoff from Matt D'Orazio and dove into the endzone for the score.
HE'S THE BOSS: Rush rookie tight end Robert Boss is finally comfortable enough as a blocker that the Rush coaches are expanding his role in the offense. Boss has caught touchdown passes in two of the team's last three games - a 14 yard TD against Nashville and a five-yarder May 26 in Arizona. Boss also caught a two-point conversion pass from Matt D'Orazio against the Rattlers.
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.
WORKING ON HIS SECOND 100: Chicago Rush head coach Mike Hohensee is the third-winningest coach in AFL history with 115 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 68-50 overall record and playoff appearances in each of the team's seven 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 104-89 (including a
60-45 mark with the Rush).
8 has a career 11-9 mark in the postseason.
8 has led the Rush to seven-consecutive playoff berths and two Central Division titles (2002 and 2004).
8 is 9-5 all-time vs. Grand Rapids and 4-1 all-time vs. Sparky McEwen.
All-Time Winningest AFL Coaches
Including Postseason
Coach Team Wins This Week
Tim Marcum Tampa Bay 185 vs. Philadelphia
Danny White Utah 155 vs. San Jose
Mike Hohensee Rush 115 vs. Grand Rapids
Mike Dailey Colorado 107 Bye
Darren Arbet San Jose 103 @ Utah
CHASING 1,500: Rush FB Bob McMillen has gained 62 yards this season, giving him 1,479 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 21 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 1,565
Bob McMillen 1995-present Chicago 1,479
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 529
Bob McMillen 1995-present Chicago 479
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 88
Bob McMillen 1995-present Chicago 84
Chris Ryan 2000-2007 Grand Rapids 83
LAST LINE OF DEFENSE: The Rush starting secondary has been one of the team's strengths all season. In fact, the group - which includes Jeremy Unertl, Dennison Robinson Jonathan Ordway and James Sadler - has been called the best secondary in the AFL by Gary Horton of Scouts, Inc. So far this season, the group has combined for 211.5 tackles, 14 interceptions and 45 passes broken up.
Through 13 games the Rush leads the league in pass defense rating, holding opposing quarterbacks to a passer rating of just 94.9. The defense also ranks second in the league in scoring defense, giving up just 46.8 points per game, and second 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 4-3
Time: Day 2-1 Night 7-3
Opponents: vs. American Conf. 6-3
vs. Central 3-2
vs. West 3-1
vs. National Conf. 3-1
vs. East 3-1
vs. South 0-0
TALE OF THE TAPE - Regular Season Numbers
Chicago Category Grand Rapids
13 Games 13
53.8 (10) Scoring Offense 54.5 (7)
46.8 (2) Scoring Defense 64.1 (19)
252.7 (19) Total Offense 256.8 (18)
280.6 (5) Total Defense 321.8 (19)
55-65 84.6% Red Zone Offense 54-63, 85.7%
49-59 83.1% Red Zone Defense 60-68, 88.2%
236.2 (19) Pass Offense 242.2 (17)
254.1 (2) Pass Defense 303.2 (19)
16.5 (11) Rushing Offense 14.6 (13)
26.5 (19) Rushing Defense 18.5 (11)
700 Scoring 709
106 (10) Scoring (Kicking) 121 (6)
64-1,199-2 Kickoff Returns 98-1,970-7
18.7 (7) Kick Return Average 20.1 (2)
7-144-0 Missed Field Goal Returns 2-21-0
20.6 (5) Missed FG Return Avg. 10.5 (11)
+20 (1) Turnover Margin -7 (15)
8-22, 36.4 Field Goals 14-23, 60.9%
82-91, 90.1% PAT Kicking 79-91, 86.8%
11-62 (12) Sacks By 13-53 (9)
22-76 (18) Sacks Against 13-72 (T-10)
36-82, 43.9% Third Down Conversion 42-92, 45.7%
12-20, 60.0% Fourth Down Conversion 9-18, 50.0%
93-555 (6) Penalties (#-Yards) 116-656 (13)
116-725 (3) Opp. Penalties (#-Yards) 124-771 (1)
INDIVIDUAL LEAGUE LEADERS: The following Rush players rank among the 2007 AFL league leaders:
Matt D'Orazio: quarterback rating (7th - 119.8), fourth quarter passing (10th - 114.0)
DeJuan Alfonzo: tackles (9th - 79.5), special teams tackles (T-4th- 14.0), fumble recoveries (1st - 5), forced fumbles (T-6th - 3)
Dennison Robinson: tackles (T-4th - 88.0), interceptions (T-10th - 5), fumble recoveries (T-7th - 3),
Bobby Sippio: scoring (2nd - 246 points), touchdowns (T-1st - 41), receiving yards (4th - 1,356), third-down receiving (8th - 15 receptions for 196 yards and 9 TDs)
Dan Frantz: touchbacks on kickoffs (3rd - 34), scoring (8th - 106 points)
Jeremy Unertl: interceptions (T-10th - 5), passes defensed (T-4th - 17)
EJ Burt: sacks (T-10th - 5), forced fumbles (T-6th - 4)
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, 5/26 @ Arizona
Ironman of the Game:
Jonathan Ordway - 4/7 @ Nashville
DeJuan Alfonzo - 4/30 vs. Philadelphia, 5/19 vs. Nashville, 5/26 @ Arizona
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
Ironman of the Month:
DeJuan Alfonzo - May
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