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Chicago Rush game notes

June 13, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release


The Quick Facts

TV: ESPN2 ...Trey Wingo, Ray Bentley

Radio: WCKG 105.9 FM...Tom Dore, James "Big Cat" Williams

Overall Series Record: Chicago leads 6-4 (Rush leads 5-3 in the regular season, Series is tied 1-1in the postseason)

Series Streaks: Chicago has won two in a row

Last Meeting: May 7, 2007, Rush 59, Colorado 48

Coaches (regular season, postseason records):

Mike Hohensee (105-89, 11-9 - 14th season)

Mike Dailey (98-64, 9-6 - 11th season)

Officials: Dave Cutaia (Referee), Doug Wilson (Umpire), Greg Shields (Head Linesman), Dave Chesney (Line Judge), James Cole (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* W, 55-32 15,113

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 10-4-0 755 641 4-2

Kansas City 9-5-0 753 665 4-3

Colorado 8-6-0 678 715 4-3

Nashville 6-8-0 731 756 2-4

Grand Rapids 4-10-0 741 888 3-4

ROCKY MOUNTAIN MONDAY: The Rush hits the road for the final time this regular season, heading to Denver for a nationally televised Monday night game against its biggest rival - John Elway's Colorado Crush.

After its 55-32 victory over Grand Rapids last Saturday, a win this week would give the Rush a sweep of the season series with the Crush and clinch at least one playoff home game. It also would move the team one step closer to the Central Division title - Chicago's third in the last seven years.

Colorado was off last week after suffering one of its worst defeats in team history, a 51-14 loss at Utah on June 4.

TIME TO WIN THE DIVISION: With two weeks left in the regular season, the Rush holds a one-game lead in the Central Division over Kansas City and a two-game lead over Colorado. Interestingly, the Rush closes its regular season with games at Colorado this week, followed by the season finale against Kansas City at Allstate Arena on June 23.

The Rush can clinch the division with a win this week over Colorado combined with a Kansas City loss to Nashville. If the Rush fails to clinch this weekend, it will need a win over Kansas City to secure the division title and the first round bye that comes with it.

JOCKEYING FOR PLAYOFF POSITION: The top six teams in the American Conference qualify for the playoffs, with the winners of the Central and Western Divisions receiving first round byes.

If the season were to end today, San Jose and Chicago would be the top two seeds and receive first-round byes.

Utah would play a first round game at Kansas City and Colorado would host Los Angeles.

Here is a look at the American Conference standings:

1. xy-San Jose 11-3

2. x-Chicago 10-4

3. x-Kansas City 9-5

4. x-Colorado 8-6

5. Los Angeles 8-6

6. Utah 7-8

Nashville 6-8

Grand Rapids 4-10

Arizona 4-11

Las Vegas 2-12

x - clinched playoff spot

y - clinched division

PLAYOFF SCENARIOS: The Rush must win the division outright to earn the division title and first round bye. If the Rush finishes the year tied with Kansas City at 11-5, Kansas City would win the division by virtue of its season sweep of Chicago. If the Rush was to finish 10-6 and in a three-way tie with Colorado and Kansas City, Colorado would win the division based upon the tiebreakers.

RUSH SWEEPS SEASON SERIES WITH RAMPAGE: Sparked by the return of star wide receiver Bobby Sippio, the Rush built a 14-0 first quarter lead and never trailed, coming away with a 55-32 victory over Grand Rapids Saturday night at Allstate Arena.

Sippio, who had missed the team's last three games with an injured ankle, caught nine passes for 179 yards and equaled his team record with six touchdown catches.

His return helped make life easier for QB Matt D'Orazio, who connected on 19 of 22 passes for 248 yards and seven touchdowns.

Saturday's game was far from a two-man show as the Rush defense set the tone from the start. Linebacker DeJuan Alfonzo tied a league record when he recovered his sixth fumble of the season on the game's first series. After taking a 7-0 lead Rush DB Dennison Robinson intercepted Rampage quarterback Adrian McPherson on Grand Rapids' next possession, helping set

Then, leading 28-17 at the half, the Rush continued to pour it on in the third quarter.

Chicago dominated on both sides of the ball and reeled off three-straight touchdowns to put the game away. Two of the scores came on D'Orazio-to-Sippio hookups and the other was a 12-yard return of a missed field goal by Alfonzo.

Grand Rapids was able to score a couple of fourth quarter touchdowns, but was never back in the game after halftime.

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. Orlando and San Jose are the only other two AFL teams which have made the playoffs in each of the last seven 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.

THE AFL'S BEST RIVALRY: This week Chicago and Colorado renew one of the AFL's best rivalries. This will be the eighth meeting between the teams since the start of the 2005 season, and the 11th overall. The two most memorable games have come in the playoffs, with each team defeating the other on its way to a championship.

Perhaps the best known game in the series is the 2005 American Conference Final, which has come to be known as the "Confetti Bowl." In the game, which was selected as the seventh-greatest game in AFL history, Colorado defeated the Rush 49-43 in overtime to advance to ArenaBowl XIX. It came after the Rush had defeated Colorado twice in the regular season.

Here is a recap of the Confetti Bowl:

June 5, 2005 - After falling behind the Crush 20-0, the Rush stormed back to force overtime when kicker Keith Gispert nailed a 17-yard field goal as time expired, tying the score at 43-43. The kick came after celebratory confetti was prematurely released at the Pepsi Center and the game was stopped for several minutes.

In overtime, Rush DS Todd Howard intercepted a John Dutton pass, giving Chicago a chance to put the game away. But when Bob McMillen's 15-yard TD run was called back because of an offsides penalty, the Rush had to settle for a 35-yard field goal attempt for the win. Gispert's kick sailed wide right and the Crush regained possession. Colorado scored on its next possession when Dutton hooked up with Andy McCullough on a 22-yard TD pass, sending the Crush to ArenaBowl XIX.

DEFENSE KEYS COMEBACK WIN LAST MONTH: Down 33-21 with 30 seconds left in the first half, the Rush went on a 35-7 run, defeating Colorado 59-48 May 7 at Allstate Arena.

With eight seconds remaining in the second quarter, wide receiver Bobby Sippio caught a 17-yard TD pass to draw the Rush within five points. Then, on the team's opening possession of the third quarter, another Sippio TD gave the Rush its first lead of the game, 35-33.

After a Damian Harrell TD nudged Colorado ahead, 40-35, the Rush scored 21 unanswered points to take a commanding 56-40 lead midway through the fourth quarter.

The defense, again, was the key to the run as a Dennison Robinson's third quarter interception of John Dutton set up the touchdown that gave the Rush a two-possession lead at 49-40. After Colorado had worked its way to the Rush 1-yard line on the ensuing possession, linebacker D.J. Bleisath forced a Jason Harmon fumble that was recovered by Robinson. The Rush marched down the field with a nine-play, six-minute drive, eventually scoring to take a 16-point lead.

RUSH WINS WHEN IN COUNTS IN 2006: Colorado swept the regular season series with the Rush in 2006, but Chicago won when it counted - defeating the Crush 63-46 in the American Conference Semifinals.

Here is a recap of last season's Rush-Crush games:

January 29, 2006 - In the 2006 season opener January 29 at Pepsi Center, Crush QB John Dutton hit WR Damian Harrell in the front corner of the end zone with one second remaining in the game, giving Colorado a 63-56 lead and an eventual 65-56 victory.

The Rush played the game without kicker Keith Gispert, who was injured during pregame warmups. The loss of Gispert forced the Rush to attempt two-point conversions after every score.

Down 56-42 with six minutes to play, Rush QB Matt D'Orazio hit WR/LB Etu Molden for a five-yard touchdown to bring the Rush within eight, 56-48. Then, after a Russell Shaw interception gave Chicago the ball back on its 1-yard line, D'Orazio led the team on a 49-yard drive punctuated with his own 1-yard TD run. After C.J. Johnson caught the two-point conversion pass, the Rush had tied the score at 56-56 with 47 seconds remaining.

However, 47 seconds was two seconds too much as Dutton marched his team right back down the field for the game winning score. On the final play, Rush return man Russell Shaw was tackled in the end zone for a safety, giving Colorado its final margin of victory.

March 10, 2006 - The Rush built an early 13-0 first quarter lead over Colorado but allowed the Crush back into the game in the second quarter, and eventually fell 49-42 at Allstate Arena.

The game turned with 5:30 remaining in the second quarter and the Rush leading 20-14. After a Carlos Wright 55-yard kickoff return to the Crush 3-yard line, Rush FB Charlie Cook fumbled the ball back to Colorado. The Crush scored five plays later, turning a potential 27-14 Rush lead into a 21-20 Chicago deficit.

After the teams traded touchdowns in the final minute of the first half, Colorado took a 28-27 lead into the locker room and never trailed again.

May 28, 2006 - The Rush built an early 13-0 lead and never trailed as Chicago defeated the defending ArenaBowl champion Colorado Crush 63-46 to advance to the AFL semifinals.

The Chicago defense forced four turnovers - two of which it returned for touchdowns - and recovered a loose ball off of the net for a score in the win. With the Rush leading 6-0, DB Dennison Robinson intercepted a John Dutton pass and returned it 45-yards for a touchdown to give the Rush an early 13-0 lead.

After the Crush narrowed the score to 16-14, the Rush went on a 17-0 run to close the first half, taking a 33-14 lead at the break. One of the big keys was a goal line stand, with less than one-minute remaining, where the Chicago defense stopped Colorado four times from inside the Rush 3-yard line.

The Crush battled back to cut the score to 36-27 in the third quarter, and was threatening to score again, when Rush LB DeJuan Alfonzo scooped up a fumbled snap and returned it 20 yards to give the Rush a 43-27 lead.

With 2:06 remaining, the Crush narrowed the lead to 56-46 and recovered an onside kick to regain possession. However, Rush DS Jeremy Unertl intercepted a Dutton pass in the end zone with 47 seconds remaining to seal the Chicago win.

Here is a look at the Rush-Crush All-Time Series Results:

2003: Rush 76, Colorado 58 (April 13 @ Colorado)

2004: Rush 65, Colorado 35 (February 22 @ Chicago)

Colorado 56, Rush 47 (May 30 @ Colorado)

2005: Rush 51, Colorado 48 (February 13 @ Colorado)

Rush 75, Colorado 51 (April 17 @ Chicago)

Colorado 49, Rush 43 (OT) (June 5 @ Colorado)*

2006: Colorado 65, Rush 56 (January 29 @ Colorado)

Colorado 49, Rush 42 (March 10 @ Chicago)

Rush 63, Colorado 46 (May 28 @ Colorado)*

2007: Rush 59, Colorado 48 (May 7 @ Chicago)

*AFL playoffs

FAMILIARITY BREEDS RESPECT: There are no secrets between the Rush and Crush, as the connections between the team's head coaches run deep.

8 Rush head coach Mike Hohensee and Crush head coach Mike Dailey are very close friends, having known each other for more than 20 years. The pair first met in 1985 while coaching at Montgomery Junior College in Rockville, Maryland. When Hohensee was hired as the head coach of the Washington Commandos in 1990, he brought Dailey with him as his line coach. From 1991 through 1993 the two served together as assistant coaches on the staff of the Albany Firebirds. In 1994 Hohensee was promoted to head coach, with Dailey as his assistant head coach. When Hohensee left after the 1996 season, Dailey was promoted to head coach. Dailey then hired Hohensee as his offensive coordinator for the 1998 season. As AFL head coaches, the pair has squared off against each other 16 times in the regular season and twice in the postseason, with the series between the two tied 9-9.

8 Two Rush players - LB DeJuan Alfonzo and OL John Sikora - played for Dailey when he coached the Indiana Firebirds

8 On the flip side, Hohensee has coached two players who now play for the Crush - WR Damian Harrell (in New England) and OL Kyle Moore-Brown (Albany).

D'ORAZIO vs. CRUSH: Rush QB Matt D'Orazio is 2-2 in his four career games against the Crush. In this season's first game against Colorado, D'Orazio completed 28 of 39 passes for 276 yards and six touchdowns, without throwing an interception. D'Orazio also rushed for seven yards and a TD in the game.

Here are D'Orazio's career numbers against Colorado:

G Comp Att Pct. Yds. TD Int Rating

4 96 148 64.9% 1,081 21 1 119.2

Last week against Grand Rapids, D'Orazio completed 19 of 22 passes for 248 yards and seven touchdowns. He did, however, throw two interceptions in the game, meaning only one of his passes during the evening actually hit the ground.

For the season, D'Orazio has completed 163 of 249 passes for 1,948 yards and 42 touchdowns, while only throwing seven interceptions. He also has rushed for 73 yards and 8 touchdowns

Earlier this year, the Rush rewarded D'Orazio with a two-year contract extension through the 2009 season.

DUTTON vs. RUSH: Colorado QB John Dutton has played in every one of the 10 Colorado-Chicago games. He also is one of nine QBs who have passed for 300 or more yards against the Rush defense, joining Donnie Davis, Clint Dolezel, Aaron Garcia, Mark Grieb, Andy Kelly, Chad Salisbury, Clint Stoerner and Juston Wood.

Here are Dutton's career numbers against Chicago:

G Comp Att Pct. Yds. TD Int Rating

10 224 360 62.2% 2,846 58 11 113.7

Rush opponent's 300-yard passing games:

Player Date Yards

Clint Stoerner 1/30/05 @ Dallas 398

Clint Stoerner 2/13/06 vs. Nashville 368

Mark Grieb 4/10/05 vs. San Jose 368

Clint Dolezel 5/1/05 vs. Las Vegas 355

John Dutton 5/7/07 vs. Colorado 346

Clint Dolezel 7/7/01 @ Grand Rapids 342

Aaron Garcia 3/23/03 vs. New York 339

Mark Grieb 3/9/07 vs. San Jose 327

Clint Dolezel 5/4/02 vs. Grand Rapids 321

Clint Dolezel 3/29/03 @ Grand Rapids 317

Andy Kelly 3/20/05 vs. New Orleans 311

Mark Grieb 6/3/06 @ San Jose * 314

Juston Wood 4/30/07 vs. Philadelphia 308

Andy Kelly 3/28/04 vs. Detroit 306

Donnie Davis 5/18/02 vs. Georgia 304

Aaron Garcia 6/30/02 vs. New York 303

John Dutton 3/10/06 vs. Colorado 300

Chad Salisbury 5/13/06 @ Grand Rapids 300

* AFL playoffs

EXTRA REST FOR CRUSH: Monday's game will be the third time this year the Rush will face a team coming off a bye week. Earlier this season the Rush defeated both New York and Columbus after they sat out a week with a bye.

SIPPIO BACK IN TOP FORM: After missing the team's last three games with an ankle injury, Rush wide receiver Bobby Sippio returned to the lineup last week against Grand Rapids. Sippio looked great, catching nine passes for 179 yards and equaling his team record with six touchdown receptions.

Sippio has set career highs this season with 106 receptions for 1,533 yards and 47 touchdowns. Despite missing three games, he leads the AFL in touchdowns and scoring (282 points) and ranks fifth in receiving yards.

THE SIPPIO FACTOR: With Bobby Sippio on the field in a Chicago uniform, the Rush is 16-4, including last season's championship run. Without Sippio this season the Rush is 1-2.

SIPPIO LOVES ALLSTATE ARENA: Rush wide receiver Bobby Sippio can't explain it, but he loves playing at Allstate Arena. In his eight home games as a member of the Rush, Sippio has caught 84 passes for 1,302 yards and 39 touchdowns. He has set the team records for receptions in a game (15 - twice) and touchdown receptions (6 - four times).

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.

RECORD HIGH FIVE: Rush receiver Bobby Sippio has set an AFL record by catching five or more touchdown passes in a game seven times this season. Overall, Sippio has caught five or more touchdowns in a game 10 times in his Rush career. Chicago is 9-1 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

Grand Rapids June 9, 2007 6 W

* AFL Playoffs

ORDWAY HOPES TO BE BACK THIS WEEK: 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 this week. Ordway will find out later this week if he will be medically cleared to return to the Rush lineup.

ETU BACK IN BLUE: The Rush welcomed its all-time leading receiver, Etu Molden, back to the team on May 31 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. In his two games back in Chicago, Molden has caught nine passes for 66 yards.

HANG 10: Chicago's win over Grand Rapids last week was the team's 10th of the season - three more than the Rush garnered during the entire 2006 regular season. In 2006 the Rush didn't win its 10th game of the year until the American Conference Championship, 59-56 win at San Jose. 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 6-1 at home this season and owns a 38-17 all-time record at Allstate Arena (including postseason). The six home wins is the most for the Rush since 2004, when the team finished the year 7-2 at home (6-2 in the regular season and 1-0 in the playoffs).

TURNOVERS THE KEY: The Rush defense forced three more turnovers last week against Grand Rapids, giving the team 38 for the season. The Rush leads the AFL in forced turnovers as well as turnover margin at +21. The AFL single season record for takeaways is 49, set by the 1988 Pittsburgh Gladiators.

BEST DEFENSE EVER?: Statistically speaking, the 2007 Rush defense could be the best in team history. The defense ranks first in the AFL in scoring defense, giving up just 45.8 points per game; first in opponent passer rating, holding opposing QBs to a 93.7 rating; and second in pass defense, allowing just 252.1 passing yards per game.

The team record for fewest points per game allowed is 45.4 set in 2004. To break the record the Rush needs to allow fewer than 86 points in its last two games.

OFFENSE BACK ROLLING: The Rush scored 55 points in its win last week over Grand Rapids - the most the team had scored since a May 7 win over Colorado. For the season, the Rush has scored 755 points this year, and ranks eighth in the AFL in scoring offense, averaging 53.9 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.

For the season, Alfonzo has recorded 83.5 tackles, intercepted four passes, recovered six fumbles, forced four fumbles and broken up two passes.

ALFONZO TIES AFL RECORDS: Bobby Sippio isn't the only Rush player setting records this season. Rush linebacker DeJuan Alfonzo already has tied two AFL records and is making a strong case as the league's Defensive Player of the Year.

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 six fumbles this season, tying the AFL record shared by Andre Bowden (Tampa Bay 1999) and Antoine Worthman (Tampa Bay 2000).

PROUD PAPPA: Rush QB Matt D'Orazio became a father for the first time earlier this season, 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 TOP ROOKIE: 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 is making a case for the league's All-Rookie team, catching 64 passes for 702 yards and 11 touchdowns in just seven games in a Rush uniform.

Despite only playing in seven games this season, Mager ranks sixth among AFL rookies in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns.

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 14 games Frantz has converted 89 of 100 PAT attempts (89%) 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 27 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.

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 22.5 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and a pass broken up.

Peters also scored his first career touchdown June 2 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.

SPEED RUSH: Rush lineman E.J. Burt continues to make life difficult for opposing quarterbacks. This season Burt has recorded 19.0 tackles, five sacks, four forced fumbles and three passes broken up. 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

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 caught touchdown passes back-to-back games last month - 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 SECOND APPEARANCE: Rush backup QB Russ Michna made his second appearance of the season in last week's win over Grand Rapids. Michna entered the game on the final series of the fourth quarter and ran for two yards to run out the clock.

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.

MOORE STILL OUT: Center Frank Moore missed his third-straight game last week, sitting out with a sore knee. After starting at center for the Rush from 2003-2006, 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 before re-injuring his knee.

SIKORA BACK IN MIDDLE OF LINE: With Frank Moore out for most of the season, lineman John Sikora has been forced to move from guard to play center for the Rush. Sikora has been solid on the line this season, but did see his consecutive-games streak end at 89 earlier this season when he was forced to sit out the team's May 19 game against Nashville with a hamstring injury. Sikora returned to the lineup May 26 in Arizona.

PROTECT THAT QB: The Rush offensive line, which for most of the season has featured two rookies - Robert Boss and Jason Thomas - might be the one unit that has struggled at times this season. The line has allowed 24 sacks this season - equaling the team record set last year. From 2003 to 2005 the Rush offensive line gave up a total of just 26 sacks.

After giving up 17 sacks in the team's first eight games this season, the line has played better of late, giving up just seven sacks in the last six games.

WORKING ON HIS SECOND 100: Chicago Rush head coach Mike Hohensee is the third-winningest coach in AFL history with 116 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 69-50 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 105-89 (including a

61-45 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 6-4 all-time vs. Colorado and 9-9 all-time vs. teams coached by Mike Dailey.

All-Time Winningest AFL Coaches

Including Postseason

Coach Team Wins This Week

Tim Marcum Tampa Bay 186 @ Grand Rapids

Danny White Utah 155 Bye

Mike Hohensee Rush 116 @ Colorado

Mike Dailey Colorado 107 vs. Chicago

Darren Arbet San Jose 104 vs. Arizona

CHASING 1,500: Rush FB Bob McMillen has gained 63 yards this season, giving him 1,480 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 20 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 1,571

Bob McMillen 1995-present Chicago 1,480

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 531

Bob McMillen 1995-present Chicago 480

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 224.5 tackles, 15 interceptions and 47 passes broken up.

Through 14 games the Rush leads the league in both scoring defense and pass defense rating, holding opponents to just 45.8 points per game and opposing quarterbacks to a passer rating of just 93.7. The defense also ranks second in the league in pass defense, giving up just 252.1 yards per game.

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 6-1 Road 4-3

Time: Day 2-1 Night 8-3

Opponents: vs. American Conf. 7-3

vs. Central 4-2

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 Colorado

14 Games 14

53.9 (8) Scoring Offense 48.4 (17)

45.8 (1) Scoring Defense 51.1 (6)

252.6 (19) Total Offense 280.6 (15)

278.7 (4) Total Defense 278.3 (3)

58-68 85.3% Red Zone Offense 50-62, 80.6%

52-65 80.0% Red Zone Defense 63-77, 81.8%

236.4 (18) Pass Offense 275.7 (10)

252.1 (2) Pass Defense 262.4 (4)

16.1 (11) Rushing Offense 4.9 (19)

26.6 (18) Rushing Defense 15.9 (7)

755 Scoring 678

113 (12) Scoring (Kicking) 122 (7)

65-1,211-2 Kickoff Returns 61-943-1

18.6 (7) Kick Return Average 15.5 (18)

8-156-1 Missed Field Goal Returns 3-78-0

19.5 (6) Missed FG Return Avg. 26.0 (3)

+21 (1) Turnover Margin -2 (T-12)

8-22, 36.4 Field Goals 15-26, 57.7%

89-100, 89% PAT Kicking 77-89, 86.5%

12-67 (T-11) Sacks By 16-76 (T-5)

24-84 (17) Sacks Against 6-21 (5)

39-85, 45.9% Third Down Conversion 37-91, 40.7%

12-20, 60.0% Fourth Down Conversion 13-22, 59.1%

106-632 (7) Penalties (#-Yards) 88-477 (1)

122-754 (4) Opp. Penalties (#-Yards) 113-674 (6)

Bold - leads AFL

INDIVIDUAL LEAGUE LEADERS: The following Rush players rank among the 2007 AFL league leaders:

Matt D'Orazio: quarterback rating (7th - 120.9, fourth quarter passing (10th - 111.2)

DeJuan Alfonzo: tackles (9th - 83.5), special teams tackles (3rd - 15.0), fumble recoveries (1st - 6), forced fumbles (T-6th - 4)

Dennison Robinson: tackles (T-5th - 94.5), interceptions (T-8th - 6), fumble recoveries (T-9th - 3),

Bobby Sippio: scoring (1st - 282 points), touchdowns (1st - 47), receiving yards (5th - 1,535), third-down receiving (T-2nd - 18 receptions for 267 yards and 11 TDs), first downs (9th - 76)

Dan Frantz: touchbacks on kickoffs (3rd - 37)

Jeremy Unertl: passes defensed (T-6th - 17)

EJ Burt: 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)

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, 6/9 vs. Grand Rapids

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, 6/9 vs. Grand Rapids

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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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 13, 2007


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