Chicago Rush game notes
June 21, 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: Kansas City leads 1-0
Series Streaks: Kansas City has won the only meeting
Last Meeting: March 4, 2007, Kansas City 54, Rush 41
Coaches (regular season, postseason records):
Mike Hohensee (106-89, 11-9 - 14th season)
Kevin Porter (13-18, 0-0 - 2nd season)
Officials: Perry Havener (Referee), Tom Laverty (Umpire), Bill Ward (Head Linesman), David Meslow (Line Judge), Keith Washington (Back Judge)
Media Contacts
Chicago
Mike Alzamora ... 773-243-3445 (w), 773-456-0030 (c)
malzamora@chicagorush.com
Kansas City
BJ Cardin ... 913-383-8020 x 5265 (w), 816-217-5155 (c)
bcardin@kcbrigade.com
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* W, 66-57 14,175
June 23 Kansas City* 7 p.m. CSN
* Central Division game
American Conference - Central Division
2007 Standings
W-L-T PF PA Division
RUSH 11-4-0 821 698 5-2
Kansas City 10-5-0 819 728 4-3
Colorado 8-7-0 735 781 4-4
Nashville 6-9-0 794 822 2-5
Grand Rapids 4-11-0 781 957 3-4
FOR ALL THE MARBLES: The Rush returns home to Allstate Arena to conclude its 2007 regular season Saturday by hosting the Kansas City Brigade in a game that will decide the Central Division title. The Rush holds a one-game lead over Kansas City heading into the season's final game, but due to Chicago's opening week loss to the Brigade, the Rush needs a victory to secure the division title and a first round bye in the playoffs.
RUSH LOOKING FOR THIRD DIVISION TITLE: A win over Kansas City would give the Rush its third Central Division title in seven years. The Rush won the Central Division with a 9-5 record in 2002 and again in 2004 when the team went 11-5. In both 2002 and 2004 the Rush advanced to the AFL semifinals.
AMERICAN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF PICTURE: 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.
Entering the season's final week, San Jose and Chicago hold the top two seeds and are in line to receive first-round byes.
Kansas City, LA and Colorado have clinched playoff spots, while Utah and Nashville are battling for the conference's final spot in the postseason.
Here is a look at the American Conference standings:
1. xy-San Jose 12-3
2. x-Chicago 11-4
3. x-Kansas City 10-5
4. x-Los Angeles 9-6
5. x-Colorado 8-7
6. Utah 7-8
Nashville 6-9
Grand Rapids 4-11
Arizona 4-12
Las Vegas 2-13
x - clinched playoff spot
y - clinched division
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS: If the Rush knocks off Kansas City Saturday night it will win the Central Division and get a first round bye in the playoffs. The Rush would be at least the conference's No. 2 seed but could move up to No. 1 with a win and a San Jose loss to Las Vegas. Either way, the Rush would get the bye and host a second round game on Monday, July 9.
If Kansas City wins, the Brigade would clinch the division, dropping Chicago to the No. 3 seed in the conference. The third seed would mean the Rush would host a first-round game at Allstate Arena on Monday, July 2.
PLAYOFF CONSISTENCY: 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.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME: 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 are 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).
CLOSING KICK: In its history, the Rush is 4-2 in its final regular season game. The team's only losses in the season's final week came in 2002 and 2004 - when the team already had clinched the Central Division and its playoff seeding had been determined.
RECORD TYING WIN: Chicago's win in Colorado Monday night was the team's 11th of the regular season, equaling the team record for regular season wins set in 2004. Including the postseason, the team record is 12 wins, also set in 2004.
RUSH NOTCHES 11th WIN MONDAY IN DENVER: Rush quarterback Matt D'Orazio completed 23 of 32 passes for 232 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for another 32 yards and a TD in leading his team to its 11th victory of the season, a 66-57 win over the Colorado Crush Monday night.
Trailing 24-21 with four minutes remaining in the first half, the Rush went on a 21-0 run to take control of the game.
The run began when kick returner Jonathan Ordway - back in the lineup for the first time in a month after suffering a partially torn bicep May 14 in Dallas - returned a kickoff 48-yards to the Colorado 10-yard line. It was Ordway's second big kick return of the game, as he returned Colorado's first kickoff of the night 56 yards for a first quarter touchdown.
Two plays later, receiver Bobby Sippio caught a 10-yard touchdown pass after it bounced off the boards in the end zone. The score gave Chicago a 28-24 lead with 2:01 remaining in the half.
The Rush defense, which had been close to forcing a turnover all half, finally got one when DB Jeremy Unertl intercepted a John Dutton pass in the end zone and returned it to the Chicago 14-yard line with one minute to play.
The Rush moved the ball to the Colorado 20-yard line before D'Orazio was able to scamper the rest of the way on a quarterback draw, giving Chicago a 35-24 lead at the half.
The Rush extended its lead just three plays into the third quarter. On third and one from its own 12-yard line, DeJuan Alfonzo took a handoff from D'Orazio and tried to find room to the left for a first down. When there was no hole to be found, Alfonzo reversed back right, broke a tackle and rumbled 38-yards for a touchdown and a 42-24 Rush lead.
The team's traded scores the rest of the way, with Colorado cutting the Rush lead to seven points at 52-45 early in the fourth.
But the Rush would not break, scoring on a 45-yard touchdown pass to Rob Mager and a 12-yard TD to Etu Molden for the final margin.
TURNOVERS THE KEY: The Rush defense forced three more turnovers last week in Colorado, giving the team a league-leading 41 for the season. Chicago has become only the seventh team in AFL history to record 41 or more takeaways in a season. The AFL single season record for takeaways is 49, set by the 1988 Pittsburgh Gladiators. In addition to leading the league in takeaways, the Rush also leads the AFL in turnover margin at +24.
RUSH DROPS OPENER IN KANSAS CITY: For the third-consecutive year the Rush dropped its season opener, falling 54-41 on the road March 4 in Kansas City. Chicago committed four turnovers (two fumbles and two interceptions) and the Brigade defense recorded a safety, as Kansas City built a 15-point second half lead. The Rush cut the score to 41-35 with nine minutes remaining, but could get no closer. Rush QB Matt D'Orazio completed 20 of 27 passes for 250 yards and five touchdowns, but was sacked twice and threw two interceptions. Former Rush QB Raymond Philyaw, now Kansas City's starter, passed for 225 yards and two TDs and added a pair of rushing touchdowns.
PHILYAW BACK AT ALLSTATE: Saturday's game will be the first at Allstate Arena for Brigade starting QB Raymond Philyaw since May 15, 2005 - when Philyaw was Chicago's starting QB. Philyaw played for the Rush in 2004 and 2005, posting a 19-14 record as the team's starter.
As an opponent, Philyaw has started against the Rush seven times (6 with Indiana and 1 with KC), going 4-3 including a 54-41 win in the 2007 season opener in Kansas City.
Here are Philyaw's career numbers against Chicago:
G Comp Att Pct. Yds. TD Int Rating
7 143 218 65.6% 1,643 24 7 102.3
BEARD HEADS TO BRIGADE: To make room on the team's active roster when the Rush activated Jonathan Ordway from Injured Reserve last week, the team moved rookie wide receiver Kevin Beard to its practice squad. Earlier this week, the Kansas City Brigade plucked Beard from Chicago's practice squad, signing him to a contract through the end of the season. Beard appeared in three games for the Rush this season, catching seven passes for 47 yards.
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.
SIPPIO JUST THE FOURTH TO 50: Wide receiver Bobby Sippio scored three touchdowns Monday in Colorado, giving him 50 for the season. Sippio is just the fourth player in AFL history to record 50 or more touchdowns in a season. With two touchdowns Saturday night against Kansas City, Sippio will pass Eddie Brown and Barry Wagner to move into second place on the league's all-time single season touchdown list, trailing only Damian Harrell's record of 61 touchdowns.
Sippio also is just two scores shy of moving into second place on the all-time singe-season scoring list. Once again, Damian Harrell holds the single season record with 366 points.
Sippio has set career highs this season with 116 receptions for 1,649 yards and 50 touchdowns. Despite missing three games, he leads the AFL in touchdowns and scoring (300 points) and ranks fourth in receiving yards.
The AFL's Single Season Touchdown leaders
Player Season Team TDs
Damian Harrell 2006 Colorado 61
Eddie Brown 1996 Albany 51
Barry Wagner 1997 Orlando 51
Bobby Sippio 2007 Chicago 50
The AFL's Single Season Scoring Leaders
Player Season Team Points
Damian Harrell 2006 Colorado 366
Barry Wagner 1997 Orlando 310
Eddie Brown 1996 Albany 308
Bobby Sippio 2007 Chicago 300
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.
THE SIPPIO FACTOR: With Bobby Sippio on the field in a Chicago uniform, the Rush is 17-4, including last season's championship run. Without Sippio this season the Rush is 1-2.
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
SIPPIO ALSO LIKES CENTURY MARK: Bobby Sippio has recorded 100 or more receiving yards in a game 10 times this season, becoming one of just eight players in AFL history to accomplish the feat 10 or more times in a single season.
Most 100-Yard Receiving Games in a Single Season
Player Year Team Game
Calvin Schexnayder 1998 Arizona 12
Siaha Burley 2006 Utah 11
Damian Harrell 2006 Colorado 11
Bobby Sippio 2007 Chicago 10
Eddie Brown 1997 Albany 10
Terrell Shaw 2003 Grand Rapids 10
Kevin Swayne 2001 New York 10
Kevin Swayne 1999 Iowa 10
OFFENSE BACK ROLLING: With Bobby Sippio back in the lineup the Rush offense has started rolling again, scoring 121 points in its last two games. The Rush has scored 821 points this year, just 26 shy of the team record 847 points scored in 2004. The team ranks seventh in the AFL in scoring offense, averaging 54.7 points per game.
CAREER YEAR FOR D'ORAZIO, TOO: Rush QB Matt D'Orazio enjoyed another great game in Colorado, completing 23 of 32 passes for 242 yards and five touchdowns, without throwing an interception. D'Orazio also rushed for a season-high 32 yards and a TD in the win.
For the season, D'Orazio has set career highs by completing 333 of 482 passes for 3,602 yards and a team record 78 touchdowns, while only throwing 10 interceptions. He also has rushed for 134 yards and a career-high 12 touchdowns. D'Orazio needs just 67 passing yards this week to break Raymond Philyaw's 2005 team record of 3,669 yards.
Earlier this year, the Rush rewarded D'Orazio with a two-year contract extension through the 2009 season.
PROTECT THAT QB: The Rush offensive line, which for most of the season has featured two rookies - Robert Boss and Jason Thomas - did not give up any sacks last week in Colorado. It was only the third time this season the Rush did not give up a sack, and just the second in which there were no sacks and no interceptions in the same game.
Despite tying the 2006 team record by allowing 24 sacks this season, the line has played much better in recent weeks. After giving up 17 sacks in the team's first eight games this season, the line has only allowed seven sacks in the last seven games.
From 2003 to 2005 the Rush offensive line gave up a total of just 26 sacks.
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.
McMILLEN READY TO SAY GOODBYE: Saturday's game will be the final regular season game for Rush fullback Bob McMillen, who is retiring at the end of the season. McMillen 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
ORDWAY BACK WITH A VENGEANCE: Defensive Back Jonathan Ordway, who suffered a partial tear of his left bicep in the team's May 14 loss at Dallas, returned to the lineup last week in Colorado. Ordway had one of his best games of the season, returning five kicks for 116 yards, including a 56-yard touchdown on his first return of the game and a 48-yard return to set up another Rush TD. In addition, Ordway finished the game with 4.0 tackles and 2 passes broken up.
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 three games back in Chicago, Molden has caught 14 passes for 108 yards and a TD.
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. In addition, the Rush fell in LA on June 2 when kicker Remy Hamilton kicked a field goal on the final play of the game to give the Avengers a 50-47 win over Chicago.
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 46.5 points per game; first in opponent passer rating, holding opposing QBs to a 93.5 rating; and second in pass defense, allowing just 252.7 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 less than 28 points in its game this week against Kansas City.
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 FOR IRONMAN OF THE YEAR: Rush linebacker DeJuan Alfonzo is quite simply one of the best two-way players of the year. After being named the Arena Football League's Ironman of the Month for his performance during May, Alfonzo has continued his great play into the month of June.
Last week in Colorado, Alfonzo was named Ironman of the Game after he rushed for 41 yards and two touchdowns on offense and recorded 8.0 tackles and an interception on defense.
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 91.5 tackles, intercepted five 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).
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 72 passes for 788 yards and 12 touchdowns in just eight games in a Rush uniform.
Despite only playing in eight games this season, Mager ranks sixth among AFL rookies in receptions and eighth in receiving yards.
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 15 games Frantz has converted 98 of 109 PAT attempts (89.9%) and nine of 23 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 28 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 23.5 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 19.5 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 the team's June 9 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 fourth-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.
WORKING ON HIS SECOND 100: Chicago Rush head coach Mike Hohensee is the third-winningest coach in AFL history with 117 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 70-50 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 106-89 (including a
62-45 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 0-1 all-time vs. Kansas City
All-Time Winningest AFL Coaches
Including Postseason
Coach Team Wins This Week
Tim Marcum Tampa Bay 187 vs. Austin
Danny White Utah 155 @ Los Angeles
Mike Hohensee Rush 117 vs. Kansas City
Mike Dailey Colorado 107 vs. Dallas
Darren Arbet San Jose 105 @ Las Vegas
D-ROB BACK FOR TWO MORE YEARS: Wednesday the Rush announced it had signed defensive back Dennison Robinson to a two-year contract extension through the 2009 season. Robinson, who was set to become a free agent at the end of the season, is the team's leading tackler, recording a career-high 98 tackles this season along with six interceptions and 19 passes broken up while starting all 15 games this season.
With one game remaining, Robinson has tied Cedric Walker's single season team record of 98 tackles set in 2002.
In his second year with the Rush and sixth overall in the AFL, Robinson was one of the Chicago's most valuable players during last year's 2006 championship run. He was named Defensive Player of the Game three times in the team's four playoff games, recording 23 tackles and three interceptions - two of which he returned for touchdowns - in the playoffs.
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 240 tackles, 16 interceptions and 58 passes broken up.
Through 15 games the Rush leads the league in both scoring defense and pass defense rating, holding opponents to just 46.5 points per game and opposing quarterbacks to a passer rating of just 93.5. The defense also ranks second in the league in pass defense, giving up just 251.7 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.
RECORD-SETTING YEAR: The 2007 season has seen many Rush team records fall.
Here is a breakdown of the records set or tied this season:
Category 2007 Previous Record
Wins 11 11
Takeaways 41 34
Sacks Allowed 24 24
Completions 333 (D'Orazio) 324
TD Passes 78 (D'Orazio) 74
Receiving TDs 50 (Sippio) 29
Total TDs 50 (D'Orazio) 36
Tackles 98 (Robinson) 98
Fumble Recovered 6 (Alfonzo) 4
Extra Points Made 98 (Frantz) 95
Longest Field Goal 56 (Frantz) 54
Here is a list of records that could still be set:
Category 2007 Current Record
Points Scored 821 847
Points per game (Def) 46.5 45.4
Home Wins 6 7
Passing yards 3,602 (D'Orazio) 3,669
Receptions 116 (Sippio) 123
INJURY REPORT: The following players appeared on this week's injury report to the AFL:
Injured Reserve - Demetrios Walker (hamstring), Woody Dantzler (groin)
INDIVIDUAL LEAGUE LEADERS: The following Rush players rank among the 2007 AFL league leaders:
Matt D'Orazio: quarterback rating (7th - 121.7), rushing yards (10th - 134)
DeJuan Alfonzo: tackles (T-7th - 91.5), special teams tackles (T-3rd - 16.5), fumble recoveries (1st - 6), forced fumbles (T-7th - 4)
Dennison Robinson: tackles (T-5th - 98.0), interceptions (T-9th - 6), fumble recoveries (T-9th - 3), passes defensed (T-7th - 19)
Bobby Sippio: scoring (1st - 300 points), touchdowns (1st - 50), receiving yards (4th - 1,649), receptions (10th - 116), third-down receiving (T-5th - 19 receptions for 277 yards and 11 TDs), first downs (9th - 83)
Dan Frantz: touchbacks on kickoffs (3rd - 38), scoring (T-10th - 125)
Jeremy Unertl: interceptions (T-9th - 6), passes defensed (T-3rd - 21)
EJ Burt: forced fumbles (T-7th - 4)
Jonathan Ordway: kickoff return average (10th - 20.6)
TALE OF THE TAPE - Regular Season Numbers
Chicago Category Kansas City
15 Games 15
54.7 (7) Scoring Offense 54.6 (8)
46.5 (1) Scoring Defense 48.5 (4)
256.7 (18) Total Offense 303.2 (8)
278.2 (4) Total Defense 255.1 (1)
60-72, 83.3% Red Zone Offense 65-81, 83.3%
58-71 81.7% Red Zone Defense 68-82, 82.9%
236.8 (18) Pass Offense 277.5 (10)
251.7 (2) Pass Defense 230.3 (1)
19.9 (9) Rushing Offense 25.7 (3)
26.5 (18) Rushing Defense 24.9 (17)
821 Scoring 819
125 (12) Scoring (Kicking) 97 (19)
72-1,327-3 Kickoff Returns 84-1,469-1
18.4 (10) Kick Return Average 17.5 (12)
8-156-1 Missed Field Goal Returns 6-62-0
19.5 (6) Missed FG Return Avg. 10.3 (12)
+24 (1) Turnover Margin +12 (T-4)
9-23, 39.1% Field Goals 3-10, 30%
98-109, 89.9% PAT Kicking 88-113, 77.9%
12-67 (14) Sacks By 18-92 (T-3)
24-84 (17) Sacks Against 5-32 (3)
41-90, 45.6% Third Down Conversion 50-93, 53.8%
13-22, 59.1% Fourth Down Conversion 18-29, 62.1%
118-692 (8) Penalties (#-Yards) 151-883 (19)
127-793 (3) Opp. Penalties (#-Yards) 113-653 (15)
Bold - leads AFL
2007 RUSH BY THE NUMBERS: Here is a breakdown of the 2007 Rush:
Site: Home 6-1 Road 5-3
Time: Day 2-1 Night 9-3
Opponents: vs. American Conf. 8-3
vs. Central 5-2
vs. West 3-1
vs. National Conf. 3-1
vs. East 3-1
vs. South 0-0
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, 6/18 @ Colorado
ADT Defensive Player of the Game:
Jeremy Unertl - 3/9 vs. San Jose, 6/18 @ Colorado
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, 6/18 @ Colorado
AFL WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS: The following Rush players won AFL weekly awards for their play this season:
Offensive Player of the Week:
Bobby Sippio - Week 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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