Chicago Rush game notes
July 5, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
The Quick Facts
TV: ESPN2 ... Mark Jones, Merrill Hoge
Radio: WCKG 105.9 FM...Tom Dore, James "Big Cat" Williams
Overall Series Record: Tied 4-4 (LA leads 4-3 in regular season, Rush leads 1-0 in postseason
Series Streaks: LA won the last meeting
Last Meeting: June 2, 2007, Los Angeles 50, Rush 47
Coaches (regular season, postseason records):
Mike Hohensee (107-89, 11-9 - 14th season)
Ed Hodgkiss (52-42, 1-4 - 6th season)
Officials: Pat Garvey (Referee), Paul King (Umpire), Kavin McGrath (Head Linesman), Darrel Leftwich (Line Judge), Joe Duncan (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* W, 66-57 14,175
June 23 Kansas City* W, 48-21 16,391
June 30 Bye
July 9 y-Los Angeles 7:30 p.m. ESPN2
y-AFL playoffs
* Central Division game
American Conference - Central Division
2007 Final Standings
W-L-T PF PA Division
RUSH 12-4-0 869 719 6-2
Kansas City 10-6-0 840 776 4-4
Colorado 8-8-0 793 858 4-4
Nashville 7-9-0 851 876 3-5
Grand Rapids 4-12-0 835 1014 3-5
THE ROAD TO ARENABOWL XXI: After a well earned week off, the Rush begins its attempt to repeat as ArenaBowl champions when it hosts the Los Angeles Avengers in an American Conference Divisional playoff game Monday, July 9, at Allstate Arena.
Los Angeles moved into the second round with a 64-42 rout of Utah Monday night at Staples Center - the first playoff win in Avengers franchise history.
This Monday's game will be the third meeting of the season between the teams, which split the regular season series 1-1, with each team winning on its home field.
AFL PLAYOFF PICTURE: With the Wild Card games complete, the AFL is down to eight teams in the battle for the ArenaBowl title. The first round of the playoffs saw the No. 6 seeds in both the American and National Conference pull upset wins, while the fourth-seeded LA Avengers and Philadelphia Soul were winners at home.
Here is a look at the AFL's playoff pairings:
American Conference National Conference
1. x-San Jose 13-3 1. x-Dallas 15-1
2. x-Chicago 12-4 2. x-Georgia 14-2
3. Kansas City 10-6 3. Tampa Bay 9-7
4. Los Angeles 9-7 4. Philadelphia 8-8
5. Utah 8-8 5. Orlando 8-8
6. Colorado 8-8 6. Columbus 7-9
x-division winner, receives first-round bye
Wild Card Round
Philadelphia 41, Orlando 26
Columbus 56, Tampa Bay 55
Colorado Crush 49, Kansas City Brigade 42
Los Angeles Avengers 64, Utah Blaze 42
American Conference Divisional Round
Saturday, July 7 Monday, July 9
#6 Colorado@ #1 San Jose #4 Los Angeles @ #2 Chicago
National Conference Divisional Round
Saturday, July 7 Sunday, July 8
#6 Columbus @ #1 Dallas #4 Philadelphia @ #2 Georgia
Conference Finals: Saturday, July 14
ArenaBowl XXI: Sunday, July 29
BACK-TO-BACK: Chicago's goal is to 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.
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.
Here is a look at Chicago's all-time playoff results:
2001: W, 41-26 at Orlando (Wild Card Round)
L, 53-21 at Grand Rapids (Quarterfinal)
2002: W, 60-47 vs. Dallas (Quarterfinal)
L, 46-35 at Arizona (Semifinal)
2003: L, 48-45 at New York (Wild Card Round)
2004: W, 59-49 vs. Orlando (Quarterfinal)
L, 49-35 at San Jose (Semifinal)
2005: W, 52-45 at Los Angeles (Quarterfinal)
L, 49-43 (OT) at Colorado (Semifinal)
2006: W, 55-47 at Nashville (Wild Card Round)
W, 63-46 at Colorado (Quarterfinals)
W, 59-56 at San Jose (Semifinals)
W, 69-61 vs. Orlando (ArenaBowl XX at Las Vegas)
PLAYOFF STREAKS: Chicago's seven-year playoff streak is the third longest current streak in the AFL behind Orlando (16 straight years) and San Jose (8). In addition, Mike Hohensee's streak of taking his teams to the playoffs for eight straight seasons is tied for the second-longest consecutive streak by any AFL coach. Danny White has led the Blaze to the playoffs in each of his first two years on the Utah sidelines after taking his Arizona Rattlers to 12 consecutive playoff appearances. San Jose head coach Darren Arbet has taken his team to the playoffs for eight-consecutive seasons and Orlando head coach Jay Gruden has taken his teams to seven-straight playoff appearances.
PLAYOFF TESTED: The Rush roster (including IR and practice squad) contains 17 players who were members of last season's ArenaBowl XX championship team. In addition to those 17, the Rush roster is comprised of two AFL veterans in their first year with the Rush (E.J. Burt and Jonathan Ordway) and eight rookies.
The players on the Rush roster have combined to play in 144 postseason games, with every veteran playing in at least two AFL playoff games.
Fullback Bob McMillen has the most postseason experience, playing in a total of 23 AFL playoff games during his 13-year career.
RUSH-AVENGERS SPLIT SEASON SERIES: The Rush and Avengers split a pair of games in 2007 with each team winning on its home field. Overall, the teams have met eight times in their history, with the overall series tied 4-4.
Of the eight overall meetings, one occurred in the postseason - with Chicago earning a 52-45 playoff win May 29, 2005 in Los Angeles.
Here is a recap of this season's two games:
April 1, 2007: Wide receiver Bobby Sippio caught five touchdown passes and set what were then team records with 14 receptions for 224 yards as the Rush routed Los Angeles 66-31 at Allstate Arena. QB Matt D'Orazio connected on 23 of 30 passes for 287 yards and six touchdowns without throwing an interception. D'Orazio also rushed for four yards and a TD.
The Rush defense forced five turnovers - including four fumbles and LA QB Sonny Cumbie's first interception of the season - as Chicago built a 42-10 halftime lead and never looked back. One of the key moments of the game came in the middle of the first quarter with the game still scoreless. With Los Angeles poised to score on first-and-goal from the Rush 2-yard line, Chicago proceeded to stop the Avengers on four-consecutive running plays. After the defense shut the door, the offense scored to take a 7-0 lead.
June 2, 2007: 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 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.
Here's a recap of the only playoff meeting in the series:
May 29, 2005 - Trailing 35-17 early in the third quarter, the Rush went on a 35-10 run in the second half at Staples Center, erasing an 18 point lead and earning a 52-45 victory over Los Angeles. The Rush defense held LA scoreless on its last four possessions of the game - forcing two fumbles and forcing the Avengers to turn the ball over on downs twice. The 18-point comeback win was the second largest comeback in team history.
Rush-Avengers All-Time Series Results:
2001: Los Angeles 55, Rush 47 (June 20 @ LA)
2003: Rush 54, Los Angeles 53 (February 23 @ Chicago)
2004: Los Angeles 71, Rush 35 (April 25 @ Chicago)
2005: Los Angeles 52, Rush 49 (April 23 @ LA)
Rush 52, Los Angeles 45 (May 29 @ LA)*
2006: Rush 65, Los Angeles 46 (February 18 @ LA)
2007: Rush 66, Los Angeles 31 (April 1, @ Chicago)
Los Angeles 50, Rush 47 (June 2 @ LA)
*AFL playoffs
CHICAGO CONNECTIONS: Los Angeles assistant head coach Brent Winter was a member of Mike Hohensee's staff in Chicago in 2001.
ILLINOIS CONNECTIONS: Los Angeles lineman Matt McGhghy played his college football at Northern Illinois University and attended training camp with the Chicago Bears in 2005.
ROUT OF KC GIVES RUSH DIVISION TITLE: The Rush earned the AFL's Central Division title and a first-round bye in the playoffs with a convincing 48-21 win over the Kansas City Brigade in the regular season finale June 23 at Allstate Arena.
With six minutes remaining in the first half Kansas City scored to tie the game at 21-21. The Brigade would not score again as the Rush shut out KC for the final 36 minutes, closing the game on a 27-0 run.
The defensive stand began when Rush DB Dennison Robinson intercepted a Raymond Philyaw pass in the end zone with just 13 seconds left in the half, keeping the Chicago lead at 28-21 as the teams went to the locker room.
On the opening possession of the third quarter Kansas City marched down the field setting the Brigade up with a 1st-and-goal from the Rush 3-yard line. But instead of yielding the tying touchdown, the Rush turned back three straight rushing attempts and shut down Philyaw's 4th down pass attempt.
Bobby Sippio then culminated a 6-play, 44-yard drive when he scored on a 4-yard pass from Matt D'Orazio to extend the lead to 35-21.
The Rush continued to feed off the momentum when the defense forced a three-and-out on the next possession and Gary Kral attempted a pooch kick out of field goal position. But Robinson foiled that strategy when he brought the ball back to the KC 4. The offense was unable to punch it in, but Dan Frantz calmly booted home a 20-yard field goal to extend the lead to 17 points.
The Rush put the game away on the final play of the third quarter when linebacker DeJuan Alfonzo picked off Philyaw on 4th-down and returned the ball 47 yards for a touchdown and a 45-21 lead.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME: The Rush is 7-1 at home this season and owns a 39-17 all-time record at Allstate Arena (including postseason). The seven 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).
In addition the Rush is 2-0 at home in the postseason, winning AFL playoff games at Allstate Arena in 2002 and 2004.
RECORD-SETTING YEAR: The 2007 season was a record-setting one for the Rush on many levels. Here is a breakdown of the records set or tied this season:
Category 2007 Previous Record
Wins 12 11
Points Scored 869 847
Points per game allowed 44.9 45.4
Home Wins 7 6
Takeaways 44 34
Sacks Allowed 25 24
Completions 351 (D'Orazio) 324
Passing yards 3,789 (D'Orazio) 3,669
TD Passes 82 (D'Orazio) 74
Receptions 125 (Sippio) 123
Receiving TDs 53 (Sippio) 29
Total TDs 53 (Sippio) 36
Tackles 102 (Robinson) 98
Fumble Recovered 6 (Alfonzo) 4
Extra Points Made 104 (Frantz) 95
Longest Field Goal 56 (Frantz) 54
STRONG AFTER A BYE: Traditionally, the Rush has fared very well after its bye week, posting a 4-1 record after a week off, including 1-0 in the postseason.
The team's only loss after a bye week came in its inaugural 2001 season, when the Rush opened the year with the bye. Then in Week 2, the Rush lost at Oklahoma 45-44. Since that loss Chicago is 4-0 after its bye week.
Here is a look at how the Rush has fared after its bye weeks:
Year Week After Bye
2001 L, 44-45 @ Oklahoma
2002 W, 60-47 vs. Dallas*
2004 W, 58-15 vs. Orlando
2005 W, 44-43 @ New York
2007 W, 75-54 @ Grand Rapids
* AFL Playoffs
CLOSING KICK: With its win over Kansas City on June 23, the Rush is now 5-2 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.
OFFENSE ROLLING: The Rush has scored a team record 869 points this year, for an average of 54.3 points per game. However, with a healthy Bobby Sippio in the lineup the Rush offense was even more potent, averaging 57.1 points per game.
TURNOVERS THE KEY TO SUCCESS: The Rush defense forced a team record 44 turnovers this season - 20 fumbles and a league-high 24 interceptions. Only three teams in AFL history have forced more turnovers in a season than the Rush, led by the 1988 Pittsburgh Gladiators who forced 49 turnovers.
AFL's Single Season Takeaways
Team Season Takeaways
Pittsburgh Gladiators 1988 49
Columbus Destroyers 2006 46
Albany Firebirds 1996 45
Chicago Rush 2007 44
Dallas Desperados 2006 44
In addition to leading the league in takeaways, the Rush also led the AFL in turnover margin at +27.
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.
COMEBACK KIDS: The Rush 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.
SIPPIO, ALFONZO, UNERTL HONORED: When the Arena Football League announced its 2007 All-Arena teams, the defending ArenaBowl champion Rush found itself with three players receiving postseason honors.
Wide receiver Bobby Sippio and linebacker DeJuan Alfonzo were voted to the league's first team, while defensive back Jeremy Unertl was voted second-team All-Arena.
In addition, Alfonzo was voted to the AFL's All-Ironman team for the second-consecutive season.
CAREER YEAR FOR D'ORAZIO: Rush QB Matt D'Orazio enjoyed the best year of his career in 2007, starting all 16 games and leading the Rush to the Central Division title. D'Orazio became the first Rush quarterback to start every game in a season since Billy Dicken in 2002.
For the year, D'Orazio set career highs and Rush team records by completing 351 of 506 passes for 3,789 yards and 82 touchdowns, while only throwing 10 interceptions. He also rushed for 134 yards and a career-high 12 touchdowns.
After a shaky start to the year that saw him throw seven interceptions in the season's first seen weeks, D'Orazio settled down, only throwing three interceptions in the team's final nine games.
Earlier this year, the Rush rewarded D'Orazio with a two-year contract extension through the 2009 season.
D'ORAZIO vs. LA: QB Matt D'Orazio has played three games in his career against LA, completing 77 percent of his passes on his way to a 2-1 career record against the Avengers. Although D'Orazio has never thrown an interception against LA, he has been sacked six times in three games.
Here are D'Orazio's career numbers against Los Angeles:
G Comp Att Pct. Yds. TD Int Rating
3 68 88 77.2% 758 14 0 141.9
PROTECT THAT QB: The Rush offensive line, which for most of the season featured two rookies - Robert Boss and Jason Thomas - continued to improve as the season went on.
Despite setting a team record by allowing 25 sacks this season, the line played much better in the season's final weeks. After giving up 17 sacks in the team's first eight games, the line only allowed eight sacks in the season's final eight games.
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.
SIPPIO FOR OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Wide receiver Bobby Sippio finished the 2007 season with 53 touchdowns and 318 points scored - the second-best offensive season in league history.
Sippio set career highs this season with 125 receptions for 1,739 yards and 53 touchdowns. Despite missing three games, he led the AFL in touchdowns and scoring and finished the year ranked 4th in receiving yards and 8th in receptions.
The AFL's Single Season Touchdown leaders
Player Season Team TDs
Damian Harrell 2006 Colorado 61
Bobby Sippio 2007 Chicago 53
Eddie Brown 1996 Albany 51
Barry Wagner 1997 Orlando 51
The AFL's Single Season Scoring Leaders
Player Season Team Points
Damian Harrell 2006 Colorado 366
Bobby Sippio 2007 Chicago 318
Barry Wagner 1997 Orlando 310
Eddie Brown 1996 Albany 308
SIPPIO LOVES ALLSTATE ARENA: Rush wide receiver Bobby Sippio can't explain it, but he loves playing at Allstate Arena. In his nine home games as a member of the Rush, Sippio has caught 93 passes for 1,392 yards and 42 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 set an AFL record in 2007 by catching five or more touchdown passes in a game seven times. 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 recorded 100 or more receiving yards in a game 10 times in 2007, becoming one of just nine 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
Siaha Burley 2007 Utah 13
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
THE SIPPIO FACTOR: With Bobby Sippio on the field in a Rush uniform, Chicago is 18-4, including last season's title run. Without Sippio this year the Rush is 1-2.
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 first 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 four regular season games back in Chicago, Molden caught 20 passes for 161 yards and a TD.
MAGER A TOP ROOKIE: Rookie wide receiver Rob Mager, signed April 21, quickly developed a rapport with QB Matt D'Orazio. Mager finished the season as one of the league's top rookie receivers, catching 75 passes for 811 yards and 13 touchdowns in 10 games in a Rush uniform.
Mager finished the season tied for sixth among AFL rookies in receptions and 10th in receiving yards.
Mager (6-3, 205, University of Indianapolis) came 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.
McMILLEN HITS 1,500: With 28 rushing yards in the team's final regular season game against Kansas City, Rush fullback Bob McMillen became just the second player in AFL history to rush for 1,500 career yards. McMillen, who is retiring at the end of the season, will finish his 13-year career as the AFL's second all-time leading rusher, with 1,508 career yards. He also ranks second all-time in rushing attempts and fifth in rushing touchdowns.
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. 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 1,508
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 484
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
Chris Ryan 2000-2007 Grand Rapids 88
Bob McMillen 1995-present Chicago 85
BEST DEFENSE EVER?: Statistically speaking, the 2007 Rush defense is the best in team history. The defense finished the season ranked first in the AFL in scoring defense, giving up just 44.9 points per game; first in opponent passer rating, holding opposing QBs to a 91.4 rating; second in total defense, giving up just 273.4 yards per game; and second in pass defense, allowing just 248.1 passing yards per game.
The team set a record for fewest points per game allowed, breaking the mark of 45.4 set in 2004.
ALFONZO A RECORD-SETTER: Bobby Sippio isn't the only Rush player setting records this season. Rush linebacker DeJuan Alfonzo set one AFL record and tied another as he builds his case to be named the league's Defensive Player of the Year.
With his 47-yard interception return for a touchdown June 23 against Kansas City, Alfonzo set an AFL record by scoring his fifth defensive touchdown of the season - three on interception returns and two on fumbles recovered for TDs. The previous record of four was shared by Rashad Floyd (Colorado 2004), Greg Hopkins (LA 2002), Sedrick Robinson (Houston 2001) and Kenny McEntyre (Orlando 1999).
In addition, Alfonzo recovered six fumbles this season, tying the AFL record shared by Andre Bowden (Tampa Bay 1999) and Antoine Worthman (Tampa Bay 2000).
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 continued his great play through the conclusion of the regular season.
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.
June 18 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.
For the season, Alfonzo recorded 93.0 tackles, intercepted six passes, recovered six fumbles, forced four fumbles and broken up two passes.
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 played the position so well that his move to linebacker became a permanent one.
Moyer finished the year by recording a career-high 30.5 tackles, including three sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss. He also broke up four passes, forced a fumble and recovered two fumbles,
April 30 against Philadelphia, Moyer made the play of the game, deflecting a Juston Wood pass and then catching it off Curtis Eason's helmet for an interception with 3:25 remaining in the game. Moyer returned the interception 39-yards for what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown. It was only Moyer's third career interception, and his first since 2004. It also was the first he ever returned for a touchdown.
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.
IT'S MOYER TIME: The playoffs seem to be when Rush linebacker John Moyer elevates his game to another level. Moyer has seven career postseason sacks, good for third place in AFL history.
The AFL's All-Time Career Playoff Sacks list
Player Team Playoff Sacks
James Baron Nashville 9.5
B.J. Cohen Kansas City 8.0
John Moyer Rush 7.0
Last season Moyer had 3.0 sacks in the playoffs, including 2.0 in the team's playoff opener in Nashville.
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 25.5 tackles, one sack, a forced fumble and two passes 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 enjoyed a solid first season in Chicago. Burt recorded 21.5 tackles, six sacks, three tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and five passes broken up. Rush linebacker DeJuan Alfonzo has recovered two of the fumbles for Rush touchdowns.
In his fifth season, Burt has recorded 34 career sacks moving him into a tie with Ernest Allen for 10th 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 10 in AFL history in sacks. Moyer has 37.5 career sacks - including 32.5 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 10th place with 34. Moyer also is the team's all-time leader with 7.0 playoff sacks.
Here are Chicago's regular season & career sack leaders:
Player Season Player Career
John Moyer 10.0 (2004) John Moyer 32.5
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
E.J. Burt 6.0 (2007) E.J. Burt 6.0
Anthony Hutch 5.5 (2001) Jamie McGourty 5.5
John Moyer 4.0 (2002) Riley Kleinhesselink 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
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 June 18 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.
DAN THE MAN: Kicker Dan Frantz had the best season of any kicker in Rush history. For the year Frantz converted 104 of 115 PAT attempts (90.4%) and 11 of 27 field goal attempts - including a team record 56-yarder vs. San Jose.
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 earlier this season - 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.
WORKING ON HIS SECOND 100: Chicago Rush head coach Mike Hohensee is the third-winningest coach in AFL history with 118 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 71-50 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 three Central Division titles (2002, 2004, 2007) 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 107-89 (including a
63-45 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 three Central Division titles (2002, 2004 and 2007).
8 is 4-4 all-time vs. Los Angeles, 3-4 in the regular season and 1-0 in the postseason.
All-Time Winningest AFL Coaches
Including Postseason
Coach Team Wins This Week
Tim Marcum Tampa Bay 188
Danny White Utah 156
Mike Hohensee Rush 118 vs. Los Angeles
Mike Dailey Colorado 109 @ San Jose
Darren Arbet San Jose 106 vs. Colorado
MICHNA CLOSES OUT THE YEAR: Rush backup QB Russ Michna made his third appearance of the season June 23 against Kansas City. With the Rush holding a big lead, Michna played the team's final two series of the game, leading the Rush to a field goal on his first drive and running out the clock on his second.
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.
His second appearance of the season came 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.
MOORE STILL OUT: After starting at center for the Rush from 2003-2006, Frank 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. He has not played since.
SIKORA BACK IN MIDDLE OF LINE: With Frank Moore out, lineman John Sikora was forced to move from guard to center for the Rush. Sikora was solid on the line this season, but did see his consecutive-games streak end at 89 earlier in the year 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.
D-ROB BACK FOR TWO MORE YEARS: Last month 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 102 tackles this season, breaking Cedric Walker's single season team record of 98 tackles set in 2002. Robinson also finished the year with seven interceptions and 22 passes broken up while starting all 16 games this season.
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 and Jonathan Ordway - has been called the best secondary in the AFL by Gary Horton of Scouts, Inc. This season the group combined for 213.5 tackles, 16 interceptions and 57 passes broken up.
The Rush finished the year as the league leader in both scoring defense and pass defense rating, holding opponents to just 44.9 points per game and opposing quarterbacks to a passer rating of just 91.4. The defense also ranked second in the league in total defense, giving up just 273.4 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.
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.
TALE OF THE TAPE - Final Regular Season Numbers
Chicago Category Los Angeles
16 Games 16
54.3 (7) Scoring Offense 52.7 (10)
44.9 (1) Scoring Defense 53.0 (10)
254.9 (19) Total Offense 295.1 (9)
273.4 (2) Total Defense 292.6 (10)
60-72, 83.3% Red Zone Offense 66-77, 85.7%
58-71 81.7% Red Zone Defense 72-92, 78.3%
233.9 (18) Pass Offense 280.9 (9)
248.1 (2) Pass Defense 278.2 (12)
21.0 (8) Rushing Offense 14.2 (14)
25.2(17) Rushing Defense 14.4 (5)
869 Scoring 843
137 (8) Scoring (Kicking) 149 (4)
72-1,357-3 Kickoff Returns 93-1,351-1
18.8 (7) Kick Return Average 14.5 (19)
9-180-1 Missed Field Goal Returns 4-75-0
20 (5) Missed FG Return Avg. 18.8 (6)
+26 (1) Turnover Margin -5 (11)
11-27, 40.7% Field Goals 16-30, 53.3%
104-115, 90.4% PAT Kicking 101-114, 88.6%
14-76 (12) Sacks By 18-74 (T-6)
25-91 (15) Sacks Against 9-48 (T-6)
42-94, 44.7% Third Down Conversion 53-110, 48.2%
13-22, 59.1% Fourth Down Conversion 14-25, 56.0%
127-757 (9) Penalties (#-Yards) 102-585 (3)
140-871 (3) Opp. Penalties (#-Yards) 148-914 (1)
Bold - leads AFL
2007 RUSH BY THE NUMBERS: Here is a breakdown of the 2007 Rush:
Site: Home 7-1 Road 5-3
Time: Day 2-1 Night 10-3
Opponents: vs. American Conf. 9-3
vs. Central 6-2
vs. West 3-1
vs. National Conf. 3-1
vs. East 3-1
vs. South 0-0
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 finished the year among the 2007 AFL league leaders:
Matt D'Orazio: quarterback rating (6th - 122.4), rushing yards (10th - 134)
DeJuan Alfonzo: tackles (T-9th - 93.0), special teams tackles (T-4th - 17.0), fumble recoveries (1st - 6), forced fumbles (T-9th - 4), interceptions (T-11th - 6)
Dennison Robinson: tackles (5th - 102.0), interceptions (T-7th - 7), fumble recoveries (T-9th - 3), passes defensed (T-3rd - 22)
Bobby Sippio: scoring (1st - 318 points), touchdowns (1st - 53), receiving yards (4th - 1,739), receptions (8th - 125), third-down receiving (T-2nd - 20 receptions for 291 yards and 11 TDs), first downs (9th - 89)
Dan Frantz: touchbacks on kickoffs (3rd - 40), scoring (T-8th - 137)
Jeremy Unertl: interceptions (T-11th - 6), passes defensed (T-3rd - 22)
EJ Burt: forced fumbles (T-9th - 4)
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, 6/23 Kansas City
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, 6/23 Kansas City
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
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from July 5, 2007
- Quick Hitters: Divisional Round - AFL I
- Rush Playoff Update - Chicago Rush
- Tampa Bay's Dietz Earns AFL 2007 Co-Rookie Of The Year - Tampa Bay Storm
- Dietz, Frederick Named AFL Co-Rookies Of The Year - AFL I
- Colorado Crush re-sign quarterback John Dutton - Colorado Crush
- Chicago Rush game notes - Chicago Rush
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