Chicago Rush Game Notes

June 23, 2010 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Chicago Rush News Release


The Quick Facts

TV: None

Radio: None

Webcast: www.arenarush.com Les Grobstein

Overall Series Record: Series tied 5-5 (Rush trails 2-5 in regular season, leads 3-0 in postseason)

Series Streaks: Orlando won the last meeting

Last Meeting: April 6, 2008, Orlando 57, Rush 56 (OT)

Coaches (regular season, postseason records - AFL only):

Mike Hohensee (126-97, 12-11 16th season)

Pat O'Hara (5-5, 0-0 1st season)

Officials: Bob McElwee (Referee), Pat Bayers (Umpire), John Quinn (Head Linesman), Jacob Kemp (Line Judge), Reggie Berry (Back Judge)

2010 Chicago Rush Schedule

Date Opponent Time/Score TV/Attend

April 2 @ Iowa

* W, 61-43 12,184

April 9 Cleveland

* W, 59-56 8,075

April 17 @ Arizona W, 70-56 14,994

April 23 Utah W, 63-40 7,459

May 1 Bye

May 7 @ Milwaukee

* L, 71-48 5,386

May 15 Iowa

* L, 44-30 10,363

May 22 @ Dallas W, 63-56 4,583

May 29 @ Cleveland

* W, 52-49 8,688

June 4 Jacksonville L, 64-56 7,430

June 12 @ Utah W, 70-50 4,892

June 19 Milwaukee

* W, 63-56 8,287

June 26 Orlando 7 p.m.

July 2 @ Tampa Bay 7 p.m. NFL Net

July 10 Arizona 7 p.m.

July 17 Dallas 7 p.m.

July 23 @ Spokane 7 p.m. NFL Net

* Midwest Division game

Midwest Division 2010 Standings

W-L-T PF PA Division

RUSH 8-3-0 635 585 4-2

Milwaukee 7-4-0 727 630 3-1

Cleveland 5-6-0 670 616 2-3

Iowa 4-6-0 484 541 1-4

MIDWEST DIVISION SHOWDOWN: After its thrilling come-from-behind win over Milwaukee last week, the Rush remains home this Saturday to host the Orlando Predators and former Rush star wide receiver Bobby Sippio.

After its 63-56 win over the Iron, the Rush finds itself alone in first place in the Midwest Division and riding a two-game winning streak.

As for Orlando, after opening the season 0-3 the Predators have found their stride, going 5-2 since May 1, including an impressive 70-48 win over the South Division leading Jacksonville Sharks last weekend.

FIREWORKS IN THE SUNSHINE STATE: After this week's game against Orlando, the Rush is back on the road next week, kicking off the July 4 holiday weekend by taking on the Tampa Bay Storm on Friday, July 2. The game matches two of the top teams in the league and will be featured as the AFL Game of the Week on the NFL Network.

TOUGH STRETCH RUN: Chicago's final five games to close the regular season will come against some of the best teams in the league. If you remove the 1-9 Dallas Vigilantes from the mix, Chicago's other four opponents have combined for an impressive 27-13 record.

RUSH FORGES WIN OVER IRON: It might be one of the most remarkable wins in Chicago Rush history. Playing without its starting quarterback, its top four receivers and one of its starting defensive linemen, the Chicago Rush overcame a 21-point second quarter deficit to defeat the Milwaukee Iron, 63-56, at Allstate Arena Saturday night.

The victory moved the Rush (8-3) into sole possession of first place in the Midwest Division with five games to play in the regular season.

Despite being shorthanded and starting slowly - ultimately falling behind 28-7 with just 5:46 left in the first half - the Rush kept battling. Over the next 16-plus minutes, Chicago went on a 35-14 run and eventually caught the Iron at 42-42 with 4:28 left in the third quarter.

The teams traded touchdowns the rest of the way until Rush linebacker DeJuan Alfonzo made the team's comeback complete when he intercepted a Chris Greisen pass in the end zone and returned it 54 yards for a touchdown with just 43 seconds remaining in the game. The score gave the Rush its only lead of the night.

The defense then held Milwaukee again on the Iron's final possession of the game, giving the Rush the victory.

Rush QB J.J. Raterink, making his first career start for the Rush, was excellent, completing 26 of 37 passes for 296 yards and five touchdowns, without throwing an interception.

Raterink spent the night throwing to a patchwork receiving corps, which included Travis LaTendresse, who flew in from Salt Lake City and arrived at Allstate Arena just two hours before kickoff, linebacker DeJuan Alfonzo, who moved to offense for the game, and Seyvelle Newton, who was just signed to the roster this week.

Newton, led all Rush receivers with 10 receptions for 93 yards and two touchdowns, while LaTendresse had seven catches for 89 yards and three TDs. Alfonzo added seven catches for 97 yards.

In addition to playing every snap on offense, Alfonzo also played the entire second half on defense, making his final interception return even more remarkable.

PLAYOFFS BREAKDOWN: With five games left in the regular season, the Rush is in prime position to clinch its ninth-consecutive playoff spot and, perhaps its fifth division title. Here is a look at how the playoff race is shaping up heading into the regular season's final weeks:

The two division winners in each conference automatically qualify for the playoffs, along with the teams with the next two best records in each conference.

National Conference American Conference

1. x-Spokane 8-2 1. x-Jacksonville 7-3

2. x-Chicago 8-3 2. x-Tulsa 6-5

3. Arizona 7-3 3. Tampa Bay 7-3

4. Milwaukee 7-4 4. Alabama 6-5

Cleveland 5-6 Orlando 5-5

Iowa 4-6 Oklahoma City 3-7

Utah 1-9 Boss. City/Shreveport 3-8

Dallas 1-9

x - Division leader

THE SECOND HALF: The Rush reached the season's midway point with a record of 6-2, which at the time was tied for the best record in the AFL with Jacksonville, Milwaukee and Spokane.

Here is a breakdown of Chicago's history in the first and second halves of the season:

First Half Second Half Final Record

2001 4-3 3-4 7-7

2002 4-3 5-2 9-5*

2003 3-5 5-3 8-8

2004 6-2 5-3 11-5*

2005 4-4 5-3 9-7

2006 3-5 4-4 7-9

2007 7-1 5-3 12-4*

2008 6-2 5-3 11-5*

2010 6-2 2-1 ?

* Central Division champion

FAST FIFTY: Chicago's 63-56 win over Milwaukee last week at Allstate Arena was the 50th home win in Rush history. The Rush is 3-2 at home this season, making its overall mark at Allstate Arena 50-21 (including postseason).

OWNING ITS DIVISION: With its win over Milwaukee last week, the Rush has completed its games against its Midwest Division opponents, finishing the year 4-2 in division play. The Rush swept the season series from Cleveland and split its season series with both Iowa and Milwaukee.

The Rush has a history of playing well within its division.

In fact, dating back to 2004, the Rush is 32-11 against its Central Division or Midwest Division rivals, including a 6-2 record in 2007, a 6-1 record in 2008, and a 4-2 record this season.

CHICAGO-ORLANDO SERIES RESUMES: This week's game between the Rush and Predators resumes the series between two of the AFL's winningest franchises.

In fact, during the eight year period in which the Rush and Preds were in the league together (2001-2008), both teams posted identical 74-50 records. Only San Jose won more games during the previous eight seasons.

Chicago and Orlando have met each other 10 times, splitting the overall series five games apiece. While the Rush has not had much success vs. the Predators during the regular season - posting just a 2-5 record against Orlando - Chicago has dominated the postseason series, winning all three games including ArenaBowl XX.

Here is a look at the Chicago-Orlando Series Results:

2001: Chicago 55, Orlando 41 (July 21 @ Chicago)

Chicago 41, Orlando 26 (July 27 @ Orlando)*

2002: Orlando 49, Chicago 38 (April 26 @ Orlando)

2003: Orlando 47, Chicago 35 (February 2 @ Chicago)

2004: Chicago 58, Orlando 15 (March 21 @ Chicago)

Chicago 59, Orlando 49 (June 6 @ Chicago)*

2005: Orlando 48, Chicago 35 (February 25 @ Chicago)

2006: Orlando 55, Chicago 27 (April 2, @ Orlando)

Chicago 69, Orlando 61 (June 11 @ Las Vegas)#

2008: Orlando 57, Rush 56 (OT) (April 6 @ Orlando)

*AFL playoffs

# ArenaBowl XX

FAMILIAR FACES: Orlando's roster features four players who have ties to the Rush organization, including one of the most famous players in Rush history, wide receiver Bobby Sippio.

Sippio was acquired by the Rush midway through the 2006 season and instantly transformed the Rush into the best team in the AFL. After adding Sippio, the 2006 Rush went 7-2 and won the ArenaBowl XX title. Sippio returned to Chicago in 2007, leading the team to the Central Division title and the AFL semifinals.

While in Rush blue, Sippio completely re-wrote the team's record book, setting Rush records for receptions in a game (15) and season (125); receiving yards in a game (252) and season (1,737); and receiving touchdowns in a game (6), season (53) and career (70).

The three other players on Orlando's roster with Chicago ties are defensive lineman EJ Burt, who played for the Rush in 2008, and wide receivers Jerrian James and Robert Quiroga, both of whom attended training camp with the Rush - in 2004 and 2008, respectively - but failed to make the team.

MICHNA, PARKER BACK THIS WEEK: The Rush offensive will get two of its starters back this week when QB Russ Michna and WR Samie Parker return to the team. Both Michna and Parker missed last week's game against Milwaukee while attending mini-camp for the UFL's Las Vegas Locomotives.

Upon their return, Michna and Parker will look to continue the rolls they were on before leaving for Las Vegas.

In the four games prior to leaving the squad for a week, Michna completed 88 of 114 passes (77.2%) for 1,120 yards and 19 touchdowns, without throwing an interception.

In fact, dating back to the third quarter of the team's May 15 game vs. Iowa, Michna has attempted 125 consecutive passes without throwing an interception.

His quarterback rating for his last four games is an outstanding 146.9.

For the season, Michna has completed 203 of 296 passes for 2,838 yards and 52 touchdowns, while throwing eight interceptions. His QB rating for the year is 127.5.

Michna leads the league in completion percentage and ranks second in the AFL in passer rating.

As for Parker, he is the team's leading receiver, catching 69 passes for 1,040 yards and 14 touchdowns in his 10 games.

A fourth-round draft choice of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2004, Parker spent four seasons in Kansas City, catching 110 passes for 1,529 yards and seven TDs. After leaving KC, Parker had stints with the Denver Broncos, Carolina Panthers, Seattle Seahawks and Oakland Raiders before playing with the UFL's Las Vegas Locomotives in 2009.

TURNER, ALSTON ALSO EXPECTED BACK: The Rush also expects to get wide receiver Alan Turner and defensive lineman Michael Alston back for this week's game against Orlando. Turner missed last week's game with Milwaukee due to a family emergency, while Alston was away attending the funeral of his grandfather.

RATERINK OUTSTANDING IN RUSH DEBUT: Rush backup QB J.J. Raterink was fantastic in his Rush debut last week, completing 26 of 37 passes for 296 yards and five touchdowns, without throwing an interception.

Prior to coming to Chicago, Raterink played four seasons in af2, spending the 2006 season with Bossier City/Shreveport Battle Wings before becoming the starting QB of the Quad City Steamwheelers from 2007-2009.

LATENDRESSE EVEN BETTER IN GAME 2: In his second game back since re-signing with the Rush, wide receiver Travis LaTendresse showed the Allstate Arena fans that he hasn't lost a step since the 2008 season when he last played in Chicago. LaTendresse arrived from Salt Lake City less than three hours prior to kickoff on Saturday and went on to catch seven passes for 89 yards and three touchdowns vs. Milwaukee.

LaTendresse now has played in two games for the Rush - without attending so much as one practice - and has caught 10 passes for 132 yards and six TDs.

LaTendresse caught 91 passes for 1,105 yards and 20 touchdowns in his first season with the Rush in 2008. He was re-signed by the team on June 10 of this season, prior to Chicago's game at Utah. With the Rush battling injury problems at the receiver position, the Utah resident agreed to return to the team prior to the game against the Blaze.

After signing, LaTendresse met the Rush at the team hotel in Salt Lake City and proceeded to quickly review the playbook with the coaching staff.

Prior to coming to Chicago, LaTendresse played one season for the Las Vegas Gladiators. Before that he was a four-year letterwinner (2002-2005), at the University of Utah, catching 135 passes for 1,782 yards and 12 touchdowns in 43 career games. He finished his college career ranked sixth in Utah history in receptions and ninth in receiving yards.

NEWTON, THOMAS ADDED AT WR: The Rush added some depth at wide receiver last week when it signed wide receivers Slyvelle Newton (6-1, 210, South Carolina) and Marco Thomas (6-0, 190, Western Illinois).

While Thomas saw limited action on special teams, Newton was plugged right into the team's starting lineup and ended up leading the Rush with 10 receptions for 93 yards and two touchdowns.

In fact, his two TDs ended up being two of the most important scores of the game.

Newton's first TD came with the Rush facing fourth-and-three from the Milwaukee 21-yard line late in the second quarter. His TD reception with just 20 seconds left in the first half helped the Rush cut the Iron lead to 35-21 at the break. It also was the first score in a 28-7 run for the Rush that would eventually tie the game at 42-42 in the third quarter.

His second TD also came on a fourth down play - fourth-and-goal from the Iron 3-yard line. This time, Newton's catch tied the game at 56-56 with 1:59 to play in the game.

HE'S THE BOSS: Rush fullback Robert Boss continues to excel after making the switch from tight end to fullback this season. Last week against Milwaukee, Boss rushed for 18 yards and two touchdowns and caught two passes for 17 yards.

So far this season Boss has rushed for 102 yards and nine touchdowns and caught 10 passes for 97 yards and three TDs. His 12 total touchdowns rank third on the team behind Nichiren Flowers and Samie Parker.

Boss also is tied for fifth in the AFL in rushing touchdowns.

TAKE IT AWAY: With its two interceptions Saturday night vs. Milwaukee, the Rush defense now has intercepted a league-leading 21 passes this season. The team record for interceptions in a season is 24 set in 2007.

ALFONZO A TRUE IRONMAN: Rush linebacker DeJuan Alfonzo continues to prove why he might be the most valuable player in the AFL. Alfonzo was named the league's JLS Ironman of the Week this week for his performance against Milwaukee.

With the Rush short on receivers, Alfonzo played the entire game on offense, catching seven passes for 97 yards and scoring a rushing touchdown. He also played the entire second half on defense, intercepting a Chris Greisen pass in the end zone and returning it 54-yards for a game-winning touchdown with just 43 seconds remaining.

Alfonzo's interception return for a TD was his league-leading third of the season.

MARTIN NAMED DEFENSIVE POW: Rush defensive back Chris Martin was named the AFL's Riddell Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in Saturday night's win over Milwaukee. Martin led all players with 10 tackles and added an interception and two passes broken up.

Martin's interception came at the Rush 5-yard line with 7:44 remaining in the third quarter and Chicago trailing 42-35. Five plays later, Rush QB J.J. Raterink connected with Travis LaTendresse on an 18-yard TD pass to tie the game at 42-42, bringing the Rush all the way back from a 21-point first half deficit.

For the season Martin ranks second on the team with 74 tackles and four interceptions.

FERGUSON STREAK SNAPPED: Rush defensive back Josh Ferguson saw his streak of consecutive games with an interception snapped at five last week against Milwaukee. Aside from missing out on an interception, Ferguson played well, finishing with three tackles and two passes broken up against the Iron.

Standing at just 5'7", Ferguson is the smallest player in the AFL this season. However, despite being the smallest, Ferguson has come up with some of the team's biggest plays and is making a case for the league's Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Ferguson leads the Rush with 80 tackles, seven interceptions and 12 passes broken up. He currently ranks second in the AFL in both tackles and interceptions and is tied for fifth in passes broken up.

PRESSURE UP FRONT: Perhaps one reason the Rush leads the AFL in interceptions with 21 is the fact that the team has been getting consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks, forcing them to throw the ball earlier than planned. Through 11 games the Rush is tied for fourth in the AFL with 14 sacks. Defensive end Joe Peters leads the team with five sacks, while linebacker Clifton Smith has four and defensive linemen Michael Alston has three.

PETERS BRINGING PRESSURE: Rush defensive lineman Joe Peters has been the team's most solid lineman this season.



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