Chicago Rush Game Notes
August 4, 2010 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Chicago Rush News Release
The Quick Facts
TV: None
Radio: None
Webcast: www.arenarush.com Mike Alzamora
Overall Series Record: Series tied 1-1
Streaks: The Rush won the last meeting
Last Meeting: June 19, 2010, Rush 63, Milwaukee 56
Coaches (regular season, postseason records - AFL only):
Mike Hohensee (128-100, 12-11 16th season)
Bob Landsee (11-5, 0-0 1st season)
Officials: Joe Pester (Referee), Robert Colosimo (Umpire), Kelly Sallfeld (Head Linesman), Jeff Johnston (Line Judge), Larry Smith (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 W, 55-42 8,120
July 2 @ Tampa Bay L, 68-60 15,704
July 10 Arizona W, 55-50 8,452
July 17 Dallas L, 65-52 (OT) 7,594
July 23 @ Spokane L, 63-49 10,778
July 30 Bye
August 7 @ Milwaukee # 7 p.m.
* Midwest Division game
# AFL Playoff Game
Midwest Division Final 2010 Standings
W-L-T PF PA Division
Milwaukee 11-5-0 1043 903 5-1
RUSH 10-6-0 906 873 4-2
Cleveland 7-9-0 938 906 2-4
Iowa 7-9-0 829 833 1-5
THE SECOND SEASON: After enjoying a bye week during the final week of the regular season, the Rush opens the 2010 postseason with a National Conference semifinal game at Milwaukee this Saturday, August 7.
Chicago finished the 2010 regular season with a 10-6 record, which was good enough for second place in the Midwest Division, one game behind Milwaukee (11-5) in the standings.
The Iron, by virtue of winning the division, earned the No. 2 seed in the National Conference and the right to host the third-seeded Rush.
The Rush and Iron split their 2010 season series, with the Iron winning 71-48 on May 7 in Milwaukee and the Rush evening the series with a 63-56 win June 19 at Allstate Arena.
The injury-riddled Rush enters the playoffs as losers of three of its last four games. During that stretch, the Rush also lost several key players to injury, including starting QB Russ Michna, wide receivers Kenny Higgins and Marco Thomas, and offensive lineman Shawn McMackin. All four players are lost for the season.
Milwaukee, on the other hand, heads into the playoffs on a four-game winning streak, including come-from-behind wins on the road at Iowa and Cleveland the last two weeks.
AFL PLAYOFF PICTURE: With the 2010 regular season complete, eight teams now will battle for the ArenaBowl XXIII title. Of the teams remaining, Chicago, Arizona, Orlando and Tampa Bay all have won ArenaBowl titles, while Spokane owns two ArenaCup championships from af2.
Here is a look at the AFL's playoff pairings:
National Conference American Conference
1. x-Spokane 13-3 1. x-Jacksonville 12-4
2. x-Milwaukee 11-5 2. x-Tulsa 10-6
3. Chicago 10-6 3. Tampa Bay 11-5
4. Arizona 10-6 4. Orlando 8-8
x - Division winner
National Conference Semifinals
Friday, August 6 Saturday, August 7
#4 Arizona @ #1 Spokane #3 Chicago @ #2 Milwaukee
American Conference Semifinals
Friday, August 6 Saturday, August 7
#4 Orlando @ #1 Jacksonville #3 Tampa Bay @ #2 Tulsa
Conference Finals: Thursday, August 12
ArenaBowl XXIII: Friday, August 20
PLAYOFF CONSISTENCY: Chicago has never missed the playoffs, qualifying for the postseason in each of its nine seasons. Orlando is the only other AFL team which has made the playoffs in each of the last nine seasons. In fact, 2010 is the 18th-consecutive season in which Orlando has qualified for the playoffs.
Here is a look at Chicago's all-time playoff results (9-7):
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)
2007: W, 55-20 vs. Los Angeles (Quarterfinals)
L, 60-49 @ San Jose (Semifinals)
2008: L, 58-41 vs. Grand Rapids (Quarterfinals)
UNFAMILIAR TERRITORY: The Rush enters the playoffs in slightly unfamiliar territory, having lost its last two regular season games.
This will be the first time in Rush history the team has taken a two-game losing streak into the playoffs. In fact, prior to this season, the team was 6-2 in its final regular season game of the year.
Prior to 2010, 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.
STILL STRONG AFTER A BYE WEEK?: The Rush enters this week's game with a 6-3 record after a bye week, including a 2-1 record after a bye in the playoffs. After running off a string of six-consecutive victories after byes, the Rush has lost its last two games after a bye week - a 2008 playoff game vs. Grand Rapids and earlier this season at Milwaukee.
This week's game will be the second time this season that the Rush has played Milwaukee after its bye week.
Here is a look at how the Rush has fared after 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
W, 52-20 vs. Los Angeles*
2008 W, 72-28 vs. Los Angeles
L, 58-41 vs. Grand Rapids*
2010 L, 71-48 @ Milwaukee
* Playoff game
RUSH, IRON SPLIT SEASON SERIES: The Rush and Milwaukee Iron split their 2010 season series, with each team winning on its home field.
Here is a recap of this season's Rush-Iron games:
May 7, 2010 - What was billed as a matchup of the two best teams in the Arena Football League turned into the worst loss for the Chicago Rush in more than six years, as the Milwaukee Iron defeated the Rush 71-48 May 7, at the Bradley Center.
The loss was the first of the season for Chicago (4-1) and dropped the team into a tie with the Iron (4-1) atop the AFL's Midwest Division.
The game was tied 27-27 at the half, but the Rush failed to answer the bell for the second half. After surrendering a Milwaukee touchdown on the Iron's first drive of the third quarter to fall behind 34-27, the Rush proceeded to turn the ball over on four straight possessions - two fumbles on kick returns and two Russ Michna interceptions that were returned for TDs.
By the time the fourth quarter began, the Rush found itself behind 61-34 and the game was out of hand.
All told, the Rush turned the ball over six times, tying a dubious team record set in 2001.
June 19, 2010 - 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, June 19 at Allstate Arena.
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.
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 Syvelle Newton, who was just signed to the roster two days before the game.
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.
COACHING CONNECTIONS: Milwaukee assistant head coach/director of player personnel Mark Stoute was a member of Rush head coach Mike Hohensee's staff with the New England Sea Wolves from 1999-2000. When the team was sold and moved to Toronto following the 2000 season, Hohensee came to Chicago to lead the Rush, while Stoute assumed the head coaching duties of the new Toronto Phantoms.
FAMILIAR FACES: Four members of the Iron have ties to the Rush - defensive coordinator Cedric Walker, wide receiver Damian Harrell, defensive lineman Khreem Smith and offensive lineman Nick Zeck.
Walker played for the Rush from 2001-2003 and still holds the team record for most tackles in a game (13.0). A fan favorite at Allstate Arena, his 98 tackles in 2002 rank second on the Rush single-season list, and his 166.5 career tackles are fifth-most in Rush history.
Harrell spent the 2008 season playing for the Rush, catching 94 passes for 1,165 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Smith was a rookie with the Rush during the team's 2006 ArenaBowl championship season. He was named second team All-Arena and to the AFL's All-Rookie team after recording 22.5 tackles, eight sacks and six forced fumbles in 16 games. After missing the entire 2007 season and part of the 2008 season while with the Minnesota Vikings and Kansas City Chiefs, Smith returned to the Rush for the team's final 10 games in 2008.
Zeck was a rookie with the Rush in 2008, playing in two games for Chicago.
FAMILIAR FACES II: Rush defensive lineman Will Thompson spent time with the Milwaukee Iron earlier this season. Thompson played in eight games for the Iron, recording 20 tackles, one sack and one interception before being released June 30.
GREISEN vs. RUSH: This week's game marks the fourth start for Iron QB Chris Greisen against Chicago. Greisen started against the Rush once in 2008 as the starting QB for the Georgia Force and twice this season while with Milwaukee. He is 2-1 in his three starts against the Rush.
Here are Greisen's career numbers against Chicago:
G Comp Att Pct. Yds. TD Int Rating
3 69 114 60.5% 918 16 3 110.2
For the season Greisen completed 382 of 563 passes (67.8%) for 5,146 yards and 107 touchdowns while only throwing 11 interceptions. He led the league in passing yards as well as passer rating (128.2), and finished second in touchdown passes and completion percentage.
NOT THE MUSTANGS: Many AFL fans might remember Milwaukee's first AFL team, the Mustangs, which played from 1994-2001. The Rush and Mustangs only overlapped for the 2001 season, with Chicago winning both meetings against its then Central Division rival.
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. However, the Rush struggled in the second half of the season, going 4-4 to finish with a record of 10-6.
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 4-4 10-6
* Central Division champion
TAKE IT AWAY: The Rush finished the 2010 season second in the AFL with 26 interceptions, which breaks the Rush team record for interceptions in a season. The old team record for interceptions was 24 set in 2007.
RUSH INJURY UPDATE: The 2010 season will go down as the most injury filled season in Rush history. The Rush finished the 2010 regular season with nine players on the league's Injured Reserve list, many of whom are out with season-ending injuries.
Here is a recap of the injuries to some of Chicago's key players:
Quarterback: Rush starting quarterback Russ Michna suffered a broken rib in the first half of the team's July 17 overtime loss to Dallas. He was placed on Injured Reserve July 20 and is out for the season.
Michna played in 14 games for the Rush this season, completing 290 of 423 passes for 3,860 yards and 70 touchdowns, while only throwing 11 interceptions. He finishes his season ranked first in the AFL in completion percentage (68.5%) and second in quarterback rating (126.0).
In addition, Michna set a Rush single-season record for passing yards, eclipsing Matt D'Orazio's previous team record of 3,787 yards set in 2007. His 70 TD passes are the third most by a Rush quarterback in a single season, behind D'Orazio's 82 in 2007 and Raymond Philyaw's 74 in 2002.
Offensive Line: Rush starting offensive lineman Shawn McMackin suffered a dislocated kneecap in the first half of the team's July 17 overtime loss to Dallas. He was placed on Injured Reserve July 20 and is out for the season.
McMackin started six games on the offensive line this season before suffering a thumb injury which caused him to miss four games. He returned to the lineup for Chicago's July 10 game vs. Arizona, where he moved to fullback. He played in two games before suffering his knee injury on July 17.
Wide Receiver: Without question, this has been the position at which the team has suffered the most injuries this season. Five wide receivers have combined to miss a total of 39 games due to various injuries.
Here's a look at the number of games Chicago's wide receivers have lost to injuries this season:
WR Injury Games Missed
James Banks Foot 16
Kenny Higgins Foot, hamstring 10
Nichiren Flowers Knee 7
Travis LaTendresse Foot 4
Marco Thomas Knee 2
Higgins, who was supposed to be the team's premier receiver this year, only appeared in six games, catching 32 passes for 389 yards and eight touchdowns. He spent most of the season suffering from hamstring, knee and foot problems. Higgins' current foot injury will require surgery, forcing him out for the remainder of the season.
WR Travis LaTendresse was placed on Injured Reserve July 8 with a foot injury sustained in the team's June 26 game vs. Orlando. LaTendresse, who signed with the team June 10, played in three games and caught 12 passes for 151 yards and seven TDs.
Wide receiver Marco Thomas was lost for the season when he went down with a torn ACL in his knee late in the fourth quarter of the team's July 10 win over Arizona.
Signed on June 17, Thomas (6-0, 192, Western Illinois) was thrust into the starting lineup July 2 in Tampa Bay. Thomas made two starts and proved to be an offensive spark for the team, catching an incredible 25 passes for 323 yards and two touchdowns before his injury.
Defensive Line: Rush starting defensive lineman Michael Alston was placed on Injured Reserve with a knee injury after the team's June 26 win over Orlando. Alston had started 11 games for the Rush up to the time of his injury, recording 27 tackles, three passes broken up and one interception.
Defensive lineman Jamus Martin played in the team's first four games this season before a knee injury cut his season short. He has been on IR since undergoing knee surgery in May.
EARLY EXITS: In addition to all its injuries, the Rush lost two other key players - wide receiver Samie parker and fullback Robert Boss - when they left the team in the middle of the season.
Parker - Chicago's leading receiver this season - left the team June 28 to begin to prepare for the 2010 UFL season. He played in 11 games for the Rush, catching 78 passes for 1,137 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Boss left the team on July 6 to accept a position as offensive line coach at his alma mater, Northern Michigan University. He played in 13 games for the Rush this season, moving to fullback after playing two seasons on the offensive line. In addition to providing excellent blocking for quarterback Russ Michna, he proved to be quite a threat on offense, rushing for 119 yards and 10 touchdowns, and catching 15 passes for 157 yards and five TDs.
FLOWERS BACK: Rush wide receiver Nichiren Flowers was activated from Injured Reserve July 20 and returned to the lineup for the team's July 23 game in Spokane. In his first action in nearly two months, Flowers caught eight passes for 93 yards and two TDs.
Flowers was the team's leading receiver when he injured his knee May 29 at Cleveland. He was placed on IR and missed the team's next seven games before returning for the regular season finale in Spokane.
He finished the season with 62 receptions for 892 yards and 17 touchdowns.
NEWTON SOLID AT WIDE RECEIVER: Rookie wide receiver Syvelle Newton has stepped in and been a solid addition to the Rush group of wide receivers since being signed on June 17. Newton played in five games down the stretch, catching 41 passes for 566 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Newton became a bigger factor each week, ultimately winning the Offensive Player of the Game award in each of the team's final three games - July 10 vs. Arizona, July 17 vs. Dallas and July 23 at Spokane.
TURNER AVOIDS INJURY: Wide receiver Alan Turner is the only member of the Rush receiving corps who avoided injury this season. Turner, who began the season as the team's fourth receiver, played in 14 games - including nine starts - catching 58 passes for 692 yards and 12 touchdowns.
RUSH ADDS RICHEY: In an attempt to bolster its wide receiving corps, the Rush signed WR Josh Richey on August 2. Richey (6-3, 195 Northeastern State) was a First Team All-af2 performer for the Everett Hawks in 2007, catching 148 passes for 1,968 yards and 44 touchdowns.
In 2008, Richey split the season with the AFL's San Jose SaberCats and New York Dragons, but injuries prevented him from appearing in a game.
He attended training camp this season with Oklahoma City, but was released prior to the start of the season.
RATERINK GETS THE CALL: With starting QB Russ Michna lost for the season, the job of leading the Rush through the playoffs falls to backup QB J.J. Raterink.
Raterink started two games this season - June 19 vs. Milwaukee and July 23 at Spokane - posting a 1-1 record under center. Overall he appeared in four games, completing 65 of 102 passes for 767 yards, 14 touchdowns and two interceptions. His QB rating during his limited action was 117.9.
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
DUTTON, D'ORAZIO INSPIRATION FOR RATERINK: Rush QB J.J. Raterink should look no further than current Cleveland QB John Dutton and former Rush and Philadelphia Soul QB Matt D'Orazio as examples of backup quarterbacks who led their teams to ArenaBowl titles.
Before becoming an AFL star with Colorado, Dutton was the backup QB to Mark Grieb in San Jose. When Grieb was injured during the final week of the 2002 regular season, Dutton stepped in and helped lead the SaberCats to the ArenaBowl XVI title. Dutton then went on to win another title as the starting QB with Colorado in 2005.
In 2008, D'Orazio was the backup to Tony Graziani in Philadelphia. When a series of injuries limited to Graziani to just six games during the regular season, D'Orazio filled in and helped lead the Soul to a 13-3 record and the ArenaBowl XXII win. It was the second title in three years for D'Orazio, who was the starting QB when the Rush won the title in 2006.
RUSH ADDS FB JOSH WHITE: The Rush signed AFL veteran fullback Josh White on July 15 to replace fullback Robert Boss, who left the team July 6 to accept a position on the coaching staff at Northern Michigan University.
Now in his sixth year in the AFL, White played in nine games for the Dallas Vigilantes this season - rushing for 103 yards and nine TDs - before being released on June 30.
White made his Rush debut July 23 at Spokane, rushing for three yards.
MA SUN THE LONE SURVIVOR: Rush offensive lineman Palauni Ma Sun was the only member of the Rush offense to start all 16 games this season. Ma Sun split his time playing both guard and tight end, catching four passes for 26 yards and four TDs.
Ma Sun played next to Rush center Beau Elliott in 14 games this season, but Elliott missed two games in the middle of the season with a knee injury. For those two games, Elliott was replaced at center by Chris Watton
As for the other spot on the offensive line, three different players - Thaddeus Coleman, Shawn McMackin and Darnell Whitley - all started multiple games this season.
ALFONZO A TRUE IRONMAN: Rush linebacker DeJuan Alfonzo proved this season why he might be the most valuable player in the AFL. Alfonzo spent most of the second half of the season bouncing back and forth from offense to defense - and in some games playing both ways - thanks to the team's injury problems at wide receiver.
Alfonzo finished the season with 72 tackles, four interceptions - three of which he returned for touchdowns - and 12 passes broken up. Offensively, Alfonzo caught 28 passes for 322 yards and two TDs and rushed for 26 yards and four TDs.
In addition, Alfonzo is the team's holder on extra points and field goals, the team's best cover guy on kickoffs and a valuable blocker on kick returns.
LITTLE BIG MAN: Standing at just 5'7", Rush DB Josh 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 should receive strong consideration for some of the league's postseason honors.
Ferguson lead the Rush with 109 tackles, eight interceptions and 21 passes broken up. He finished the year third in the AFL in passes broken up and fourth in both tackles and interceptions
What is most impressive about Ferguson's season is that he is the only player in the AFL ranked in the top four in all three categories.
Tackles
Player Team Number
Tanner Varner Iowa 146
Brandon Hefflin Tampa Bay 120
Tracy Belton Milwaukee 118
Josh Ferguson Rush 109
Interceptions
Player Team Number
Rayshawn Kizer Orlando 12
Chris Royal Tulsa 11
Kenny McEntyre Orlando 10
Josh Ferguson Rush 8
Tanner Varner Iowa 8
Michaeux Robinson Jacksonville 8
David Hyland Oklahoma City 8
Passes Broken Up
Player Team Number
Vince Hill Alabama 30
Michaeux Robinson Jacksonville 23
Josh Ferguson Rush 21
Fred Shaw Oklahoma City 20
PRESSURE UP FRONT: Perhaps one reason the Rush finished the season with a franchise-record 26 interceptions is the fact that the team got consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks, forcing them to throw the ball earlier than planned. The Rush finished the season tied for sixth in the league with 20 sacks. Defensive end Joe Peters led the team with 6.5 sacks, while linebacker Clifton Smith had 4.5 and defensive lineman Mike Newkirk had 3.5.
PETERS BRINGING PRESSURE: Rush defensive lineman Joe Peters was the team's most solid lineman this year.
For the season, Peters recorded 31 tackles, 6.5 sacks, three passes broken up and two forced fumbles. He also blocked three kicks - one short of John Moyer's team record of four set in both 2004 and 2005.
Peters' 6.5 sacks are the fourth most in a single season in Rush history. He also now has 11.5 career sacks, which is third on the Rush career list.
Here are Chicago's regular season & career sack leaders:
Player Season Player Career
John Moyer 10.0 (2004) John Moyer 37.5
John Moyer 9.0 (2003) James Baron 16.0
Khreem Smith 8.0 (2006) Joe Peters 11.5
Joe Peters 6.5 (2010) Khreem Smith 8.0
John Moyer 6.0 (2005) Anthony Hutch 6.5
E.J. Burt 6.0 (2007) E.J. Burt 6.0
James Baron 6.0 (2008) Jamie McGourty 5.5
Anthony Hutch 5.5 (2001) Riley Kleinhesselink 5.0
John Moyer 5.0 (2008) D.J. Bleisath 5.0
Clifton Smith 4.5 (2010) Clifton Smith 4.5
James Baron 4.0 (2003) Bob McMillen 4.5
John Moyer 4.0 (2002) Tony Henderson 4.0
Tony Henderson 4.0 (2001)
D.J. Bleisath 4.0 (2006)
RUSH FINALLY GETS VICKERSON: The Rush finally acquired defensive lineman Quartez Vickerson - it just took the team about six weeks longer than it originally had hoped. Chicago originally acquired Vickerson in a trade with Oklahoma City on May 31. However, when offensive lineman Thaddeus Coleman failed his entry physical in Oklahoma, the trade was voided by the league. Vickerson remained on Oklahoma's roster until July 13, when he was released. The Rush immediately claimed Vickerson off waivers on July 14 and he joined the team in time to play in the team's July 17 game against Dallas.
In two games with the Rush this season, Vickerson recorded two tackles and a sack.
BLOCK THAT KICK: In addition to rushing the passer, the Rush defensive line was especially good on special teams in 2010, blocking eight kicks this season.
Michael Alston and Joe Peters tied for the team lead in blocked kicks with three, while Darnell Whitley and Clifton Smith have one block each.
John Moyer holds the Rush individual record for blocked kicks in a season with four - set in both 2004 and 2005. The team record for blocked kicks in a season is nine, set in 2004.
GOULD HAS RECORD SETTING SEASON: Rookie kicker Chris Gould, brother of Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould, enjoyed the best season ever for a Rush kicker. Gould set team single-season records for extra points made (113), scoring for a kicker (146) and consecutive PATs converted (35).
Overall, Gould converted 113 of 121 PAT attempts and 11 of 16 field goal attempts. He led all AFL kickers in scoring with 146 points and finished second in the AFL in made field goals and PAT percentage, converting 93.3% of his extra point attempts.
Here is a look at the team records Gould has set:
Category Gould Previous Team Record
PATs Made 113 104 (Dan Frantz - 2007)
PATs Attempted 121 115 (Dan Frantz - 2007)
Points 146 137 (Dan Frantz - 2007)
Consecutive PATs 35 32 (Dan Frazntz - 2007)
In addition, Gould fell one made field goal shy of tying Keith Gispert's team record for field goals in a season (12) set in 2004.
A 2008 graduate of the University of Virginia, Chris began his college career as a punter before adding the placekicking duties as a junior.
STILL ON THE SIDELINE: While many of the faces have changed, one aspect of the Rush remains the same - head coach Mike Hohensee. Hohensee, the only head coach in Rush history, enjoyed another successful season with the Rush. Now in his ninth season in Chicago, Hohensee has posted a 93-63 overall record, and has led the team to the playoffs in all nine seasons in the AFL.
In addition to winning ArenaBowl XX, Hohensee has led the Rush to four Central Division titles (2002, 2004, 2007, 2008) and has helped the team advance to the AFL semifinals five times (2002, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007).
Hohensee ranks third in AFL history in career victories, behind Tampa Bay coach Tim Marcum and former Utah and Arizona coach Danny White.
One of only four men to be involved in the Arena Football League in each of the league's 23 seasons, Hohensee:
has a regular season record of 128-100 (including a 84-56 mark with the Rush).
has a career 12-11 mark in the postseason.
has led the Rush to nine-consecutive playoff berths and four Central Division titles (2002, 2004, 2007 and 2008).
All-Time Winningest AFL Coaches
Including Postseason
Coach Team Wins This Week
Tim Marcum Tampa Bay 208 @ Tulsa
Danny White - 161
Mike Hohensee Rush 140 @ Milwaukee
Darren Arbet - 121
Mike Dailey - 116
2010 RUSH BY THE NUMBERS: Here is a breakdown of the 2010 Rush:
Site: Home: 5-3 Road: 5-3
Day: Friday: 3-4 Saturday: 7-2
Time: Day: 0-0 Night: 10-6
Opponents: vs. Midwest 4-2
vs. West 4-1
vs. Southwest 1-1
vs. South 1-2
INDIVIDUAL LEAGUE LEADERS: The following Rush players finished the 2010 season among the AFL league leaders:
Chris Gould: field goals made (2nd - 11), scoring for kickers (1st - 146 points), PAT percentage (2nd - 93.3)
Josh Feguson: interceptions (T-4th - 8), tackles (4th - 109), passes broken up (3rd - 21)
Chris Martin: tackles (8th - 101), interceptions (T-10th - 6)
Nygel Rogers: interceptions (T-8th - 7)
Joe Peters: sacks (T-10th - 6.5)
Russ Michna: Completion percentage (1st - 69%), QB rating (2nd - 126.0), passing yards (10th - 3,860)
RUSH GAME AWARD WINNERS: The following Rush players won individual game awards for their play this season:
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game:
Russ Michna - 4/2 @ Iowa, 5/22 @ Dallas, 5/29 @ Cleveland, 6/12 @ Utah
Samie Parker - 4/9 vs. Cleveland
Nichiren Flowers - 4/23 vs. Utah
J.J. Raterink - 6/19 vs. Milwaukee
Robert Boss - 6/26 vs. Orlando
Syvelle Newton - 7/10 vs. Arizona, 7/17 vs. Dallas, 7/23 @ Spokane
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game:
Chris Martin - 4/9 vs. Cleveland, 6/19 vs. Milwaukee, 7/10 vs. Arizona
DeJuan Alfonzo - 4/2 @ Iowa, 4/16 @ Arizona
Nygel Rogers - 4/23 vs. Utah
Josh Ferguson - 5/22 @ Dallas, 6/12 @ Utah
Joe Peters - 6/4 vs. Jacksonville
Clifton Smith - 6/26 vs. Orlando
JLS Ironman of the Game:
Robert Boss - 4/9 vs. Cleveland, 5/22 @ Dallas, 6/12 @ Utah
Clifton Smith - 4/23 vs. Utah
Chris Martin - 5/29 @ Cleveland
DeJuan Alfonzo - 6/19 vs. Milwaukee, 6/26 vs. Orlando, 7/2/10 @ Tampa Bay
Joe Peters - 7/17 vs. Dallas
AFL WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS: The following Rush players won AFL weekly awards for their play this season:
Russell Offensive Player of the Week:
Russ Michna - 5/22 @ Dallas
Robert Boss - 6/26 vs. Orlando
Riddell Defensive Player of the Week:
Chris Martin - 4/9 vs. Cleveland, 6/19 vs. Milwaukee
Nygel Rogers - 4/23 vs. Utah
JLS Ironman of the Week:
Clifton Smith - 4/23 vs. Utah
Chris Martin - 5/29 @ Cleveland
DeJuan Alfonzo - 6/19 vs. Milwaukee
Arena Football League Stories from August 4, 2010
- Rattlers WR Rod Windsor Named AFL Offensive Player of the Week - Arizona Rattlers
- Sharks Host Divisional Playoff Game - Jacksonville Sharks
- Narcisse Activated, Leyritz Placed on IR - Spokane Shock
- Talons 6th in Weekly Coaches Poll - Tulsa Talons
- Chicago Rush Game Notes - Chicago Rush
- Barnstormers Announce 2010 Award Winners - Iowa Barnstormers
- Spokane Stays On Top In Week 18 Coaches Poll - AFL
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