Dallas Exacts Revenge on Winless Rush
February 9, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Dallas Desperados News Release
Dallas -- Twice last season the Chicago Rush hosted the Dallas Desperados at Allstate Arena. And both times, once during the regular season and once in the playoff quarterfinals, Chicago leveraged its home-field advantage for late-game victories.
Sunday afternoon in Dallas, the Desperados got their revenge.
Leading 17-16 at halftime, Dallas erupted for 26 second-half points, including 19 unanswered, en route to a 46-38 win before nearly 14,000 fans at Reunion Arena.
The loss kept the Rush (0-2) winless on the young season, surprising many around the league, including its own coach.
"Dallas is a very physical team and so are we," said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. "But they maintained their intensity and kept their composure better than we did. I'm surprised at our overall performance.
"We got some retooling to do, that's for sure.
Dallas controlled the second half from their first possession, scoring within the first minute when quarterback Jim Kubiak found offensive specialist Dialleo Burks for an 8-yard touchdown and a 24-16 lead. Chicago countered two plays later when Rush quarterback Billy Dicken found WR/LB Anthony Ladd on a 24-yard slant pass, tightening the game up at 24-23.
But that was the last time the Rush offense was heard from for quite a while.
While the Desperados tallied touchdowns on their next three possessions, the Rush stumbled, botching a field goal attempt and throwing an interception. The result was 19 unanswered points for Dallas and a 43-23 advantage, a lead Chicago couldn't overcome in the fourth quarter.
Kubiak was terrific for Dallas, connecting on 21 of 35 attempts for 238 yards and five touchdowns. Dicken played well early but struggled in the second half, finishing 10 of 23 for 150 yards, two touchdowns and a costly third-quarter interception. Hohensee replaced Dicken in the fourth quarter with back-up quarterback Chad Salisbury, who responded by leading the Rush on two late touchdown drives. Salisbury finished his performance 7 of 9 for 84 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
If there was any question whether the Rush and Desperados enjoyed each other 's company after two intense games last year, it was answered early. The first half was filled with scuffles, intense hits and flagrant fouls. And after both teams were ushered off the field at halftime by the officials, Dallas held a slim 17-16 advantage.
Statistically, the first half was about as even as the score. Dicken was 9-16 for 126 yards and a touchdown, while his counterpart, Kubiak, was 9-17 for 107 yards and two touchdowns. Neither team committed a turnover in the first 30 minutes, and both were perfect in red zone scoring chances.
Chicago jumped out to an early league on the game's opening possession. Dicken hit Rush offensive specialist Antonio Chatman for a 34-yard bomb to the Desperados 4-yard line. Two plays later, Rush FB/LB Jamie McGourty scored his third rushing touchdown of the season on a 1-yard plunge. Rush kicker Keith Gispert's PAT was wide, and the Rush led 6-0.
Chicago's defense held Dallas to a 28-yard field goal on the ensuing possession, cutting the lead in half, 6-3. Chicago's next drive stalled at the Dallas 15, and the team failed to add to its lead when Gispert missed a 30-yard field goal attempt.
Dallas grabbed its first lead of the game a minute into the second quarter when Kubiak found WR/DB Will Pettis on a 7-yard strike for a 10-6 lead. The Rush responded quickly when Dicken found WR/DB Dameon Porter from 8-yards out for a 13-10 advantage. Porter's touchdown was set up a play earlier when Dicken found Chatman deep again for a 26-yard gain.
The Desperados countered on its next possession when Kubiak hit WR/LB Andy McCullough in stride for a 31-yard score. Chicago cut the deficit to 17-13 moments later when Gispert connected on a 24-yard field goal attempt. The half ended when Rush lineman James Baron blocked Dallas kicker Jason Wells' 34-yard field goal attempt.
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