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Force Edges Rush 50-47

June 16, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release


Duluth - In one of the hardest fought games of the season - a game in which the Rush battled back from adversity from even before the opening kick - the Georgia Force hung on to top the Chicago Rush 50-47 Saturday night at Gwinnett Arena.

The Rush (10-5) failed to clinch home field advantage throughout the American Conference playoffs for the second-consecutive week, while the Force improved to (10-5) and secured the Southern Division title.

Chicago's long night began with a little more than an hour before kickoff, when Rush kicker Paul Edinger was injured in pregame warmups. Chicago was forced to pull kicker Joe O'Donnell out of the stands and sign him to a contract shortly before the game.

O'Donnell, a former teammate of Rush lineman John Moyer with the AFL's Florida Bobcats in 2000, had driven to the game from Birmingham, AL to watch Moyer play.

He had not kicked professionally since attending training camp with the Chicago Bears in 2004.

In addition, linebacker Ryan Dennard was hurt on the opening kickoff and was lost for the rest of the game. Dennard was set to make his first start in place of injured All-Arena linebacker DeJuan Alfonzo, who is out for the season.

Despite, the injuries the Rush trailed by just a touchdown 27-20 when the teams went to the locker room at the half.

Early in the third quarter the Rush evened the score at 27-27 when Travis LaTendresse caught a 22-yard TD pass from Michna.

With the game now tied, the teams traded touchdowns for the rest of the third quarter and well into the fourth.

The game finally turned with just 3:07 remaining.

With the Rush trailing 48-41, Force defensive lineman Will Thompson sacked Rush QB Russ Michna in the end zone for a safety. The play gave Georgia a 50-41 lead and forced the Rush to kick the ball back to the Force.

However, the Rush defense would not let the Georgia run out the clock, as a sack by John Moyer put the Force in a long-yardage situation. Then, Rush DB Dennison Robinson intercepted a Chris Greisen pass with one minute remaining to give the ball back to Chicago.

The interception was Robinson's 13th of the season, tying the AFL single season record.

Michna quickly led the offense down the field, capping a four play drive with a three-yard TD pass to Donovan Morgan to cut the score to 50-47. Morgan finished the game with a team-high 13 receptions for 127 yards and four touchdowns.

O'Donnell was called upon to execute an on-side kick to give the Rush one last chance, but Georgia recovered and ran out the game's final 43 seconds for the win.

Notes: Michna finished the game 23 of 36 for 259 yards and five touchdowns . LaTendresse was the team's second leading receiver, catching six passes for 100 yards and two TDs . O'Donnell kicked well, converting five of seven PAT attempts

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