Fourth quarter comeback gives Rush 10th win
May 31, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
It may not have been the most artistic win of the season, but the Chicago Rush will take it.
The Rush improved its record to 10-3 with a dramatic, come-from-behind, 52-47 win over the Kansas City Brigade in front of a sold out Allstate Arena Saturday night.
The Rush found itself trailing 47-35 with just over 9 minutes left in the fourth quarter after Kansas City defensive back Chris Demaree intercepted Russ Michna's pass and returned it 42 yards for a score, shocking the crowd of 16,164. But while the Brigade started making celebration plans, the Rush came back as Michna threw a 5-yard TD pass to Damian Harrell with 6:12 remaining, bringing the Rush back to a manageable 5-point deficit.
Chicago registered a stop on Kansas City's next possession when Kansas City head coach Kevin Porter decided to forgo a field goal attempt that would have stretched the lead to 50-42. Instead, Kansas City went for the first down on fourth-and-three from the Rush 19-yard line. However Brigade QB D. Bryant's pass to receiver Charles Frederick was incomplete and the Rush took over on downs with 1:57 to play.
Michna and the Rush were not going to let this gift get away. Michna moved the team downfield and eventually scored the go-ahead touchdown when he powered into the endzone from a yard out with just 11 seconds remaining. That gave Chicago a one-point lead and the Rush stretched it to three, 50-47, when Michna hit Travis LaTendresse with the 2-point conversion.
Kansas City had one final chance for a miracle on its last possession, but Bryant was unable to secure the snap from center and the ball squirted through his legs and out of the back of the endzone for a safety.
Rush defensive lineman James Baron who blocked an extra point and caused the fumbled snap that led to the game-clinching safety, was thrilled with the results.
"That's how it is in this league," he said. "They came in here with a 3-9 record and they played their butts off. But when all the pressure was on, so did we. We made the plays when the game was on the line and that's why we're a 10-3 team. You can't always play your best game, but you have to find a way."
If the Rush, which already has clinched the Central Division and a bye in the first round of the playoffs, can clinch home field advantage throughout the playoffs with either one more win or one San Jose SaberCats loss.
The differences between the two teams may have been vast in the standings, but the Brigade was not the least bit intimidated by the Rush and it showed in the first half. The two teams competed on even terms and Kansas City was resilient enough to take a 34-28 lead in the lockerroom at the break.
Bryant used his athleticism and elusiveness to cause problems for the Rush defense. He threw three first-half touchdowns and also ran for another score. The biggest play for Kansas City - and the one that told the Rush they were in for a tough battle - came on the Brigade's second possession. With Chicago leading 7-6, Frederick handed the ball off to huge fullback Dawan Moss. The former Michigan Stater powered down the left sideline and scored on a 30-yard run.
Chicago rarely gives up running plays of note and this got the attention of the Rush coaching staff.
LaTendresse responded to the Moss touchdown with a score on a 1-yard reverse that was deftly executed and blocked by the Chicago offensive line, but Bryant's 8-yard scoring pass to Ces'are Manning put Kansas City back on top.
At no point did the Rush lose confidence and Chicago went back on top when Russ Michna connected with Damian Harrell on a 5-yard TD pass early in the second quarter.
Kansas City responded with two touchdowns, but the Rush closed to within six points when Michna hit Donovan Morgan with a 3-yards scoring pass three seconds before halftime.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 31, 2008
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- Cleveland loss to Dallas paves the way for Soul to enter postseason - Philadelphia Soul
- Lawrence Samuels sets AFL Record - Tampa Bay Storm
- Rattlers Team Up With Phoenix Children's Hospital - Arizona Rattlers
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