Gispert hits 16-yarder to lift Rush into playoffs
May 18, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
ROSEMONTâNo one said getting into the playoffs would be easy.
Rush kicker Keith Gispert hit a 16-yard field goal with 5:18 left in overtime to lift the Chicago Rush (8-8) into the playoffs with spectacular 46-43 win over the Indiana Firebirds (6-10) in front of a raucous crowd of 13,375 on Sunday at the Allstate Arena.
With the win, the Rush clinched its third consecutive playoff berth and will travel to New York to take on the Dragons next weekend.
Fighting for its playoff life, the Rush faced off against an Indiana defense that held the Rush offense to just 23 points in Week 3.
Rush quarterback Billy Dicken went 29-of-43 for 320 yards and four touchdowns. Offensive Specialist Antonio Chatman, who came into Sunday leading the Arena Football League with 3,278 all-purpose yards, finished the day with a career-high 13 catches for 190 yards, 210 yards combined in kick returns, and 400 total all-purpose yards, setting an AFL record with 3,678 all-purpose yards.
"I told Coach Ho I wanted the ball," Chatman said. "I'll take the blame if we lose."
For Gispert, who had missed two extra points earlier in the game, it was redemption time
"Ho said to me: âGispert, you're the best kicker we've had here. Just be yourself and just knock it through'," Gispert said. "I didn't have one of my better games, so I had to redeem myself. I'm just glad we're going to the playoffs."
The Rush had a chance to put the game away in regulation, but leading 36-33, Chicago's drive stalled at the Indiana 20-yard line. Gispert's 35-yard field goal attempt was wide, and Indiana regained possession.
With 43 seconds remaining in regulation, Philyaw hit Jeremy McDaniel for a 40-36 lead.
But Chicago answered back. After three incomplete passes and just 18 seconds remaining, Dicken hit Chatman, who dove into the end zone from the three-yard line for a spectacular 27-yard touchdown reception to give the Rush a 43-40 lead.
However, as quickly as the crowd could bang its thundersticks, Philyaw tossed a deep pass to McDaniel to the Rush 16. Two unsuccessful runs and an incomplete Philyaw pass led to fourth down. Indiana head coach Mike Dailey elected to go for the tie with three seconds left. Indiana kicker Clay Rush put it through the uprights from 19-yards out to force overtime.
With its opening drive of overtime, the Rush could not convert, falling just short of the end zone at the Indiana nine-yard line after two incomplete Dicken passes from within the Firebird 10.
Fortunately, the Rush defense held the Firebirds, forcing Indiana into a 61-yard field goal attempt, which Chatman returned to the Indiana 23. On fourth-and-goal from the Indiana 1-yard line, Hohensee elected to kick the field goal, leaving the Rush's playoff hopes in Gispert's right foot.
Chatman realizes the celebration will be short-lived. But he'll enjoy it for the moment.
"It's feels good, but we still have a long way to go," he said.
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