Injuries, Desperados end Rush three-game winning streak
March 5, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
A 59-42 defeat to the Dallas Desperados was painful enough for the Chicago Rush Sunday afternoon, but injuries to starting linemen John Moyer and D.J. Bleisath may be an even bigger problem for head coach Mike Hohensee.
Moyer sprained his right knee late in the first half and was unable to return. Shortly after Moyer went down, Bleisath went down with an ankle injury early in the third quarter. Bleisath was helped off the field, but X-rays revealed no fracture. Both players will be re-examined Monday.
The injuries left the Rush so depleted that veteran FB Bob McMillen was forced to move to the offensive line in the fourth quarter. McMillen is still on the verge of setting the league's all-time rushing record but he did not add to his total.
The effort was clearly there, but the execution was not at the same level it had been in the previous three weeks when Chicago won three straight games. Chicago (3-3) will look to start another winning streak as it hosts the defending ArenaBowl champion Colorado Crush Friday at Allstate Arena.
A big issue for the Rush was the efficiency and excellence of the Dallas offense. QB Clint Dolezel, in his 12th year, looked as sharp as he ever has, completing 25 of 32 passes for 221 yards and five touchdowns. Dolezel excelled at finding the open receiver and was able to get rid of the ball quickly in order to jumpstart the Dallas offense.
Trailing 28-22 at the half, the game turned against the Rush early in the third quarter. Chicago's defense forced the Desperados to settle for a 25-yard Carlos Martinez field goal on its opening possession of the quarter that pushed the Dallas lead to 31-22.
On Chicago's next possession, Rush QB Matt D'Orazio was sacked by Dallas lineman Colston Weatherington near the goalline, forcing a D'Orazio fumble. The ball bounced into the Rush endzone where Dallas LB Duke Pettijohn recovered it for a touchdown, extending the lead to 38-22.
The play left the Rush searching for its balance and the combination of a solid Dallas effort and the injuries to Moyer and Bleisath prevented the team from recovering the rest of the afternoon.
The first half was a bit of a struggle, but thanks to the unlikely contributions of kicker Dan Frantz, Chicago found itself in the game by halftime. Frantz was successful on all three of his FG attempts - including monstrous attempts of 46 and a career-long 52 yards - and Hohensee saw his team within six points at 28-22 at the break.
D'Orazio, who finished the game 20 of 32 for 233 yards and three TDs, threw first half touchdown passes to C.J. Johnson and Buchie Ibeh, but the Rush defense struggled to contain Dolezel. The Desperado passer completed 13-of-16 in the first 30 minutes and his ultraquick delivery appeared unstoppable. He threw three TD passes - including two to Will Pettis.
The only time the Rush defense stopped Dallas in the first half was the result of a tough hit and forced fumble by LB DeJuan Alfonzo, who stripped the ball from Andrew Layton. The ball bounced into the endzone and it was recovered by Charlie Cook for a touchback.
The Rush took advantage of the break and climbed back into the game when Ibeh caught his fourth TD pass in two games - a 10-yarder with 55 seconds to play in the half.
RUSH NOTES: Bob McMillen came into the game needing seven yards to become the AFL's all-time leading rusher, but he did not get a single attempt. ... Backup QB Asad Abdul-Khaliq got into the game late in the fourth quarter and completed three passes in five attempts, including a 26-yard TD pass to Ibeh. It was his first career TD pass. Ibeh appears to be quite a find for the Rush. A week after catching three TD passes in his debut against San Jose, he added three more against Dallas. ... Carlos Wright did not break a kickoff return for a touchdown, but he was very effective in returning eight kickoffs for 169 yards, including a long of 35. ... C.J. Johnson is proving to be quite versatile, catching a game-high 12 passes for 154 yards and two scores and also throwing a three-yard TD pass in the fourth quarter. It was his third touchdown pass of the season.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 5, 2006
- Crush turns back Rampage - Colorado Crush
- Desperados' D Overwhelms The Rush - Dallas Desperados
- Gladiators find rhythm against Soul, 67-49 - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Avengers no Match for Predators - OSC Original by Tim Peterson
- Brigade offense comes alive in thrilling 69-59 loss to Tampa Bay - Kansas City Brigade
- Rampage downed by champs, 66-52 - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Injuries, Desperados end Rush three-game winning streak - Chicago Rush
- Turnovers deny Blaze a win at home, 65-50 - Utah Blaze
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
