Kats defeat Rush
March 17, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Nashville Kats News Release
The Nashville Kats snapped a two game losing skid and continued their stellar play at home moving to 4-0 at the Gaylord Entertainment Center. In front of a crowd of 8,772 the Kats pulled out a welcomed victory by beating the Chicago Rush 48-47 for the first win against the Rush in franchise history.
Nashville led for nearly the entire game, but needed a late defensive stop on a two-point conversion with 28 seconds remaining to seal the victory.
"It was a guts play, we knew we needed to make that play to win the game and we did," said defensive specialist Rober' Freeman, who made the tackle on Rush wide receiver C.J. Johnson on the one yard line.
Kats quarterback Leon Murray made his first start of the 2006 season for injured quarterback Clint Stoerner. Murray completed 21 of 33 passes for 189 yards and four touchdowns and two interceptions.
"I could've and should've played a lot better than I did, but the main thing is that we won the game," said Kats quarterback Leon Murray.
His most productive play of the game was a 23-yard game-winning strike to offensive specialist T.T. Toliver.
"With T.T. you throw the ball anywhere near him and hope that he catches it and this time he did," said Murray on the game winning score.
Murray didn't have to do it all on his own as he got help from the running game. Fullback Dan Alexander was active for his first time since Week Two rushing for a game high 36 yards on seven carries with one touchdown. Fullback Rupert Grant also got in the act as he rushed five times for 10 yards and two scores.
On the Kats first drive of the game, Murray connected with T.T. Toliver on his first touchdown of the game with a 22-yard touchdown pass. Later in the first quarter, Rush quarterback Matt D'Orazio found Etu Molden for a seven-yard TD to tie the score at 7-7. Alexander then gave the Kats a 14-7 lead on a two-yard score on the last play of the first quarter.
To begin the second quarter, Rush kick returner Carlos Wright returned a kick for 56 yards to even the score at 14. Kats lineman Joe Minucci then sacked D'Orazio on the Rush's next possession setting up Grant for a two-yard TD. On the next possession, Rush fullback Bob McMillen scored on a two-yard run making him the all-time leading rusher in Arena Football League history. Rush kicker Dan Frantz then hit a 32-yard field goal to give Chicago their first lead 24-21. Murray put the Kats up right before the end of the first half by finding Hillery for an 11-yard TD reception making the score 28-24 at the half.
In the third quarter, Chicago hit two field goals, but was outscored in the quarter when Grant found the end zone from one yard out after a Murray scramble of 27 yards.
The Kats sealed the deal in the fourth quarter as Murray opened the final frame with a 17-yard TD pass to wide receiver Cornelius Bonner to give Nashville a 41-27 lead. The Rush answered by scoring two consecutive touchdowns to tie the game at 41. Murray was not flustered, throwing the game-winning strike to Toliver as he collided with the wall in the back of the end zone with 1:15 remaining.
With the Kats leading 48-41 and under a minute to play, Nashville gave the home crowd a dramatic finish. The Rush drove down the field and scored on D'Orazio's five-yard touchdown run to get within one. Instead of kicking an extra point to tie the game at 48, they failed to find the end zone on the two point conversion, giving Nashville the victory.
"Our team showed good character tonight, battling back in the face of adversity," said head coach Pat Sperduto. This was a big game for us and I hope that it gives us some momentum for the rest of the season.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 17, 2006
- Rush comeback falls short in Nashville, 48-47 - Chicago Rush
- Kats defeat Rush - Nashville Kats
- Rush comeback falls short in Nashville, 48-47 - Chicago Rush
- Rush FB/LB McMillen sets AFL's rushing record - AFL I
- Rush familiar with fantastic finishes - AFL I
- Comcast SportsNet to televise AFL games on family of regional sports networks - AFL I
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