Kats Lose Bitter Contest 66-54 to Chicago Rush
April 7, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Nashville Kats News Release
NASHVILLE-The Nashville Kats were defeated by the Chicago Rush 66-54 in front of 7, 332 Saturday night at the Nashville Arena. The Kats were led by WR Kenny Higgins who finished with nine catches for 140 yards and three touchdowns, while the Rush's leading man was Bobby Sippio. Offensive Player of the Game Sippio had seven catches for 120 yards and six touchdowns, Defensive Player of the Game DeJuan Alfonzo who had five tackles and one interception, and Ironman of the Game Jonathan Ordway was a presence on both sides of the ball. The win pushed the Rush to a 1-5 all-time record versus the Kats.
The game got underway with a quick start with 28 combined points coming in the first 11 minutes of the first quarter. Nashville's Maurice Brown caught both touchdowns being 22 yards and 15 yards respectively, while AFL leading receiver Bobby Sippio caught both of Chicago's touchdowns which were of 14 and 15 yards respectively. The scoring continued when Sippio pushed the Rush ahead when he caught a five-yard slant and exploded for a 47-yard touchdown to make the score 21-14 at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter started fast as the Rush scored on a nine-yard pass from Matt D'Orazio to WR Andy McCullough to make the score 28-14. Not down and out, the Kats relied on their defense to force a turnover to get them back in the contest when DL Brendan Givan tipped a D'Orazio pass that was consequently intercepted by DB Ahmad Hawkins. The interception gave Hawkins five for the season which is the most in the AFL in 2007. On the Kats' ensuing drive, Jeff Smoker connected with Kats leading receiver Cornelius Bonner for a four-yard pass to close the score to 28-21 Chicago midway through the second quarter. The defense continued, when DB Monty Montgomery picked off his first pass of the season giving the Kats the ball on Chicago's 12-yard line. Unable to take advantage of the turnover, the Kats were left scoreless when a 30-yard Jason Witczak field goal sailed no good. With the Rush trying to extend their score before the end of the first half deep in Nashville territory, the Kats were able to limit the Rush to a 24-yard field goal to give Chicago a 10-point lead 31-21 at the end of the first half.
After deferring until the second half, the Rush opened the third quarter by jumping quickly on the Kats. Long-time AFL veteran Bob McMillen proved to be the x-factor for the Rush assisting on both of the team's third-quarter touchdowns. On the first score, McMillen started strong on a rush up the middle where he was met by Kat defenders, McMillen had the presence of mind to pitch the ball to D'Orazio who scampered in for a 10-yard score. The Rush then pulled out their bag of tricks when McMillen faked a run and threw a two-yard pass to Sippio. The Kats once again resilient responded when Smoker connected with Higgins on a 23-yard touchdown pass and catch, making the score 45-28 Chicago. The Kats continued to fight but were the recipients of two ejections once when LB Liam Ezekiel retaliated and made a swinging gesture towards a Rush player and another on Kats DL/TE James Baron after arguing a holding call after he scored on a 24-yard pass that was subsequently called back.
The fourth quarter started strong as the Kats attempted a comeback when Smoker again found Higgins in the endzone, this time for a 42-yard touchdown, giving Higgins two on the day and cutting the score to 45-34 Chicago. Eventually, the Rush to were too much and Nashville's comeback efforts were too little too late as the defending ArenaBowl champions continued their hold on the Kats winning 66-54.
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