LA hands Rush worst loss in franchise history

April 25, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release


The Chicago Rush has thrived this season despite serious injuries to key personnel.

Sunday, the injury was too much to overcome and the opposition's offense was too potent, as Los Angeles (7-4) powered to a 71-35 victory over the Rush (7-4) in front of 13, 927 at Allstate Arena.

With 4:23 remaining in the second quarter and his team driving toward the go-ahead score, the undisputed leader of the Rush—quarterback Raymond Philyaw—went down with a sprained right medial collateral ligament while dropping back for a pass.

In the process, Philyaw threw just his fourth interception of the season.

Los Angeles DB Jason Moore returned the interception 35 yards for a score, giving the Avengers a 34-21 lead and changing the face of the game.

The turnover gave LA the momentum and led to a 37 point second quarter, including 30 unanswered, that helped the Avengers build a 50-21 halftime lead.

Both the 37-point second quarter and the 50-points at the half were records for points scored against the Rush defense.

"We were playing a very good football team today and we didn't play very well," said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. "We didn't protect and our secondary played poorly and you're not going to beat a team like LA playing like that."

As the AFL leader in scoring offense, Los Angeles lived up to its billing. Quarterback Tony Graziani—the AFL's second-rated passer—was stellar in the first half, throwing for 152 yards and six scores on 12 of 14 passing.

Early in the second frame, the contest appeared destined for a typical AFL shootout. Chicago led 14-13 at the end of the first quarter, but Los Angeles scored on the first play of the second, as Graziani found offensive specialist Chris Jackson for an 11-yard touchdown to give the Avengers a 20-14 lead.

On the ensuing drive, Philyaw found AFL rookie of the year candidate Etu Molden for a 22-yard touchdown. Keith Gispert's extra-point gave the Rush a 21-20 lead.

Then, Hohensee elected to attempt on-side kick which Los Angeles recovered, capitalizing two plays later when Graziani found Jackson again on a 12-yard score, giving his team a 27-21 advantage and the lead for good.

The second half was anticlimactic, as Los Angeles outscored Chicago 21-14.

For the Avengers, Graziani finished 19-25 for 261 yards and eight scores. Jackson caught seven passes for 135 yards and four touchdowns.

Philyaw left the game after throwing for 103 yards on 11 of 14 passing. He added a pair of scoring tosses and the key interception. He will be re-examined this week, and is expected to be out from two-to-four weeks.

"The only positive in today's game was that not everybody got hurt," Hohensee added, as the Rush also played without key wide receiver/linebacker Lindsay Fleshman who was out with a right hamstring injury. "We have to get ready for next week (at Detroit, May 2) and get back on track."

Chad Salisbury replaced Philyaw behind center and went 11-17 for 110 yards and two touchdowns.

The loss drops Chicago into a tie for the fourth-best record in the league with the Avengers. Colorado, with a record of 8-4, moves one-half game ahead in the Central Division.

Chicago did receive some help in the playoff hunt, as Austin, Dallas and New York all fell to 6-5.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 25, 2004


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