Nashville defense, running game grounds Rush, 44-27
May 19, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
The Chicago Rush has made a habit out of coming from behind to win this season, but it was Nashville that was able to garner a come-from-behind victory in front of a sold out Allstate Arena Saturday night.
After the Rush scored with 5:34 remaining in the third quarter to take a 27-23 lead, Nashville shut the door on Chicago, closing the game with a 21-0 run to win 44-27.
Playing without three starters, including dominating receiver Bobby Sippio (sprained ankle), defensive back Jonathan Ordway (torn biceps) and offensive lineman John Sikora (hamstring), the Rush (8-3) lacked its normal complement of big-play weapons and was unable to sustain its energy for the full 60 minutes.
"I think we struggled to protect our quarterback, to tackle and to execute tonight," said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. "Most of that had nothing to do with the fact that Sippio did not play.
"We'll go in and meet and watch the film as a team tomorrow - and I'll be the only one talking. Then we will go out and try to find a way to beat Arizona next week."
The point total was the fewest ever scored by the Rush in a home game and snaps the team's eight-game home winning streak. It is also the second loss in a row for a team that was riding the crest of an eight-game winning streak just two weeks ago.
Despite the losing streak, however, the Rush remains in first place in the Central Division of the AFL's American Conference by a half-game over the Colorado Crush (8-4). The Rush will try to get back on track when they travel to Arizona next Saturday.
Chicago could have clinched its seventh-straight postseason appearance with a win over Nashville and a Grand Rapids loss in San Jose. That looked like a legitimate possibility at the start of the night, but Nashville got a lift from its power running game featuring Dan Alexander and opportune plays by the defense.
Alexander punished the Rush with 71 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries. The 265-pounder from Nebraska scored Nashville's first touchdown on a 25-yard run late in the first quarter and pounded in another short touchdown run in the second half.
The Rush defense, which had forced a league-leading 33 turnovers coming into the game, only forced one against Nashville - a Jeff Smoker fumble late in the first half after a sack by John Moyer. However, the Rush could not capitalize as QB Matt D'Orazio was sacked for a safety on the very next play, leaving the Rush up by only five, 21-16, at the half.
The Kats were the stronger team after the break.
After DeJuan Alfonzo had given the Rush a 27-23 lead with a 3-yard run with 5:35 to go in the third quarter, Nashville closed out the game with three consecutive rushing touchdowns.
Ahmad Hawkins scored the first on a 4-yard run that culminated a 7-play 35-yard drive. Terrel Bowden pounded the ball into the endzone from 3 yards out after D'Orazio's fourth-quarter pass was intercepted by Hawkins. Alexander closed out the scoring with a 2-yard at the 1:33 mark of the final quarter.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 19, 2007
- Nashville defense, running game grounds Rush, 44-27 - Chicago Rush
- Kats Defeat Rival Rush Behind Running Attack, Solid Defense - Nashville Kats
- Rush Activates Shaw, Beard From IR - Chicago Rush
- Destroyers Suffer Tough Losses In Colorado - Columbus Destroyers
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