One-step closer, Georgia 55 Chicago 20
April 29, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Georgia Force News Release
ATLANTA, GA- The Georgia Force moved one-step closer to a playoff birth with their eighth win of the season, 55-20, over the Chicago Rush. With the win Georgia improves to 8-6 on the season while Chicago falls to 5-9. The Force defense recorded four sacks and two interceptions on the night while Georgia's offense scored touchdowns on eight of their 10 possessions. Georgia's WR/LB Derek Lee recorded eight catches for 108 yards and three touchdowns on offense and added three tackles and one interception on defense. Lee returned the interception 45-yards for Georgia's final score of the game.
The first quarter ended with Georgia leading Chicago, 14-7. The Force opened the game with a four-play drive resulting in a 31-yard touchdown grab by WR/LB Derek Lee from QB Matt Nagy. Chicago's QB Matt D'Orazio was sacked on third down by Georgia's OL/DL Chris Demaree. D'Orazio injured his ankle on the play and did not return. Rush K Dan Frantz attempted a 54-yard field goal which was blocked by the Force's OL/DL Jermaine Smith. Georgia took advantage of the defensive stop when Lee caught his second touchdown pass of the quarter, this time from 18 yards out. Chicago scored on an eight-yard pass from QB Michael Bishop to WR/LB Etu Molden with just over two minutes remaining in the quarter.
At the end of the half, the Force led the Rush, 42-7. The seven points allowed by Georgia was the fewest points allowed in the first half since June 14, 2002 at Carolina. Georgia's defense continued to supply the force necessary to stop Chicago. The Force defense stopped the Rush on all three of their possessions in the second quarter, in addition to recording two sacks (Smith, OL/DL Bobby Setzer) and an interception by FB/LB Kevin Aldridge. Georgia's offense continued to light up the score board, scoring all three possessions in the quarter. Nagy connected with Lee, OS Chris Jackson and WR/LB Carl Morris for scores. The touchdown reception by Morris marked his first career receiving touchdown in the AFL. In the first half, Lee recorded seven catches for 105 yards and three touchdowns.
Georgia continued to lead Chicago at the end of the third quarter, 49-13. Chicago's 12-year AFL veteran FB/LB Bob McMillen scored the Rush's second touchdown of the game on a three-yard run. Georgia answered as Nagy hit WR/DB Rob Carey in the back of the end zone on the Force's ensuing possession. Carey marked the fourth different receiver to catch a touchdown pass for Georgia in the game.
Each team scored a touchdown in the final quarter as Georgia defeated Chicago, 55-20. The Force's score came on a 45-yard interception return by Lee. The interception return was the seventh interception returned for a touchdown by the Force this season. The seven returns ties an AFL record for interceptions returned for touchdowns in a single season with San Jose (2003).
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