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Rampage Fall Behind Early, Lose 64-35 to Rush

March 14, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


GRAND RAPIDS - The Chicago Rush jumped out to an early 22-0 lead en route to a 64-35 victory over the Grand Rapids Rampage in front of a sold out Van Andel Arena. Chicago quarterback Sherdrick Bonner missed the game to celebrate the birth of his son, opening the door for Russ Michna to earn the win in his first career start.

Michna earned Offensive Player of the Game honors after completing 18 of 26 passes for 245 yards and five touchdowns. Meanwhile, Rampage starting quarterback Adrian McPherson (Bradenton, Fla.) struggled, completing only nine of 17 passes before being pulled in the second half.

Chicago's dangerous defense flexed its muscle on the game's opening play when defensive lineman/linebacker John Moyer sailed untouched around the Rampage offensive line and sacked McPherson for a safety. Then, on the very next play from scrimmage, Michna found a wide open Damian Harrell for a 45-yard bomb, giving the Rush an early 8-0 lead.

Rush defensive back DeJuan Alfonzo made a net recovery off of the ensuing kickoff, pushing the lead to 15 points less than three minutes into the game. Then, after forcing a turnover on downs, Chicago extended its lead to 22-0 on Harrell's second touchdown grab of the night.

Grand Rapids finally got on the board thanks to an athletic 10-yard scramble by McPherson. The Rampage defense stiffened, forcing a missed 51-yard field goal attempt by Dan Frantz. But kicker Eric Houle (Flint, Mich.), starting in place of the injured Brian Gowins (Birmingham, Ala.), missed a 25-yard attempt of his own, keeping the score at 22-7.

Defense continued to dominate the action, as Frantz and Houle each missed long field goal attempts wide to the right. Alfonzo broke a 19:49 scoring drought with a two-yard touchdown plunge, giving the visitors a 29-7 halftime lead.

Chicago's Donovan Morgan began the second half with a nine-yard touchdown grab, giving the Rush a 29-point advantage. With his offense struggling, Rampage head coach Steve Thonn turned to backup quarterback James MacPherson (Tucson, Ariz.) for the first time on the year. The Wake Forest University product led his team down the field, connecting with Anthony Hines (West Palm Beach, Fla.) for just the second Grand Rapids score of the night. But Rush fullback Dan Alexander, who set an Arena Football League record with 41 rushing touchdowns last season, pounded in his third of the year to close out the third quarter.

Rampage receiver Chris Johnson (Americus, Ga.) caught his first touchdown of the season early in the fourth, pulling Grand Rapids within 23 points. But Chicago refused to let up, as Michna found a wide open Travis LaTendresse for his fourth touchdown pass of the night.

MacPherson continued his solid second half on the next drive, finding Kenny Higgins (Long Beach, Calif.) for a 12-yard scoring strike and then connecting with Hines for the two point conversion. Chicago's Ryan Dennard answered once again, however, with a 26-yard touchdown reception of his own. Despite adding another Higgins touchdown late in the game, Grand Rapids never came close to the defending Central Division champions.

Grand Rapids will have 10 days to regroup after starting the season 0-2, as they travel to take on the Kansas City Brigade on March 24. Meanwhile, the 2-1 Rush will welcome the Colorado Crush to Allstate Arena on March 22.

Score by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Final Record Chicago Rush 22 7 14 21 64 (2-1) Grand Rapids Rampage 7 0 7 21 35 (0-2)

LEADERS

PASSING: MICHNA, Russ (CHI) 18-26-5-245; MACPHERSON, James (GRA) 17-25-4-204 RECEIVING: HARRELL, Damian (CHI) 8-114-2; HINES, Anthony (GRA) 8-114-1

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

Offensive: Russ Michna (CHI) Defensive: John Moyer (CHI) Ironman: DeJuan Alfonzo (CHI)



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 14, 2008


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