Rampage loses 51-44 to Chicago

Published on March 26, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


CHICAGO - Getting off to a fast start, Grand Rapids jumped to a 24-3 lead with a minute to go in the first half thanks to a defensive unit that made the Rampage endzone seemed impregnable as the team forced two takeaways, a turnover on downs and a short field goal inside its ten-yard line. However, in final 27 seconds of the half, the Chicago Rush sliced Grand Rapids' 21-point lead to just eight. Chicago outscored the Rampage 35-20 in the second half en route to the 51-44 final score.

The game began with Rampage quarterback Chad Salisbury connecting on his first eight passes, including touchdown passes to Timon Marshall and Chris Ryan. Salisbury finished 26-of-35 for 266 yards with five passing scores and an interception. His favorite targets were Anthony Hines (nine receptions for 119 yards and a TD) and Timon Marshall (eight receptions for 95 yards and 2 TDs).

Grand Rapids' defense had four great series to start the game as it forced: a 24-yard field goal, a fumble, an interception and a turnover downs. During that timeframe, the Rampage offense made the most of the defenses stops as it lead 24-3 after Peter Martinez nailed a 36-yard field goal with 1:21 left in the first half.

On the ensuing kickoff, Rush WR/DB Carlos Wright returned the ball 54 yards to the Rampage two-yard line. Matt D'Orazio punched through from a yard out to give the Rush its first touchdown of the game with 27 ticks left in the first half. D'Orazio followed with a second rushing score just 21 seconds later after a Rampage fumble cutting the Rampage's lead to eight to end the half.

The second half proved to be a battle to the end as each team refused to give up. Chicago scored on their first possession of the third quarter with their first passing touchdown of the contest. Just when it looked like Salisbury was in trouble, he shook the defender off to throw a nine-yard touchdown to Hines. The Rush took its first lead with 12:06 left in the game when D'Orazio connected with Cornelius White on a nine-yard score.

The teams traded scores and leads until the final minute when Hines caught a 45-yard strike from Salisbury with 1:04 left in the game to propel the Rampage to a 44-42 lead. Chicago marched down the field in the final minute with D'Orazio hitting White for a 14-yard touchdown with four seconds left to give the Rush a 49-44 lead. A safety on the Rampage's final last-ditch effort to win the game was the points as Grand Rapids fell 51-44.

Up next for the Rampage, it heads to the Big Apple for a game with the New York Dragons this Saturday, April 1. ickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. The game will be televised on Fox Sports Detroit and can be heard on WBFX 101.3 FM or by logging onto RampageFootball.com.

All Rampage home games are played at Centennial Wireless Field at Van Andel Arena. Tickets are available through StarTicketsPLUS (1.800.585.3737), all Michigan Meijer locations, at The Zone (located on the west side of Van Andel Arena) or by clicking here.

Rampage games can be heard live on WBFX 101.3 FM - The Fox in the Grand Rapids area and online worldwide at 1013thefoxrocks.com. Tune in on WOOD-TV channel 8 (NBC) in the Grand Rapids area all season long for the Rampage's drive to ArenaBowl XX.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 26, 2006


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