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Rampage Playoff Hopes Fade with 55-32 Loss to Chicago

June 9, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


CHICAGO - Grand Rapids' was officially eliminated from Arena Football League playoff contention, as the Chicago Rush ran away with a 55-32 victory over the Rampage at Allstate Arena tonight.

Chicago receiver Bobby Sippio, who returned to the Rush lineup after missing three weeks due to injury, proved he was back at full strength, making nine catches for 179 yards and six touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Rampage turned the ball over three times to Chicago, who leads the league in turnover differential (+20).

The Rush jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead in the first quarter thanks to their smothering defense. Chicago took advantage of a fumble and interception thrown by Rampage quarterback Adrian McPherson (Bradenton, Fla.), as Sippio and Rob Mager hauled in touchdown grabs for the Rush.

Grand Rapids scored its first points of the night in the second quarter thanks to a nifty play by McPherson. After faking a handoff to fullback Johnnie Balous (Carthage, Texas), McPherson scrambled to his left and found a wide open Clarence Coleman (Miami, Fla.) for the second-year receiver's first touchdown grab of the season.

Following a second Sippio score, Rampage receiver Jerome Riley (Los Angeles, Calif.) caught his first touchdown following his return from the injured reserve list earlier this week. Riley logged 12 receptions for 88 yards and one score, while also pulling in his third interception of the season. Riley earned Ironman of the Game honors, his fifth-such award in 10 games played this season.

Down 21-14, the Rampage nearly tied the game after recovering an onside kick at the Chicago 19-yard line. Grand Rapids failed to score, however, and a 24-yard touchdown pass from Rush quarterback Matt D'Orazio to Sippio gave the home team a 14-point edge once again. Brian Gowins' (Birmingham, Ala.) 47-yard field goal at the end of the half made the score 28-17 in favor of Chicago.

The third quarter belonged to Sippio and the Rush. The fourth-year AFL veteran notched two more touchdown grabs in the quarter, marking his sixth game this season with five touchdowns or more. Chicago shut out the Rampage, 20-0, in the frame, forcing Grand Rapids into a missed field goal, a lost fumble, and a turnover on downs.

With the game seemingly out of hand, McPherson began to settle down in the fourth quarter, connecting on 11 of 18 passes for 111 yards and two scores. Coleman collected his second score of the night and Cornelius Bonner (Gaffney, S.C.) brought in his first, but Grand Rapids could never mount a comeback. Sippio's sixth touchdown grab put the game out of reach, as Chicago officially eliminated Grand Rapids from playoff contention.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 9, 2007


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