Rattler handle Rush, 61-43
May 7, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
It was a tale of two halves for the Chicago Rush in the desert.
Unfortunately, both halves featured horrendous starts on special teams, giving QB Sherdrick Bonner and the Arizona Rattlers excellent opportunities to take control of the game.
Those opportunities were converted each time, as the Rattlers rolled to a 61-43 win over the Rush at America West Arena in front of 12, 349 fans.
The loss drops Chicago to 8-6 on the season and 0-4 against Arizona all-time. Colorado-the team Chicago was tied with atop the Central Division entering the Arizona game-plays at New Orleans Sunday.
In the first half, Bonner drove the Rattlers (5-9) quickly down the field for the game's first score, finding offensive specialist Siaha Burley for a 25-yard TD.
On the ensuing kickoff, Chicago's Russell Shaw-returning kicks for the injured Henry Douglas-fumbled the ball at his own eight-yard line after a big hit from Rattlers' defensive specialist Terrance Joseph. Fullback/linebacker Phil Glover pounced on the ball giving Arizona possession at the ten. Bonner found wide receiver/linebacker Tom Pace two plays later, slicing across on the front of the end zone, putting Arizona up 14-0 less than four minutes into the game.
Down 35-21, the second half didn't start any better than the first for Chicago and its special teams unit. Receiving the ball to start the second half, the Rush couldn't corral a Gary Kral onside kick, which Arizona did at its own 17-yard line.
Bonner capitalized, finding Pace on the double-move for a 28-yard score, giving the Rattlers a commanding 41-21 lead early in the third.
"We came out and committed a big turnover at the beginning of the game and gave a team with a poor record a lot of confidence," Rush head coach Mike Hohensee said. "We wanted to come out in the second half and get back in the game, but we couldn't handle the onside kick."
Bonner was brilliant from the outset, completing 13 of 14 passes for 132 yards and five touchdowns in five possessions before the intermission. The thirteen-year veteran finished the game 22 of 25 for 240 yards and eight TDs.
"Bonner was flawless tonight," Hohensee said. "That team (Arizona) was eliminated from the playoffs last week and they played with a lot of pride. Give them credit."
Burley and Pace complicated things for the Rush defense all night long. Burley caught six passes for 108 yards and three scores, while Pace added seven catches for 80 yards and three TDs of his own.
Chicago quarterback Raymond Philyaw finished the evening 19 of 25 for 139 yards, four touchdowns and one interception, before being lifted in favor of Todd Hammel with the game out of reach in the fourth.
Rush wide receiver/linebacker Etu Molden snagged nine passes for 74 yards and a pair of TDs. Rookie C.J. Johnson filled in for the injured Douglas at offensive specialist admirably, catching seven balls for 73 yards and two TDs. He added seven kick returns for 136 yards.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 7, 2005
- Dragons set new return record - New York Dragons
- Dragons sweep the east and Columbus - New York Dragons
- Rattlers Stop Rush, 61-43 - OSC Original by Andrew Nordmeier
- Rattler handle Rush, 61-43 - Chicago Rush
- Rattlers dispatch Rush - Arizona Rattlers
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